Kirkby face 'Boro' as Falcons taste cup glory
KIRKBY Malzeard supremo John Pickard said he was "the proudest chairman in Yorkshire" after watching his side edge out Bedale in a crucial top-of-the-table encounter.
And following their draw with Pateley Bridge on Tuesday, Kirkby lead by eight points in the Harrogate and District League, with the chance to battle for further glory in tomorrow’s Whitworth Cup semi-final against Knaresborough Town (2.30pm).
Though Pickard says his players will “take some stopping”, he knows it won’t be easy.
“Knaresborough are the best team of the four left,” he said.
“I have to admit that, but on the day, who knows?
“Before the Pateley game we had won 14 on the trot - we don’t know what defeat is.
“I would be a fool to say we are definitely going to go and beat Knaresborough, but don’t be surprised if we do.”
Kirkby trailed 1-0 at half-time against Bedale on Saturday, but fought back to win 3-1, with two goals from Kyle Baldwin and a third from Paul Abbott.
“I said that I hoped the bubble wouldn’t burst until next season - and it hasn’t burst yet,” Pickard said.
“If Bedale had beaten us, they would have been in with a shout, but hopefully they are out of the race now.”
Ryan Devine had Kirkby’s best chances in the first half, almost getting his head to the ball in the six-yard box and later hitting the bar, but Pickard said the team had looked a little out of sorts.
“Phil Ambler gave them a stern talking to at half-time; he told them: ‘Come on, you haven’t won the league yet’.”
Kirkby hit back on 53 minutes, with Baldwin netting from the spot, after man-of-the-match Paul Pollard was scythed down in the box.
Baldwin scored his second 12 minutes later. Following a goalmouth scramble, Tom Leeming pushed the ball to the in-form striker and he smashed it home from 10 yards.
“We were trying to kill them off, and Paul Pollard hit the bar at 2-1, but Bedale really bombarded us and how they didn’t equalise I don’t know,” Pickard said.
Mark Rimmer made two crucial saves with his legs, before setting up Kirkby’s clincher with a long kick on 87 minutes: his clearance being lifted over the Bedale goalie by Paul Abbott, who ran through and walked the ball into the net.
“We always want to win and the manner of it was very pleasing,” Pickard said.
“I am the proudest chairman in Yorkshire - maybe in England - it’s just getting better and better.
“We’re on course for the title and we’ve just got to take it game by game. There’s no rush, the season can go until Christmas for all I care.”
He said Kirkby would treat tomorrow’s cup match the same way they had approached recent league games, as they sought to improve on last season, when they lost in the final to Pateley Bridge.
The final will take place at Harrogate Railway on Tuesday (7.45pm), with Kirkby or Knaresborough taking on the winner of Ripon City v Kirk Deighton.
If Kirkby lose their semi-final, they will use the free Tuesday to play their Challenge Cup semi-final at Pateley Bridge, seven days after the teams drew 1-1 in the league.
Man-of-the-match Ashley Atkinson put visitors Kirkby in front after 10 minutes, knocking in a Paul Abbott cross, but Pateley Bridge equalised in the second period and Kirkby’s troubles were compounded when influential striker Paul Pollard limped off.
Kirkby’s 2nds have qualified for the final of the Alverton Trophy, beating Wigton Moor on penalties.
Jordan Hunt’s team came from behind twice thanks to forward Nicki Westbury, whose second strike came in the dying seconds.
After a tense period of extra-time, the tie went to penalties.
Matt Cullen, Matt Mitchell and Nicki Westbury all netted and though James Durkan and Tim Maynard had their efforts saved, Kirkby ‘keeper Charlie Scatchard kept out three Wigton Moor spot-kicks to send his side through.
The final will be played on Saturday, April 24 at Pool (5.30pm).
Ian Carling received the man-of-the-match award.
Kirkby’s 3rds drew 1-1 against Hampsthwaite on Saturday, with Alex Benson grabbing their goal and Peter Barrett being named man-of-the-match.
THIRSK FALCONS achieved a dream 50 years in the making this week, taking home the North Riding County Cup as they powered past Cargo Fleet Social Club to win 3-0 on Wednesday night.
Manager George Peirse said: "We have been trying to win this for 50 years and to do so is an absolutely unbelievable achievement.
"We absolutely battered them in the first half, and really we had the game won by the interval. Everyone played out of their skins."
Thirsk host Otley Rovers in the quarter finals of the League Cup tomorrow (2.30pm), before a league game at Harlow Hill on Tuesday (6.45pm).
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Weather for Ripon
Thursday 09 February 2012
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