SCOTT Simpson and Jack Hopwood both hit hat-tricks as Slingsby beat basement team Ryedale Sports Club 7-0 to move up to third in the Newitts.com Beckett League first division.

Slingsby's other marksman was Danny Nunwick, who doubled the visitors' lead on 35 minutes after Simpson had made an early breakthrough.

There was no further addition to the score before the break with Slingsby actually performing better against the wind during the second period.

Hopwood struck three times, either side of a Simpson double-strike.

The man-of-the-match honours were shared by Sean Keefe and Brent Wilson with Lewis Danby impressing most for Ryedale.

In the only other top-flight clash, Heslerton overcame Union Rovers 4-2 despite falling behind to a fifth-minute Dean Sleightholme effort.

Heslerton, who had started sluggishly, levelled when Luke Simpson coolly converted after neatly controlling and bringing down a Chris Bell free kick.

Second-half goals from Simon Oxendale and Robbie Preston on 55 and 62 minutes respectively then put the visitors in charge.

Nicky Drew pulled a goal back but a last-minute Joe Schofield strike completed the scoring with Wayne Pilmoor earning the man-of-the-match honours for a tireless performance up front.

Defender Mike Brown also shone, while keeper Dan Simpson was the pick of the Union players.

In division two, Snainton Reserves stayed top after a 2-0 home win against Norton United thanks to first-half goals scored by Brendan Wilson-McGarry and Ross Triffitt.

The marksmen shared the man-of-the-match prize, while defender Oscar Johnson impressed most for Norton.

Duncombe Park moved up to joint-second in the standings after a 5-3 away win at Settrington Reserves thanks to goals scored by Nick Allenby, Jack Young with a fine header, Corey Taylor following a superb through ball by Jack Wright, Ryan Jacobs and Ferg Ward, who bundled the ball in from a corner five minutes before half time. Jake Fox was named man of the match, Impressive Pickering Knights ran out 5-1 winners at Heslerton Reserves, romping into a three-goal, first-half lead.

Josh Brittain opened the scoring following a Greg Fawcett cross after 15 minutes.

Three minutes later, a similar cross found Josh Fawcett to score and, on 23 minutes, a second Josh Fawcett goal followed after good work by Graham Atkinson.

Brittain scored his second goal of the game after 52 minutes with a brilliant solo effort, while Dan Blanchard pulled one back five minutes from time before James Boak's superb towering header, when he outjumped everybody in the penalty box, wrapped up victory for Knights, whose star man was Sam Lenk.

Heslerton's top performer was their goalscorer Blanchard, while Knights have also dipped into the transfer market to recruit Ash Walker from Wombleton Wanderers.

Walker trained with his new team on Wednesday night but got injured and will hopefully recover in time to make his debut this weekend after missing the Heslerton clash.

Union Rovers reserves beat Thornton-le-Dale reserves 2-1 in a game of two halves despite falling behind to a first-half John Cooper goal.

Richard Abbey levelled the scores after the break and Liam Burdett went on to grab the winning goal.

Defender Phil Smith was the man of the match with right-back Chris Scott standing out for Thornton.

The limited programme of fixtures in the league was due to teams being involved in Scarborough & District FA Junior Cup games.

 

• CRAIG HARRISON was the sudden death hero as Wombleton knocked Gillamoor out of the Ryedale Hospital Cup on penalties.

Beckett League top-flight outfit Wanderers beat second division Gillamoor 5-4 in the shoot-out after the teams had drawn 1-1.

A goalless first half saw Josh Tateson have a spot kick saved by Gillamoor keeper Adam Durrant.

At the other end of the pitch, Nathan Blacklock hit the bar with a 20-yard free-kick and Sam Taylor burst clear through only to be denied by keeper Jake Wilson.

Wanderers forged in front on 75 minutes when George Oyston put through his own net from a corner. But Oyston made amends five minutes later, crossing the ball for Andrew Claughton to take the game to penalties.

Gills’ Gary Stamper was first up and converted, with Tateson following suit after his earlier miss. Tony Cass, Sean Walker, Claughton and Jack Walsh were also successful before Oyston skied his attempt over for Gillamoor.

Wombleton went 4-3 up through Luke McLaren but Ryan Mintoft kept Gill in the contest and Durrant then saved superbly from Jason Pearson. Durrant’s hero status was shortlived, however, as his spot kick was saved by Wilson.

A semi-final place was then secured by Harrison as he held his nerve to settle the tie.

Both keepers were joint men of the match.