Richmond Town Reserves beat rivals to lift Medals Shield

Richmond Town Reserves lifted the Medals Shield this week with a win on penalties over local rivals Richmond Mavericks.

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The result on Tuesday was Mavs’ second shootout heartache in a week after they lost to Richmond Buck Inn in the same way in the Dales Cup last Wednesday.

It was the second attempt of the final at the Dave Clark Arena after the original game was abandoned due to an injury to a Mavs player.

Both sides were struggling with depleted squads after weeks of playing two games a week, but there was still two strong sides on display.

Town started the brighter with James Kelly having a couple of runs at veteran Mavs defender Ian Miller, but each time only managed weak efforts that the keeper kept out.

Mavs grew into the game and took control of the midfield battle for long spells without really testing Karl Latchum in the Town goal.

Mavs direct play eventually brought reward when Sims found himself in the box and McGuigan’s clumsy challenge was deemed a soft penalty.

Sam Pickersgill dispatched the resulting spot kick to joyous scenes on the Mavs bench.

Town reacted to going behind with a change in formation, bringing on Kyle Galloway and Matty White at full back and reverting to 4-4-2 with Andy Davidson making way after struggling with an ankle knock.

The move almost had an immediate impact as Gilroy pulled the ball back, but Woof was unable to get the final touch from five yards out.

Town came out the second half all guns blazing and spent the half raining attacks on the Mavs defence.

Kelly, Woof, Gilroy and Simpson all went close but it was Lewington who got the equaliser on 80 minutes when he took a free-kick from 25 yards which the keeper failed to hold.

Town pressed for the winner with the best chance falling to Carnegie-Brown but he hit a tame effort with just the keeper to beat.

On 87 minutes Latchum suffered a broken nose after a brave save to the feet of a Mavs striker. He was replaced by Walker although came back on with seconds to go to ensure he could play his part in the shootout.

Simpson, Gilroy, Kelly and Carnegie-Brown all scored their spot kicks and with Latchum saving from Fenney it was left to Lewington to stroke home the winning effort to spark celebrations from the youngsters.

In the Dales Cup, the victory for Buck over Mavs was the surprise of the round.

Mavs started uncharacteristically sluggish, a result perhaps of their fixture congestion and injuries mounting.

However, it was soon business as usual as Jerry Metcalfe scored a quick fire brace, thundering in his first after a great block from Buck’s James Donaldson. Buck kept their heads up though and were rewarded five minutes before half-time with Marshal Thorogood finishing a flowing move.

Buck levelled ten minutes after half-time when Luke Pearson finished a route one move, only for Mavs to peg them back with a well struck Mark Sims free-kick.

Buck then levelled straight from the restart after good work down their left from Williams and Connor Metcalfe, which resulted in Pearson’s shot rebounding for Danny Allen to tap home.

Sims thought he had broken Buck hearts with a brilliant lob but Buck again showed the spirit that won them the trophy two years ago and went again with impressive new man Andrew Mackintosh putting Thorogood through with ten minutes to go to level at 4-4.

In the shootout Buck’s relatively inexperienced 42-year-old keeper Andy D’Arcy saved Mavs fourth penalty in his first ever shoot out as a keeper, and with five decisive Buck kicks, completed by Kris Barker, the Newbiggin team were through.

Luke Pearson scores from the spot for Buck.

In the other cup games, Unicorn beat Hawes 4-2.

Goals from Tom Keegan, Nathan Fisher, David Hickin and an goal secured the points for Unicorn, with Thomas Calvert and Daniel Richardson netting for the Wensleydale team.

Two goals for Josh Woof and a strike from Danny Weatherill were enough for Richmond Town Reserves to see off Reeth.

In the league on Saturday, Carperby’s good form continued with a 7-0 mauling of Leyburn in what was the home side’s best performance for a number of years.

Carperby started on the front foot, pressing Leyburn high and were rewarded when Scott Lambert smashed home into the bottom corner.

Paul Stephenson then curled the ball into the top corner direct from a corner kick. The third came when Scott Lambert struck from 35 yards out into the top corner.

Carperby had a fourth before half time when another 35 yard strike again hit the top corner, this time coming from James Spence.

In the second half, Scott Lambert didn’t wait long to grab his hat-trick, stooping low to head a cross around the keeper Keifer Bottomley.

Sam Lambert then got a goal his hard work deserved when he smashed the ball past Bottomley, before James Metcalfe’s moved forward into midfield and got himself on the scoresheet with a header.

Colburn were pushed all the way in their league game by Spennithorne who fought back after going in 3-0 down at half-time.

A Colburn corner from Craig Teasdale resulted in a tap-in for Ross Drury.

The home side, playing at their new temporary home at Vimy Barracks, doubled their lead when another new signing, Deane Stone, was fed the ball on the right wing by Hamilton. Stone then produced a lovely cross, which was converted by Joe Woodall.

Tom Sweeney rifled home to make it three at the break.

On the resumption, a rash challenge from Drury gave Spenni a chance to respond with a penalty. Sharpe made a fine save but the rebound was knocked in by Kalem Stanger to reduce the arrears.

Five minutes later a goalmouth scramble in Colburn’s box produced another Spenni goal with James Smith getting on the scoresheet.

Colburn then increased their lead when Nige Cole rose at the back post to head home. Smith’s second gave Spenni hope but Colburn held on for the win.

In the remaining league game, Hawes enjoyed a comfortable 8-3 win over Reeth with Jordan Iveson bagging a hat-trick

Results

Medals Shield Final – 18.5.21

Richmond Town Reserves 1-1 Richmond Mavericks (Pens 5-4)