HARD-FOUGHT, close games were the order of the day across the Wensleydale Creamery League and cup fixtures on Saturday with no team winning by more than one goal.

Colburn made it into the quarter final of the Medals Shield – a competition they have won for the last three seasons – with a 1-0 win away at Unicorn.

It was an even game in the first half, with chances few and far between.

Colburn's Joe Woodall skinned his fullback, then sent his cross past the far post. A Craig Teasdale free kick drifted wide, then Colburn’s stand-in keeper, Liam Ryan, tipped a header over.

At the other end, Unicorn keeper David Mutch managed to push one shot just past the post.

Colburn began to assert themselves in the second half and scored the game's only goal when Stuart Murray crossed from the left and Luke Hamilton converted with a fine strike.

Hamilton rifled another shot over. Colburn produced a good move courtesy of Hamilton and Murray, but Woodall needed too much time and his effort was blocked.

Unicorn pressure brought an excellent save from Ryan. The Richmond team then had a free kick, given in a dangerous spot for a Teasdale handball, which whistled past the post.

Buck progressed through to the Medals Shield second round after a closely fought game at Aldborough St John, where tempers occasionally boiled over.

Buck had the better of the first half with some great build-up play, which gave them an early lead through captain Danny Allen's neat finish across goal into the far corner.

Buck were guilty of being wasteful after creating several excellent chances and paid the price when Carperby scored from a corner just before half-time, Adam Spence smashing the ball into the roof of the net after the ball fell to him.

Buck were guilty of indiscipline in the second half with Stewart Fotheringham sin binned, but did enough to take the lead, created by player manager Luke Pearson for his second assist of the day leaving Danny Allen a simple headed finish.

Buck held on for the win, despite Allen being red carded and a John Pickard long-distance effort being ruled offside.

Elsewhere in the cup, Mavs needed a late penalty to beat Spennithorne.

Two goals from Fergus Chapman put Spenni two up at the break, but Mavs came back in the second half and secured their place in the next round when given a penalty for handball with minutes remaining, Sam Pickersgill doing the honours.

In the league, Catterick Garrison worked hard to secure a 2-1 win over Leyburn.

Catterick started well with and were rewarded when a quick throw from Jonny Holmes released Liam Walker on the right.

His cross was met by the in-form Damian Hargreaves, who headed past the Leyburn stopper for 1-0 lead.

Catterick had more chances to increase their lead and did go 2-0 when a flowing move allowed the wing backs to combine. The ball was worked to the left where James Mccormack crossed for Matty Leaf to score his first goal for his new club with a cheeky back-heel volley at the near post.

Leyburn pulled one back through Lee Davison, who tapped into an empty net after the ball had been deflected by Catterick keeper Alfie Martin. Catterick appealed for offside but the ref said it was level.

Martin was then called on to make several acrobatic saves to secure the points for the garrison team.

Both sides had chances to win the game between Hawes and Richmond Town Reserves but a good finish by Tom Wallis, after he picked up the loose ball from a Tommy Calvert free kick, was cancelled out by an injury-time goal from Gary Walker.

Results

Medals Shield

Richmond Buck 2-1 Carperby

Spennithorne 2-3 Richmond Mavericks

Unicorn 0-1 Colburn

League

Catterick Garrison 2-1 Leyburn

Richmond Town Reserves 1-1 Hawes

Fixtures (all league)

Carperby v Unicorn

Reeth v Leyburn

Richmond Buck v Catterick Garrison

Richmond Mavericks v Hawes

Richmond Town Reserves v Colburn