Beckett football league round-up (From Gazette & Herald)

Beckett football league round-up

3:20pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Sport

AN equaliser 10 minutes from time dented Union Rovers’ title aspirations in the newitts.com Beckett League first division as they were held 1-1 at fourth-placed Kirkbymoorside reserves.

The draw put second-placed Rovers five points behind leaders Sinnington, who were in cup action and who now have a game in hand. The Sinners still have to visit Rovers next month.

Dean Sleightholme put Union deservedly ahead in the first half but the Moorsiders stepped up a gear in the second half and bagged a merited equaliser through Jason Brown’s fine goal following Andrew Hodgson’s free-kick.

Both sides finished with 10 men. Kirkby had Mike Turnbull sent off after two cautions, with Max Fraser and Bradley Spink also booked. Union Rovers had Liam Foley sent off and cautioned.

Brown was a constant threat and man of the match for Kirkby, while centre-back Chris Cook was Union’s top performer.

Third-placed Rosedale are now two points behind Union with a game in hand after beating Heslerton 2-0.

Tom Bell opened the scoring after 10 minutes and Tim Hodgson doubled the lead with a superb 20-yard free-kick five minutes into the second half. Rosedale also hit the bar twice in the second half.

Midfielders Andy Kennedy (Rosedale) and Simon Oxendale (Heslerton) were the men of the match.

Thornton-le-Dale leapfrogged visitors Duncombe Park after a 2-1 home win.

Thornton took the lead after 11 minutes when Craig Sunley found David Elliott, who scored a fine goal, and it was 2-0 on 25 minutes when a free-kick was deflected in by Simon King with a little help from Park’s Kieran Johnson.

Elliott, Danny Russell, and Chris Preston all had good efforts saved in the second half before sloppy defending allowed Park to pull a goal back after 78 minutes through Nick Allenby to set up a nervy finale.

Rory Lancaster starred for Thornton-le-Dale, likewise centre-back Christian Ardisonne for Park.

Kirkdale United beat fellow strugglers Norton United 4-0, despite being under-strength after a few players failed to arrive.

Tom Gibbard and Josh Milner scored in the first half, Milner and Stuart Ellis in the second. Thomas Eddery in defence was Norton’s man of the match.

 

Ryedale SC are on the way up

Division two leaders Ryedale Sports Club reserves confirmed promotion to the top tier of the newitts.com Beckett League with a 4-2 win over local rivals Pickering Knights.

Pickering Knights started and ended the game the better team, but in between times Ryedale scored four goals which won them the game.

The Knights went ahead after 12 minutes as Greg Fawcett’s 25-yard shot caught young Ryedale goalkeeper Steve Walker napping.

But Ryedale were level within four minutes when Jamie Fewster crossed for Ryan Boyes to net with a superb header.

Ryedale took the lead after 20 minutes when a long throw by Alex Ibbotson saw Sam Leng score amid a goalmouth scramble, and, 12 minutes later, a superb through ball from Heath Brown saw an unmarked Jamie Fewster run on and coolly slot the ball home.

Fewster scored a second after 51 minutes before the Knights bagged their second goal after 63 minutes through Rowan South.

The Knights also hit the bar and had two goals disallowed for offside.

Brown and Boyes were Ryedale's men of the match. Greg Fawcett, at left-midfield, stood out for the Knights.

Second placed Union Rovers 2nds beat Rillington Athletic reserves 2-0 thanks to second-half goals by Richard Abbey and Phil Smith, with centre-back James Langthorne their man of the match.

Easingwold Town 3rds beat Thornton-le-Dale reserves 3-1 to stay third thanks to goals by Jack Summers and John Dey (2). George Bentley starred.

Aislaby United beat Heslerton reserves 3-1 to move up two places. Heslerton took a fifth-minute lead when a Nick Bell free-kick saw Dan Blanchard volley home. But Aislaby quickly levelled through Daz Davies, and two Simon Rouph either side of half-time won it.

Heslerton had Liam Bradley sent off after 55 minutes but did not concede any more goals. Chris Lightfoot shone in midfield for Aislaby, Jermaine Timms likewise at centre-back for Heslerton.

Snainton reserves stayed fourth with a 2-1 home win against Gillamoor reserves in a game of two halves.

Kai Morley put Gillamoor ahead on the half-hour mark, but Snainton, poor in the first half, were much-improved after the break. Macauley Riley equalised when capitalising on a defensive error and substitute Tom Haldenby stabbed home the winner following good work by Lee Hodges and man-of-the-match midfielder John Staniforth.

Sam Taylor and Jimmy Blacklock were Gills’ top performers.

 

Wilkinson keeps Sinners on double track

SINNINGTON remained on course for a Beckett League trophy double after beating derby rivals Gillamoor 2-1 in a well-contested Ryedale Hospital Cup semi-final.

The Sinners, the first division leaders, were ahead at half-time through top-scorer David Wilkinson.

Gillamoor equalised but the Sinners went onto win the game and a place in the final thanks to a second Wilkinson goal after 75 minutes.

Midfielder Paul Harland was the Sinners’ man of the match in a good team performance.