Wensleydale League

THE GAME of the day last Saturday saw league leaders Richmond Town Academy hosts second- placed Buck Inn Broncos in a real title six-pointer at Earls Orchard.

The Broncos arrived nine points behind the hosts – but with three games in hand – so they knew they simply had to win if they were to keep their title hopes alive.

An early goal from Lewis Wilkinson and a penalty from Phil Stirling set the Broncos on the way and, although Josh Lincoln soon put the leaders back into it, Stirling again, with his 31st goal of the season, and Anth Weighall all but ended the match as a contest before the break.

However, the Academy had not lost in the league for 16 matches and they were not about to give up that record without a fight as Sean Radford and Shaun Groundry both scored in the second half to set up a thrilling finale but the Broncos held on for a vital three points.

They were then able to close the gap at the top to just three points with a 5-1 win at Reeth on Easter Monday. Stirling added another two to his tally while Matty Uffindall also hit a brace and Mark Sims completed the scoring after Steve Bainbridge had earlier grabbed a consolation for the hosts.

Defending champions Bowes are still the favourites to retain the crown after they also enjoyed two good wins over the Easter weekend to close the gap at the top to five points.

Last Saturday, they beat visitors Redmire United 4-1. Sean Osborn actually fired the visitors into an early lead, but Bowes soon began to get on top and Neil Gulliver headed them level from a Max Applegarth corner before the break.

Wayne Thwaites then gave them the lead on the hour before late goals from Scott Walker and Thwaites again, his 42nd of the season, sealed another three points for the champions.

Then 48 hours later they overcame Carperby Rovers 4-0, also at home. A serious injury to Rovers’ Tim Peacock after half an hour, which was later diagnosed as a broken shoulder, badly disrupted their rhythm and Bowes went ahead soon after through Rory Edwards.

A free-kick from Walker then doubled their advantage before the break and Bowes sealed the points with an Andrew Bellew header soon after the restart.

The fourth goal was somewhat fortuitous as a backpass by a Rovers defender was completely missed by the keeper and rolled gently into the net to complete the scoring.

Carperby had earlier returned to form with a 7-0 home win over Unicorn FC last Saturday.

Peacock and John Pickard put the hosts in control before the break and they were able to gain revenge for a recent defeat at Unicorn as Paul Stephenson struck twice in the second half, the second of which was scored from inside the centre circle.

Ashley Wormwell and a late brace from substitute Robbie Bright completed the scoring.

Leyburn United remain in touch with the leaders after a 9-2 thrashing of Hawes B last Saturday.

Lee Fawcett and Glynn Barnard both hit hat-tricks, while Chris Gregg struck twice and Charlie Aliss curled home a superb free-kick for a rampant Leyburn with Tony Porter and Ben Coates grabbing the second half consolations for Hawes.

Leyburn are now nine points behind leaders Richmond Town Academy and have two games in hand, but both Bowes and Broncos who are above them in the table have played less matches.

Colburn Town remain in fifth place after two wins in two days.

They beat Kirkby Malzeard 5-1 at home last Saturday before then winning 6-1 at Richmond Athletic on Easter Monday.

Hawes United have seen their title hopes fade in recent weeks, but they are not totally out of it yet after they also won twice over Easter.

They began with a 2-0 home win over Richmond Mavericks A last Saturday, then on Easter Monday they beat Kirkby Malzeard 4-1 also at home.

Although Hawes are a massive 23 points off the pace, they do have eight games in hand and could still figure in the title race with a good run in to the season.

Richmond Mavericks A followed up that defeat at Hawes with a 5-0 home win over Askrigg United last Monday.

Dales Cup finalists Spennithorne were in the goals in their two Easter matches but they only ended up with one point after they were held to a 3- 3 draw by visitors Reeth last Saturday, before then losing 4-3 against Unicorn FC two days later.

Askrigg remain bottom of the table after a 5-1 home defeat to Richmond Athletic last Saturday.