A TWO-GOAL blast at the start of the second half helped propel Middleham Town into the semi-finals of the North Riding Saturday Challenge Cup with a 3-2 victory at Dormans FC last Saturday.

In a hard-fought, but goalless, first half, Middleham keeper Andrew Steel diverted a fierce shot onto the crossbar.

Barry Jackson put the visitors ahead a minute into the second half and Paul Booton immediately added a second after being put through by Keith Webster.

Dormans pulled a goal back direct from a free kick after 63 minutes, but they then had a player sent off and Middleham took advantage to go 3-1 up with a good strike by Glyn Barnard after 75 minutes.

The home side reduced the deficit again with a goal on 80 minutes, but Middleham held on to join fellow Wensleydale League side Richmond Mavericks in the last four on March 2. The two teams have avoided each other in the semi-final draw.

In the first round of the Dales Cup, Redmire defeated visitors Kirkby Malzeard 4-1, Neil MacGregor putting them ahead with a shot from ten yards after 15 minutes and Nick Hodges increasing the lead with a header from a corner on the half-hour.

The home side missed a penalty five minutes into the second half, but MacGregor was on target again on the hour and Daniel Robinson sewed up the victory with Redmire's fourth after 75 minutes.

Kirkby Malzeard grabbed a consolation goal a minute from the end, converting a penalty awarded for handball.

Spennithorne went down 6-3 at Richmond Mavericks after the tie was switched to their opponents' ground because of a waterlogged pitch.

Spennithorne went ahead when Carl Orton scored after 16 minutes, but Mavericks drew level four minutes later through Andrew Mollitt.

Carl Fowler helped a free kick over the Mavericks keeper to regain the lead for his side a minute into the second half, but a blitz of three goals in three minutes put Mavericks in control. Clive Layfield equalised from close range after 63 minutes before Richard Thompson struck with two quick goals to put his side 4-2 ahead.

Ben Hodgson increased the Mavericks lead still further after 79 minutes and Mollitt made it 6-2 with a breakaway goal four minutes from time. Paul Steel completed the scoring for Spennithorne two minutes later.

The remaining three Dales Cup ties were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

In the league, Reeth earned a point with a 1-1 draw at Richmond Buck after taking the lead through Steve Porter after 30 minutes. Mark Turner equalised for the home side six minutes later.

The game between Hawes B and Carperby was abandoned after 59 minutes due to extreme weather with the visitors 2-1 ahead