LAST SATURDAY saw the delayed Dales Cup first round matches finally take place and both Hawes United and Colburn Town, who are due to meet in the final Medals Shield later this month, continued their fine cup form.

Hawes United faced a tough trip to league leaders Catterick Garrison Football Centre but came away with an impressive 3-2 success. Jonathon Champion fired the visitors ahead after 16 minutes but Steven Files soon had the leaders level.

However, goals either side of the break from Steven Calvert and Brett Calvert proved just enough for Hawes, despite a reply from the Garrison's Damian Hargreaves.

Holders Colburn Town set up a quarter-final clash with Richmond Town Academy with a 3-1 defeat of Richmond Mavericks Reserves. Despite falling behind early on, Colburn were level by the break thanks to a goal from leading scorer Stu Murray. In the second half, the holders went in front through Tom Sweeney before in stoppage time, Brandon Bishop finally sealed their passage to the quarter finals.

In the league the big news was the shock resignation of bottom side Catterick Rovers. With just one win from 15 matches this season and struggling to field a team every week, Rovers decided enough was enough. Their league record this season will now be expunged.

On the pitch Unicorn FC moved to within six points of leaders Catterick Garrison Football Centre with three games in hand, after a comfortable 4-1 victory at Reeth. Carl Handley headed the opener after just five minutes and the match was over as a contest before the break when Shaun Charlton tapped home after good work from Lewis Stabler, and Tom Keegan scored with a 20-yard free kick.

In the second half, Stabler found the target with a marvellous solo effort to make it 4-0 before Steven Fleming grabbed a late Reeth consolation.

Spennithorne and Harmby moved into the top six with a 3-0 success at Richmond Buck Inn. First half goals from David Hicken and Liam Reeves sealed the points before a second half own goal sealed the points.

Richmond Town Academy are seventh after a narrow 1-0 home win over Bedale Town Reserves. With only four points separating the sides prior to kick off a tight game was expected, and a second half strike from the Academy's Ian Wilson proved to be the difference.

At the bottom, Askrigg United won a thriller at Carperby Rovers, 5-4, to move level on points with them. The match looked all over inside half an hour as a brace from Gary Cockerill and strikes from George Handley and Luke Smart gave Askrigg a 4-0 lead. But Rovers staged a remarkable comeback to draw level midway through the second half.

John Pickard scored just before the break, while substitutes Kiefer Bottomley and Stuart Dent made it 4-3 before Kalem Stanger equalised. And there was less than five minutes remaining when Smart scored his second to give Askrigg the points in the most dramatic fashion.