Harrogate League

KIRKBY Malzeard reached the semi-finals of the Whitworth Cup after a dramatic penalty shoot-out success at Boroughbridge in their quarter-final tie last Saturday.

Kirkby, who reached the final of this competition last season, could not break down the stubborn home resistance in 120 minutes of fast-paced cup football, despite Paul Abbott twice hitting the woodwork and the tie ended 0-0 after extra-time.

When Martin Foyle then hit the first penalty of the shootout over the bar, things looked to be going the hosts’ way, but Kirkby keeper Mark Rimmer then saved the first Boroughbridge kick to keep it all square.

Kyle Baldwin, Paul Pollard, Abbott and Ashley Atkinson all scored for Kirkby to send it to sudden death and, although Tom Murphy saw his kick saved by Boroughbridge keeper Alistair Hogg, Rimmer made another save to keep Kirkby in it before he then scored himself to make it 5-4.

With the light fading fast, Rimmer then became the hero with another fine save to send Kirkby through to the last four where they will be hoping to reach the final for the second year in a row.

In the Premier Division, Bedale came from behind to beat visitors Pateley Bridge 3-2.

Adam Bramley headed home a free kick from Kyle Jackson to give Bedale an early lead, but the visitors struck twice before the break to turn the match on his head.

However, Johnny Coombs equalised soon after the restart before Bramley then won it in the dying seconds, finishing off another Jackson set-piece.

In the Medals Competition, Masham suffered an early exit with a shock 3-0 defeat at Division One strugglers Pool Reserves.

The hosts had failed to pick up a point in the league so far this season, but they proved too strong for a disappointing Masham to ease into the second round.

In Division Two, Dalton Athletic moved away from the relegation zone with a 3-0 home win over Pannal Sports Reserves.

Aaron Bumby headed Dalton into an early lead, but the match could have gone either way until Jason Henderson doubled the hosts lead 20 minutes from time.

That eased the Dalton nerves and Gary Foster sealed the points five minutes later to complete a second straight league win for the hosts.

In Division Three, Ripon Red Arrows maintained their unbeaten start with a 9-1 thrashing of Otley Rovers Reserves.

Pete Scott hit another hat-trick to take his tally for the season on to 17, while Ben Beadle, Paul Farrar, brother Brett, Danny Sheppard, Jamie Thomas and Martin Bethnell were also on target to complete the rout.

Bedale Reserves are also still unbeaten, but they were held to a second successive goalless draw at Pateley Bridge Reserves.

However, it was enough to maintain their three-point lead at the top of the table, although the Arrows now have two games in hand.

Catterick Village put themselves back in the promotion frame with a 3-2 win at local rivals Thirsk Falcons A. Top scorer Andy Coe added another two to his tally to take him on to 16 for the season, while Lee McKenny was also on target as Catterick moved into the top three.