Wensleydale League
THE LEAGUE returned after the Christmas break last Saturday and the game of the day saw Unicorn FC leap above Richmond Mavericks into third place with a surprisingly comfortable 8-1 success. The Mavs began the day three points ahead having played two games more but after a tight opening twenty minutes, Unicorn soon took control with goals from Lewis Stabler and Shaun Charlton. The match was then over a contest before the break as Stabler and Charlton both completed first half hat-tricks. Early in the second period, Phil Stirling grabbed a consolation for the Mavericks but in the final ten minutes Charlton scored two more to complete the rout.
The two other main title contenders, Hawes United and Colburn Town, also both scored eight times. League leaders Hawes United beat neighbours Carperby Rovers, 8-2. Brett Calvert and Steve Calvert both scored twice in the first half, along with Jonathon Champion, while after the break, Stuart Sunter, Jordan Iverson and Steve Calvert, to complete his hat-trick, sealed the points. Kalem Stanger and the ever-reliable John Pickard replied for Rovers.
Colburn Town thrashed Reeth 8-1 to remain second. Andrew Calvert actually gave Reeth an early lead but Tom Sweeney was in unstoppable form, scoring five times to put Colburn in charge. Stu Murray then added two before substitute Jamie Dempster completed the scoring. Four points now separate the top four, although Colburn and Unicorn both have two games in hand.
Elsewhere the goals flowed. Catterick Garrison Football Centre won a thriller by the odd goal in nine at Spennithorne and Harmby. James Stanger and Joe Dickens put the hosts 2-0 up but before the break, Jez Mortimer, Damian Hargreaves and Andrew Constantine had turned the match in Catterick's favour. Early in the second half Stanger made it 3-3 but on the hour Daniel Deeney restored the Garrison advantage. The points looked set to be shared with twenty minutes left as Adam Dinsdale equalised for Spenni but with time running out, Mortimer grabbed a dramatic Catterick winner.
Richmond Buck Inn staged a remarkable second half comeback to win 4-3 at bottom side Askrigg United. The hosts dominated the first half and goals from Alan Middleton, Luke Smart and Gary Cockrill looked to have given Askrigg only a second win of the season. But the Buck comeback began in the 50th minute with a strike from Mark Swanwick, before David Eggelston, David Addison and Stu Fotheringham gave the Richmond side all three points.
The final game of the week saw Richmond Town Academy win 3-1 at Catterick Rovers. All the goals arrived in the second half as a brace from Sam Pickersgill and a strike from Ryan Howe gave the Academy a fully deserved victory.
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