Unicorn progress in cup despite red card drama

It was Medals Shield quarter final day on Saturday for teams competing in the Scotts4Storage Wensleydale League.

Unicorn deservedly made it through to the semi-final with a 2-0 win over Carperby, however the game could have gone the other way after late drama.

Unicorn took the lead early in the first half when a speculative effort from 30 yards by Rory Atkinson looped over Pickard in goal.

They soon made it two when Carperby switched off on a corner and Stuart Murray was left unmarked to head home.

The second half was competitive, although Unicorn missed a couple of good chances to put the game to bed

After a switch in formation Carperby started putting pressure on the home side, and after Dave Mutch in Unicorn’s goal punched clear, Dave Fullerton lobbed him on the half volley with a Unicorn defender saving it on the line, resulting in a red card.

Scott Lambert’s resulting penalty was well saved by Mutch, and from the following attack Mutch made another good save to deny Lambert.

Carperby continued to press against the ten men, but couldn’t get a goal to get back in the game.

Unicorn will now play Catterick Garrison in the semi-final.

Richmond Mavericks were made to work hard for their 2-1 win over Hawes.

Hawes went 1-0 up on 23 minutes after Dan Richardson tapped in when the Mavs keeper spilled a Ryan Alderson free-kick

Mavericks drew level on 25 minutes through Owen Kelly and were soon 2-1 up with a goal from Andrew Pritchard.

Hawes had a great chance to pull it back to 2-2 but Tom Calvert missed a penalty just before half-time.

The Dales team piled on the pressure in the second half but did not get the luck of the green in the final third.

Elsewhere, Reeth’s cup game against Richmond Town Reserves was switched to the Dave Clark Arena due the home side-s frozen pitch.

Cup holders Town watched the game between Mavs and Hawes first so started the game knowing a win would see them face their local rivals in the semi-final which would be a repeat of last year’s final.

Town started brightly and took the lead after two mins as Beresford nonchalantly chipped the keeper after being put through by Gladman.

Town created a host of chances but sloppy finishing was on the agenda with Beresford, Bishop and Simpson all wasting good chances.

The second eventually came on 18 minutes when keeper Walker hit a long clearance and Simpson ran clear before finding the bottom corner.

On 23 mins Beresford pulled the ball back for Ramsay but his mishit shot somehow fell to Bishop to rifle home. Simpson got his second on 43 mins after a rare foray forward by White found him and he finished well.

Reeth pulled a goal back on 51 minutes as player-manager Bainbridge rolled back the years to score a lovely goal from the edge of the box.

Town were then awarded a free kick wide on the right, which Turnbull swung in. The ball evaded everyone before nestling inside the left hand post.

Gladman was doing bits in midfield and another lovely through ball found Bishop to make it six before Weatherall put Beresford through for his second and Town’s seventh.

Manager Ramsay shuffled the team to put the three lads on hat-tricks all upfront for the last ten minutes and it was Simpson who accepted the invitation as he scored the eighth with two minutes to go.

In the only league game of the day, Catterick Garrison had a comfortable 4-0 win over Spennithorne.

Two goals from Damian Hargreaves, and one each from George Catterall and Neil Wright did the damage.

Results

League

Catterick Garrison 4-0 Spennithorne and Harmby