Unicorn are celebrating a league and cup double thanks to two wins over Leyburn in less than a week.
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The Newbiggin pub team have often been in the mix for the league title in recent years, only to fade in the final run-in.
Last year in particular, they were in with a strong chance until the season was abandoned due to the pandemic.
This season, however, they have remained consistent, winning their last three games to take the title on goal difference from Richmond Town Reserves.
The league was wrapped up on Saturday with a 5-1 win away at Leyburn.
Two goals for former pro Nathan Fisher, as well strikes from Tafari Nicolas, David Mutch and Carl Handley, secured the three points they needed.
Jack Hammond scored Leyburn’s only goal.
Unicorn were made to worker harder for the win on Wednesday in the final of the Dales Cup, with Leyburn taking the match to penalties after the game finished 2-2 in normal time.
Leyburn took an early lead through a penalty when Carl Handley was adjudged to have handled the ball, although Unicorn let it had hit his chest from close range.
Unicorn then equalised on 26 minutes through Tafari Nicholas, after a smart flick round the corner from Liam Reeves.
The league title winners then took the lead when Tom Keegan split the defence with a sumptuous ball to Nicholas who finished from a tight angle in off the post.
Leyburn were much the better side second half however, and piled on the pressure resulting in a late equaliser.
Unicorn keeper David Mutch was the hero in the penalty shootout, saving two Leyburn penalties. Keegan, Reeves and Nicholas despatched theirs and the final Leyburn penalty was put over the bar.
Hawes secured a creditable fourth place finish with a 7-3 win over an under-strength Spennithorne.
Macauley Action scored a hat-trick, while Tom Calvert got a couple. Dan Richardson and Kory Spink also netted for the upper Dales team, while Tim Weatherill and Kalem Stanger scored for Spenni.
Reeth and Richmond Buck drew 2-2 in their game on Saturday.
It was an improved performance for Buck who on Wednesday were well beaten 4-0 by Carperby.
The result demonstrated how much they Wensleydale team had improved over the season.
Despite been on top throughout the first half, with a number of chances it was still 0-0 at half time.
Carperby started the second half as they finished the first with quick passing, moving the Buck around, but a number of great saves by Andy D’Arcy kept them out. Sam Lambert finally broke the deadlock after another fine passing move and a good finish.
Lambert soon got his second when he finished off another excellent passing move.
He then smashed home his hat-trick with a first time volley from just inside the area. James Spence continued his recent run of good goal scoring form with a tidy finish into the bottom corner to make it four.
Results
Dales Cup – 30.6.21
Leyburn 2-2 Unicorn (1-3 pens)
League 26.6.21
Richmond Buck 2-2 Reeth
Richmond Mavericks 8-1 Catterick Garrison
Spennithorne 3-7 Hawes
Unicorn 1-5 Leyburn
League – 24.6.21
Leyburn 1-5 Unicorn
League – 23.6.21
Richmond Buck 0-4 Carperby
