Leyburn United have emerged as potential title contenders after taking another three points in a home win over Reeth on Saturday.
Following two seasons of respectable mid-table finishes, the team will be hoping to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season, with some recent new signings adding experience to their talented squad of youngsters.
Inform striker Will Hewson netted after just two minutes for Leyburn, and scored a second five minutes later.
A good cross from Rory Baker was headed home by Kieran Hawes. Jake Wynne then scored a long-range effort before scoring a second soon after missing two sitters.
Reeth pulled a goal back through Liam Stacey after a period of pressure before the break.
Ben Parlour then added to Leyburn’s tally after the re-start, with Dan Ellis scoring from a deflection in reward for good work down the right wing.
Riley Girgan finally scored his first of the season after being denied by the visiting keeper on several occasions.
Nathan Howard scored a late consolation goal for Reeth.
Leyburn took top spot in the table with help from local rivals Spennithorne who held Unicorn to a 4-4 draw.
Two goals from talisman Luke Wilkinson and one each from James Stanger and Stephen Bainbridge looked to have given Spenni all three points.
But Owen Kelly netted in injury time to level for the Richmond team after earlier goals from Joe Lamb, Liam Reeves and Ethan Brown.
Elsewhere, Richmond Town Academy enjoyed a 6-2 win away at Askrigg.
Daniel Diamond was the star man for Academy, scoring a first-half hat-trick in just 25 minutes and a fourth after the break.
Jacob Dunn and Seth Wilkinson also netted for the visitors.
Askrigg’s goals were scored by teenager Jack Dalton and 50-year-old Mark Teasdale, who was again called into action due to injuries to younger squad members.
Results
Askrigg 2-6 Richmond Town Academy
Reeth 2-8 Leyburn
Unicorn 4-4 Spennithorne
Fixtures – all Medals Shield
Hawes v Unicorn
Leyburn v Askrigg
Reeth v Spennithorne
