Old Malton dominant in local derby clash (From Gazette & Herald)

Old Malton dominant in local derby clash

York and District Premier League: Old Malton 3, Malton Bacon Factory 0

Saturday's eagerly awaited local derby lived up to all expectations, as Old Malton swept aside their arch-rivals to complete a comprehensive league double.

The visitors, who were hoping to close the gap on league leaders Dringhouses, started much the stronger and went close after only two minutes. A foul by Walker allowed Craggs to knock in a great cross from the edge of the area, Hopwood rising above the Old Malton defence to head over the crossbar.

Old Malton were kept on the back foot for the next five minutes by a very busy Factory side. A deflected shot forced another corner for the visitors on eight minutes. Craggs' ball to the near post almost caught out Walker and Jacques, the post coming to Old Malton's rescue.

The home side gradually began to settle and had the ball in the net on 14 minutes. Drew's ball into the six-yard box beat Slaughter in the Factory goal, only for the referee to blow for a challenge on the keeper.

The next 20 minutes was rather scrappy as both sides cancelled each other out, with no clear-cut chances being created by either side. Richardson and Readman combined well down the left on 35 minutes giving Boyes an opening, his waist high shot being the perfect height for Slaughter to tip round for a corner.

The game finally produced the goal the large crowd were waiting for as Old Malton grabbed the lead five minutes before the interval. Brown's superb through-ball picked out Richardson in the clear, his first-time shot on the half volley crashing in past Slaughter.

The visitors pushed for the equaliser before the break. Scaling and then Hoyle both denying Collins with strong challenges on the edge of the area. The second half saw Old Malton full of confidence as they began to relax and dominate the early exchanges.

The all-important second goal came 12 minutes in as the home side won a throw deep in the Factory half. Walton's quick work found Boyes at the near post. His shot was deflected into the path of Richardson who slammed the ball home from close range.

The game should have been finished as a contest on 63 minutes. Readman's wicked cross picking out Boyes who somehow managed to head over from under the crossbar.

With the Factory now committing everyone forward, lone striker Hill's strength created another glorious chance on 66 minutes, with Richardson being denied by a neat save by Slaughter.

The inevitable third came with 18 minutes left on the clock. A strong challenge from Hill won the ball on the halfway line before he released to Richardson down the left. He drove into the box before passing to Brown who had arrived late, and the midfielder slotted home from 12 yards to take his tally for the season into double figures.

The heart of Old Malton's midfield, in the form of Brown, Drew and Readman, were now in total control and with Scaling and Hoyle again outstanding behind them, there was no way back for the Factory.

Man of the Match Richardson was proving a thorn in the side of the Factory defence and almost grabbed a deserved hat-trick in the dying minutes, before Boyes and Scaling were replaced by Shepherd and Hood. The latter almost broke clear in stoppage time when Hill's clever reverse ball sent him on his way, but Hopwood's pace came to Factory's rescue.

Next week sees Old Malton travel to Bishopthorpe, where another three points would take them closer to league leaders Dringhouses. See the Vale and Dale section for this week's lottery numbers.

Updated: 12:46 Wednesday, January 26, 2005