SPORTSMANS FC reached the semi finals of the North Riding County Cup last Sunday with a 2-1 victory at Sherlocks from Middlesbrough. Sportsmans, beaten finalists last year, edged a tight tie thanks to goals in either half from Mikey Stevens and Scott McNichol.

Northallerton Police crashed out however, losing 4-2 at Thornaby Meercats. First half goals from Paul Barker and Ian Fairlamb looked to have put the hosts in control but on the hour Ben Darville halved the Police arrears. Any hope of a comeback lasted merely four minutes as Harrison Davies and a James Brodie-Myers penalty quickly made it 4-1, although in stoppage time, Michael Gunnell did pull another one back for the Police.

Division One leaders Robert Thompsons saw their 100 per cent league record brought to an end as they surprisingly threw away a two-goal lead at Travaux FC. First half strikes from Duncan Padget and leading scorer Stu Rose looked to have set Thompsons on the way to a thirteenth league victory of the season. But Travaux struck back early in the second period thanks to an own goal before Scott Ryan fired the shock 77th minute equaliser.

Henleys Athletic were able to cut the gap at the top to just a single point after they won 5-0 at Broughton Hibs. Ben Palmer finally made the breakthrough five minutes before the break, while in the second half, Adam Pearson, with a brace, Tom Keegan and Mark Hemmingway completed the scoring.

Struggling Brompton-on-Swale were beaten 2-1 at home by Stokesley SC. Joe Myers gave the visitors a 41st minute lead but Brompton, who had picked up their first points of the season the previous week, looked to have picked up another on the hour when Ken Williams brought them level. But with just two minutes remaining, Callum Cuthbert's long range effort gave Stokesley victory.

Gt. Ayton Sheriffs roared into the final of the Bob Seymour Division Two Trophy with an 8-1 thrashing of AFC Beckside. The tie was effectively over inside the opening fifteen minutes thanks to a hat-trick from Ash Woodier, while Mark Shimwell made it 4-0. Before the break, Jack Moore replied for Beckside but in the second half, Michael Croft, Joe Marsey, Caleb White and Shimwell again fired the Sheriffs into the final.

Brompton Juniors still lead the Division Two table following a 9-1 success at the Fleece Inn. Colin Anderson claimed another hat-trick while Dan Caisley also scored three times. Alex Caisley, Simon Dawson and Ryan Wilson then completed the scoring.

Stokesley Wanderers remain nine points behind in second place, although they do have four games in hand, after coming from behind to beat Golden Lion, 2-1. Jon Wood gave the Lion a narrow half time advantage but second half goals from John Dowd, heading home a free kick, and Elliott Hollis, gave Wanderers a much-needed three points.

Cowtons remain on the fringes of the promotion race after a 5-2 win over Topcliffe. Mark Sims was in top form as he struck four times to seal the points before Wayne Kennedy added a fifth. Adam Ryan scored twice late on to give Topcliffe some consolation.

There was a big game in Division Three where leaders Knayton FC faced second-placed Thirsk Town. A win for Thirsk would have taken them to within three points of the top with three games in hand, but goals either side of the break from Matt Fishburn and Chris Cowton put Knayton in control. Then in stoppage time, Nick Cressey sealed an impressive 3-0 victory for the leaders.

Workies jumped up to second with a comfortable 6-0 win at Jolly Minister. Dave Tennant struck a hat-trick while Mike Beales, Tom Riordan; with an incredible solo effort, and Craig Chandler sealed a routine Workies victory.

Standard FC remain ten points off the top but with four games in hand after a hard-fought 2-0 success at Masham. The game remained goalless for the best part of an hour before Phil Wrightson finally gave Standard the lead, while in the closing stages, Phil Sharpe sealed the points.

Romanby 2014 are fifth after a 7-1 home victory over bottom-side Vale of York. Kris Frost and Chris Smales both hit hat-tricks, with Christian Smith also on target as Romanby won at a canter. While strikers Frost and Smales have been grabbing the headlines in recent weeks with five hat-tricks between them in the last four matches, it has been the performances of defenders Johnny Fishburn, Callum Brown, Nick Fishburn and Jordan Potter which has been the basis of their success. Behind them, goalkeeper Pete Wakefield has also been in great form and assisted two of the goals in this victory.

Streetlam Farmers came from behind to win 2-1 at County Arms. Brad King gave County an early lead but the Farmers struck back in the second half to grab all three points thanks to a brace of headers from defender Drew Chapman.