HUNTINGTON Rovers and Riccall United closed the gap on leaders Old Malton St Mary’s with wins in the York Minster Engineering Football League premier division.
The season is poised for an intriguing finale as Huntington are now only four points adrift of the leaders with a game in hand after their 5-0 demolition of Terrington Glory.
Two early goals from James Edmond and a third from Chris Dyson paved the way for a comfortable Rovers success.
Despite a straight red card for the home side’s Mark Smythe, it was all Huntington in the second half as further goals from Gary Newton and Gary Mitchinson sealed the win.
Riccall’s win was much more workmanlike, with Easingwold Town putting up strong resistance, finally going down 2-1.
Dave Heron put Riccall into the lead early on, only for Jordan Grose to level the scores just before the interval.
However, with a stalemate on the cards, Tom Littlewood fired Riccall’s winner which leaves them five points behind Old Malton with four games in hand.
Dunnington’s recent revival stuttered as they were held to a 3-3 draw by visitors Wigginton Grasshoppers.
An own goal sent the home side into the lead after ten minutes, but Luke Roberts’ quickly taken free-kick made the scores level half an hour later.
Wiggy were caught napping immediately after the break as Jimmy Wilmoth burst through their backline to reclaim the lead for Dunnington, only for Matthew Tiplady to equalise with half an hour to play.
Grasshoppers then took the lead as Tiplady turned in his second, but Grant Bulmer’s stunning header made sure that the points were shared as he netted with five minutes to go.
Poppleton United salvaged a vital point at Copmanthorpe thanks to a brace from Alex Janes.
Terry Hibbert and Mike Peace bagged for Cop in a hard-fought game.
Poppy are now five points from safety with four games in hand over fellow strugglers Easingwold.
The highest scoring game of the day involved Aviva and York St John University, with the former cruising to a 9-2 victory over the university side.
Karl Babaro taught the students a thing or two about finishing as he hit five goals in the rout.
Neil Richardson also bagged a brace, with Mark Benton and Joe Woof completing the Aviva scoring.
Seven goals was also the difference at Dringhouses, but this time it was away side York RI who were victorious as ’Houses failed to get on the scoresheet.
Ben Jones hit four goals and Lee Powell a brace as RI ran amok. Sean Stockdale grabbed RI’s seventh.
Old Malton St Mary’s took a notable scalp in the North Riding County Cup as they defeated Thirsk Falcons 6-2. Danny Fogg bagged a brace, with Jon Newton, Callum Scott, Steve Baxter and Daman Cox joining him on the scoresheet.
• Don’t miss The Press tomorrow for reports from the reserve divisions.
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