YORK Sunday Afternoon League third division newcomers Acomb Athletic kept their 100 per cent record intact, despite having to field a makeshift side due to injuries.

With five key players out of action they still managed to overcome Haxby United Reserves in a ten-goal thriller, coming back from 2-1 down at the break to win 6-4.

Acomb built up a 3-2 lead and despite Haxby twice drawing level at 3-3 and 4-4, Steve Combane hit his second goal of the game and Paul Fairclough added Acomb's sixth to secure the points.

Earlier Neil Fairclough netted a brace and Mike Van der Heever scored the other Acomb goal with Rylance (2), Cruickshank and Bentham on target for the visitors.

For the second week running Woodthorpe Warriors won by the odd goal in nine.

Tim Hudson hit four of the Woodthorpe goals with substitute Robson netting the fifth.

Opponents Old Grey Mare, who could only field ten players, replied through Emlyn Jones and Jason Whattam, each scoring twice.

Highest score in the third division came at Rose and Crown where the home side netted 11 times without reply against Cygnet. Nixon, Brown, Carrington and Weaver each netted a brace with Jackson, Pallister and Dunne scoring one apiece.

Two newly-elected clubs opened their account as Saville AV and Gimcrack fought out a 1-1 draw. Martin Shaw hit the all important goal for the pub side.

In the second division, Fossway maintained their grip at the top with a 3-1 win over Clifton Rangers. Lias gave last season's third division champions a 2-0 lead and, although Ben Firth pulled one back for Clifton just before the break, Ogden restored Fossway's two-goal advantage.

In second place are Haxby United who recorded the highest score of the day with a 17-1 thrashing of CB United.

Stericker led the onslaught with a five-goal haul, Shaw scored a hat-trick, Sullivan, Barnard and Hunt each netted a brace and Tyman rounded things off. The other two Haxby goals came from CB defenders with the lone CB reply coming from Brian Stimpson.

Level on points with Haxby are York College of Law who had a 7-2 win over Yearsley Grove. There was a goal each for Edward Heaton, Phil Scott, Stephen Davis and Adam Ewart, while Alex Dumphy struck three times. Both the pub side's goals came from Peart.

Rawcliffe United of Goole outclassed Burton Stone 4-1 with Huby (2), Midson and Allan all on target.

Last season's division one runners-up Cueball, who now play under the name of Clifton Hotel, opened their campaign with a 5-0 win over Cross Keys. Their two top marksmen from last term scored two goals each with the fifth coming from Fox.

Newly-promoted Drum earned a point in their first game in the top flight against St John's College. Man of the match Jon Thompson gave them a first half lead but in the 70th minute Burton levelled matters with a penalty.

Ten minutes later Smith made it 2-1 to the students, but four minutes from the end Thompson scored his second of the game.

York Nomads 85 went back to the top of the first division after a dour battle with Firkin 103.

The two highlights of the game were the excellent refereeing from Dave Innes and the 35-yard scorcher from Rich Leeming which was the only goal of the game.

Level on points with the Nomads, but with a game in hand, are Drax United who won 2-1 at York Police. Harrison and Gladwell scored the all-important goals with Richard Ogden replying for the home side.