Nestl Rowntree are set to collect the West Yorkshire League trophy before tomorrow's game at Carlton Athletic, after their win on Wednesday saw them retain the title.

The Rowntrees sidew hammered Knaresborough Town 6-1 to make their place at the top of the table guaranteed, even with two games left.

Hat-trick hero Rob Ellis, who played up front in the absence of Brent Terry, scored the first two goals and then the fifth, while fellow striker Kevin Smith notched the third.

Matty Wain, who moved back to right midfield despite his goalscoring exploits as a striker on Saturday, grabbed the fourth, and midfielder Martin Cowl scored the sixth, before Town netted an excellent late consolation through substitute Andy Ridgway.

With the championship now secured, 'Trees manager Jim Collis will be allowing 18-year-old striker Smith and centre-back Kevin Graham, 21, to play for UniBond League premier division side Whitby Town.

The seaside club signed the pair on non-contract forms until the end of the season three weeks ago, and may now give them a trial game with a view to making the moves permanent for next season.

Both, however, are in 'Trees' provisional squad for tomorrow's game at Carlton, unlike hotshot Brent Terry who is again ruled out.

Centre-back Gavin Dickinson and captain Neil Durkin, who both missed Wednesday's win, are doubtful for the clash with Carlton.

With the 'Trees just four goals away from a century of strikes this season, and seven short of a club record, Collis has promised that his side will still be going for the win.

Carlton, though, will give them a tough game. They were the only side who, until Wednesday, would have been able to catch them in the league standings.

Meanwhile, York RI play host to Horforth St Margaret's with centre-back Scott Barley ruled out injured.

Knaresborough Town visit Aberford Albion with midfielder Peter Binks back after midweek unavailability and centre-back Mike Sweetman likely to reclaim a starting place.

l SCARBOROUGH travel to Kingstonian tomorrow bidding to jump into the top three of the Nationwide Conference.

The Seasiders currently lie fourth with a game in hand over third-placed Hereford United, and they know a good run-in to the campaign will up confidence for next season.

However, they will be without suspended star striker Chris Tate, and right-back Matty Russell, who is resting a recurring stress fracture in his right foot.

Marvin Harriott and Marcus Jones are fit again, Gareth Williams is back in the squad after an arm injury, and Paul Ellender should be okay despite going over on his ankle in training this week.

Manager Colin Addison, meanwhile, has been away from the McCain Stadium this week, watching various games with a view to bringing in new players during the summer.

However, he has declined to say which players he has in mind, although it is known he has been wanting to improve his striking options for some time.

In the UniBond League's first division Harrogate Town will be looking for success at Wetherby Road.

If their clash runs to form Town should pick up the points against Netherfield Kendal, who are struggling in third bottom slot in the table.

Harrogate Railway can continue their fight against relegation from the Northern Counties East League premier division tomorrow at home to fellow strugglers Staveley.

Railway go into the game on the back of two wins and two clean sheets which have seen them jump off the bottom of the table and out of the relegation zone, and they were boosted on Wednesday when bottom club Thackley only managed a draw in their own six-pointer with Staveley.

Railway are now in touching distance of their guests tomorrow and have games in hand on both the teams below them.

However, they will be without Lee Edwards, Mark Clifton, and Steve Davey, who are all suspended, and Ian Edwards, who is unavailable.

John Atkinson comes into the squad after a number of good displays for the reserves.

A win will see mid-table Selby Town leapfrog guests Brodsworth, but the Robins will be without Andy Cygan and Andrew Hart, who are both suspended. Dominic Moyles is also doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Goole, who have already secured promotion from division one, travel to Borrowash Victoria, while

Pickering Town play host to Mickleover Sports and go into the game without skipper Richard Crudis, who is unavailable.

However, they are boosted by the return of Mark Pemberton, who has missed the last five weeks through first suspension and then has been unavailable.

Tadcaster Albion are without a fixture and there is also a rest this weekend for New Earswick Under-19s, who will train on Monday in preparation for their re-arranged Northern Youth Academy Cup final against Pontefract Collieries at York City's Bootham Creascent ground on Tuesday night.

The Mitchell League Cup will see Copmanthorpe meet Rufforth in the final at Bootham Crescent on May 2.

Contrary to last night's report in the Evening Press, Copmanthorpe won the semi-final at the weekend with goals from Jon Franks and Janos Takacs handing them a 2-0 win over Real Cliffe.

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