THE final of the Victory Cup for the ‘Top Four’ teams in the first division was played at Kirkbymoorside last Friday evening between Kirkbymoorside Reserves and Heslerton with the Moorsiders worthy 10-1 winners, the final score line was not a true reflection of the game, the Moorsiders a fine balance of youth and experience never looked back after taking the lead after just 30 seconds when Ryan Rivis scored a fine opening goal, after nine minutes Josh Butler scored to double his sides lead, in between these two goals Heslerton’s Adam Stockill took a left wing corner which found an unmarked Mike Webster whose header went over the crossbar, what a game changer this could have been.

Heslerton pulled a goal back after 15 minutes with a well taken Paul Downes goal. The Moorsiders restored their two goal advantage after 20 minutes with a second Josh Butler goal, again Heslerton came back with a Stockill corner but this time Downes headed over from close range on the half hour mark.

The Moorsiders then scored three further goals in four minutes after 32 minutes Oli Magson scored, a minute later Dan Ward scored, and two minutes later a second for Rivis to give the Moorsiders a 6-1 interval lead, just before the interval Downes set-up David Thompson for Heslerton but the bounce of the ball on the rock hard pitch beat him and wasted a good effort.

The second half saw the Moorsiders increase their lead after 47 minutes when Matty Butler scored with a head following a free kick, Rivis completed his hat-trick on 55 minutes and he scored his fourth goal after 70 minutes to put his side 9-1 up, Jack Simpson scored the Moorsiders final 10th goal after 81 minutes. Every effort the Moorsiders had went in, for Heslerton they kept on playing but just couldn’t score of the night in front of a crowd of 105.

Man of the Match winners were Joshua Beach (Heslerton), four goal man Ryan Rivis won the Kirkbymoorside award with impressive displays by Dan Ward and skipper Dan Tomlinson.

Last Tuesday the Moorsiders won their semi-final 3-2 Away at Wombleton Wanderers, the only goal of the first half arrived in the 14th minute scored by Danny Butterworth with a 40 yard left foot lob/shot to put Wombleton ahead. Ryan Rivis equalised for the Moorsiders after 48 minutes, a Jamie Denison left wing cross found Martin Deacon to score to restore the lead for Wombleton but the Moorsiders hit back two goals in the last five minutes scored by Rivis – a superb header and Josh Butler to give the Moorsiders their Cup Final place for Friday.

Man of the Match winners were Rob Campbell in goal playing his last game before retirement (Wombleton), and Ryan Rivis (Kirkbymoorside.