Marcia took two giant strides towards the York John Smith's Sunday League division one title and gave their goal difference a boost at the same time.

They started with a 10-0 thumping of Wigginton Grasshoppers with Andy Green netting a hat-trick. Steve Ward (pictured left) and Kieron O'Brien bagged two goals apiece, while Mark Ford, Paul Goldsmith and Karl Young rounded things off.

Then, after a stuttering start at home to Ainsty Panthers they eased into gear and, aided by another hat-trick from Green, ran out 9-1 winners. Ward and Tony Wetherell also weighed in with a brace each.

Derwent United still harbour hopes after a 4-1 win over Pocklington was followed by a 2-0 success at home to Thorpe United thanks to an early goal in each half from Marwood and Coccini.

Selby Olympia WMC won 6-2 at Ainsty Panthers courtesy of a treble from Dave Raesbeck, two goals for Chris Harkin and a single strike from Alan Howard. James Hewitson bagged both Ainsty replies.

In the bottom-of-the-table clash, Wigginton Grasshoppers just came out on top. Goals from Ben Coates and Tim McIlroy earned them a 2-1 win, Pocklington's reply coming via a Robert Gibson spot-kick.

The nine men of Hemingbrough put up a spirited division two performance at second-placed Nestl Flag. After holding them to a goal-less first half they fell behind to a Chris Dyson shot.

Matty Williams equalised but it was to no avail as Flag proved just too strong when goals from Mitchinson, Rambridge and a second for Dyson clinched a 4-1 win.

Burnholme (Earswick) escaped the drop when goals from Bailey and Newbold gave them a 2-0 win over Deramore Arms and thereby relegated Boot & Slipper.

Three teams remain in with an excellent shout of taking the division three crown.

Two of them -- The Plough and Fulford -- met where nothing less than a win for Fulford would do.

They duly got it 3-1 courtesy of goals from Nigel Simpson, Matthew Simpson and Jimmy Parvin. A Paul Thompson penalty was The Plough's only reply.

Shoulder of Mutton still had an outside chance after goals from Shaun Charlton (2), Ellis and Edmondson gave them a 4-1 win at Inland Revenue in midweek.

However, theit title dream perished after a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Copmanthorpe for whom Bastock and Lincoln scored.

Poppleton Road WMC travelled to Bay Horse (Tad) for what looked like a home banker in division four.

However, it wasn't to be as a thunderous free-kick from Anthony Robinson gave the visitors a first half lead. They clung on to it until the 88th minute when Zealand saved Bay Horse with a timely equaliser.

Bay Horse were in no mood to let that disappointment last long as goals from Sebine (2), Bardy, Nicholls and Conway earned them a 5-0 with over Albion Vaults in their next midweek outing.

Selby WMC Reserves proved too strong for Gypsy Moth when running out 6-0 winners, Craig Anderson bagging four goals. Ian Hufton and Kevin Gallagher got two apiece.

Gray, Dickinson and Shore all got on the scoresheet as Acomb Celtic rekindled their promotion hopes with a 7-2 win at Albion Vaults, whose goals came from Charlesworth and Holroyd.

Rumours clambered to safety with a 2-1 win at Wilberfoss courtesy of goals from Gargan and Adams.

In division five, John Sargeant was spot-on as his penalty earned all three points for Fulford at Cawood.

Updated: 10:12 Friday, April 15, 2005