Holders Old Malton St Mary’ beat leaders to reach the final (From Gazette & Herald)

Holders Old Malton St Mary’ beat leaders to reach the final

3:11pm Wednesday 20th March 2013 in Sport

OLD Malton St Mary’s have given themselves a great chance of ending the season with silverware again after once more reaching the final of the York FA Saturday Senior Cup.

St Mary’s look certain to surrender their York Minster Engineering League premier division crown but on Saturday they beat league leaders Dunnington 2-0 at home in the FA competition’s semi-finals – in a repeat of last year’s final.

Dunnington are unbeaten in the league this season but fell behind to Old Malton on the half hour when a Darren Dunning corner was met with a well-placed header by Liam Preston at the back post.

On 74 minutes, the Ryedale side wrapped up the win when a Tom Fenwick cross was turned into the net by a Dunnington defender.

Old Malton have won this cup four times in the last six years – their last defeat in the competition coming against Dunnington in the 2011 semi-finals.

They will go for a fifth win when they meet York RI – who lie mid-table in the York League premier division – in the final, the New Lane side being 3-1 extra time winners at York St John University after the tie had ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.

In the league, in which St Mary’s still lie third, second-placed Wigginton Grasshoppers moved to within two points of Dunnington with a 2-1 win at Terrington Glory.

Jordan Grose headed the hosts into an early lead but Lee McQuade levelled before the break and a Lee Stewart penalty midway through the second half won it.

Malton & Norton’s promotion hopes in division one received a massive dent as they suffered their first defeat in six games while rivals St Clement’s shocked leaders Aviva 2-0 to leapfrog the Ryedale side into second place.

M&N conceded two second-half goals in a 2-0 loss to Pocklington.

Church Fenton White Horse could also yet take the title – and push M&N further down the ladder – if they win their games in hand, although they too suffered a defeat, a third away loss on the trot, 2-0 at in-form Tockwith.

Stamford Bridge progressed in the Junior Cup with a 3-2 win over Huntington.

In reserve ‘C’, Malton & Norton’s second string, having already secured the title, were focused on remaining unbeaten throughout the entire season.

But they paid the penalty for missing a hatful of first-half chances as they lost 2-1 at struggling Wilberfoss.

Jono Parkin gave Foss the lead at the break and, although Callum Holmes came off the bench to level, Wilberfoss secured a notable victory with a cracking goal from Chris Allen.

Amotherby & Swinton entertained fellow reserve ‘B’ side Heslington in the Reserve Cup.

The rivals shared draws in the league encounters, but Amotherby booked their place in the next round with a 4-2 win with goals from Joe Bulmer, Danny Foxton, Adam Gray and Matty Bean.

•There will be vacancies for first teams and reserves teams in the 2013/14 season. All interested parties should phone league secretary Peter Gibson on 01904 796765.