THIRD division Black Swan, in their first season in the league, provided the giant-killing act of the day when they reached the semi-final of the York Sunday Afternoon League's John Close Cup at the expense of first division York Police.

The policemen never really recovered from a blistering start by the third division underdogs as Pete Mullen notched a brace of goals. Black Swan then had two further efforts disallowed before Chris Morton sent the visitors in at the break with a 3-0 lead.

The Police hit back in the second half, reducing their arrears through Hopper, but Mullen restored Swan's three goal advantage when he rounded the 'keeper to complete his hat-trick and make the final score 4-1.

Black Swan will now travel to second division leaders York Nomads 85 in the semi-final. The Nomads booked their place in the last four after scoring five times without reply against Shoulder of Mutton.

Their regular goalkeeper John Leeming played in midfield and scored the third Nomads goal to add to earlier efforts from Tony Mason and Simon Drake to give a 3-0 interval lead. A Shoulder defender put through his own goal with the fifth late in the game from Steve Walsh. Walsh was sent off soon after for a late challenge in which a Shoulder defender suffered a broken leg.

Railway King's 2-1 win over Terrington Tigers was a surprise as Terrington are challenging for the second division title, while the pub side are trying to avoid relegation. New player Lee Johnson celebrated his debut by scoring both Railway King's goals to send his new club into the semi-finals.

Their opponents will be first division Norton Racing Lads who overcame second division Magsons 3-1. A Magsons defender paved the way for the Racing Lads' victory when he put the ball past his own 'keeper. The second division side never really recovered from this setback and further goal from Leahy and Jackson put the jockeys through. Ian Noble replied with a spot-kick.

The two finalists in the Frank Percival Cup come from the Selby area.

In the first semi-final, an all West Riding derby between Pollington and Drax United, the first division host's came out top in a seven-goal thriller. Pollington lead three times, and three times the second division outfit came back to equalise, twice from the penalty spot.

But on the fourth occasion that Pollington took the lead Drax were unable to respond again and the first division side gained yet another appearance at Ryedale Stadium. On target were Simpson (2), Tudor and Cust.

Pollington will be up against another Selby side in the shape of league champions Rigid, who were taken to extra-time by fellow first division side York Nomads Society. The Nomads lead 4-3 with seven minutes to go only for Rigid to equalise. It went to 5-5 in extra-time, but late goals from the visitors gave the 8-5 scoreline a somewhat flattering look for Rigid.

Andy Cygan and Chris Hunter did the main damage with a hat trick each with team mates Gladwell and Brinded also finding the target. In reply for the Nomads Dunn, Bond, Crosby, Smith and Oldroyld got their names on the scoresheet.

In the second division, Royal York Hotel played their first ever game at their new ground in Tadcaster and recorded their first league win of the season with a 4-2 victory over Ebor Bishopthorpe. Beecham and Clark along with brothers Wayne and Damien Gibson scored, with Fitzmaurice and Walsh replying for Ebor.

An injury hit Eastholme United went down 2-1 to Heworth Hopgrove who gained revenge for an earlier cup defeat. Newton hit both the Heworth goals, to bring his tally to 24 for the season with Paul Bedingham scoring the lone Eastholme reply.

Hole in the Wall got back to winning ways in the third division, when they extended their lead at the top to seven points with a 2-1 win over Leeman Hotel. It was a scrappy performance on a bumpy pitch which saw the match goalless at the break. Midway through the second half the in-form Leeman 'keeper was eventually beaten by a Moynihan curler into the top corner of the net. Feetenby's inswinging corner beat everyone to give the leaders a 2-0 advantage. Leeman were eventually rewarded with a goal in the last minute from Ducey.

Stillington found Bay Horse Marygate a tough nut to crack before eventually running out 4-2 winners thanks to goals from Scott, Hudson, Barron and Bullivant. Holmes hit both goals for the pub side.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.