Rovers and Kirkby taste first league defeats of the season

Old Malton thirds, with two league games remaining, will finish bottom of the first division after their two-goal home defeat by Black Swan, Pickering.

First division leaders Kirkdale United dropped two vital league points when they drew 1-1 at home to Pickering Royal Oak. Kirkdale applied early pressure but had nothing to show for it. Oak's game plan was working as they took care of Kirkdale playmaker Ian Prendergast. Kirkdale took the lead in the 58th minute with a penalty, hotly disputed by the Oak players, but converted by Ian Prendergast.

Oak scored a deserved equaliser when Terry Davison netted after 71 minutes. The Kirkdale defence failed to clear danger and Davison reacted quickly to create space for himself to score from the edge of the area. Both sides had chances to win the game, but a draw was a fair result. Man of the match winners were Graham Jemison (Kirkdale Utd) and Terry Davison (Pickering Royal Oak).

Kirkbymoorside reserves lost for the first time this season in the league, as they went down 3-0 to lowly Thornton-le-Dale at home. Dale made a dream start with their new line-up. They gambled on the fitness of Uyi Ehima, back from his 12-week ban, and he set up Mike Lealman to break the deadlock after just three minutes. Lealman was fouled in the box after 31 minutes and the penalty was converted by Uyi Ehima.

Dale were in total command. The Moorsiders' keeper, Chris Nichols, made an outstanding save to prevent Lealman scoring with a diving header, but after 42 minutes Dale went into a three-goal lead when Will Dunnett scored with a shot from 18 yards.

Man of the match-winners were Chris Nichols (Kirkbymoorside reserves) and Will Dunnett (Thornton-le-Dale).

Rosedale entertained Sinnington and the game ended 2-2 - both the Rosedale goals were scored by former Sinners favourite Richard Wilkinson, and once again Rosedale had to come back from being two goals down. The Sinners were two-up after just 18 minutes, thanks to strikes from Dan Harland and Joseph Turnbull. But a brace of opportunist Richard Wilkinson goals levelled the score before half-time. In the second half, there were no further goals to show for all the effort, although Rosedale's John Tindal and Martin Myers both went close. Man of the match winners were Richard Wilkinson (Rosedale) and Joseph Turnbull (Sinnington).

Old Malton thirds lost 2-0 at home to Black Swan, Pickering, who had most of the game. For Old Malton it was the same old story, plenty of the game but no clear-cut chances created. Simon Dale shot Swan into the lead on the half-hour mark and Steve Sailes completed the goalscoring in the second half with a simple tap-in. Man of the match winners were Glyn Brown (Old Malton) and Steve Sailes (Black Swan, Pickering).

Duncombe Park entertained Aislaby United, with the visitors worthy 6-3 winners in what was a bad-tempered affair. Park had James Oldmeadow sent off for the use of foul and abusive language, while keeper Andy Caine has been reported for misconduct for remarks made after the game.

Mark Wood fired Duncombe Park ahead after five minutes. Aislaby recovered to level matters up when Kenny Temple crossed for Martin Carter to side-foot home after ten minutes. Aislaby took the lead after 20 minutes through Simon King's superb header. Just before half-time, Jack Colman equalised for Duncombe Park.

Early in the second half, Kian Brewster put the ball high into the Duncombe Park penalty area and the home keeper, Andy Caine, helped the ball into his goal for Aislaby to take the lead. A second Jack Colman goal for Duncombe Park saw the scores level again. Aislaby regained the lead with a penalty from Kenny Temple. Further goals followed from Martin Carter and Simon King. Man of the match-winners were Jack Colman (Duncombe Park) and Kenny Temple (Aislaby Utd).

In the second division, second-placed Union Rovers entertained fourth-placed Slingsby, with the visitors snatching a single goal victory in an end-to-end game. Union Rovers missed a first-half penalty when Peter Tiffeny shot wide. Slingsby's match-winner was also a penalty, scored by Stuart Magin in the 54th minute. Man of the match winners were Darren Clifford (Union Rovers) and Andy Bingham (Slingsby).

Gillamoor got back to winning ways, beating bottom club Ampleforth 4-2. Karl Richardson's superb header gave Gillamoor an early lead. Ampleforth's keeper, Tony Dodds, then saved a Gary Stamper penalty and Kevin Wright scored to level matters. However, Gillamoor regained the lead before half-time when Jonathan Bointon scored his first-ever goal for the club. In the second half, Ampleforth equalised again when Dave Wallinger scored, but Gillamoor recovered to go on and win with further goals from Andrew Bayes and James Cook. Man of the match-winners were Craig Ibbotson (Gillamoor) and Matthew Thompson (Ampleforth).

Ryedale Sports Club reserves beat Bagby and Balk 5-3 to remain unbeaten this year. After 15 minutes, Ryedale blitzed three goals in a six-minute spell through a Dave Jenkins and a brace from the predatory Sean Dixon. Before half-time, Andrew Parkinson pulled a goal back for Bagby and Balk.

Ryedale scored twice after 55 minutes through Andrew Best and Sean Hornby. Bagby and Balk came back with goals from Anthony Hewson and Paul Fountain, but Ryedale held out for another memorable victory. Man of the match winners were John Sherwood and debutant Jason Wood (Ryedale SC res) and Paul Fountain (Bagby and Balk).

Updated: 10:13 Wednesday, February 25, 2004