THE performance of the day in the premier division last Saturday saw Kirkby Malzeard hit visitors Harlow Hill for six.

Kirkby continued their recent good form with a dominant display. The first half followed the pattern of recent performances, with the home side well on top but unable to make their pressure really count.

They hit the woodwork twice and only had Andy Dunkley's fine goal to show for their efforts.

But the second half finally saw Kirkby take their chances as Dunkley hit a second before a Paul Barthram brace made the points safe.

There was still time for Danny Wise to curl a 25-yard free kick into the top corner and young Ashley Atkinson to mark his first team debut with a great goal to round off an impressive 6-0 win for Kirkby.

Northallerton Town Reserves made it into the third round of the League Cup with a thrilling 5-3 victory at premier division rivals Kirk Deighton Rangers Reserves.

With the home side flying high in the top three, it was a very good win for Town, who have now lost only once in their last six matches.

The game of the day in division one saw Bedale Town's promotion hopes suffer a blow with a topsy-turvy 4-3 defeat at leaders Otley Town A.

Despite going behind after only four minutes, Bedale hit back with a goal from Adam Melbourne and a Matthew Gibb free kick to lead after half an hour.

But the home side equalised straight from the restart and then scored again on the stroke of half-time to lead 3-2. Mark Adams slotted home for Bedale to level the scores again five minutes into the second half, but Otley then made it 4-3 with a fine goal of their own in the 65th minute.

Despite late Bedale pressure, which saw an effort cleared off the line in the last minute, Otley hung on to increase their lead at the top.

Elsewhere, second-placed Dalton Athletic failed to close the gap when they went down to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Horsforth St Margaret's Reserves.

They never really got into the match and suffered only their third league defeat of the season.

Masham fared little better, going down 2-1 in their home clash with Thirsk Falcons Reserves.

Despite starting the match with only eight men due to a hold-up on the A1, Masham managed to keep it goalless until half-time. With the arrival of the three missing players, the home side were confident of getting a result in the second half, but it was Thirsk who took the lead in the 55th minute.

Although Dan Nicholson fired Masham level within five minutes, the visitors quickly regained their lead when a cross-shot deceived the Masham keeper and looped into the net.

That proved to be the winning goal as Thirsk withstood a late Masham rally to leave with all three points.