Wensleydale League

Holders Bowes saw off the brave challenge of Spennithorne and Hamby to remain on course to retain the crown in a repeat of last year’s final.

The tie was won in a mad tenminute spell midway through the first half as goals from Daniel Tully, Rory Edwards and Andrew Close put Bowes in control, but Spenni came back strongly after that.

Lee Davison gave them a lifeline just before the break with his seventh goal in the last nine matches, while Darren Enright made it 3-2 soon after the restart.

That led to a thrilling second half which saw both sides hit the woodwork, but the holders held on to reach yet another final.

Medals Shield winners Colburn Town beat in-form Reeth 4-2 in the other semi-final.

Tom Keegan gave Colburn an early lead and while John Williams soon had Reeth level, goals either side of the break by Mike Brend and Keegan again seemed to have sent Colburn through.

Steve Bainbridge set up a grandstand finale with a second for Reeth on the hour, but as they pushed forward looking for the equaliser, Colburn broke out to seal their place in the final with a strike from Mark Forrest two minutes from time.

Back in the league and both title contenders won on Monday evening to keep the race very much alive.

Leaders Bowes eased to a 6-0 win at Redmire United thanks to a brace each from Andrew Close and Robbie Hudson, while Nicky Bellew and Josh Lewandowski completed the rout.

Colburn Town met Reeth for the second time in 48 hours and again they came out on top, this time 2-0 thanks to a brace from Stu Murray, to stay seven points behind the leaders with a game in hand.

Buck Inn Broncos enjoyed a good week with two wins in three days to move back up to second place.

They began with a 5-0 win at Unicorn FC last Saturday, when Mickey Sartini struck twice, while Anth Weighall, Phil Stirling and Mark Sims were also on target to complete a comfortable Broncos victory.

On Monday evening, they made the short trip to Richmond Mavericks A and left with a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Stirling again and Fabio Sartini.

Buck Inn Old Boys got back to winning ways with an 11-0 home success over bottom side Hawes B last Saturday.

Top scorer Mickey White led the way with a four-goal haul, while John Bishton and Anthony McGeough both struck twice with Scott Ryan, a Simon Thornton penalty and a strike from Paul Ramsay completing the rout.

Leyburn United and Hawes United shared six goals in a thrilling match at Wensleydale School.

Darren Bell gave the visitors the lead from the spot after Lee Fawcett had brought down Jonathan Champion in the area, but Fawcett made amends by bringing Leyburn level soon after.

Goals from Bell again and Will Dinsdale either side of the break looked to have given Hawes the points, but a penalty from Paul Barnard and a late strike from his brother Glynn gave Leyburn a deserved share of the spoils.

Hawes then drew again, this time 1-1, at home to Spennithorne and Harmby on Monday evening.

James Stanger gave the visitors a half-time lead, but a free kick from Lloyd Iveson ten minutes from time was enough to earn Hawes a point despite both sides hitting the bar in the closing stages.

Redmire United beat inconsistent Richmond Mavericks A 3-0 last Saturday.

Bruce Lambert gave the hosts a narrow half-time advantage with a fine strike from outside the area, while secondhalf goals from Stuart Gall and Tom Osborn then sealed the points for the hosts.

Carperby Rovers enjoyed a rare good day in what has been a depressing season for them as they won 2-0 at Askrigg United.

Two goals in the opening ten minutes of the second half by John Sullivan and John Pickard were enough to give Rovers the points, although they remain in the bottom three.