THERE were goals galore in the Northern Counties East League premier division as matches involving Harrogate Railway, Pickering Town and Selby Town shared 20 between them.

Railway led the way with a stunning 7-3 thumping of relegation-threatened Eccleshill United, with Paul Stansfield alone grabbing five goals for Paul Marshall's men.

Ian Heppinstall had opened the scoring for Eccleshill but Railway were back on track thanks to an own goal and could even afford to miss a penalty when Steve Jones saw his spot kick saved.

Stansfield took over penalty duty when Eccleshill offended again and netted two spot kicks and another goal to complete his hat-trick.

Heppinstall pulled a goal back with his second before former Nestl Rowntree player Mark Watkinson netted for Railway and Stansfield added two more.

Paul Newsome got United's third with a penalty of their own but the game by then was all over bar the shouting.

Title-chasing Pickering Town enjoyed an excellent 4-0 away win at Sheffield.

Stefan Zoll was the hero with a hat-trick, with strike partner Adam Wash getting the Pikes' other goal.

Fellow promotion-seekers Selby Town, however, were on the wrong end of a thumping, being humbled 5-1 by reigning champions Brigg Town at Flaxley Road.

After soaking up early pressure the visitors took the lead after 16 minutes with a breakaway goal, Luke Cadman running half the length of the pitch and then superbly chipping 'keeper John Collinson.

Brigg doubled their lead five minutes later when Collinson, on loan from York City, could only touch a deep cross on to the bar and Simon Roach tapped in from close range.

Dexter Tucker almost brought the Robins back into it on the half-hour mark but his shot hit the inside of the post and bounced into the arms of the 'keeper.

Brigg continued to look dangerous on the break in the second half and Roach made it 3-0 on the hour mark.

Central defender Hope headed in a free-kick soon after and things got worse for Selby in the 68th minute when Andy Hart was sent off after receiving his second yellow card.

Roach completed his hat-trick with another well taken goal on 78 minutes before the Robins managed to get a consolation when Peter Collier drove in a 25-yard free-kick in the final minute.

Goole earned a deserved draw at home to Garforth when Jermaine Manners equalised a Jim Knowles penalty.

In NCEL division one, Tadcaster Albion went down to the only goal of their game at Lincoln Moorlands, scored by Darren Smith on 13 minutes.

Harrogate Town won the big game in UniBond League division one 3-0 against fellow promotion hopefuls Ashton United.

The game was marred by a ten-man fracas on the touchline which brought two red cards including one for Harrogate midfielder Michael Ord, to add to the six yellow during the match, but that did not overshadow's Town's excellent win against the highest scoring side in the division.

Scott Bonsall opened the scoring, latching on to a lay-off from captain Robbie Whellans, and striker Craig Elliott toe-poked a second after 24 minutes.

Jason Harris, a 25-year-old recent signing from Southend United who has about 150 Football League games to his credit including a spell at Hull City, bagged the third after 54 minutes.

"It was our best performance of the season," said boss John Reed.

West Yorkshire League premier division leaders Nestl Rowntree relinquished top spot after slumping to a surprise 3-1 defeat at home to Aberford Albion.

'Trees boss Jon Reynolds said his side were their own worst enemies.

"We dominated the opening 20 minutes but missed three glorious chances, and then we gifted them a goal."

Goalkeeper Neil Smallwood failed to cut out a cross and Ian Hutchison headed the first of his two goals for Aberford.

David Askew made it 2-0 just after the break and Hutchison got his second before Lee Bond pulled one back from the spot after Rob Ellis was fouled.

"We made life difficult for ourselves," said Reynolds.

"We've dropped five points in our last two games because we've missed a hatful of chances."

Horsforth St Margaret's took over at the top with a 2-0 win at Knaresborough Town, Mark Ackroyd and Jason Warren netting.

Updated: 11:52 Monday, December 17, 2001