Nestle Flag took a big step towards retaining the Ian’s Cars of Barlby Sunday Morning Football League division one title after a hard-fought 2-1 win over second-placed Derwent United.

In a wind spoilt game, Flag opened the scoring with a header from Chris Dyson, and a 40-yard free-kick from Dave Hartas made it 2-0 at the break.

The second period saw Derwent, with the wind behind them, pull a goal back with a strike from Dean Nuttall but, despite putting the leaders under intense pressure, they could not find the equaliser.

Hounds FC rose to second after beating Wanderers 5-2, both Wanderers goals coming from Darren Brandon.

Mark Thompson and Dean Walker both hit hat-tricks as Severus hammered bottom side Cliffe 14-1, a result which pushes Cliffe closer to relegation. Also hitting the net for the Club Men were Joe Depa (2), Dave Watson, Mark Triffitt and Aaron Reid, Cliffe replying through Andy Kirkham.

Skelton fought back from 5-2 down to draw 5-5 with Selby Olympia. Skelton raced 2-0 up after five minutes through Chris Holmes, but Olympia hit back to make it 4-2 at the break and Skelton looked to be dead and buried after that became 5-2 early in the second period. However, Holmes completed his hat-trick to make it 5-3 and further strikes from Josh Leening and Jamie Green gave Skelton a share of the points.

Division two front-runners Haxby Lions lost 2-1 to Acomb Celtic, Joe Woof and Lee Powell being the goal heroes as Celtic closed the gap to the top to one point. Lions replied through Tom Matthews.

Acorn FC eased their relegation fears with a 3-1 win at Marcia Grey.

On target for Acorn were John Tattersfield, Kev Brundrett and Connor Larner, Marcia replying with a Carl Stewart spot-kick.

Wiggington Grasshoppers also moved out of the relegation zone after beating Hambleton 3-1 with strikes from Tom Coates (2) and his brother Ben. Paul Tiffany netted Hambleton’s reply.

Cueball, with strikes from Tom Wheatland and Dave Chapman, beat Copmanthorpe 2-0.

Station FC are the new leaders in division three after brushing aside title rivals St John’s 6-1.

Jack Ward put the students ahead but Station hit back with a treble from Steve Lyon plus strikes for Josh Dinsley, Wayne Brooke and Gary Collier.

A 40-yard screamer from Phil Zealand saw Britannia Tadcaster beat Bishopthorpe 1-0.

Shoulder of Mutton beat Acomb Athletic 4-2 with goals from Alan Ellis, Mark Burton, Neil Robertson and Andy Watkinson, Athletic replying through Tom Thompson and Arron North.

In division four North, second-placed Leeman United were held 1-1 at Hemingbrough after Craig Haythone had struck for the villagers.

Selby RSSC, with four goals from Steve Shooter, thrashed Raskelf 9-1. Gregorsz Mleczek and Matty Curotto added brace and Janos Takacs got their other goal, Chris Gallier netting Raskelf’s lone reply.

Dunnington, who have yet to drop a point in division four South, hammered Acomb Albion 12-0.

Scott Sullivan led the way with four goals, Henning Haugen got a hat-trick, Mark Andrews bagged a brace, and Rob Hart and Dave Potter also netted.

FC Barlby lost ground on the leaders after losing 3-0 to Huntsman, who had Luke Hart, Jim Holroyd and Dale Ward on target.

Gary Rylance struck four times in New Earswick’s 7-0 win over Turf Tavern, Rich Dorman, Jon Thompson and an own goal completing the scoring.