Union Rovers' wobble gives Sinnington the initiative (From Gazette & Herald)

Union Rovers' wobble gives Sinnington the initiative

3:30pm Wednesday 16th January 2013 in Sport

TABLE-TOPPING Union Rovers suffered their second successive defeat of 2013 to throw the newitts.com Beckett League first division title race wide open.

Rovers went down 2-1 at home to Heslerton despite taking a first-half lead through Dean Sleightholme.

After Dan Simpson levelled before the break, Andrew Sellers claimed the winning goal for Heslerton early in the second period.

Midfield pair David Pelson and Steve Parker shared the man-of-the-match honours, while Daryl Craggs impressed most for Union.

Sinnington now look favourites for the championship after a 10-0 triumph at Norton United with Robbie Preston (3), Wayne Moon (2), Paul Harland, Stuart Wilkinson, David Wilkinson, Luke Clemmit and Toby Edwards notching.

Darren Bell (2), Dan George and Graham Barker were on target as Bagby & Balk beat bottom-of-the-table Kirkdale United 4-0.

Right-back Rob Barker was named man of the match while ’keeper James Thompson saved Kirkdale from a heavier defeat with a string of outstanding saves.

Gillamoor defeated Duncombe Park 4-0 with Lee Alexander (2), man-of-the-match Luke McLaren and Josh Tateson netting.

David Wallinger had earlier been the first to put the ball in the net but his effort was disallowed for Park, who had left-sided midfielder Ryan Jacobs in good form.

Division two leaders Ryedale Sports Club reserves tipped half a ton of sand on their pitch to make it playable before overcoming Easingwold Town 3rds 6-3 thanks to goals by Jamie Fewster (3), Alex Ibbotson (2) and Matty Gardner.

Joint man-of-the-match winners Heath Brown and Fewster also hit the woodwork, while Brendon Carrick, Tom Cadd and Andrew Metcalfe (snr) replied for Easingwold, whose star performer was David Waite.

Snainton reserves were pegged back after taking a 2-0 lead against Aislaby United courtesy of Riley Macauley and Jon Staniforth.

Simon Rouph’s free-kick and a Kenny Temple effort ensured United earned a share of the spoils.

The respective men of the match were Billy Sullivan (Snainton) and Ben Chapman (Aislaby).

In the Gordon Harrison Memorial Trophy, Sam Burns’ brace saw Rosedale progress to the semi-finals after falling behind to David Elliot’s opening goal for Thornton-le-Dale.

Midfielder Matthew Tyreman was named man of the match with Craig Barnes standing out for Thornton.

In the Panasonic League Division Two Cup, man-of-the-match Rory Lancaster scored five times for Thornton-le-Dale reserves but his team still required a penalty shoot-out to see off Pickering Knights.

A ten-goal thriller saw Cory Taylor (2), Rowan South, Adam Ridley and Greg Fawcett hit back for Knights before extra-time failed to provide any further goals. South was the pick of the Pickering players.

Kieron Spry (2) and Sam Brooker were on the scoresheet in Gillamoor reserves’ 3-2 win at Heslerton reserves, who responded through Peter Tiffany and teenage substitute Tyrone Walton.

The man-of-the-match award went to Karl Smith, while Ian Broadley impressed most for Heslerton.

Five-goal man-of-the-match Richard Abbey led the way as Union Rovers seconds booked their semi-final place with a 10-4 win at Slingsby.

Luke Dawson (2), Grant Stephens, Ryan Cooper and Phil Smith were Rovers’ other scorers with Jack Hopwood (2), Sean Keefe and Luke Gibson netting for Slingsby.

Star men for Slingsby were Hopwood and Fraser Hall.