Hambleton League

DIVISION one Champions Richmond Turf continued their 100 per cent start to the season with a 4-2 home win over Great Broughton Hibs last Sunday, but they did it the hard way.

The visitors stunned Turf by grabbing a shock two-goal lead within 20 minutes, but the champions fought back well and two penalties from Kalumn Holbrook, both given for fouls on Martin Butterworth, brought them level by the break.

With the panic over, Turf settled down and began to get on top in the second half and Martin Butterworth put them ahead following a great cross from his brother Stephen on the hour. All that was left now was for Holbrook to complete his hat-trick with a superb strike from 30 yards in the last ten minutes to seal another impressive win for the champions.

Spotted Dog have also enjoyed a good start to their first ever season in division one and they made it two wins from three games with a 5-3 home victory over Colburn Town. A brace apiece from strike partners Mark Swanwick and Michael Richardson seemed to have given the hosts the points before the break, although Wayne Gredziak had earlier fired home from the spot for Colburn.

But the visitors fought back well in the second half and goals from Michael Brend and Tom Keegan set up a grandstand finale. However just as it seemed that Colburn would go on and grab an equaliser, substitute Gary Tibbett broke away to seal the points for the Dog eight minutes from time.

In division two, Colburn Town Reserves belatedly began their season with a 5-3 home win over Barton FC.

Liam Hall gave the hosts the lead after 20 minutes and a penalty from Jonathan Cowan doubled their advantage before the break. However Barton came back strongly at the start of the second half and Tom Graham pulled a goal back on the hour before Danny Shoulder then went close to grabbing an equaliser soon after.

But Adi Moma hit a third for Colburn on the break 15 minutes from time, and Andy Reid then made the points safe three minutes later. Jimmy Muir did pull a goal back for Barton in the 81st minute but Chris Pugh immediately went up the other end and made it 5-2 meaning Shoulder’s last minute penalty for Barton was a meare consolation.

There was a thriller in division three as hosts West Tanfield beat league new boys Willow Green 5-4. Goals from Tom Mills, Matt Bowe, Liam Tinkler and Tom Harrison looked to be enough to give the visitors their first points of the season but Niki Westbury struck four times for Tanfield and Ross McSherry was also on target to give Tanfield victory.