THE final of the Dales Cup will be between Unicorn FC and Richmond Town Academy after both came through their respective semi-finals last Saturday.

Richmond, who lifted the MedalsShields lastmonth, remain on course for a possible cup double although Askrigg United took them all the way to extra time before they could seal a 5-4 victory. Ben Holmes volleyed Richmond ahead early on but Askrigg replied with a brace from George Handley and a strike from Alan Middleton to appear in control by the break.

However, goals from Bob Carr, Sam Vernon and Jonathan Kellett looked to have sent Richmond through but with the final kick of the tie Gary Cockerill equalised to force extra time where Vernon grabbed the winner.

Richmond had been in league action the previous Wednesday evening, beating visitors Spennithorne and Harmby 2-1. Goals either side of the break from Josh Wooff and substitute Jamie Metcalfe put Richmond in control before Craig Marwood headed home a Liam Reeves corner twenty minutes from time to put the visitors back into it.

Unicorn had an altogether more comfortable passage to the Dales Cup final, beating visitors Reeth 3-1. A goal from Steve Bainbridge gave Reeth a half time lead but Unicorn dominated the second halfto book their place in the final. Carl Handley headed them level from a Chris Duckett corner ten minutes into the second period, before Duckett curled home a 30- yard free kick to put them in front. Andrew Hunt then sealed victory with a solo effort five minutes from time.

Unicorn had earlier kept their title challenge alive with a6-2home winoverCatterick Rovers on Wednesday of last week. Handley headed Unicorn in front just before the break while Paul Brown made it 2-0 from the spot soon after the restart. Stu Brown, Danny Allen and a late brace from Gary Nicholson then sealed the points.

Liam Hall and Travis Robinson replied for Rovers.

League leaders Colburn Town maintained their three point advantage at the top with a 3-0 home win over Redmire United. First half goals from Ben Hook and Stu Murray put the leaders in control before Hook completed the scoring on the hour.

Richmond Buck Inn remain second after seeing off Hawes United 3-1. The match was over as a contest within 15 minutes as 16-year old Matthew Bateson, on only his second start for the club, scored twice, while a penalty from Gary Eggleston, after Tom Lowes was fouled in the area, sealed the points.

Hawes, whohadbeaten Gayle FC 7-1 the previous midweek, pulled a goal back through Martin Allen before the break.

Richmond Mavericks Reserves enjoyed a good week with two wins in three days.

On Wednesday of last week they beat visitors Reeth 4-2.

Lloyd Tate and Darren Matthews struck twice each in the first half to seal the points and it was not until the final four minutes that Shaun Charlton and John Williams scored for Reeth.

Mavericks then beat Carperby Rovers 1-0 last Saturday – Scott Fenney scoring the only goal of a tight match in the first half to lift Mavericks into the top four.

Catterick Garrison Football Centre saw their seven match unbeaten run brought to an end with a last-gasp 4-3 defeat at neighbours Catterick Rovers. Goals from Liam Hall, Gav Rudd and Craig Smith gave Rovers a 3-1 half time advantage – after Pete Hurry had earlier scored for the Garrison – but Damian Hargreaves and Hurry again made it 3-3 with 20 minutes left.

However, Rovers grabbed all three points when Hall scored from the penalty spot in the dying seconds.

Spennithorne and Harmby eased to a comfortable 7-0 win at Hawes Gayle. David Hicken made the breakthrough midway through the first half before teenager John Russell made it 2-0 at the break. Barry Harker added a third within seconds of the restart while Liam Reeves struck a hat-trick before Russell completed the rout late on.