THIRSK Falcons returned to winning ways with a 5-3 victory at Masham last Saturday.

They got off to an amazing start, with Richie Turner and Cahill Cook playing a one-two before Cook lobbed the home keeper to give Falcons the lead after only 13 seconds. Minutes later, Turner latched onto a fumble by the Masham keeper and slotted home the second.

The visitors were dominant and on 30 minutes a long Parker throw was flicked on at the near post and Turner volleyed home from close range.

Masham struck back when the makeshift Falcons defence failed to clear a long ball, but Turner collected his hat-trick just before half-time when he fired in from a tight angle following a Neil Clark through ball.

The home side fought back with a goal early in the second half, but Paul Plows raced down the left, cut inside and scored with a right-foot shot to make it 5-2.

Masham again struck back on the break, but Falcons continued the pressure and were unlucky not to score twice in the closing stages when Banthorpe hit the bar with a bullet header and Cook's cheeky back heel was inches wide.