York St Johns College 1 v 3 Kartiers FC
 
Kartiers FC ended the league season in fine style with a comfortable victory over St Johns College
and in doing so completed a quick fire league double over the students having defeated them 2-1 in
midweek.
 
In what is reportedly skipper Andrew Richardson's last game for the club, the players formed a
guard of honour as he entered the field and to the great joy of everyone connected with the club,
Richardson netted the first goal on fifteen minutes. Hewitt's free kick was headed back across goal
by Littlewood for Richardson to do what he has done so many times over the years, heading the ball
home from six yards out. Kartiers were playing with care free abandon which was emphasised by the
skilful running of Jon James, thankfully not suffering any ill effects from the horrendous tackle
he suffered the previous week at Malton. James and Littlewood both drew super saves from the St
Johns keeper as Kartiers turned the screw but they had to wait until midway through the second half
before they increased their lead.
 
Jon James rode several challenges before the home keeper crudely brought him down with Michael
Braithwaite comfortably dispatching the resulting penalty. Littlewood made the three points safe
with a fine header after tremendous work by Winter, James and Ward had set up the chance and despite
a late consolation from the students the visitors even had the luxury of allowing manager Ian
Jennings to play the final few minutes.
 
After the game Kartiers manager Ian Jennings heaped praise on his skipper Andrew Richardson, 'he's
been an absolute pleasure to manage, as good a centre half as this league has ever seen and it will
be a hard task to replace him'. He added, 'I dont know how the league representative side is
selected but I have been amazed for a while now that non of my players have been recognised, Andrew
should have been selected over the years and Michael Braithwaite has been quite simply one of the
best midfield players in the league this season'. As for the season, Jennings was remarkably upbeat,
'its well documented about the injuries and other absences that have meant that I have not been able
to select the side that I had intended to field at the start of the season. So to finish sixth in
the league is quite an achievement and its only the last two months that has seen us fall away when
we were a lot of peoples favourites to win the league for a big chunk of the season, maybe next year?'
 
Meanwhile the 2nd X1 reached the Reserve League Cup final for the third time in the club's history.
A Matt Cooper goal was enough to send The Beavers second string into the final, at the expense of
Riccall, where they faced Haxby on Tuesday (29/4).
 
Tickets are still available for the Kartiers FC Charity night at Selby WMC on Friday 2 May. Proceeds
to Macmillan Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Care. A Northern Soul and Motown disco, buffet and
auction will all feature during the event which will see the culmination of a busy season of fund
raising by the club. For more info please ring Richard Singh on 07772716482.