6.30pm 4 August 2026
North Riding League, Premier Division
Great Ayton United 3 Lealholm 1 (att 80)
I made a late decision to go to North Yorkshire for this game, but such were the traffic delays heading east across the Pennines that I came close to giving up and heading back home.
I pressed on though, and arrived at Great Ayton's ground about five minutes before the action got underway. It proved worth the effort, as this was a very watchable match at a pleasant venue.
Leven Park is home to Great Ayton's football and cricket clubs, although the playing areas don't overlap. The football pitch is parallel to the car park, with changing rooms, associated buildings and even a small stand all at the far end.
Both touchlines were roped off, and there's a dugout on either side of the pitch. It was nice to see a pitch looking more green than brown after recent visits to rain-starved surfaces.
The North Riding League season began at the weekend. Great Ayton lost their opening fixture while Lealholm drew.
The visitors had more possession and did most of the attacking in the first half, but Great Ayton were clinical when chances came their way. They scored twice in the opening period, the second not long before the break.
Lealholm responded well in the second half, and pulled a goal back when a well-taken free kick, just outside the penalty area, was fired into the top corner.
But Great Ayton weren't going to give up the points, and a penalty was coolly converted to restore their two goal advantage and secure three points.
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