Semi-final joy for solid Oak as Pickering side make history

They will play Edgehill reserves, the current holders of the trophy.

Both teams are unbeaten in their respective leagues, but Edgehill will be the clear favourites on the night.

In their semi-final, Pickering Royal Oak entertained Cayton Corinthians reserves from the second division of the Scarborough and District League and were full value for their 5-1 win.

Midway through the first half, Cayton enjoyed a good spell and they took the lead when Dave Kitchin scored. Cayton were defending well, but Pickering Royal Oak stung their visitors with two late first half goals. The first came from Terry Davidson after he beat three defenders. Minutes later, a 30-yard shot by Matthew Pedder looked to be easily saved by the Cayton keeper, but he allowed it to slip through his hands into the goal for Royal Oak to lead 2-1 at half time.

The second half saw Royal Oak get well on top as they dominated the half from start to finish. The club's leading scorer, Damon Cox, notched his side's third goal. Adam Hornby hammered in an unstoppable 25-yard shot, while Cox grabbed his second to round off the scoring. Man of the match for the Royal Oak side was Mike Connell, who was superb on the right side of midfield.

The second semi-final saw Edgehill reserves destroy Ayton 6-0, despite playing the majority of the game with ten men after referee Adrian Waring, of Whitby, sent off Dean Lill for violent conduct in the first half.

Edgehill led by a single goal at half-time, but ran out easy winners with a blistering second half performance. Their goals were scored by Ainsley Scott (2), David Bell (2), substitute Keith Skelton and man of the match John Coulson.

Scarborough and

District League

Kirkbymoorside had an easy 4-1 away win at bottom club Sleights. They nipped into a two-goal lead through Alex Strickland and Andrew Hodgson, the latter a header from a Nicky Thurlow corner. But Sleights pulled a goal back just before half-time.

Five minutes into the second half, the Moorsiders restored their two-goal advantage with a second Alex Strickland goal. Nicky Thurlow completed the scoring midway through the half. Tom Bryant was the Moorsiders' man of the match.

Ryedale Sports Club were well beaten at home by league leaders Edgehill, 5-1. Garry Hepples scored to give Edgehill the lead. Paul Lakin equalised before half-time. In the second half, Edgehill got on top. Wayne Asif scored to restore their lead and further goals followed from Martyn Ferrey (2) and Paul Nock. Man of the match winners were Heath Brown (Ryedale SC) and Micky Sellars (Edgehill).

The result of the day saw Cayton Corinthians beat Filey Town 3-0. These were the first points dropped by Filey this season and Cayton are beginning to become the most improved side in the league.

All the Cayton goals were scored in the second half. Marc Griffiths and Adam Drury scored, while former Pickering Town favourite Steve Roberts grabbed his 21st of the season.

Ward's moved up two places after a 2-0 home win against Fishburn Park, with a goal each for Dan Sheader and Dougie McGregor.

In the second division, Rillington moved back into second place with a 3-1 home win against Ward's reserves, who took the lead when Ian Bateman scored. Paul Clapham equalised before half time. Rillington won the game, with second-half goals scored by Richard Jacques and a second for the former Slingsby player Paul Clapham.

Filey Town reserves beat Snainton 2-1 with a brace of goals scored by Dave Wedge. Rob Corney scored for Snainton.

In the third division, Heslerton beat Crown 3-1 with their goals scored by Alan Lickes, an own goal and Chris Woodhead.

New Ganton beat Filey Athletic 3-2, with goals scored by Phil Barnett 2 and Nigel Ings. Filey's goals came from a Kevin Hodgson own goal and Rob Andrews.

Whitby Albion beat Sherburn 6-1 with John Simpson scoring four goals, making 62 for the season so far. Stuart Hicks and Andrew Steele also scored. Paul Cousins netted for Sherburn.

Updated: 09:30 Wednesday, February 26, 2003