Yorkshire Amateur League: Confident Farsley fail to halt Medics juggernaut

CHAMPIONS Farsley Celtic Juniors were fixated on snapping Leeds Medics' perfect Premier Division record but the leaders beat them 4-2 at Bradford Academy.
Chris Moore slides in for Shire III ahead of Old Batelians Reserves' James Byrne. PIC: Steve RidingChris Moore slides in for Shire III ahead of Old Batelians Reserves' James Byrne. PIC: Steve Riding
Chris Moore slides in for Shire III ahead of Old Batelians Reserves' James Byrne. PIC: Steve Riding

Farsley manager Bill Thirsk and coach Adam Thirsk were consumed by the idea of taking the 100 per cent record away from Medics after an encouraging 4-1 win over Ealandians the previous weekend.

But profligate first-half finishing helped the visitors seal a tenth successive triumph in the league.

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Tom Smith gave them a fortunate lead on three minutes from a narrow angle, Medics slipping into a slender half-time advantage.

Lee Kaye, of Old Batelians Reserves, takes on Shire III's Gift  Mhlanga during Saturday's Hodgson Cup. PIC: Steve RidingLee Kaye, of Old Batelians Reserves, takes on Shire III's Gift  Mhlanga during Saturday's Hodgson Cup. PIC: Steve Riding
Lee Kaye, of Old Batelians Reserves, takes on Shire III's Gift Mhlanga during Saturday's Hodgson Cup. PIC: Steve Riding

They raised the tempo after half-time and to Thirsk’s annoyance the smallest man on the field, Sverrir Kristinsson, headed home to double the lead and Emmanuel Ntim later finished off a good move.

Danny Lyons reduced the arrears but Smith was on hand once again to fire home a fierce strike from 25 yards, rendering a late Louis Surtees penalty a mere consolation.

Steve Ledger’s side continuing their title procession, which was even more impressive in the absence of first-team regulars Brad Chambers and Kieran Wardman.

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On a day when the top flight’s leading sides proved their mettle, second-placed Stanley United overpowered depleted Ealandians 5-1 at Rothwell Sports Club.

Old Batelians Reserves' Michael Smith is crowded out during Saturday's Hodgson Cup encounter at Shire III. PIC: Steve RidingOld Batelians Reserves' Michael Smith is crowded out during Saturday's Hodgson Cup encounter at Shire III. PIC: Steve Riding
Old Batelians Reserves' Michael Smith is crowded out during Saturday's Hodgson Cup encounter at Shire III. PIC: Steve Riding

Well-taken doubles from Joe Childs and Dean Powell paved the way despite an even start to the game.

The visitors got one back from the spot but Ash Munton’s late penalty maintained an emphatic scoreline.

Stanley are now two points behind Medics having played three more games.

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Elsewhere, fellow contenders Drighlington made it six wins from six by defeating Morley Town 6-1 at Batley Sports Centre.

Lee Kaye, of Old Batelians Reserves, takes on Shire III's Gift  Mhlanga during Saturday's Hodgson Cup. PIC: Steve RidingLee Kaye, of Old Batelians Reserves, takes on Shire III's Gift  Mhlanga during Saturday's Hodgson Cup. PIC: Steve Riding
Lee Kaye, of Old Batelians Reserves, takes on Shire III's Gift Mhlanga during Saturday's Hodgson Cup. PIC: Steve Riding

A three-goal interval lead left Morley struggling to secure a third straight win, despite their early second-half rally around top scorer Ryan Hartley’s strike.

Sam Thorpe had two before the break and Harvey Booth notched early, skipper James Bradd and Andy Punter finding the back of the net in the second period.

The quarter-finals of the Yorkshire Old Boys’ Shield saw fourth-tier Colton Athletic hold Teesside League Redcar Newmarket off for long periods but were knocked out 5-0.

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The Division Two side held out for 44 minutes but Redcar top scorer Michael Dowse struck moments before the half-time whistle, precipitating a four-goal second half onslaught.

Old Batelians Reserves' Michael Smith is crowded out during Saturday's Hodgson Cup encounter at Shire III. PIC: Steve RidingOld Batelians Reserves' Michael Smith is crowded out during Saturday's Hodgson Cup encounter at Shire III. PIC: Steve Riding
Old Batelians Reserves' Michael Smith is crowded out during Saturday's Hodgson Cup encounter at Shire III. PIC: Steve Riding

In the Championship, hotshot Matty Wilson made it 27 goals for the season by firing Calverley United to a 5-4 bounce-back win over Mount St Mary’s at Calverley Park. Wilson, recently handed the captain’s armband after the injury to former leader Ben Cook, plundered five first-half goals to hand Calverley a 5-1 advantage at the break.

St Mary’s bit back in the second-half, George Kovacs completing a hat-trick with two spot kicks and Matthew Dalton also on target.

But their poor first-half defending cost them.

The visitors are winless in three games and feel condemned to mid-table mediocrity, as Calverley bounced back from two straight defeats to stay joint top.

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Meanwhile, lowly Leeds Medics Reserves held high-flying St Bede’s to a goalless draw at Weetwood that the away side could barely believe they didn’t win.

Bede’s had won three of their previous four games but have been plagued by a touch of inconsistency and wasted a catalogue of first-half chances.

Tawheed Ahmed, Ian Horrocks and Steven Drake are typically reliable in front of goal, only to fluff their lines in the box as Drake came particularly close to breaking the deadlock.

The second tier’s other fixture saw Leeds Independent beat Thornesians 6-2 on the Middleton 3G.

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Abishaiaa Blair was at the double for Independent, Ryan O’Donnell, Marlon Richards, Seb Sokol and Kwame Westermann also on the scoresheet.

Division One leaders Rothwell opened up a seven-point gap at the summit with a controlled 2-1 win over struggling Alwoodley Reserves.

They trailed against the second-bottom side, Andy Houlding putting through his own net, Iain McBurney levelling up before Joe Childerson nicked the late clincher.