A CROWD of 400 people gathered to see Durham Ox beat Kildale 3-1 in the Frank Bainbridge Cup Final last Thursday.

After an absence of two seasons due to Covid-19, Hillsprint Hambleton Football Combination cup finals are now taking place back at Northallerton Town's ground, courtesy of the club committee.

The bumper crowd made it one of the best cup finals ever attended, and the Northallerton side had the better of the early exchanges, however, Kildale defended resolutely.

On 22 minutes a Charlie Bingley cross was headed onto the Kildale bar by Sam Vernalls and cleared by a Kildale defender. A minute later Jacob Lever put Dan Baxter through in the inside left channel. He ran on to the pass and shot past Nick Lappin, the advancing Kildale goalkeeper, into the net from 15 yards. Kildale hit back and equalised on 31 minutes when Ox’s Wes Smith brought down Chris Trotter in the Ox penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty which Lewis Wood scored. Half time 1-1.

On 60 minutes, Chris Smales replaced Vernalls, and three minutes later he was on the score sheet when a mistake by a Kildale defender on the left of the penalty area led to Smales hitting a great shot past Lappin to make it 2-1 to Ox.

Ox piled on the pressure and increased their lead on 68 minutes. After forcing three successive corners Anth Mullaney headed a fine goal from the third corner to put his side 3-1 up. Durham Ox continued to have most of the possession with Kildale dangerous on the break, however, there was no further score.

After the game league councillor Paul Middleton introduced Frank Bainbridge, who donated the cup, and he presented medals to the four match officials and runners up trophies to Kildale, before handing Durham Ox’s Chris Hope with the man of the match award, winners medals to the Ox team and finally the cup to captain Jonathan Burn.

Brompton Juniors warmed up with the Durham Ox side before kick off and walked out with both teams prior to kick off as Ox player Chris Hope coaches them.

It back back down to earth for Durham Ox on Sunday, however in a division one clash against second-placed Stokesley Wanderers, who beat them 5-0. Mike Wells put Wanderers ahead on 15 minutes. Ste Drinkwater made it 2-0 after 35 minutes, and James Stinson scored a third for Wanderers two minutes before half time. Kieron Watson his Wanderers' fourth on 60 minutes and Matty Smith rounded off the scoring a minute before full time. The win moves Wanderers to the top of the table.

In division two, second-placed Golden Lion hosted Catterick Garrison FC and won 3-1. After a goalless first half, Lion’s Eddy Thornborough scored a brace on 48 and 75 minutes. In between the two goals Josh Watson scored a second for Lion on 60 minutes. With five minutes to go, Jaycie Hall scored a consolation goal for Catterick. The win moves Lion to the top of the table above Shorthorn with the same number of games played, but the Shorthorn have a better goal difference.

Shorthorn’s game against White Bear, Bedale was postponed as White Bear were unable to field a side.

Fixtures

Sunday, April 24 (10.30am): Division 1, Durham Ox, N’ton v Kildale; Knayton v Cowton; Stokesley Wanderers v Catterick Village. Division 2, Golden Lion, N’ton v Kirklington; Oddies WMC, N’ton v Shorthorn, S. Otterington; White Bear, Bedale v Catterick Garrison FC.

Tuesday, April 26 (6.30pm): Division 1, Catterick Village v Durham Ox, N’ton. Division 2, Catterick Garrison FC v Golden Lion, N’ton.

Thursday, April 28 (7.30pm): Hillsprint League Cup Final – Northallerton Town Ground: Stokesley Wanderers v Sportsman’s, N’ton.