THE final of the Medals Shield will be between Richmond Town Academy and Hawes United after both came through their respective semi-finals last Saturday.

Holders Richmond Town needed extra time and penalties to see off Spennithorne and Harmby despite leading 3-0 at one stage. Josh Wooff and Ross McGuigan gave the holders a comfortable half-time advantage, while Ben Homes appeared to have booked their place in the final with a 30-yard drive a minute in to the second period.

But Liam Reeves pulled a goal back for Spenni 15 minutes from time and it started a remarkable late rally which saw them send the tie into extra time. Craig Marwood made it 3-2 with seven minutes left before Martin Dixon forced home the equaliser three minutes later.

The extra half an hour could not separate the sides but it was Richmond who won the penalty shoot-out after converting all five of their kicks.

Hawes United overcame Richmond Buck Inn, 3-2. Things had started well for the Buck as Mickey White gave them an early lead with his 29th goal of the season, but Hawes had turned the match around by the break.

Jonathon Champion brought them level after good play from Brett Calvert, before Darren Bell curled them in front ten minutes from the break. Steve Calvert then made it 3-1 early in the second period while only the agility of the Buck goalkeeper Kenny Mudd kept his side in it. But Tom Lowes set up a thrilling finale with a second for Buck ten minutes from time, although Hawes held on to reach their first final in six years.

In the league, leaders Colburn Town saw their title hopes suffer a setback as they lost 3-2 at Richmond Mavericks Reserves.

Joe Southgate and Lloyd Tate put the hosts in control by the break, while Dave Andrews looked to have sealed the points on the hour. But Colburn scored twice in two minutes to put them right back in to the match. A cross from Carl Pottinger was turned into his own net by Mavs defender Dan Johnson, before Nige Cole turned home a free kick from Mark Jamieson with more than twenty minutes still to play. However, the leaders were unable to force an equaliser and Mavs held on for all three points.

Unicorn FC were able to close the gap at the top to two points with two games in hand after they came from behind to win 7-1 at Askrigg United. Gary Cockerill gave the hosts a fully deserved half time lead but the unbeaten Unicorn finally found their form in the final 20 minutes, although it took an own goal to bring them level. Danny Allen then put them ahead for the first time in the 73rd minute before Askrigg tired and Chris Duckett struck twice, Allen went on to complete his hat-trick, while Carl Handley rounded off a rather flattering scoreline in the final minute.

Catterick Garrison Football Centre saw their hopes of top four finish suffer a blow after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Carperby Rovers. Kalen Stanger put Rovers ahead in the first half after a lovely through ball from Aaron Davies, but Catterick. who had lost 3-0 on the same ground in the cup the previous week, improved in the second period and grabbed a share of the spoils when Ashley Nichols scored from the spot.

Reeth continued their good form with a 4-3 success at Catterick Rovers. The match looked all over inside 15 minutes as a brace from Shaun Charlton, the first of which came from the penalty spot, and a strike from Steve Bainbridge put them in control. Liam Hall briefly headed Rovers back into it but Danny Plumb made it 4-1 at the break with his second goal of the season. It was a different game in the second half however, as a brace from Gav Rudd put the hosts right back in to it, but Reeth held on for a fourth straight league victory.

The final game of the week saw Redmire United win 3-1 at bottom side Gayle FC. Former Hawes player Matt Guy gave the visitors an early lead which Adam Ryde doubled before the break. Joe Willis then volleyed a rare goal soon after the restart, which he dedicated to his newborn baby daughter, before Jodie Richardson hit a late Gayle consolation.