West Pier hot-shots earn final victory to seal league and cup double

In the first half most of the early pressure came from Pier, nevertheless United went ahead through club talisman Robert Galtrey.

The Scarborough outfit then replied with an equaliser from Johnny Grayston, however Kirkdale regained the lead through Dan Ward just before half-time.

In the second period Pier lifted themselves to respond, this time veteran Neil Thomas found the back of the net.

With 15 minutes remaining, Declan Richardson hit the winner for Pier and make it two pieces of silverware in seven days, Will Jenkinson’s side confirmed as league champions the weekend past.

Jenkinson said: “Both teams started brightly and Pier missed a few one-on-ones through Dec Richardson and Martin Cooper but it was Kirkdale who took the lead with their first shot on target after some good play.

"It didn’t take long for Pier to be on level terms and it was 1-1 when John Grayston was put through and found a smart finish in to the bottom corner. Kirkdale were back in front just before half-time despite Pier having four or five clear-cut chances to be ahead.

"The second half started with Pier missing a few more chances through Grayston, Richardson and Cooper. We equalised from a corner put in by Cooper and Neil Thomas headed into the top corner to make it 2-2.

"The game started to open up a little and Pier kept getting in behind but the Kirkdale keeper pulled off some smart saves. Then a ball played in to the box which looked to be handball, we managed to keep the ball which then was played back across to Richardson who smashed home from 10 yards to put Pier in the lead for the first time.

"With 20 minutes remaining captain Sam Garnett was sin-binned but Pier managed to hang on for 15 minutes until he was allowed back on and closed out the game for the win.

"I want to give credit to the lads for never letting their heads go down and keeping at it even when at times it felt like we had everything going against us they stuck at it and it paid dividends in the end.

"Fair play to Kirkdale they are a good team with some great players and was a tough competitor that made a good game of football.

"So well done to them but unfortunately for them there has to be a winner and I thought we deserved to win, we created a lot more chances than they did.

"Garnett, Neil Thomas, Ty and Dec Richardson and Grayston were all brilliant but my man of the match went to Jake Watson who put in another superb defensive performance. Two cups down, two to go.”

On Saturday, the quarter-finals of the Gordon Harrison Memorial Trophy were played.

Thornton Dale hit five in their comprehensive win over Amotherby & Swinton.

Dale hit two in two minutes through James Sawdon and Marcus Godsell, and the pair would both score again during the second period, a fifth goal coming from Morgan Elven.

Second division Ampleforth knocked out top-flight Snainton with Steve Merritt and Jack Simpson on target for the hosts.

Dan Hollinshead responded for Snainton before the interval.

Friday evening’s crunch clash between Division Two high-flyers Whitby Fishermen’s Society Development and Lealholm Reserves saw the visitors win 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out.

Michael Kilpatrick struck for the hosts and Sam Russell for Lealholm during the regular 90.

In Panasonic Cup action Ryedale hosted Fishburn Park Academy.

Both sides scored once, Jack Welburn for the hosts and Billy Blake for the visitors before another shoot-out which put Park into the hat for the next round, also by a 4-2 margin.

In Division Two, Goal Sports suffered a heavy 6-1 home defeat at the hands of Goldsborough.

Ben Watson and George Sault fired in a double apiece, with Ben Duell and sub Callum Stonehouse also scoring, Jake Moore notching for the hosts.

Sinnington were another side with a comfortable afternoon as they fired five past Slingsby.

Another Jordan Anderson hat-trick boosted the Sinners, with Ethan Dale and Cole Gayles scoring also.

Aaron Cooke scored Slingsby’s consolation effort.