TWO first-half goals from captain Sally Sleightholme gave City of York Ladies an ideal start to their North League match at home to lowly Wigan.

York went on to win 3-1 against the already relegated Lancashire side.

Sleightholme's first goal came after 15 minutes when she steered a right-wing cross over the 'keeper from the far post.

She soon added the second, getting the final touch to Sarah Lawrence's shot from the edge of the circle.

Wigan staged a fight-back at the start of the second half and were rewarded with a tap-in goal but York revived and when Katie Tindall's goal-bound shot was stopped illegally by a Wigan defender, Tindall herself converted the resulting penalty stroke.

With two games to go, the win leaves York in mid-table in the ten-team league among a group of five clubs separated by only four points above third from bottom Driffield.

In division two of the Yorkshire League, City of York Ladies II had a good 2-0 home win against Doncaster Independent. Highly-promising junior Lucy Butcher had a fine game, scoring the first goal before Becky Copperthwaite added a late second.

In division six, City of York Ladies III were without a game but in the same division, the juniors in City of York Ladies IV defeated Adel IV 2-0 with goals from Steph Pearson and Becky Raper.

Acomb Ladies I went down 4-1 against top of the table Boston Spa in division one.

Acomb started well and should have taken the lead through Pippa Hughes, Acomb's best performer, but by half-time they trailed 3-0.

Acomb won numerous short corners which they failed to convert and Boston Spa scored on the break. With only seconds remaining a last-ditch effort from another short corner saw Karen Boddison neatly tuck the ball away from a Kerry Rafton shot.

Liz Wilcock's four goals in York St John College Ladies I's 8-0 thrashing of Wakefield III in division four took her tally to 50 in competitive matches this season. Other goals came from Kim Naylor, Becky Moore, Clare Storey and Amy Spencer.

York St John College Ladies II lost 1-0 to Wakefield in division six.

Nestl Rowntree gained revenge on Danby with a 4-0 win in the York and District League.

Danby had beaten the York-based side in the first match of the season but Rowntree made a brilliant start with Vanessa Walker hitting the woodwork with a blistering shot.

Right-back Sarah Cavanagh, who was playing her final game for Rowntrees, fed some free hits to the forward line, who were able to provide Natalie O'Connor with a chance to slot her side ahead.

The second half saw Nestl Rowntree net through Jane Markland (2) and Margi Charlson.

With only three matches to go, Rowntrees are looking to continue this winning streak and challenge for top spot.

Updated: 09:34 Tuesday, March 18, 2003