SPORTSMANS FC are flying the flag for the Hambleton League in the FA Sunday Cup after going through to the third round courtesy of a thrilling 6-4 success at Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter last Sunday.

The hosts twice led in the first half but Scott McNichol and James Coatsworth twice brought Sportsmans level. Aaron Ramsbottom then put the Hambleton side ahead for the first time but two quick goals from the hosts appeared to have set them through. However, with just five minutes remaining Ramsbottom forced the tie into extra time where late goals from Coatsworth and Danny McLachlan finally sent Sportsmans through.

There was plenty of drama in the League Cup also, although all the big boys made it through as expected. Division One leaders Robert Thompsons eased past Division Three side Workies, 10-0. Gareth Barber, Stu Rose, Dan McCalmont and Ryan McKendry all scored twice while Liam McCalmont, and Mark Nursey were also on target in a routine Thompsons success.

Henleys Athletic also beat lower division opposition, winning 4-1 at Topcliffe from Division Two.The tie was goalless for nearly an hour but then Tom Keegan scored a quick-fire brace to put Henleys in control. Neil Tannant then added a third before Adam Ryan pulled one back for Topcliffe. But Tannant had the final say in the closing moments.

Travaux FC were made to fight all the way before overcoming AFC Beckside from Division Two, 6-4. Mark Swanwick gave the second division side an early lead but goals from Stuart Brown and Rory Atkinson put Travaux ahead by the break. The topsy-turvy nature of the tie continued in the second half as Anth McMaster and Carl Eddon put Beckside in front again, before Mike Elliott, Brown and Scott Ryan looked to have settled it in Travaux's favour. However, Eddon set up a thrilling climax with his second, to make it 5-4, but in the dying moments Dan Morris finally sent the hosts through.

In the only all-first division tie, Broughton Hibs eased past Catterick Village, 4-0. Carl Hall, Steve Kelly and Seb Thwaites ended the tie as a contest before the break, while Kelly added a fourth in the second half.

Brompton Juniors are also through after beating fellow-Division Two side Cowtons, 4-1, thanks to goals from Dan Caisley, Ryan Wilson, Colin Anderson and Dean Hill. Kennedy replied for Cowtons.

Gt. Ayton Sheriffs also overcame Division Two opponents in the shape of Golden Lion. Chris Hope gave the Lion an early lead but Issac White and Ash Woodier soon had the Sheriffs in front. Kyle O'Gorman made it 2-2 at the break but Mark Shimwell and Steven Pennock gave the Sheriffs a 4-2 victory.

The final tie of the round saw Stokesley Wanderers beat the last remaining Division Three side, Thirsk Town, 4-2. Shaun Harrison and Keiran Watson gave Wanderers an early 2-0 advantage which Gareth Davies added to before the break. Thirsk pulled a goal back in the second half but just before the hour, Watson sealed Wanderers place in the last eight after good work from John Dowd.

There was only one match in Division One and it saw Blue Star beat Stokesley SC, 3-0. Lee Johnson and Dan Barwick put the Star in control by the break while Johnson added his second in the closing stages.

The only match in Division Two saw Fleece Inn come from behind to win 4-3 at Osmotherley Rangers. Rich Thompson, Andy Ranson and Jay Hibbins all scored in the first half for Rangers but it was not enough as Fleece stormed back to take the points.

Division Three leaders Knayton continue to march on after a 2-0 victory at struggling Oddfellows Arms. Early goals from Matt Fishburn and Sam Rayner settled a match that was far more comfortable for Knayton than the score-line suggests.

Standard FC are up to second, although they were made to work hard for a 5-2 success at Jolly Minister. Phil Sharpe lived up to his name with an early goal for Standard but Ryan Wilbor and Lewis Barker, from a tight angle, put the Ministermen ahead. A controversial penalty, converted by Malcolm Heron, and a second from Sharpe saw Standard lead 3-2 at the break and the second half was a real ding-dong battle. However, it was the visitors who finally sealed the points with late goals from Sharpe, to complete his hat-trick, and Bart Schofield; an absolute screamer from 30 yards.

Romanby 2014 drop to third after a late goal from Jamie Callaghan gave Streetlam Farmers a 2-2 draw. Romain Labarre had earlier put the Farmers ahead.

Masham are in good form and this continued with a 5-1 victory over County Arms. County played the entire match with only eight men but kept the score-line down to just 2-1 at the break; a Matty Tew brace for Masham being replied to by Glen Warris. But Masham eased to victory in the second half with goals from Chris Monkhouse, Miles Johnson and Gary Pickard.

Vale of York beat bottom side Northallerton Albion, 4-0. Martin Beales scored twice while John Beales and Dan Varley were also on target.