MARCIA showed their desire for the York John Smith's Sunday Morning Football League division one title with a 7-3 victory over reigning champions Severus SC aided by a hat-trick from former Leeds United player Mark Ford.

David Allison weighed in with a couple and there were goals for Ian Kettlewell and Steve Purdy, while Watson (2) and Moss were on the mark for Severus.

Hounds stayed on their heels with a hard-fought 3-1 derby win at Selby Olympia WMC.

It was all square at the break with goals for Raesbeck for Selby and Collier for Hounds. Cygan was then upended in the box and Collier slotted home the spot kick before completing his hat-trick to secure the points late on.

The two other main contenders - Derwent United and Volunteer Arms - had to be content with a point apiece in a thriller at Malton. Bonarius opened the scoring for Volunteer Arms but they found themselves trailing 4-1 to a brace apiece from Collins and Wilford before storming back with a double for Jackson and a McKenzie single.

Ainsty Panthers took control of their game at Thorpe from the start courtesy of a strike from Mark Willoughby and an unstoppable volley from Paul Barron.

Wood pulled one back from the spot for the home side and soon after half time he slotted home a second penalty to level matters as Ainsty were reduced to ten men.

Willoughby made light of the deficit when he put Panthers back in front, followed by a stunning Tosh Reid free-kick which made it 4-2.

The incidents did not stop there as a further sending off reduced Ainsty to nine men but their defence held firm to record the victory.

Division two leaders Shipton lost their unbeaten record when they went down 4-3 at Acomb SC to goals from Hill (2), Hinde and Knowles, with Blake (2) and West netting for Shipton.

The game between second and third ended with Nestl Flag the victors by 3-1, Wayne Carter scoring for Acomb WMC.

Jackson and Bailey grabbed two each as Deramore Arms won 4-1 at Boot & Slipper.

A solo goal from Paul Cheatham was the difference as Edward VII won at Haxby Lions.

Matty Williams gave Hemingbrough the lead at home to York Nomads but it was short-lived as goals from Thompson (2), Bradley and Simpson earned the visitors a 4-1 win.

Hambleton moved to the top of division three for the first time with a 4-2 win at Heworth courtesy of goals from Dunne (2), Farrar and Croad with Page and Coop netting for Heworth.

The Plough maintained their title challenge with a 6-0 win over Copmanthorpe with Noble, Adam Cook, Henderson, James Cook, Connell and Bedford all finding the net.

Fulford squandered a two-goal half-time lead given to them by Chapman and Smart as second-half strikes from Turbine and Burton earned Beeswing a valuable point.

In division four, Acomb Celtic closed the gap on leaders Skelton with a 4-1 win at Rumours thanks to goals from Dickinson, Benton, Hufton and Gray.

F1 Racing produced a fine display of attacking football to sweep aside Black Bull 7-1. An own goal set them on their way before Yeowart netted a second direct from a corner. Yeowart added his second before a 20-yard strike from White and further goals from Coxon and Jordan, plus a 25th of the season for Grewer, completed the scoring. Smith netted a consolation for Swan.

Updated: 10:07 Friday, March 11, 2005