WHILE the newitts.com Beckett Football League season has been curtailed as a competition, grassroots football was allowed to resume last week, and teams arranged a programme of friendly games to get players fit again.

On Saturday, Rosedale entertained Sinnington which would have been an-all first division clash, and second division Heslerton hosted first division Kirkdale United.

The pitch up at Rosedale was in amazing condition, and the home side went 1-0 up when Josh Hopley tapped in from a very good Robin Wilkinson cross. Sinnington then equalised through Luke Clemmit and it was 1-1 at half time. Rosedale regained the lead through Ben Thompson after good work from man of the match Tom Bell, who then scored twice more with a smart lob and a header to make it 4-1.

At Heslerton, the home team, took the lead inside the opening 15 minutes with a 20-yard drive from full back James Webb, and though the opening half was an evenly contested affair, it looked as though that was how the score line would remain going into the interval. However, with two minutes remaining, Kirkdale were awarded a penalty for hand ball, and Paul White gave Hessie 'keeper Jim Houlder little chance from the spot kick.

The second half continued very much the way of the first with Gareth Driver, Rob Ruston and Morgan Kendrew coming closest for the hosts. But it would be Kirkdale who would score the all-important second inside the last 15 minutes through David Millan, a scrappy goal but a goal nonetheless. With the Blues pushing for a late equaliser, the visitors sealed the win with a fine run and shot from Ryan Moss.

Jayden Isaac, Ollie Stanton and Charlie Richardson, the latter on his senior starting debut were the standout players for Heslerton, but most importantly the day was all about getting back out on the park.

Fixtures for this Saturday, April 10, kick off 2pm: Kirkdale Utd v Bagby and Balk, Heslerton v Rosedale, Sleights v Loftus Town (to be played at Caedmon School, Whitby).