DEFENDING premier division champions Thirsk Falcons put the disappointment of defeat in the final of the North Riding Cup on Tuesday of last week behind them with a 3-1 home win over Westbrook YMCA on Saturday.

A goal from Mark Cobb was not quite enough to give the Falcons the cup at Stokesley as Whinney Banks, from the Teesside League, fought back to win 2-1 in extra time, but they bounced back in style just three days later.

Joe Barwick touched home a cross from Bruce Cree to give the Falcons an early lead and, although the visitors were soon level, Dave Young restored their advantage from the penalty spot before the break after Cree was brought down in the area.

The champions sealed a very important three points when Cobb headed home from close range after the ball had come back off the crossbar 20 minutes from time.

Bedale Town put their recent poor form behind them with a 5-0 home win over Pannal Sports.

Matty Allison struck a fine hat-trick, while Johnny Morris and Kyle Jackson were also on target.

Kirkby Malzeard did not get the preparation they wanted for their upcoming appearance in the Whitworth Cup final as they were beaten 3-2 at Eccleshill United.

James Mason gave Kirkby an early lead from the penalty spot, but the hosts turned the match around with strikes either side of the break. Shaun Taylor then looked to have salvaged a point for Kirkby when he converted a cross from Niki Westbury 20 minutes from time, but Eccleshill grabbed the winner ten minutes later.

In division one, Masham remain in the top six after a 5-2 win at Otley Rovers.

A fine strike from top scorer Paul Swain gave Masham the lead midway through the first half and, although the hosts equalised before the break, Swain went on to complete his hat-trick within 12 minutes of the restart, the second goal coming from the penalty spot.

Brett Burrows and Jack Richmond added further goals to seal the points before the hosts got a late consolation, also from the penalty spot.

Thirsk Falcons Reserves are just one point away from clinching promotion back to division one after a hardfought 1-0 win at Burley Trojans Reserves. Dion Costick got the all-important goal.

Kirkby Malzeard Reserves look on course for an instant return to division two after they beat Pannal Sports A 4-2 at home.

Early goals from Tim Maynard and Paul Abbott appeared to have set Kirkby on their way to a comfortable victory, but some slack defending allowed the visitors to get back on level terms early in the second half.

But Abbott and substitute Ben Wise scored in the final 20 minutes to give them the points.

Catterick Village put their recent problems behind them with four points from two tough games last week.

On Thursday of last week, they beat visitors Thirsk Falcons A 5-3 with all eight goals arriving in an exciting first half.

The visitors took a firstminute lead, but a quick-fire hat-trick from Andy Coe soon had Village in control. Matty Coe then made it 4-1, while Pete Hurry nodded home after Andy Coe had hit the bar.

The Falcons scored twice in quick succession just before the break, but that was the end of the scoring.

Catterick followed up with a 2-2 draw against fellow promotion challengers Ripon Red Arrows on Saturday.

Brafferton Rangers had beaten the Arrows 4-0 two days earlier.