Hambleton League

DEFENDING division one champions Richmond Turf are now just one win away from retaining their title after they beat Blue Star 3-0 at home last Sunday.

Man of the match Stephen Butterworth hit a brace with Steve Allison also on target as Turf put their defeat in the league challenge cup final behind them in fine style. It means that if they gain revenge on Unison GLR with a win in the league at Wavell Road this Sunday, they will be crowned champions again.

Spotted Dog now look assured of finishing third in their first ever season in the top flight after they beat an under-strength Scorton FC 6-0 at home. The hosts had the points sewn up before the break as Mark Swanwick struck four times and Andrew Blenkharn once, and although the Dog eased off in the second half, Swanwick was not quite finished as he added his fifth to complete a comfortable victory.

Northallerton Police moved up to fourth after they came from behind to win 3-2 at fading Colburn Town. The hosts began the season as one of the favourites to win the title but they are set for a mid-table finish now after a series of poor results.

However they started well here and took the lead after 15 minutes when Gareth Reddie fired home from 12 yards but the Police were level in the first minute of the second half through Dan Cardie.

Peter Hughes then followed up to restore the hosts lead five minutes later when Police keeper Danny Yates could only parry a shot from Mike Brend into his path, but James Horsfield brought the visitors level again 15 minutes from time.

Colburn felt they should have had a penalty when Wayne Gredziak appeared to be brought down in the area, but referee Andy Foster waved away their appeals and it was the Police who won it when full back Paul Burton fired home four minutes from time.

In division two, Barton FC saw their promotion hopes suffer another blow as they lost 4-2 at Cowtons.

In division three, champions Stokesley FC are set to become the only team in the league to finish unbeaten this season, although Nags Head United were seconds away from bringing their impressive 20-game run to an end. Nags knew they needed to win to clinch the runners-up spot and a brace from Liam Brennan and a strike from James Austick looked to have set them on the way within the opening half an hour.

Mickey Pugh did pull one back for Stokesley just before the break but their unbeaten run looked over when Dave Proud made it 4-1 with less then twenty minutes remaining.

However Stokesley were not about to give up their record without a fight and they showed the spirit of true champions as they staged a thrilling late fightback to grab a point. Jimmy Greening put them back into it in the 74th minute before late goals from Gary Conway and Andrew Murphy ensured they will finish the season without a league defeat if they do not lose at Bar One on Sunday week.

But the point was not enough for Nags to finish second as Bedale Academy won 6-1 at The Standard to pip them to the runners-up spot.