Stokesley Sports Club 1, Bedale AFC 4

BEDALE visited Stokesley Sports Club in the North Riding Football League, Premier Division – Bedale’s first game of the season. Bedale had most of the possession in the opening stages of the game. After 15 minutes, Nathan Hemingbrough passed to captain Colin Anderson on the left of the Stokesley penalty area, however, his shot across the Stokesley 'keeper and went wide of the far post.

Two minutes later Hemingbrough played a one-two with Josh Knox, who dragged his shot wide of the left hand upright from the edge of the Stokesley penalty area. Bedale had most of the possession for the rest of the half. Right-on half-time, Reece Bickerton hit a fierce free kick from 20 yards, which crashed against the Stokesley bar. Half time 0-0.

On 57 minutes, Bedale took the lead when Anderson hit a fine left wing cross which George Fawcett met at the far post and headed home. On 61 minutes, Stokesley equalised when a left wing corner was headed out by a Bedale defender only to the edge of the penalty area where Stokesley centre forward Jonny Helm gained possession and hit a low shot through a crowd of players into the Bedale net, giving Bedale 'keeper Ethan Lansdell no chance. Three minutes later Bedale regained the lead. Centre half Mark Hemingway played the ball up to Anderson's feet. He beat his marker and put Knox through in the inside right position. He hit a fine shot into the left corner of the Stokesley goal from 15 yards. On 68 minutes Reece Bickerton hit a fine left-wing corner to the far post where Adrian Woodward powered a header goalwards only for the Stokesley 'keeper to make a fine save.

On 79 minutes, Bedale scored a third goal when Anderson played in Nathan Clarke in the centre forward channel. He hit a fine shot from 18 yards into the Stokesley goal. With a minute to go Bedale scored a fourth, which was a fine team goal. Clarke passed to Ross Hodgson, who passed to Horsfield, who played in Anderson on the right of the penalty area. He scored, to add to his tally of three assists in the match. Jonny Helm was Stokesley’s man of the match with captain Colin Anderson taking it for Bedale.

Bedale manager Dave Goodwin was pleased with the performance, and all five subs who came on and impacted on the game.

Thanks were given to Stokesley chairman Ted Watts for producing a fine playing surface and food in the bar afterwards.

Bedale AFC Reserves 1, Bardsey Reserves 0

Bedale hosted Bardsey Reserves in the Heck Harrogate & District Association Football League, Jan Sinker Division One in their first game of the season. Bedale fielded a fairly young team and it was a fairly nervy performance from Bedale for the first 20 minutes, which allowed Bardsey a few attempts on goal. Bardsey did, however, allow the Bedale defence to pass the ball along the back four. Because of this Bedale slowly got a hold on the game and began creating a few chances. On 38 minutes, player/manager Dave Proud sustained a leg injury and was replaced by Chris Walker.

Within a minute, Walker hit a fine shot to the bottom right of the Bardsey goal which brought a good save from the Bardsey 'keeper. Bedale finished the half the stronger team. Half time 0-0.

Bedale continued strongly at the start of the second half. Jonny Coombs hit a great shot which hit the base of the right hand post of the Bardsey goal.

On 67 minutes, Bedale scored what proved to be the winner when Michael Ingram hit a fine cross from the right-hand touch line, which was neatly tucked away at the far post by Ryan Moule.

James Kitchingman was the Bedale man of the match.