DEFENDING champions Riccall United moved to within three points of York Minster Engineering Premier Division League leaders Huntington Rovers with victory over F1 Racing.

Their 2-1 win was one of only two top flight games to survive the heavy downpours at the weekend.

The result ensures that the title race remains wide open with the top seven teams all holding realistic claims as the Christmas period approaches.

F1 took an early lead through Chris Dempsey, but were reduced to 10 men after 15 minutes when Riccall were awarded a controversial penalty from which Wayne Brook fired an equaliser.

Despite being a man short, F1 created numerous chances but could not convert any, and the sides remained level at the break.

An equal period of play in the second period saw both sides go close, but it was to be Riccall who took the lead through a well-taken effort from Brook, scoring his second of the game.

The game continued to see chances and F1 mounted a final spell of pressure, but a combination of blocks, tackles and excellent goalkeeping prevented F1 from grabbing the all-important leveller that they desired.

Wigginton Grasshoppers gained three points from their travels to Brooklyn in convincing style – winning 5-0 to return to second place in the league.

After surviving some early scares from Mikey Brown, Wigginton assumed control and went ahead on the half-hour mark when Gary Newton slotted home to complete a good team move.

Neale Holmes put Hoppers two in front before the interval, rifling home from the edge of the box.

The second period saw more chances for the away side, and Jamie Willstrop's diagonal volley made it 3-0 five minutes after the restart.

Newton completed his brace shortly after, and Mike Byram completed the scoring three minutes from time with a 25-yard low drive.

In Division One, Pocklington Town got the better of a high-scoring encounter with Poppleton, winning 9-3.

Tom Knowles led the charge for the home side with a hat-trick, and was joined on the scoresheet by Andrew Anderson, Christopher Murray and Jack Overton who each bagged a brace.

Danny Cates scored for Heslington, but they were overwhelmed by Sporting Knavesmire who left as 5-1 victors.

Thorpe United won Division Two's only game, defeating Barmby Moor 4-2.

Jack Lockwood and Dan Croft found the target for Barmby Moor, but they were outscored by strikes from Matthew Howden, John Maher, Martin Howson and Nathan Parker.

John Pierre-Grenier struck for Cawood as they went down 3-1 at home to South Milford in the solitary Division Three game.

In Division Four, AFC Crayke moved up to fifth with a 3-2 win over Wheldrake.

Henry Newitt (2) and Tom Hilling were on target for Crayke with Tom Anderson and James Smith netting Wheldrake's replies.

Malt Shovel gained a bloodless 9-0 success over New York WMC. Josh Brigham collected a hat-trick with Tanton (2), Dave Reasbeck, Ryan Glover (2) and Oli O'Neill also grabbing goals.

The only Reserve fixture to go ahead saw Huntington Rovers toppled by Dringhouses after a ding-dong battle.

In a game played in very difficult conditions that were only playable due to much hard work from Rovers' groundsman Dick Kendall, Dringhouses drew first blood when Tom Hawksby put them ahead.

Ben Thompson then restored parity for Rovers only for Alex Day and Hawsby to put the away side 3-1 ahead shortly after.

Pete Laidlaw hit a trademark goal to make it 3-2 at the break before Gary Mitchinson nailed a sweet drive to level the scores following the restart.

With the game finely balanced, chances to win it were missed at both ends before Tom Rushford hit a late winner which saw Dringhouses take the points with a 4-3 success.

l There was one result in the York Sunday Morning League this weekend, with Bubwith WS beating Britannia Tadcaster 6-1.