THE York Minster Engineering Football League premier division title race took another intriguing twist as Riccall United crashed to their first home defeat of the season.
In a game of three red cards and three goals, Wigginton Grasshoppers came out on top and handed a boost to leaders Old Malton St Mary’s, who beat visitors Terrington Glory 1-0.
Only three top flight games survived the 30-minute rainstorm that swept York, and a host of other cames throughout the league were called off or abandoned after kick off.
It looked like it was going to be plain sailing for Riccall in the early exchanges against Wiggy as Wayne Brook lashed home a penalty after only ten minutes.
Moments later, they had a chance to double their lead but Gary Collier’s finish went over the bar from close range. Jamie Willstrop hit a post for Wiggy and chances followed at both ends, but Riccall led 1-0 at the break.
Five minutes into the second half, Lee Stewart raced away from the Riccall defence, running half the length of the pitch to smash in the equaliser.
After 55 minutes, the same player was put clear by Dan Zambelli and there was a similar result, putting the visitors in control.
Three dismissals in quick succession, firstly for Collier, then Jack Coates and Willstrop, left Wigginton playing nine versus ten for the final minutes, but they managed to hang on for the win.
St Mary’s beat Terrington thanks to an 85th-minute Richard Dunning strike that was deflected into the bottom corner of the net.
Saints are five points clear, but Riccall have three games in hand.
Bottom club York St John University were torn apart 9-0 by a rampant Dringhouses side.
Mark Woodward hit six in the rout, with Jamie Backhouse, Dave Watson and Joe Gaughan also netting.
Tadcaster Magnets moved a step closer to the division one title with a 2-0 defeat of Brooklyn thanks to an Adam Field brace.
Church Fenton are the only realistic challengers and they had a 4-2 triumph at home to Hamilton Panthers.
Panthers had led 2-1 at the interval thanks to goals from Josh Leeming and Daniel Murphy.
Tockwith and Pocklington both scored a goal in each half resulting in a 2-2 draw.
Graham Hutchinson and Chris Fairhurst weighed in with Tockwith’s goals.
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