THERE was a surprise in the York John Smith's Sunday Morning League first division when second-placed Ainsty Panthers crashed 8-1 at mid-table Volunteer Arms.

Matty White's hat-trick led the way for the hosts, whose other marksmen were Joe Gaughan (2), Barley, Atkinson and Empson.

Acomb WMC boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation, while denting Nestl Rowntree's title hopes with a 2-1 win. Simpson fired Nestl ahead in the first half but goals from Cooper and Hutchinson saw Acomb grab all three points.

In the derby at Selby honours ended even with Selby Olympia and Hounds deadlocked at 0-0.

The top two in division two met at Wigginton, where Grasshoppers stole all three points with a penalty converted by Dominic Graham five minutes from time against Blacksmith's Arms.

Chris Johnson's opener for the hosts was cancelled out by a strike from Blacksmith's Arms striker Michael Fox.

Acomb Sports Club and Nestl Flag settled for a point each in a 0-0 draw, while Deramore Arms came away from York Nomads with a 5-1 victory. Paul Crangle scored twice.

Turpin FC's division three season took a turn for the worse when they were beaten by a hungrier Inland Revenue side. Burn and Ellis scored two apiece in the 5-0 win.

Dransfield put St Clements 1-0 up at Boot & Slipper only for Harper to level for the home side.

Broadbent and Wigley both struck twice as Bishopthorpe beat Haxby Lions 5-0.

Copmanthorpe's hopes of promotion from division four are fading after a 2-1 home defeat to Real Way Station who moved to the top.

Gary Fort opened the scoring for The Plough against Barlby with a 30-yard chip. Mulane and Cook got the others in a 3-1 win, Sowden netting for Barlby.

Floyd put Raskelf two goals to the good at Shoulder of Mutton but the home side rallied in the second period with goals from Watkinson and Bryon for a share of the spoils.

Norman bagged a brace for Beeswing as they beat Heworth 3-2 and Poppleton got revenge for last week's defeat by defeating Kingsway Riders 3-1 courtesy of goals from Lorrains, South and Damuk.

In division five, Britannia remain 13 points clear after a 4-2 win over Castle Howard Ox, D Parsons (2), J Parsons and Zealand the scorers.

Burton Stone hit the self destruct button, letting the lead slip twice when losing 6-3 at Black Swan.

Smith scored two and Williams hit a 25 yard-screamer for Burton Stone but Peach was the star as he scored four of Swans' goals.

Selby Olympia Reserves stayed in touch with a 3-1 win at Rumours with goals from Jeff, Anderson and Shackle. Danny Oxtoby bagged four as Gipsy Moth beat Enterprise 5-0.

Skelton secured promotion from division six with a 3-0 home win over CPP, Neale Holmes bagging another treble.

Burton and Hussain both got three as Quaker Wood won 7-1 at Swans.

Kennelly and Dickenson also bagged hat-tricks as Green Vale Rangers defeated Pocklington Rangers 8-2.

Updated: 10:50 Friday, February 27, 2004