West Pier win nine-goal semi-final thriller with last-gasp Watson strike
A last-gasp goal in a nine-goal Ryedale Hospital Cup thriller at Amotherby & Swinton helped keep West Pier’s bid to win back-to-back quadruples on track on Saturday.
The Newitts.com Beckett Football League Division One champions and Victory Cup winners Pier left it late to book their place in the final to face Wombleton Wanderers, who won 6-1 at Danby.
A slow start saw Pier go 2-0 down to goals from Nathan Cross and Adam Stockell in the first half after some sloppy errors, but they fought their way back into the game.
Super-sub Benny Davis pulled one back with a great touch and composed finish from a long ball, before Amotherby extended the lead at the other end to make it 3-1 through Caleb Todd.
Pier responded again just before the break, Neil Thomas rising highest to head home and make it 3-2 at half-time.
Amotherby struck again early through George Peirson in the second half after another defensive mistake to go 4-2 up, but Pier refused to give in. Will Jenkinson produced a stunning long-range effort to make it 4-3, and the pressure continued to build until Richardson grabbed the equaliser to level it at 4-4.
With just 30 seconds left, Jake Watson fired a half-volley off the bar and in to complete an incredible comeback and seal the win.
Jenkinson said: “Not the best performance, but with the number of games recently, the character and team spirit shown by the lads was outstanding.
"Two finals remaining for the lads now hopefully we can do the quadruple again back to back.”
Rosedale lost 6-3 in a thriller at home to Heslerton, ending their Division One campaigns in style.
The visitors took the lead on seven minutes when Jamie Atkinson sent Morgan Kendrew clear to slot past keeper Ryan Diuga, then Kendrew and Atkinson combined to gift Jack Pinder an easy finish.
On 20 minutes it was 3-0 as a curling Kendrew corner went in off the inside of the far post.
Kendrew completed his hat-trick just inside the half-hour mark, Atkinson again the provider.
On the stroke of half-time Rosedale pulled a goal back as Wilkinson’s fine free-kick cannoned off the bar, for Neil Adams to head home from close range.
Heslerton struck again through Kendrew, again from Atkinson’s vision.
Pressure at the other end saw Matty Bower and then Wilkinson, with his 14th goal of the campaign, give the hosts hope. But, once more, Atkinson fed Kendrew to score his fifth, and the pacy forward’s 100th senior club goal.
Kirkdale drew 2-2 at Snainton.
Will Pepler opened the scoring for Kirkdale, the hosts replied twice in the space of seven first-half minutes, through Owen L’Anson and Lewis Pickles.
On 70 minutes Liam Ward levelled.
In Division Two, Lealholm Reserves capitalised on their game in hand of Whitby Fishermen’s Development to go top following a 4-1 victory at home to Goal Sports.
Goldsborough, well in with a shout for promotion themselves saw off visitors Ryedale 3-2 with two goals from club stalwart Ben Watson and a Ryedale own goal.
Ryan Taylor and Brody Norton-Hunter notched for Ryedale.