ROBERT Wilkinson made a cracking start to the League B' season with good wins over Poppleton Ousebank and Hempland.

They backed that up with a battling performance in the Primary Cup at English Martyrs but the bubble burst when Poppleton Ousebank gained revenge for their earlier defeat with a 2-0 victory.

Although the Strensall side have since recovered with a further five points out of six they won't be taking anything for granted.

They are captained by Year 5 centre-half Matthew Day, whose level-headed performances have shone through. Adam Douse and Harry Sanderson's wonder strikes have done the damage at the other end. Karl Pearson and Scott Parkins look set to feature soon after some impressive displays in training.

Coach Rich Robinson knows that Clifton with Rawcliffe Federation will provide a stern challenge in their two spring encounters.

Hempland have recovered from their shaky start against Robert Wilkinson with three straight wins.

However, they have lost the services of James Ogilvy, who has moved abroad with his family. Captain James Barkway, the side's playmaker looks set to become more important to the side in the second half of the season.

The emergence of Amy Cummings, who has come into the team and scored goals, has been one of Hempland's most pleasing aspects of the campaign.

Teacher Jonathan Harris said: "With a focused effort, we'd like to challenge for the league, but need to beat Robert Wilkinson away from home first."

Huntington's campaign has seen them on the road, having played three away fixtures out of four.

They won at Woodthorpe, lost narrowly at Hempland, before two crushing defeats against Robert Wilkinson and Clifton with Rawcliffe.

Rowan Todd and Callum Greenwood have proved their worth as utility players while Kayleigh Zurek is the only girl in the side.

Coach Julie Tate hopes that with a sustained run of home games, results may improve on pre-Christmas and Huntington will begin to creep up the table.

Poppleton Ousebank have had a mixed start but teacher Andy Langhamer believes they have an emerging team which can push on when the season resumes.

Jack Chilton and Jack Davies have both shown a real eye for goal, Sam Kite has scored two wonder goals and Marcus Williams has battled in defence.

Woodthorpe's opener saw a heavy defeat against the fancied Clifton with Rawcliffe, but they have proved a hard nut to crack since.

They were only just edged out by Huntington when key player Josh Thompson battled on with a bloody nose and a late effort from Jonny Kerr was ruled out.

Woodthorpe then held Robert Wilkinson to a 1-1 draw, their goal coming form Dylan Howlet, after some good work by Harry Bromwich.

They were beaten in a final minute at Hempland where Thompson, Howlet and Robbie Wood all came close.

Unbeaten Clifton with Rawcliffe finished as joint winners of the Cade Trophy in October with stand-in goalkeeper Lewis Clark keeping a clean sheet in the competition.

Success in cup matches means that coach Andy Nicholson's side have only played one league game.

Skipper Niall Tilsley has been inspirational in midfield, Oliver Adamson has also impressed, with the overhead kick in front of goal his speciality, while Year 5 duo, Josh Bean and Harry Lynn have been excellent additions to the squad.

Teacher, Steve Jones believes they can go unbeaten this season, and would be happy if they could repeat last season's league and cup double.