Unicorn win Medals Shield keeping treble hopes alive

unicorn12 — Last season's Medals Shield winners Unicorn.

A league and cup treble still remains on the cards for Unicorn after the Richmond team claimed their first silverware of the season last week.

In a game played at Northallerton Town’s ground on Thursday, the Newbiggin pub team beat rivals Richmond Mavericks 3-2 after extra-time.

Unicorn took the lead on the sixth minute when a Tom Sweeney lobbed through ball caught out the Mavericks defence, allowing Liam Reeves to hold off the attentions of Adam Dunwoodie to bobble the goal into the net.

The goal stirred Mavs into action and they had Unicorn pinned back for large spells of the first half, and got a deserved equaliser when a freekick was bundled home by James Kelly.

It was soon 2-1 to Macs when Carl Handley was adjudged to have handled in the box and Kelly despatched the resulting penalty.

After some choice words at half-time, Unicorn came out a side reenergised and dominated the second half, carving out numerous chance.

The equaliser did not come until stoppage time however. Unicorn keeper David Mutch ambled up from the goal and almost got his head on Tom Keegan’s corner. The ball then fell to Luke Hamilton was stabbed home from close range.

Unicorn continued to press in extra time and were rewarded with the winning goal through Stuart Murray who volleyed home from a great Reeves cross.

There was still time for Unicorn substitute Callum Sheridan to receive his marching orders for a late tackle.

The pub team clung on however for the last ten minutes to claim a memorable win and keep alive their hopes of a league and cup treble.

Score draws were the order of the day in the league on Saturday.

Mavs took an early lead when James Kelly raced through to finish in their game at home to Carperby.

But the visitors grew into the game and got a deserved equaliser after a silly foul gave Carperby a penalty which Sam Lambert stepped up to smash into the roof of the net.

Lambert gave Carperby the lead before half-time after he powered onto a Luke Morland through ball before slotting home.

Mavs started the second half stronger and managed to get level, before taking the lead when Owen Kelly headed home a cross.

Carperby kept going and got their equaliser when Paul Stephenson’s fine cross was headed home by the ever-dangerous Lambert to complete his hat-trick.

Carperby had two big chances to win it with Morland running onto a clearance only to see his powerful shot sailing just over the bar. With the last action of the game, the impressive Michael Dent headed just over.

Hawes and Catterick Garrison also played out a 3-3 draw.

Jez Mortimer headed home after half an hour to give Catterick the lead, while Tommy Calvert equalised ten minutes later when connected with a Brett Calvert pull back.

Jez Mortimer put Catterick back in the lead with another header after the break, with Catterick taking a 3-1 lead shortly afterwards.

A cool finish from Ben Fawcett pulled a goal back for the home side with Tommy Calvert getting his second of the game with five minutes to go to ensure the points were shared.

In the remaining game, Richmond Town Reserves hosted champions Unicorn less than 48 hours after their cup final win against Mavs.

Town started slow and Unicorn deservedly led 1-0 at half-time due to a Handley header from a corner.

Swanwick should have got a first half equaliser but managed to fire straight at Mutch with the goal at his mercy.

Brandon Bishop put Town level on 60 minutes as he header how a deep cross from Felix Luck.

Unicorn regained the lead as Reeves bravely headed home but he got a trip to A&E as reward as the keeper punched him in the head in the process.

Town equalised on 83 minutes and it was Bishop again who hit a 25-yard rocket into the top corner after being fed by Ramsay.

The home side could have snatched it at the end were it not for a smart save from man of the match Mutch.

Results

League

Richmond Mavericks 3 – 3 Carperby

Hawes 3-3 Catterick Garrison

Richmond Town Reserves 2-2 Unicorn