Haxby Spartans United have rocketed to the top of the York Sunday Afternoon League third division table with a 100 per cent record in their first season at senior level.

The Spartans, who play at the Ethel Ward Recreation ground in Haxby, were together throughout junior football from Under 11 to Under 17 level and have now arrived in open age football with a bang.

Manager Jim Dawson is overjoyed with his team's start to the campaign which has brought nine victories from nine games.

That run was ended in the semi-finals of the Garry Penrose Trophy when they were beaten 3-0 by the higher-ranked Saville AV 3-0 but can now concentrate of completing their league season undefeated.

The Bentham family's father and son partnership on the left flank has been instrumental in bringing immediate success to the club. Father David is a physical education teacher at Cottingham High School, Hull, but on Sunday afternoons he swaps coaching for playing in order to link up with son Mark.

"The whole team has surpassed expectations this season but the real credit for our success must go to the defence who have only conceded three goals all season" said David who plays left-back.

"The fact that the boys have known each other since junior football gives us great unity which is a big advantage," he added.

David's teenage son Mark, who begins university at Hull in the summer, hopes to help Haxby to the title by continuing his telepathic link-up play with his dad.

Updated: 12:06 Friday, February 01, 2002