Wensleydale League

WITH league leaders Hawes United not in action, second placed Unicorn FC cut the gap at the top of the table to just a single point with a 3-2 home victory over improving Richmond Town Academy.

Tom Keegan gave Unicorn a 14th minute lead but Ryan Howe brought the Academy level five minutes later. Before the break, Lewis Stabler, with his 10th goal of the season, restored the hosts advantage while Mark Jamieson made it 3-1 in the second half. But with three minutes left, Sam Pickersgill set up a thrilling finale with a second for the Academy, although Unicorn held on for what could prove to be a vital three points.

Richmond Mavericks Reserves are up to third after a comfortable 3-0 home victory over struggling Bedale Town Reserves. First half goals from Ben Smith and Phil Stirling put the Mavericks in control, while after the break, Martin Clark sealed the points.

Colburn Town are now five points off the top with two games in hand following a thrilling 4-3 victory over visitors Catterick Garrison Football Centre. The Garrison knew a win would lift them above Colburn into the top four but a first half hat-trick from Stu Murray, taking his tally for the season onto 20, looked to have put hosts in control.

However, within three of minutes restart it was game on when Shane Constantine and Steven Files put Catterick right back into the match. The comeback appeared to be short-lived when Mikey Brend made it 4-2 with a little over ten minutes left, but Files added a late second to mean the points were not settled until the final whistle.

Spennithorne and Harmby have begun to climb the table after a 4-1 win over Askrigg United gave them a second victory in their last three matches. The game was as good as over before the break thanks to an early goal from Liam Reeves and further efforts from David Hickin and James Stanger. Stanger then added his second soon after the restart before Luke Smart grabbed a late Askrigg consultation; his 5th goal of the season.

Richmond Buck Inn picked only their second three points of the season as an early goal from Mark Swanwick and late strike from substitute Lewis Burgess gave them a 2-0 home victory over Reeth.

There was a nine-goal thriller at Carperby Rovers, who beat Catterick Rovers, 5-4. James Guy gave Carperby an early lead but James McGahan struck a first half hat-trick to put Catterick in control. Kalem Stanger pulled a goal back for Carperby just before the break but the visitors appeared to have sealed a rare success when Lee Fyfe added a fourth on the hour.

However, with 12 minutes remaining, John Pickard began a late Carperby comeback before Stanger scored twice more in the closing stages to complete his hat-trick and seal a dramatic victory.