THORNTON-le-Dale are emerging as challengers for the first division title in the newitts.com Beckett League.

Teenager Harvey D’Alquin led the charge with two goals as Dale won 4-1 at second-placed Union Rovers.

The result lifted his side to within six points of leaders Ryedale SC who have played a game more.

John Peel opened the scoring for Rovers after eight minutes but D’Alquin equalised on the stroke of the interval with an unstoppable 20-yard shot.

Substitute Dave Elliot put Dale ahead after 50 minutes with an angled left foot drive and scored again 18 minutes later after latching into a superb through ball from Tim Hunt.

Man-of-the-match D’Alquin added the fourth with 10 minutes to go after good work by Gary Davies.

Leaders Ryedale romped to a 9-1 home win over struggling Stillington Sports.

Tom Croot opened the scoring before a defensive mix-up allowed Jimmy Turton to equalise for Stillington.

Martin Foxton gave Ryedale an interval lead when meeting a low cross from John Ellis.

Ryedale took control in the second half and Matty Allison scored two goals in quick succession.

Martin Myers added the fifth after Foxton headed down a cross from Jonny Sellers, and Foxton scored with a header before Matty Bower made it 7-1 with a great diving header.

Foxton completed his hat-trick when Stillington’s goalkeeper dropped a cross and bagged his fourth of the game to wrap up proceedings.

Winger John Ellis was the man of the match.

Wombleton Wanderers are third in the table after a 3-1 win at local rivals Kirkdale United.

The champions looked back to their old selves, producing a dominant display.

Kirkdale goalkeeper Rob Galtry, however, was in good form and saved a Ryan Rivis penalty among other efforts. Rivis broke the deadlock after latching onto a pass from Luke McLaren.

Stand-in Wombleton goalkeeper Jordan Coulthard was called into action only once in the first half and made an instinctive save from a close-range header.

Wombleton continued to press and play the ball around but keeper Galtry was proving hard to beat.

It was the tireless young Wombleton winger Keelan Simpson who finally scored the second goal after playing a one-two with Rivis.

Kirkdale pulled a goal back courtesy of Glen Forrester – which set up a nervy finale – but Rivis sealed Wombleton’s victory after being set up by the pacey Tom Eddery.

Man of the match winners were Josh Berry (Kirkdale) and Keelan Simpson (Wombleton).

Sinnington impressed with a 5-0 victory over bottom-of-the-table Slingsby.

They took a three goal lead before the interval with goals scored by Toby Edwards, Sam Turnbull, and Toby Edwards.

The latter completed a hat-trick in the second half and Paul Harland was also on target.

Man of the Match for Sinnington was midfielder Jon Mitchell.

Heslerton beat Kirkbymoorside Reserves 7-1.

Tom Harrison opened the scoring in the first minute and further first half goals were scored by Joe Schofield and Billy Brown.

In the second half, Andy Sellers and Lee Clayton scored to give their side a five goal lead.

Ryan Metcalfe pulled a goal back for the visitors but Heslerton scored two more goals through Schofield and Joe Mills.

Man of the match was Heslerton leftback Lee Clayton.

l THE remaining quarter-finals in the Ryedale Hospital Cup will see Royal Oak Malton host Sinnington, Lealholm take on Heslerton, and Bagby & Balk meet Wombleton Wanderers on January 14.

Kirkbymoorside reserves are already through to the semi-finals after beating Slingsby.