Unicorn are usually propping up mid-table by Christmas but remain top of the league and could yet be champions if Richmond Mavericks slip up.
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In previous years a fixture away at Colburn after a three-week break would have seen the Richmond team crumble.
But the Unicorn – who won the league back in 2013 – have proved the doubters wrong so far this season and did so again with a 6-1 win.
Matthew Bateson got a couple, while Mark Sims scored a hat-trick, including an overhead kick. Tom Keegan got the other.
Unicorn felt they dominated with Carl Handley commanding in defence and Keegan running the midfield.
Mavs, meanwhile, ran out 7-1 winners away at Carperby.
Andrew Pritchard got five, while Richie Bastow and Owen Kelly got the others.
Mavs’ Steven Reed also managed to score an own goal for Carperby.
Academy hosted Catterick Garrison in the first game between the sides since their thrilling cup final in May when the away side came back from 3-1 down to win the cup with a late goal.
Academy started with a 3-5-2 formation and early exchanges suggested this was going to be another close affair. Simpson was causing problems down the left and it was him that created the first goal, jinxing his way past three men before pulling the ball back for Hart to fire home.
The half time message for Academy was that they need to pass the ball better and they did indeed improve in the second half.
Turnbull put Wayne Gredziak through on 56 and after racing away from his marker, finished smartly past the keeper.
Hart got his second ten minutes later when the defender slipped, giving him possession 25 yards out. He chose to hit one from range and found the top corner with a beautifully struck effort.
Hart completed his hat-trick with 20 to play which came from a Catterick free kick at the back. The ball was somehow played to the Academy striker and he advanced on the keeper and finished well.
Catterick did create some good chances of their own in the game, to the extent that Spensley in the Academy goal was awarded man of the match.
Richmond Buck took the lead on two minutes in their game against Reeth and added a second goal by the 12th minute, as the home side struggled to contain the visitors.
Sam Ryan’s 24th minute strike made it 2-1, but Buck restored the two-goal margin only a minute later.
Reeth stuck at it though and another goal from Sam Lyon just after the half-hour, coupled with a 38th minute effort from Jack Thornley, pulled them level at 3 all.
A penalty two minutes before the break saw the visitors sneak a 4-3 lead at half-time.
Two more goals, in the second half, eased Richmond’s nerves and they ran out 6-3 winners.
In the league’s other game, Leyburn beat local rivals Spennithorne 3-1.
George ‘Bernard’ Shaw got two for the townies, while Brandon Acton got the other.
Results
Carperby 1-7 Richmond Mavericks
Colburn 1-6 Unicorn
Leyburn 3-1 Spennithorne
Reeth 3-6 Richmond Buck
Richmond Town Academy 4-0 Catterick Garrison
Fixtures
Colburn Town v Spennithorne
Leyburn v Carperby Rovers
Reeth v Hawes United
Richmond Mavericks v Catterick Garrison
Unicorn v Richmond Town Academy
