Wensleydale League: BOWES are now just three wins away from lifting the league title for a fourth year in a row after they won three times in five days.

They began a very good week with a 4-1 success at Buck Inn Broncos a week last Wednesday. Despite Wayne Thwaites hitting the bar with an early penalty, he headed Bowes ahead after 15 minutes before Robbie Hudson and Andrew Close sealed the points before the break. Hudson then made it 4-0 with 20 minutes left, before Lloyd Tate grabbed a late Broncos consolation.

The champions then followed that up with a 4-0 win at Hawes United last Saturday. A header from Matty Harrison was all that separated the sides at the break but Thwaites, Mark Thompson and Max Applegarth then sealed the points in the second half.

Bowes were back on the road again on Monday evening, with a 3-1 win at Buck Inn Old Boys. Scott Ryan gave the hosts a shock early lead which they held until just before the break when Rory Edwards finished off a flowing move it to bring Bowes level.

Wayne Thwaites then saw a penalty saved by Buck keeper Kenny Mudd, but he made amends with a clinical header to put Bowes in front on the hour, before Andrew Bellew then sealed another three points seven minutes from time.

Colburn Town are the only side who can now catch Bowes, and they really hit the goal trail with three big wins in five days. They started with an 11-0 romp at Hawes B last Wednesday evening, where Carl Pottinger took over as the league’s leading scorer with an amazing eight-goal haul while Chris Dempster, Damian Hargreaves and Adam Taylor completed the rout.

Pottinger then made it 13 goals in three days with another five in the 8-0 win at Askrigg United last Saturday, where Taylor was also on target again, along with Ashley McInerney and Tom Keegan.

Colburn then beat visitors Spennithorne and Harmby 4- 0 on Monday evening to remain in the title hunt. In-form Pottinger took his tally for the season on to 49 with yet another hat-trick, while Keegan completed the scoring in the final minute.

It all means that Bowes remain seven points clear with four matches to play, although Colburn do have a game in hand.

Richmond Town Academy look odds on to finish third after they won twice in a week.

Late goals from Gavin Armstrong and Josh Patterson gave them a 2-1 home win over Leyburn United last Wednesday evening, after Glynn Barnard had earlier given the visitors a 70th minute lead before they then edged a sevengoal thriller against visitors Reeth on Monday.

James Keyes gave the visitors an early lead, but a penalty from Carl Haxell and a strike from Will Gardner had the Academy ahead by the break.

Steven Fleming then brought Reeth level with a fine solo goal soon after the restart, only for Joe Blacklock to restore the hosts’ advantage on the hour.

Fleming then sent Steve Bainbridge clear to chip Reeth level again with less than 20 minutes remaining, but the hosts won it when Blacklock scored his second in the final minute to bring an end to the drama.

It was not a good week for Leyburn as they were beaten 6-3 at Buck Inn Old Boys last Saturday.

Reeth are enjoying a fine end to the season. A week last Wednesday they beat struggling Carperby Rovers 6-1 at home, and were then held to a 1-1 draw by visitors Unicorn FC last Saturday.

Redmire United have also enjoyed a decent season, and they won 4-1 at neighbours Carperby Rovers last Saturday.

Spennithorne and Harmby slipped to a disappointing 4-1 home defeat against Richmond Mavericks A last Saturday.