The first half proved to be a close affair with neither side having any real chances to note. United however, started the second half playing like a side full of confidence and with a chance of still going up, like some weeks ago now. Despite United’s dominance of possession and play, it was Tadcaster that took the lead when they broke quickly after another United attack, and caught United stretched at the far post, with the Tad winger making no mistake with a sweet volley.

This seemed to get United going even more with chance upon chance being created without really making the Tad keeper work. United did finally get their equaliser midway through the half with a great low drive from the edge of the area from Kevin Kozicki, which beat a fully stretched keeper into the bottom corner. Again United pressed with chances falling to Knowles, Northern, Bugg and Kozicki who nearly won it with an identical strike.

United finished the season with a draw against a very well organised Tadcaster side and will now look forward to the final and next season. Man of the Match was Captain Jeremy James, who was excellent throughout, a real full on committed performance from the skipper.

In a blustery and scrappy first half it was United that looked the only likely victor with the Backline of James; Greenhough; and man of the match Davis ensuring that Leech in the United goal had an eventless afternoon. It was more a matter of when and not if United could score and indeed they were made to wait and be patient for the lead which eventually came in the 44 minute when a Knowles corner was met by Pears who headed home from a yard out.

Bugg was withdrawn shortly after the break with blurred vision and replaced by long serving Grant Saker making a welcome 1^st appearance of the season following an injury plagued year. Northern tucked inside with Olsson and Kozicki who were completely dominant in midfield without having to step out of second gear.

Pears and Collier both went close to doubling the lead before top goalscorer Knowles finally did with a left footed drive into the far corner midway through the half. With 5 games to go promotion is now in United’s own hands and Bradley will hope that several key individuals will make a return in time for the run in.

Meanwhile, a severely depleted United Reserves went down to a 0-2 defeat at home to fellow promotion chasers Bishopthorpe United to leave their own promotion hopes slim.

Heslington took the lead after just 5 minutes when skipper Jeremy James was judged to have handled when the ball bounced up at him in the area. The Heslington forward made no mistake from the spot. It took just 3 minutes for United to level when a John Knowles corner bounced up in front of Northern and he dispatched an unstoppable strike that curled away from the keeper into the top corner.

United still weren’t in full flow against the basement club but in truth never really needed to get out of 2^nd gear. There were however some moments of quality and this was the case when John Knowles dropped the shoulder and then breezed past his marker before finding the bottom corner to make it 2-1. Knowles then grabbed his second before the break to make it 3-1 when he pounced on a Northern delivery with only the keeper to beat from a yard.

Bradley and Wood wanted more tempo and quality in the second half but again found a United side playing at the level of their opponents. Despite this United grabbed a 4^th when a Pears cross floated in after catching a gust of wind. The tie was put completely out of reach when Knowles completed his hat trick with a volley from the edge of the area.

Man of the Match was Sean Bugg in his first start of the season for the first team.

Like in recent games United started brightly and looked to be very solid throughout the opening half hour but Easingwold finished the first half strongly and it was the hosts that came closest to opening the scoring when a free kick from range struck the post with Riccall limited to efforts from range.

United started the second half the better of the two sides and seemed to be getting more luck going forward with the wind in their faces. Collier came close with a turn and strike from the edge of the box that forced an excellent save from the keeper low to his right and Northern could have scored when the ball cleared everyone to find him at the back post but his strike was comfortable for the keeper to gather.

United continued to press with the knowledge that the back four of James; Land; Hunter and man of the match Davis were having a very solid and comfortable game at the back. The opener seemed to be only a matter of time away with Collier getting more and more involved and bringing those around him into the game. It proved to be Collier that played a crucial role in the opener when he was sent down the line by an excellent defence splitting pass from Hunter and he beat his man and cut back to prove Pears with the simplest of tap ins for his 10^th of the season.

This seemed to spark Easingwold into life with the game becoming end to end but after a couple of scares from corners, it was United that sealed the points with the last kick of the game. Collier was the only man forward when the ball was cleared from a corner and after collecting the ball just inside his own half, Collier dribbled in and out of 3 Town defenders before driving low into the bottom corner from just inside the area.

Meanwhile, United’s second string could only manage a point with a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Despite having by far the better of the game and the chances United found themselves a goal down at half time. Following the break United drew level when Hollis Bills swung a corner straight in. Unfortunately United’s efforts didn’t get them all 3 points. Man of the match was centre half Tom Free

It soon became 2-0 on the hour mark when man of the match Ben Olsson capped another excellent display with his first goal for the club. Olsson collected the ball just inside the Bish half before beating a couple of men and firing in to the bottom corner leaving the keeper rooted to the spot.  

United were now full of confidence and cruising. Collier and Northern were rested and Bugg and Lee were introduced to provide fresh legs and this seemed to give United a boost. With 72 minutes on the clock United extended their lead further with a moment of brilliance from leading scorer John Knowles. Having collected the ball midway through the Bish half, he turned and ran at the defence with intent beating all that stood between him and goal before firing into the far corner with a left footed strike from an acute angle.

With 5 minutes remaining Bish grabbed a consolation with an unstoppable strike but the result was never in danger with United now unbeaten in 4. 

The first half was surprisingly one sided with United dominant in midfield, creative and threatening going forward and defending bravely in numbers when required. Time and time United created chances but in difficult conditions they failed to capitalise until Barnett headed home midway through the half following a series of 8 corners in quick succession from Knowles and Northern firmly put the pressure on.

Disaster struck on the brink of halftime completely against the run of play when a looping header beat Hampshire who was otherwise untested all half. 1-1 at half time.

Riccall knew it was going to be a fight to win this one in the second half, and fight is exactly what they did with Yorkies throwing everything at United but unable to break down the strong backline of Captain James; Land and man of the match Minto protected superbly by Olsson; Kozicki and Northern. And it was United that re-took the lead when Pears dribbled into the box only to be shoved to the ground for a penalty. Top goalscorer John Knowles went missing for the penalty so up stepped Pete Collier at a time when a cool head was needed and he gave the keeper no chance with a beauty from 12 yards.

United battled out the remainder of the tie to book their place in the final 4.

From the off Riccall, starting with a new look 4-4-2, looked up for this game, and almost had the dream start when a Sean Bugg corner bounced around in the box and fell to Trev Robinson who hit a fierce volley which the keeper did very well to save. Haxby looked unsettled and didn’t create a lot, but anything they did was met with a fierce challenge from the outstanding back four of Phillips, Free, Robinson and Davis. Riccall finally made their first half pressure count, when Robinson beat the keeper this time from an Andy Phillips cross, after good work from Tingey and Bills.

The Second half Riccall were a little slower out the blocks, and Gardner had to be alert when called upon for a rare Haxby shot at goal. 15mins in and Westwood replaced Pickard who had ran tirelessly throughout the 1^st half. Getting more and more frustrated, Haxby started to argue amongst themselves and after several warnings from the referee for bad language; they were reduced to 10 men.

Riccall knew they had to kill the game and made sure of that after excellent trickery from Westwood down the right, who beat two men then cut back to Shah who made no mistake with the finish to make it 2 nil. Riccall finished on a high with the move of the match when Davis picked it up on the halfway line, gave it short to Bugg who picked out Westwood on the opposite wing, who again beat his man and squared to Davis who continued his run into the box and neatly turned his man and placed it into the bottom corner to secure the win. Morton replaced Davis for the final 10mins of the game. Trevor Robinson was named Man of the Match, with numerous contenders to choose from a fine display, which puts Riccall well in the mix for the title.

Manager Mick Wright brought on Pickard to replace Tom Wright. Riccall started slowly and again they were the better team but didn’t create many chances with a resolute Stamford Bridge working hard to thwart all of Riccall’s attempts. Riccall plugged away and had to wait until the 70th minute mark for the equaliser. A great piece of individual brilliance from flying winger Mark Pickard who latched onto a sloppy pass and ran at the back four at pace before squaring to Saker who had the easiest of tasks to slide the ball in. Riccall were in complete control now and force successive corners in which centre back Dave Barber had a stinging volley cleared off the line and the next corner saw Barbers centre back partner Tom Free denied a goal by a wonder save. Phillips and Shah replaced Cronian and Bugg. Another moment of individual brilliance saw Riccall take the lead when man of the match Ben Ollson showed fantastic composure to beat two players and slide the ball through for Paul Shah who rounded the keeper and slammed the ball home for 2-1. Riccall had keeper Mark Gardner to thank for the three points when in the last minute he was called into action to save a header which was bound for the top corner until Gardner pulled off what was later described as a world class save.

United started brightly, eager to respond positively following the Poppleton match and it didn’t take long for them to stamp their authority when Neil Hunter’s excellent through ball split the Bridge defence clean in two and sent Johnny Barnett through to pass the ball past the advancing goalkeeper for 1-0. Bridge responded positively and got themselves back on level terms when United failed to deal with a cross and the resultant header looped up and over Leech who was stranded in no man’s land.

United’s nerves were soon calmed again when the Bridge midfield seemed to part like the red sea allowing Kevin Kozicki to run 20 yards before unleashing an unstoppable strike from 25 yards out leaving the keeper rooted to the spot for 2-1.

United were now starting to dominate possession with the tireless efforts of debutant Will Ramsey and Kevin Kozicki allowing Northern and Barnett to attack, in support of Collier and Knowles, at every opportunity. United’s third came midway through the second half when Barnett was sent through by Pears only to see his strike rebound to Collier who made no mistake from the edge of the area. United were now in total control with man of the match Darren Davis a rock at the heart of the defence alongside Minto and James.

3 soon became 4 when a Northern corner was met by top scorer Knowles and he could of made it 5 but for a terrible miss from a yard when faced with an open net. Bridge did manage a consolation in the final minute to make the scoreline more respectably although it did flatter them.

United appeared to shake off their 1^st half performance and went in search of the victory and they didn’t have to wait long for the opener. Johnny Barnett picked up the ball on the left and his inside pass was cleverly diverted into the path of the on rushing Andy Northern by Pete Collier and with defender and keeper to beat Northern curled it round both into the top corner with just 30 seconds gone in the 2^nd half.  

It soon became 0-2 when Wes Pears somehow out paced everyone to get on to the end of a long ball and he slid the ball past the Pock keeper for his 7^th of the season. And shortly after Johnny Barnett made it 0-3 with a strike from the edge of the box that struck the inside of the post and nestled in the bottom corner.

Barnett and Collier were handed a rest with Winter and Shah replacing them and both could of further extended United’s lead but were unfortunate with their efforts. Neil Hunter impressed at left back on his debut and Martin Land was a rock at the heart of the defence again but the man of the match award went to his centre half partner Peter Minto.

Johnny Barnett opened the scoring midway through the half when he got on the end of a Northern pass and rounded the keeper for slot home. It was soon 2-0 when Pears didn’t give up on a pass that seemed to be running out of play and his cross was met perfectly by the run of Tom Law who thundered his strike into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance. Pears completed the scoring from a Northern corner when he out jumped everyone to head home.

With the wind against them Riccall were under threat from the off but despite a disjointed first half display the back four of Hunter, Barber, Free and Phillips managed to hold firm. Under pressure Riccall managed to extend their lead when a perfect pass from Hollis Bills found Tingey who slid the ball across for Morton to finish inside the near post for his first goal for Riccall. Riccall keeper Mark Gardner made two outstanding saves to preserve the home sides two goal lead. Riccall did make more chances to kill the game with Tom Wright hitting the bar and having a goal ruled out for a tight offside decision. Harris was brought on to replace Shah and with his first touch forced the keeper into a save and after winning the ball on halfway he ran the ball himself and showed fantastic composure only to see his curling shot rebound off the post with the keeper stranded.

United could have had more then 20 goals in a match that resembled a training game for the club. By half time United had built up a 5-0 lead through goals from Andy Northern (2); Wes Pears; Kevin Kozicki and Johnny Barnett. This prompted Bradley to rest Pete Collier and Mick Carmody for the 2^nd half. United continued in the same fashion in the second half with Pears adding a further 4 goals to take his personal tally to 5 and Tom Law making it 10-0 earning him a rest for the final 15 minutes. Osbaldwick won and converted a dubious penalty that ruined United’s chances of a deserved clean sheet. Before the end Johnny Barnett grabbed his second of the game and won a penalty that man of the match Andy Northern converted to complete his hat trick.

There were no changes at half time to either the line ups or the pattern of the game as Riccall continued to pressure. After another mazy run from Pickard beating three men along the way he squared for Tingey who shot straight at the keeper to be denied what seemed a certain goal. The home side started to get some attacking momentum but still couldn’t find a way passed the stubborn back line of Riccall with centre back Tom Free later named Man of the match. Grant Saker was introduced to the action replacing the impressive Mark Pickard. Riccall showed amazing character once again digging deep to make sure of victory. They did however make some more chances with Tingey hitting the bar from 20 yards and after some good work from the returning Saker and Bills, Morton was given the chance for his first Riccall goal only to find the side netting. Riccall stood firm and were unfortunate to concede a few minutes from time when a shot took a wicked deflection off Bills wrong footing Gardner in the Riccall goal giving him no chance.

Moments later and Riccall’s chances were dealt a cruel blow. Keeper Andy Leech saved bravely at the feet of an Amotherby forward but sustained a nasty cut above his eye which required hospital treatment. This left Riccall keeperless and managerless with centre half Peter Minto deputising in the United goal.

Despite this blow Riccall battled and defended their way to half time with the scores still level. Following the break United came out fighting and could and really should have been out of sight following a period of 25 minutes of constant pressure and chances that should have been converted. Johnny Barnett was introduced by assistant Wood and with his first touch he gave United a 1-2 lead.

Riccall were battling hard to a good result despite the loss of Leech but with 10 minutes remaining on the clock the referee awarded a penalty to Amotherby when it appeared Carmody got the ball and it was just outside the area. Minto got a hand to the spotkick but was unable to prevent the equaliser. Moments later and Amotherby snatched an unlikely winner when Minto was beaten by a close range freekick which would normally be saved by a goalkeeper.

Riccall’s first goal attempt came from a free kick from all of 25 yards which Captain Andy Phillips struck just over. Not long after St Johns took the lead when following a Riccall attack they broke quickly and Riccall allowed the striker to carry the ball unchallenged before he unleashed an unstoppable strike for 1-0. Riccall continued to scrap for every ball with the midfield quartet of Bills, Winter, Ollson, and Tingey covering a lot of ground.

Riccall continued to work with little reward as early on in the second half St Johns put together a great move leaving the striker with a simple tap in. Paul Shah and Tom Wright were chasing down every ball up front for Riccall. Pickard was brought on to replace Tom Wright who had run his socks off for the Riccall cause. Riccall got reward for the huge efforts they had put in when centre back Dave Barber picked the ball up on half way his pass split the home defence for the first time for Tingey to finish with ease for 2-1. Harris replaced Shah and got straight into the action when Pickard sent over an inviting cross only for Harris to head the chance just wide. The tie was all but finished when the referee failed to spot a clear offside which allowed the centre forward the freedom of the pitch to round the keeper and make it 3-1. Pickard and Harris missed good chances to get Riccall back into the game. The result was probably a bit harsh on Riccall who worked hard and got little for the work they put into the game.

Riccall didn’t need to wait long for the opening goal. Following a couple of good scoring opportunities, Riccall did open the scoring on 5 minutes when Northern beat his man down the left and crossed from the touchline for Tom Law to convert from close range for his fourth goal of the season.

United continued to create chances with Collier; Knowles; Cronian and Northern all coming close to adding further to the lead but it was Heslington that levelled against the run of play with a glancing header at the front post. Within minutes Riccall again had the lead when Knowles picked up the ball on the corner of the area and picked out the far post, with the keeper at full stretch, for his 8^th goal of the season. Further chances fell to Collier and Knowles before the half came to a close and Riccall should have been out of sight.

The second half was a scrappy affair with very few chances of note although Collier came close twice to scoring the goal his game deserved so much. Riccall’s back four, of Captain James; Minto; Carmody and Brown, had to be on their game in the second half with Minto and Carmody particularly good.

Early in the second half Riccall lost Pickard to injury but he was replaced by Harris. Panthers came out of the blocks flying and soon took control of possession but couldn’t break down Riccall’s back four of Wright, Barber, Morton and Captain Phillips. The visitors continued to pressure the home defence but it was Riccall who broke the deadlock on the counter when Andy Phillips floated in a pin point cross to goal machine Paul Shah who glanced his header into the far corner for his ninth of the season. The pressure was relentless on Riccall but still the back four stood firm well protected by the hard work of home debutant Ben Ollson. When Hamilton broke down Riccall’s stubborn defence Mark Gardner was quick off his line to save well and keep the host’s lead intact. Riccall caught the visitors defence out again when Ollson split the defence wide open with a fantastic through ball for Barnett to strike the ball in from all of thirty five yards for 2-0. A minute later Panthers got a well deserved goal when some slick passing allowed the striker to tap in for 2-1. Riccall’s resolve was tested right to the end but they held on for a morale boosting victory.

It seemed Riccall were again having one of those days, when slack defending of a corner allowed the Rec player a free header at the far post for 0-1 and United found it tough to get going in the opening 45 minutes of the encounter.

Into the second half and it was a completely different United that took to the field and they showed patience and character to level with only fifteen minutes left on the clock. And what a beauty it was when it came with Man of the Match Pete Minto volleying into the far top corner from 25yards out for 1-1.

United wanted a winner in normal time and no player more so than John Knowles who great solo effort has won the tie for United. Knowles picked the ball up just inside his own half and he weaved his way through a string of Rec players before finding the bottom left corner with a superb strike. It was no more than the striker deserved, with his second half performance a real plus point.

Riccall Should have had a third in the closing seconds when Pete Collier broke clear at the half way line before squaring just inside the area for Northern, but his strike was well saved by the Rec keeper.

United travel to bottom placed Heslington this weekend hoping to kick start their league campaign.

United’s Reserves 100% Reserve B record came crashing with a 7-0 hammering at the hands of Haxby United Reserves. They’ll be hoping to get back to winning ways this weekend when they host Hamilton Panthers.

United were fantastic in the opening 25 minutes with Johnny Barnett grabbing a goal to give United the lead but poor defending allowed Union back into the tie before the end of the half with the teams going in at 1-1 at half time.

United’s second half was very poor as they fell 3-1 behind before Ryan Chadwick’s wonder goal brought them back into the tie. Collier went close twice but was denied by the outstretched foot of the Union Keeper.

Mick Wright stated he wanted the width of the pitch to be used and Riccall did exactly that. Mark Pickard was made a very busy man during the first half working the right hand side hard alongside Andy Phillips who was causing problems with some great deliveries which Riccall were failing to get on the end of. At the break the sides went in at zero each, after Riccall constant domination.

Riccall came into the second half exactly the same, with what Mick Wright calls his 'Midfield Trio' Kozicki, Bugg and Ramsey controlling the game and creating endless chances for Paul Shah who was creating real problems all day for the Builder defence. The deadlock was finally broken when Bugg picked the ball up and neatly put Shah through to add another goal to his season tally. Minutes later Will Ramsey came up with the second with a strike from distance.

The defence of Free and Bills were finding it hard to stay awake in this game as they were never really troubled, they stayed solid when needed though and did a good job when called upon. The second half saw introduction of Thomas Wright who made an instant impact working well down the left hand side. The third came when Bugg won the ball and nicely picked out the net from 25 yards. Minutes later Kevin Kozicki finally got the goal he deserved all game and all season so far, and didn't he do it in style with a great volley from 18 yards out. 

The game ended in style when Shah scored a Didier Drogba like turn a volley from long range to keep his great scoring record rolling on.

Amotherby took the lead within the first 5 minutes when they hit United on the counter attack. A long ball over the top caught United out and the Amotherby striker’s shot, that seemed to be sailing wide, cruelly struck Mick Carmody and found the bottom corner of the outstretched Mark Hampshire’s goal.

United were again very dominant with their possession and territorial advantage but yet again like so many times this season they failed to convert this into chances and ultimately goals. Man of the Match Jeremy James, restored to the centre of midfield, was throwing himself into every challenge and Cronian was chasing everything but United lacked the killer instinct.

Davis replaced Westwood at the interval and this seemed to liven United up with Hampshire still very much a spectator in the United goal as United pushed forward only to find Amotherby standing firm.

The second goal came with the end in sight and again Amotherby hit United on the counter attack with a close range drive that crept under Hampshire for 0-2.

This Saturday Riccall travel to Norwich Union whilst the Reserves are back in action with an home tie in the York FA Junior Cup 2^nd Round versus LNER Builders, both 2pm kick off’s.

Mick Wright welcomed back Tom Free after a brief spell on the sidelines but the towering centre back had to be content with a place on the bench. Riccall flew out of the blocks making several good openings in the first ten minutes. Will Ramsey was causing mayhem amongst the home defence but failed to beat the keeper on a few occasions. The first goal arrived from a Tom Wright corner which was cleverly dummied by in form Paul Shah for Mark Pickard to place the ball into the roof of the net. Riccall continued to dominate with the back four of Phillips, Barber, Morton and Lee rarely tested. The second arrived shortly after. After some good work from Ramsey, his shot was well saved by the keeper but the rebound fell to Shah who finished with ease for his fifth in three games. The half fizzled out with Riccall creating numerous chances but failing to add to the score.

Riccall started the second half in the same fashion, making a lot of chances but failing to make there dominance count. After some good work from Pickard, on the right, Riccall scored their third. Pickard beat two players and squared to Bugg whose shot was well saved only for youngster Tom Wright to fire home for 3-0. The lively Kevin Kozicki played Sean Bugg through and he cleverly chipped the keeper only to see a desperate defender tap the ball over the bar with his hand for a penalty. Sean Bugg took the penalty himself and dispatched with minimum fuss for 4-0. Mick Wright brought on Harris for Shah and he got straight into the action when a looping cross from Tom Wright was nodded back across goal by Dave Barber for Harris to tap in from close range. Wetherall came on to replace the impressive Tom Wright. The next goal was a moment of individual brilliance when Harris picked the ball up wide on the left and skipped past his man and ran into the box and from a seemingly impossible angle steered his shot into the top corner for a splendid sixth. The hosts got a goal back when a mix up between goalkeeper Jackson and the usually reliable Tom Free allowed the Malton and Norton Player to smash the ball past Jackson for 6-1. Riccall carried on their dominance and Ramsey rounded off the scoring in style for 7-1. The moment of the match came when sub Jamie Wetherall struck a venomous shot which was saved well but as the ball looped up the Wetherall performed a spectacular acrobatic volley which only just fell wide for what would been a fine goal for the well liked big man!

United exited the York FA Senior Cup at the 1^st stage for the second year running with a final score that isn’t a true reflection of the game and the performance of Riccall but a reminder that they must start converting their domination into goals.

Following a nervous first ten minutes from United, they finally settled against their premier division opposition and began to slowly take control of the game with Winter winning every tackle in midfield and Westwood and man of the match Jeremy James particularly threatening down the right hand side. The back four were in total control allowing the remainder of the side the freedom and confidence to push forward. It was difficult for any neutral watching the game to determine who was in the higher division as United left their opposition chasing shadows.

Some poor offside calls from the referee were the only thing preventing the lively Pears and Knowles the opportunity to open the score.

It was again an error from the referee rather than the United side that allowed Malton a corner which resulted in the opening goal late in the 1^st half. A thunderous header was tipped onto the bar by Hampshire only for the unfortunate keeper to turn round and fumble the ball over the line.

United again came at their opponents in the second half and were even more dominant with Johnny Barnett tormenting the Malton defence time and time again. Unfortunately for United John Knowles limped off injured and so did United’s best hope of a goal.

The second goal came totally against the run of play and left United wondering exactly what they had to do to get a break with the Malton striker receiving the ball in an offside position before executing a wonderful chip over the keeper for 2-0. United refused to give in and should have had at least one back when Tom Law turned and struck over from 8 yards, a goal would have been the least United deserved.

This Saturday United’s 1^st Team face Roos in the East Riding Intermediate Country Cup 1^st Round at Home whilst the Reserves make the journey to Malton & Norton in Reserve B, both 2pm kick off’s.

Following the disappointment of dropping three points the previous week, Riccall were in East Riding cup action aiming to re-ignite their season. The preliminary round provided United the opportunity to face off against Division 1 rivals Stamford Bridge, who had started the season in the same positive manner as Riccall had.

Riccall had the better of the first half with the midfield dominating possession and the full side playing and passing the ball around with vast amounts of confidence. Despite this it was Stamford Bridge who grabbed the lead when they broke following a Riccall throw deep in the Bridge half, and the Bridge forward tricked and turned his way to a one on one chance which he slotted away with ease.

Riccall instantly came back to life and again took the game to their hosts with chances falling to Knowles and Law but both failed to get their shots off. With time running out in the half up Davis and Westwood linked up on the right to deliver a cross that Jeremy James chested down to Knowles who turned and fired home for 1-1.

Into the second half and United continued to dominate possession but failed to put the game to bed with Knowles missing a couple of good opportunities to put the game beyond Stamford Bridge. United brought on Pears to aid Knowles and the addition seemed to help the Riccall cause with Pears forcing a save from an opportunist strike. United’s break came with only 8 minutes left on the clock when Pears was hacked down inside the box and up stepped Mick Carmody to neatly pass the ball into the net for 1-2.

Bradley would have hoped his side could see out the clock but this failed to be the case and Stamford Bridge levelled from the spot during injury time to force the additional 30 minutes.

It was Riccall extra fitness that overcame a resilient Stamford Bridge side in the end with Pears opening his Riccall account with a great solo effort from the edge of the box to send Riccall into the 1^st Round and a tie with Roos.

Mark Hampshire collected the man of the match for some fine saves and generally commanding his box superbly.

Riccall’s reserves locked horns with Poppleton’s reserves for the second Saturday running this time in the Reserve Cup. Riccall were bursting with confidence after thumping their opponents 6-0 seven days earlier and this showed right from the off. Straight from the kick off youngster Kozicki sent a ball down the left for Craig Lee who squared the ball to Shah who smashed the ball into the top corner for 1-0 with only 37 seconds on the clock. Riccall took control of the game with some neat passing throughout the five man midfield of Wright, Ramsey, Bills, Bugg, and man of the match Kozicki. Good build up play by Phillips and Bugg on the right saw Bugg centre to the well timed run of Ramsey and he side footed with minimum fuss for 2-0. Poppleton grabbed a dubious goal back when it seemed that Craig Lee was pushed in the back but the ref allowed play to continue and the resulting cross was met well by the hosts left winger for 2-1. It didn’t take Riccall long to get back their two goal advantage when a pin point cross from Phillips was met by Shah who glanced a header into the far corner. Poppleton pulled another goal back on the stroke of half time when centre back Dave Barber let his man turn him inside the box and fire the ball into the top corner giving Keeper Jackson no chance.

Mick Wright