Wensleydale League

Thursday 24th June 2021

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.32

Leyburn Town 1 Unicorn 5, attendance 71

17’ 0-1

31’ 0-2

34’ 0-3

59’ 0-4

76’ 1-4

78’ 1-5

@ Middleham Sports Field

off Castle Hill

Middleham

DL8 4QW

No Admission

£1 Programme, 8 pages.

This season has seen competitive football return to Middleham for the first time since the demise of Middleham Town at the end of 2007/08 season. The setting here is superb. The scenic views would take some beating, with the surrounding rolling hills and the magnificent Middleham Castle that looms large beyond the goal at the entrance end of the ground. Difficulty with access to their former ground at Wensleydale School in Leyburn, following the erection of new security fencing, saw them lead a nomadic existence last season before making the switch to their new home in Middleham, three miles to the south.

The league title would be decided tonight. If Unicorn won by two clear goals they would pip Richmond Town Reserves to top spot on goal difference. Well, a two goal win would see them finish with the same goal difference, but Unicorn would take the title as they have scored more goals.

A blistering start saw Unicorn race into a 0-3 lead in little more than half an hour, so they just needed to see the game out from there. By the hour mark it was 0-4. Second from bottom Leyburn had nothing to play for (no automatic relegation from this league), but never gave up. They pulled it back to 1-4, but Unicorn replied almost immediately, wrapping up a 1-5 win and the title with it.

Next Wednesday the two clubs meet again, when they play in the Dales Cup Final at the ground of Reeth Athletic.