PAUL WHITE was the hero as Kirkdale United pulled off a superb Ryedale Hospital Cup upset on Saturday to surge into the semi-finals.

United, sitting fourth in newitts.com Beckett League division two, toppled first division opponents Union Rovers 5-2, White scoring four.

Union opened the scoring after only three minutes via Luke Dawson’s fantastic free-kick, but Kirkdale turned it around by the 12th minute as White finished off a good move then got a second.

United started the second half well but were denied by the keeper until Jordan Green was brought down in the area for Alex Croall to convert the penalty.

Croall strolled through looking for a second only to be halted by a last-ditch tackle before Ian Blanchard brought Union back into it 10 minutes from time with another excellent 20-yard strike into the top corner.

But White quickly completed his hat-trick with a spectacular 25-yarder and he scored again in the 84th minute to seal victory and the man-of-the-match award.

United also had impressive displays from Green and Glen Forrester, while Rovers’ top performer was Jimmy Tompkinson.

Wombleton Wanderers returned to the division one summit after routing Rosedale 8-0.

Josh Tateson broke the deadlock five minutes before half-time with Luke McLaren adding a quick second.

Rosedale tired in the second period - this was their first game for over a month – and Wombleton bagged further goals by man-of-the-match Jordan Rivis, McLaren, debutant Andy Phillips (2), Sean Walker and Jake Dennison

Keeper Shaun Dowson was Rosedale’s man of the match, despite the scoreline.

Previous leaders Thornton-le-Dale’s game at Sinnington was postponed because of a frost-bound pitch.

Bagby & Balk rose to third after a goalless draw at Kirkbymoorside reserves, who moved up to fourth.

The Moorsiders had the better of the first half with Bagby keeper Tommy Hunter making outstanding saves to deny Jack Dowson and Lee Nesfield. Hunter and Dowson were the men of the match.

Heslerton, who have games in hand, rose to sixth thanks to an 8-1 win at Ryedale SC reserves.

After an even 15 minutes, Heslerton got on top and scored twice through Joe Schofield.

Former Heslerton player John Ellis, Ryedale’s man of the match, quickly hit back but Robbie Preston made it 3-1 and Hessy went clear after the interval through Schofield, Wayne Pilmoor, Simon Oxendale, Preston and Rob Green.

Hat-trick man Schofield and Green were their top performers.

Division two leaders Snainton reserves beat Stillington Sports & Social Club 2-0, scoring at either end of the match through Nick Ellis – from the spot after a Dan Bateson corner was handled by Ben Walker – and Josh Beach.

The men of the match were Ross Triffitt (Snainton), and Phil Bell and Wayne Linton (Stillington).

Brooklyn 3rds were blown away on their first appearance at Gillamoor.

Skipper Andrew Claughton headed the second-placed hosts in front and, in the last 10 minutes of the first half, Ryan Mintoft skilfully got the second and turned provider for Ryan Rivis to make it three.

Rivis complete a hat-trick after the break, after good work by Danny Drake and Patrick Bernstein respectively, man-of-the-match Mintoft netted a superb solo goal, Sam Taylor scored, and 16-year-old Harry Oyston bagged his first goal for the club in his second match.

Keeper Josh Raines, in his second game for Brooklyn, was their star man, despite the scoreline.

This Saturday Gillamoor host Snainton reserves in a key clash.

Third-placed Duncombe Park were reduced to 10 men in the last quarter but held on to beat Pickering Knights.

Pickering took the lead through a 16-yard strike by Ashley Walker – his first goal since rejoining from Wombleton - but Nick Allenby equalised and good work by Corey Taylor on the left set up Jack Chadwick to score twice for a 3-1 Park lead.

Knights had the better of the second half and Steve Carter netted after 60 minutes.

The game was Graham Atkinson’s last for the Knights as he went to Australia on Sunday. They hope to sign Ryan Boyes as a replacement from Ryedale SC.

Midfielders Jack Wright (Duncombe Park) and Greg Fawcett (Pickering Knights) were the men of the match.

Lowly Settrington reserves beat Norton United with goals by Rhys Piercy, Richard Cass and Lewis Jackson. Cass and Jackson stood out, as did Norton keeper Scott Walker.