Medals Shield Final: Richmond Town 2 Hawes United 1 (aet)

RICHMOND Town Academy retainedtheMedalsShieldfor a third year in a row as a goal from Sam Vernon three minutes from the end of extra time finally saw off the challenge of Hawes United at Northallerton on Thursday of last week.

Hawes had gone in front in the first half with a fine strike from Jonathon Champion but Ross McGuigan brought Richmond level soon after and there was very little to choose between the sides until the late drama.

Richmond, whohadnotlost in this competition since 2010, started well. Playermanager Jonathan Kellett headed wide from a Ben Holmes corner inside four minutes before Holmes dragged a shot narrowly off target soon after. But it was Hawes who grabbed the lead after 14 minutes.

A strong run from Steve Calvert carved open the Richmond defence and Champion played a neat one-two with DarrenBell on the edge ofthe penalty area before firing past keeper Karl Latchum.

But Richmond drew level ten minutes later. Mark Cleminson whipped in a dangerous free kick from out on the left and McGuigan got the final touch with a glancing header past Hawes stopper Chris Harrison.

Hawes came out for the second half with more tempo to their play and they began to dominate possession, although clear cut chances were at a premium. Bell and Brett Calvert both failed to trouble Latchum while Daniel Peacock shot wide from a tight angle.

Richmond were forced to play on the counter-attack for much of the second period but they almost snatched victory two minutes from time.

Vernon send Woof clear with a lovely ball over the top and he rounded Harrison before being denied a dramatic winner by a superb last-ditch challenge from Brett Calvert.

Extra time became difficult with players from both sides suffering from cramp but it appeared as though they would have to regroup for the penalty shoot-out when Richmond grabbed a dramatic late winner.

There was less than three minutes left on the clock when Cleminson, an experienced head among his young colleagues, showed great feet onthe edge oftheHawesarea before slipping in Vernon whose shot on the turn from 12 yards rolled into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.