Kirkdale United took the honours in a thrilling final against Heslerton to collect the Gordon Harrison Memorial Trophy.

Kirkdale, who were recently crowned division 2 champions, overcame their first division opposition 3-2 in an exciting game at Pickering Town’s Mill Lane ground.

Kirkdale almost took the lead in the second minute from a corner when skipper Phil Ward’s header was well saved by Hessy keeper Gareth Driver.

Six minutes later Heslerton’s James Webb put over a right-wing cross, but Joe Schofield’s effort was well saved by Kirkdale’s keeper Darren O’Grady.

But Kirkdale took the lead after 10 minutes. A well worked passing move, involving Jordan Green, Paul White and Dean Coote, saw the ball passed to Jamie Harper whose 12-yard shot beat Driver into the bottom corner.

The next 20 minutes saw end-to-end action with Webb and Simon Oxendale for Hessy, and Harper and Jono Wheeldon for Kirkdale, all going close.

Kirkdale doubled their lead in the 31st minute.

Heslerton’s defence failed to clear and the ball fell to Jamie Harper some 18 yards from goal. He looked up and rifled a right-foot shot into the top corner giving Driver no chance.

Kirkdale were now well on top.Harper went close to completing his hat-trick after 34 minutes, but Driver saved. An excellent passing move by Wheeldon and Rob Galtrey saw Wheeldon’s final effort deflected for a corner. It was taken by Dean Coote, but Galtrey headed over the crossbar.

The last five minutes of the first-half saw Heslerton come back into the game. A Webb right-wing cross found Robbie Preston, and his effort was deflected for a corner.

But Kirkdale’s determined defence held firm to keep a clean sheet at the end of the first-half.

In the second-half, Green and White both went close for Kirkdale.

Heslerton’s Chris Preston set-up Mike Brown, but his header went wide. Schofield and Simon Oxendale also had good efforts wide of the mark. Kirkdale then had Dean Coote cautioned for a late challenge.

Heslerton fought their way back into the game in the 72nd minute. James Webb, who was a constant danger, crossed the ball from the right-wing for Luke Simpson to race in and score at the far post.

A minute later, Kirkdale’s substitute David Daniels had a great 18- yard shot superbly saved by Driver. Galtrey then went close for Kirkdale with a header from a Green free-kick.

Heslerton substitute Ross Flinton scored a fine equaliser for his side after 74 minutes following a Webb corner.

But again Kirkdale came back with another fine interpassing move. Galtrey and White set up substitute Alex Croall, but his 18- yard shot was well saved by Driver.

The deciding goal arrived after 81 minutes. A good passing move was finished in style when Rob Galtrey fired an 18-yard shot into the Heslerton net.

Once again Heslerton came back strongly with a 25-yard Robbie Preston shot. Kirkdale keeper O’Grady failed to hold Robbie Preston’s effort, but his defence were well placed to deal with the problem.

Chris Preston then had a 25-yard free-kick cleared and followed this up with a 20-yard effort which sailed over the bar.

Man of the match winners were two-goal hero Jamie Harper for Kirkdale United. James Webb won the Heslerton award.

After the game Marc Craig, the Heslerton player/manager, said: “Well done to Kirkdale United, they bossed the first-half and overall deserved the win. We had word at half-time and needed to improve, but credit to my lads they battled hard but just came up short.”

Kirkdale’s manager Arthur Coote said: “I am so proud of the lads. Their overall performance was superb, excellent, we fully deserved our fantastic victory.”