WENSLEYDALE LEAGUE MEDALS SHIELD FINAL
RICHMOND TOWN ACADEMY 2 HAWES UNITED 1 (aet)
By Ricky Butler at the RGPS
A goal from Sam Vernon three minutes from the end of extra time at Northallerton Town last night saw Richmond Town Academy retain the Medals Shield for a third year in a row.
With a closely fought final seemingly heading for a penalty shoot out, Vernon's 117th minute shot on the turn from 12 yards left Hawes United heartbroken.
Town, who had lifted this trophy for the past two seasons, went close early on through Jonathan Kellett and Ben Holmes but it was Hawes who went in front after 14 minutes.
Steve Calvert broke from midfield and fed Jonathon Champion on the edge of the penalty area. He played a neat 1-2 with Darren Bell before smashing the ball past Town goalkeeper Karl Lathum from 16 yards.
But the lead lasted barely 10 minutes. Mark Cleminson whipped in a dangerous free kick from out on the left and Ross McGuigan flicked the ball past Hawes 'keeper Chris Harrison from six yards.
Richmond were the better side for the remainder of the first half and they should have gone in front after half an hour when Josh Wooff hit the crossbar from close range after a low cross from Dylan Wardale.
But Hawes got on top in the second period with Brett Calvert, Daniel Peacock and Bell all coming close to winning it. although it was Richmond who nearly snatched the trophy two minutes from time.
Vernon played in Wooff and he displayed a neat touch to round Harrison, but Brett Calvert got back to make a superb last-ditch challenge as he was about to roll the ball into the empty net.
Extra time was difficult as players from both sides went down with cramp and the final was heading for a penalty shoot-out when Richmond grabbed a dramatic winner.
Cleminson showed a cool head on the edge of the penalty area before slipping in Vernon whose shot on the turn beat Harrison to give Richmond the Shield again.
RICHMOND TOWN ACADEMY - Lathum, Simpson, Muirhead, McGuigan, Cleminson, Carruthers, Kellett, Wooff, Holmes, Vernon, Wardale. Subs - Donaldson, Soulsby, Metcalfe, Battersby.
HAWES UNITED - Harrison, Iveson(L), Calvert(B), Guy(S), Allen, Calvert(S), Iveson(J), Dinsdale, Champion, Peacock, Bell. Subs - Guy(J), Hulley, Richardson, Iveson(A).
REFEREE - S. Peake
ASSISTANTS - E. Morris, J. Shuker
FOURTH OFFICIAL - J. Stephenson
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