HOLDERS Unison GLR retained the North Riding County Cup after a bad-tempered 3-2 victory over The Fountain from Eston in the final at Stokesley on Thursday of last week.

A goal from Lee Shardha for Unison was all that separated the sides at the break but the team from the Teesborough League struck back with a brace from Leon Boase within ten minutes of the restart, the first of which came from the penalty spot.

That looked to be enough to give them the cup, but Unison forced the final into extra-time when Colin Anderson headed home a free-kick from Dave Scanlon deep into injury time.

The Fountain’s frustrations exploded as they had a man sent off almost immediately and their mood was not helped when Anderson was then brought down in the area by keeper Chris Simpson five minutes into the first extra period.

However before referee Andy Foster could point to the spot, Shardha was on hand to roll the ball into the empty net and give Unison the lead. The side from Eston then had one of their substitutes sent off as the final threatened to get out of control, but Unison kept their heads to lift the trophy for the second year in a row.

But they were quickly brought back down to earth with a bump when they returned to Hambleton League action last Sunday with a home match against improving Blue Star. Their efforts from the final three days earlier appeared to catch up with Unison as two goals in two minutes from Michael Cobb and Tom James early in the second half put Star in control.

Scott McNichol did pull one back for Unison from the penalty spot two minutes from time, but Tom James sealed a shock win for Blue Star a minute later after linking well with his brother David.

The defeat now leaves Unison five points behind leaders Richmond Turf with a game in hand, but the title race will probably be decided when the top two meet at Wavell Road on May 10.

At the other end of the table, Brompton-On-Swale saw their survival hopes dealt a blow after they were held to a 3-3 draw by visitors Great Broughton Hibs.

Paul Orton fired Brompton into an early lead, but a brace from Chris Oakes turned the match in the visitors’ favour before the break.

They appeared to have sealed the points when Oakes completed his hat-trick ten minutes after the restart, but Peter Akers headed Brompton back into it 20 minutes from time before James Krishan then grabbed the equaliser ten minutes later when he deflected a shot from Akers into the net.

In division two, newlycrowned Bob Seymour Trophy winners Kildale remain on course for a league and cup double after a late goal from Gareth Williams gave them a 1- 0 home win over County Arms to keep them on top.

Barton FC put themselves back in the promotion frame with a 4-2 win at third-placed Sportsmans FC.

A game that neither side could really afford to lose was goalless at the break but Brian Hull gave Barton the lead six minutes after the restart.

Aaron Ramsbottom soon had the hosts level, but Gareth Davies and Hull again put Barton in control with 15 minutes left, although Ed Craven set up a grandstand finale with a second for Sportsmans soon after.

However, as they pushed forward looking for the vital equaliser, Barton broke out to seal the points through Danny Shoulder with just two minutes left to put them just a point behind Sportsmans with a game in hand in the race for the final promotion spot.

Three Coopers returned to action after nearly a month off with a 6-1 home win over Appleton Wiske.

In division three, Nags Head United saw their march to promotion slowed with a 2-2 draw at West Tanfield.