Going into the last game of the season and having already secured the League title by winning every League game so far, Richmond Town Under-12s were on the verge a rare feat.

One more win would have secured a 100 per cent League record, but then rivals Thirsk Falcons swooped to take some of the gloss off what had promised to be a remarkable achievement.

Playing in the Richmond and District League, Mike Kearney's side had won 13 out of 13 matches and the final fixture away to Thirsk offered the opportunity for a clean sweep.

But Richmond were caught cold by a Thirsk goal after just 15 seconds and despite recovering to pull a goal back, the Under-12s went on to lose 2-1.

Nevertheless, despite their first defeat of the season coming so late on, Richmond are still celebrating an excellent season, one which could yet see them finish with a League and Cup double as they take on Northallerton in the Cup Final next month.

Kearney conceded Sunday's defeat was a sucker-punch but takes pride in the title win.

"I don't know who was more upset, the players or the coaching staff," he said. "We feel gutted after Sunday, but we told the players afterwards that even though Thirsk were the ones jumping for joy, we've still won the title and Thirsk are the ones that are second.

"The season isn't about just one game, it's about what happens over the course of a year."

Last season the team finished third in the League and so the first-placed finish with almost maximum points marks a vast improvement.

Kearney puts the transformation down to a settled side, the core of which have been together since they were eight-years-old.

He said: "Last season was their first at 11-a-side level and it may have taken them a bit of time to get used to it, but the majority of the team, and the coaches, have been together for around five years so I think that consistency helps."

Coaching alongside Kearney are Dave Radford, Peter Larder, Anthony Swainston and Trevor Holmes while sponsors are Amey and Andy Whiteside Carpentry and Joinery.