Yorkshire Amateur League: Surprising slip-ups by Medics could cost them league title

Premier Division leaders Leeds Medics endured a tough weekend, suffering a first-ever defeat to Beeston Juniors and dropping further points at Alwoodley on Monday night.
Sam Thorpe scores for Drighlington. PIC: Steve RidingSam Thorpe scores for Drighlington. PIC: Steve Riding
Sam Thorpe scores for Drighlington. PIC: Steve Riding

Steve Ledger’s side knocked Drighlington out of the Marflitt Trophy at the semi-final stage but two slip-ups have left their rivals in pole position to claim the league title.

Ryan Dawson’s penalty at the death condemned Medics to defeat against Beeston, despite Kieran Wardman converting two second-half spot kicks to draw level at 2-2.

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Two days later the students relied on an 87th-minute equaliser from James Catterill to take a point from fourth-place Alwoodley, who led through Jamie Sheard.

Drighlington's Shane Sowden sends his freekick wide. PIC: Steve RidingDrighlington's Shane Sowden sends his freekick wide. PIC: Steve Riding
Drighlington's Shane Sowden sends his freekick wide. PIC: Steve Riding

Alwoodley’s fixture list has been decimated, yet they find themselves on a five-game unbeaten run that continued on Saturday with a 5-1 win over Athletico.

These results shook up the situation at the summit, Medics still top but their lead is only two points and Drighlington have five games in hand.

Steve Phillips’ men climbed to second with a 3-0 defeat of Grangefield on Monday, Shane Sowden’s first-half brace and an early Harvey Booth goal downing the visitors.

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Key marksman Sowden, now on 20 goals for the season, was also on target in the week’s 7-1 win over bottom side St Nicholas at Adwalton Moor.

Drig's 
Ryan Rhodes flicks the ball against visitors St Nicholas. PIC: Steve RidingDrig's 
Ryan Rhodes flicks the ball against visitors St Nicholas. PIC: Steve Riding
Drig's Ryan Rhodes flicks the ball against visitors St Nicholas. PIC: Steve Riding

Drig rested several key players after surging into a 5-1 interval lead, with Sam Thorpe having time to bag a brace, Tom Farrar, Ryan Rhodes and Andy Punter helping themselves.

The battle to preserve top-flight status has come down to Morley Town and Stanningley, separated by only one point as they aim to avoid the second relegation spot.

Stanningley smelt the chance of a famous result against champions Farsley Celtic, holding a 2-0 lead through Georgie Rutherford and Adam Pulford with the hosts down to ten men.

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But with Andy Shields netting twice, Danny Lyons and Paul Dockerty made an impact off the bench to secure three points for Barry Thirsk’s team, sitting comfortably in fifth.

Drighlington's Shane Sowden sends his freekick wide. PIC: Steve RidingDrighlington's Shane Sowden sends his freekick wide. PIC: Steve Riding
Drighlington's Shane Sowden sends his freekick wide. PIC: Steve Riding

Meanwhile, Grangefield pushed past Ealandians 3-1 in a Stanningley Park clash that bore little consequence at either end of the table. The home side took a 2-0 lead, with the prolific Tom Micklethwaite again on target in the first half, Nick Smith bundling home the second and star man Andy Kenyon wrapping it up.

Grangefield don’t have much to play for in league action, with their season coming down to the Marflitt Trophy semi-final against Leeds Medics Reserves on April 23.

In the Championship, Horsforth St Margaret’s claimed a hard-fought Monday win over Shire Academics thanks to a fortuitous Jake Williams strike.

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Horsforth hold top spot on goal difference, augmented by a routine 4-1 weekend win over Wortley thanks to James Watson’s treble.

Drig's 
Ryan Rhodes flicks the ball against visitors St Nicholas. PIC: Steve RidingDrig's 
Ryan Rhodes flicks the ball against visitors St Nicholas. PIC: Steve Riding
Drig's Ryan Rhodes flicks the ball against visitors St Nicholas. PIC: Steve Riding

Shire gave another high-flying side a scare on Saturday, with Calverley United claiming a narrow 2-1 win to draw level on points with them.

Fourth-placed St Bede’s beat Leeds Medics Reserves 7-3 after trailing at half-time, a stern interval pep talk seeing James Moyce claim a second-half treble, Chris Drake, Andy McHugh and Tawheed Ahmed also on target.

Gildersome Spurs, in third place, put Thornesians to the sword 12-2 on the 3G surface at Kettlethorpe School with Johnny Hunt hitting five and Steve Wales four.

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Elsewhere, Ealandians Reserves claimed promotion to the Championship with a 6-3 defeat of disappointing Idle.

Carlton Balmer, brilliant throughout the campaign, netted a fitting hat-trick with further vital goals coming from Ash Andrews, Jonny Pickles and Davey Kerr.

At the bottom, Leeds Medics III claimed a 1-1 draw from a nervy relegation scrap with Dewsbury Rangers who sit two points above them in safety.

In Division Two, Morley Town Reserves’ 8-2 thumping of Fairbank United shook the Yorkshire Amateur League world and leaves Town with a chance of promotion if they win their final game against former top-flight side Trinity.

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