CARPERBY Rovers reached the first round proper of the Medals competition on Saturday after they came from behind to inflict a first defeat of the season on Hawes United.

An own goal from Mark Robinson gave visitors Hawes an early lead but John Pickard deservedly brought Rovers level before the break as they looked to make amends for being ejected from the Dales cup this season. Pickard then went on to complete his hattrick in the second half to give Carperby a first round tie at Richmond Athletic tomorrow, and keep their cup dream very much alive.

Back in the league, and Leyburn United remain the team to beat this season after they made it seven wins out of seven with a comfortable 5-0 victory at Unicorn FC. A spectacular overhead kick from Barry Jackson was all that separated the sides at the break, but Leyburn showed their true title potential in the second half as Jackson added his second while an own goal, a long-range effort from Lee Fawcett and a first Leyburn goal for Richie Weedall completed the scoring.

Champions Bowes have not hit peak form yet this season but they ground out a 2-1 home victory over an improving Spennithorne to jump up to second. A quick-fire brace from Nicky Bellew seemed to have set Bowes on their way, but Darren Enright put the visitors right back into it just before the break and the champions were relieved to hear the final whistle in the end.

Colburn Town saw their title chances take a knock as only a late fight-back saw them gain a shock 3-3 draw at struggling Kirkby Malzeard. The league new boys, who lost their manager this week and arrived without a point so far, led 3-1 with just five minutes remaining after a strike from Chris Slater and a brace from Stu Clarke on his first appearance of the season.

But after Tom O’Donnell had earlier equalised for Colburn late goals from Chris Dempster and O’Donnell again gave the visitors a point. Richmond Town Academy were expecting an avalanche of goals when they faced bottom club Askrigg United on the back of a run of 19 goals from their previous two matches but despite dominating most of the match they managed only a 4-0 win.

Steve Fenwick hit a brace while Sean Radford and Dan Broidy completed a comfortable win for the Academy to keep them in fourth place.

Buck Inn Broncos moved into the top six after a good 4-2 win at Richmond Mavericks A.

Adam Hillary gave the Mavericks an early lead but Phil Stirling equalised from the spot for Broncos before Anth Weighall put them in front just before the break.

Two goals in quick succession by Lewis Wilkinson and Michael Ingram within ten minutes of the restart put the game beyond the hosts, although they did finish strongly and pulled a goal back through Hillary 15 minutes from time.

Buck Inn Old Boys picked up their first points of the season with a 3-2 home win over Reeth. Stephen Bainbridge gave the visitors an early lead but goals from Michael Birdsall and Mickey White had the Old Boys ahead by half time. Marcus Bowman then scored his first goal for the club on the hour to apparently seal the points, but Steve Porter hit the crossbar for Reeth before Matt Barker grabbed a late effort to set up a grandstand finale.

Redmire United travelled to Hawes B and came away with a comfortable 5-0 victory. Bruce Lambert led the way with a fine hat-trick, while Stuart Gall and Stuart Dent were also on target to end a run of three matches without a win for United.