Wensleydale League

AFTER defending champions and current league leaders Bowes had their home match against Reeth postponed due to a waterlogged pitch last Saturday, Colburn Town had the chance to move level on points with them at the top of the table if they could win at in-form Buck Inn Old Boys.

The hosts had yet to taste league defeat under new manager Paul Ramsay, while Colburn had not lost all season, so something had to give and, surprisingly, it was Colburn. A goal in each half from Mark Swanwick, his first strikes for the club, were just enough to give the Old Boys a shock 2-1 win despite an effort from Simon McGuiness for the visitors.

It leaves Colburn still three points behind Bowes, but they no longer have a game in hand, while for the Old Boys it is now six games unbeaten in the league as they chase a place in the top four.

Richmond Town Academy jumped over Buck Inn Broncos into third place after they beat them 6-2 at Earls Orchard.

Mark Sims and Anth Weighall were both on target for the Broncos in the first half, but the hosts gained a very important three points with an impressive second-half comeback.

Josh Lincoln struck a brace while Stuart Pigg, Joe Blacklock, Steve Fenwick and Will Gardner all found the target for the Academy to all but end the Broncos’ title challenge. They have now lost three of their last four matches and are six points behind Bowes, having played two games more.

Hawes United have been in great form in recent weeks, but they had to settle for only a point from a 1-1 draw at Richmond Mavericks A. Johnny Guy headed Hawes in front midway through the first half, but Michael Fleming brought the hosts level before the break, and that was the way it finished.

Hawes are unbeaten in ten matches in all competitions, although they are eight points off the title pace.

Leyburn United are another side enjoying a good run of results, and they won 4-2 at Unicorn FC to move into fifth place.

Leyburn started well and goals from Jordan Braithwaite, Glynn Barnard and Adam Gray put them in control inside the opening ten minutes, although Gary Nicholson did pull one back for the hosts before the break, finishing off a free kick from Chris Symonds.

That led to a better secondhalf display from Unicorn, but Noel Butterworth scored his first goal of the season to seal the points for Leyburn, before James Anderson then grabbed a late Unicorn consolation. With the match between Redmire United and Carperby Rovers postponed due to having no referee, the only other game to be played saw Spennithorne and Harmby beat Askrigg United 5-3 at home.

Richard Lambert headed home a free-kick from Darren Enright to give Spenni an early lead, but Alan Middleton brought Askrigg level with a fine strike of his own soon after. Enright then restored the hosts’ advantage before the break, but Askrigg refused to lie down and Richard Teasdale equalised for a second time just after the restart.

Youngster James Stanard put Spenni ahead for a third time on the hour, while Adam Dinsdale then had the chance to seal the points soon after, but he missed from the penalty spot and Askrigg took advantage with Middleton bringing them level again with 20 minutes left.

However, Martin Dixon hit the goal of the game from 25 yards to put the hosts ahead once more, before James Wilkinson then completed the scoring in the final minute.