Wensleydale Creamery League

Hawes United lost top spot after a run of five successive victories was halted when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Catterick Garrison last Saturday.

The visitors took the lead after 20 minutes through Nick Prince, but the home side equalised from the penalty spot five minutes later. Hawes went close to regaining the lead when Prince had an effort disallowed for offside just before the interval and in the second half neither side could make the crucial breakthrough.

Leyburn moved top as they extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a 4-2 home win over Swale Travaux who had not lost in five outings.

Keith Webster put Leyburn in front on the half hour, but just before half time Lee Kirk levelled for the visitors. Ten minutes into the second half Travaux lost their keeper Chris Briggs, who was taken to hospital with a head injury after collding with one of his own defenders. His replacement was beaten twice within four minutes by Martin Allinson to give the home side a 3-1 advantage. Kirk narrowed the deficit after 76 minutes, but ten minutes from time Alan Muir scored a fourth for Leyburn to settle the issue.

Richmond Mavericks retained third place with a 4-2 home victory over Askrigg. Mark Tilley put them in front after only five minutes but midway through the half the home side suffered a blow when defender Keith Tate was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg.

On the half hour Askrigg equalised, but Mavericks hit back to regain the lead with a direct free-kick by Andrew Mollitt and went 3-1 up through Sean Carter. After 70 minutes Mollitt notched his second goal of the game to make it 4-1 and Mavericks took the points despite a second goal by Askrigg ten minutes from time.

Bowes kept on the heels of the leaders with a 5-2 home win over Reeth thanks to an excellent display by Scott Walker, who notched all five goals. He netted four times in the first half before Paul Salonga pulled a goal back for Reeth four minutes into the second half. On the hour Walker made it 5-1 and Bowes ended convincing victors despite a late goal by Steve Clarkson after 76 minutes.

Carperby moved into fifth place when they travelled to Richmond Buck and won 4-1. After an even first half, Paul Stephenson headed the visitors in front on the stroke of half time. But they conceded a penalty on the hour and Mark Cleminson put the home side level from the spot.

After 65 minutes John Pickard converted another penalty to put Carperby ahead and they took a grip on the game with a third from Steve Harrison. Ten minutes from time Nick Oliver made it 4-1.

Bishopdale recorded their third successive win with a 5-0 home victory over Redmire. Mick Hawkes gave them the lead after 20 minutes and ten minutes later Dave Harmsworth headed in a second. Ten minutes into the second half Andy Reaks made it 3-0 and two late goals by Conrad Addinall rounded off the scoring. This was the fourth time that Redmire had failed to score in their last five outings.

Middleham Town gained their second successive victory when they visited Spennithorne and won 4-3 in an exciting contest. Lee Fawcett gave the visitors an early lead and after 19 minutes Richard Weedall made it 2-0. Spennithorne hit back to reduce the deficit through Lee Smith, only for Middleham to reply with a third goal from Robbie Bright.

Just before the interval the home side made it 3-2 through Paul Orton and two minutes into the second half the same player struck again to level the scores. On the hour Middleham regained the lead with a goal by Richard Turnbull and this proved to be the winner, although Spennithorne were unlucky not to grab a share of the points when Orton hit the post.

After three successive defeats Hawes B returned to winning ways with a 5-1 home victory over Catterick Village. Two goals by Dave Allen and a third by Martin Cluderay in the opening ten minutes put them on top and after 55 minutes Cluderay made it 4-0.

On the hour Catterick reduced the arrears, but five minutes from time Cluderay completed his hat-trick