Richmond Town Reserves beat local rivals Mavs to make Dales Cup semis

It was Dales Cup quarter final day for teams in the Scotts for Storage Wensleydale League on Saturday.

Richmond Mavericks visited Richmond Town Reserves with a depleted squad but had the better of the opening exchanges.

Town struggled to get out of their own half through a combination of poor passing and good pressure from the visitors.

But despite their possession, Mavs were unable to create any chances of note thanks to some resolute defending from the Town back four.

Town grew into the game with the lively Luke Pearson causing problems dropping deep from the attack. They took the lead when Joseph Ramsay threaded the balls through for Pearson to beat the offside trap and finish into the bottom corner.

The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Mavs and Town scored a deserved second when Pearson once again beat the offside trap, drew the keeper and unselfishly squared for Tom Gilroy to tap home.

It was 2-0 at the break but could have been more after a couple of dangerous crosses from Zac Cleminson just failed to find his strike partners.

Mavs pulled a goal back after Matthew Turnbull was dispossessed and James Kelly hit a rocket past Bruno Frankland in the Town goal.

Town turned up the pressure after the break with Danny Allen dominating the midfield and it was Turnbull who got the third with a thunderbolt from 25 yards after a squared ball from Gilroy.

Nathan Simpson came off the bench and caused problems with his direct running before Lee White entered the fray and gave an impressive performance to hold up the ball and see the game out.

Catterick Garrison, who often gift their opposition an opening goal, went ahead in their game against Hawes after just five minutes.

Mike Wai found Damian Hargreaves on the edge of the box. He controlled the ball before hitting a right foot shot into the bottom corner.

Hargreaves could have had a second but for an impressive save from Jim Guy in the Hawes goal.

Hawes pulled a goal back when Luke Wilkinson levelled with a solo run and a shot that went in off the post.

A downpour made the pitch challenging to play but both teams continued to fashion chances.

Matty Leaf and Josh Pettler were brought on for Catterick after the break and caused problems for the Hawes defence, with Pettler hitting the woodwork on four occasions and Guy being called on to make a number of saves.

With 15 minutes remaining Catterick brought on Connor Dagnall who scored at the near post with 90 seconds after being put through by Wai.

Catterick had further chances but moved through to the semi-finals after surviving two late penalty claims from Hawes.

In the final game, Askrigg knocked out Spennithorne, winning 3-2 after extra time.

Two goals from Askrigg’s Richard Sunter were cancelled out by strikes from veteran defender Ian Clarkson and Jack Crook.

With Spenni down to ten men after Nathan Walker was given his marching orders, Jonathan Champion sealed the win with a strike deep in extra time.

Dales Cup results – 25.3.23

Richmond Town Reserves 3-1 Richmond Mavericks