THORPE United Under-16s enjoyed a 3-2 victory at leaders Horsforth St Margarets Earthquakes in division one of the Garforth Junior League following goals from James Arnold, Bradley Smirthwaite and Richard Buckthorpe.

In an uneventful first half, man-of-the-match David Melling and Smirthwaite both had unsuccessful attempts to score, while Matthew Webster thwarted a promising home attack following an excellently-timed tackle. Arnold went on to open the scoring after the break at the end of a good move.

A Smirthwaite corner was then headed against the bar by Ben Clowes, while Will Pleasance preserved his team’s lead with a goalline clearance before goalkeeper Alex Ward tipped over the follow up effort. Clowes and Corey Littlefield then combined to tee up a chance for Smirthwaite that he finished with some style.

Horsforth reduced the lead when Ward was unable to get a hand to a well-struck effort and, despite a determined attempt from Tim Heaton to clear the ball, it crossed the line.

Thorpe forged further in front again, though, when a determined Dan McCarthy refused to surrender possession and set up Buckthorpe who drove in.

A rare missed tackle from Thorpe skipper Matthew Webster went on to give Horsforth a chance to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot with the last kick of the game.

Horsforth remain top with 19 points from nine games, with Thorpe and Farsley joint second on 17 points.