WIGGINTON Grasshoppers came through a stern test against Huntington Rovers – to leapfrog their rivals and regain second place in the York Minster Engineering League premier division.

Grasshoppers now sit ten points behind runaway leaders top-flight Dunnington with three games in hand.

They took just over a quarter of an hour to take the lead at Rovers – Josh Luckhurst dispatching a penalty after Jamie Willstrop was fouled in the area.

Willstrop than doubled their lead with a neat low finish, and a second Luckhurst penalty – following a clumsy challenge on Chris Jackson – made it 3-0 at half time.

Five minutes into the second period, Wigginton moved further in front, with Eddy Clapham rising to head home a Matthew Tiplady cross.

Huntington then threatened for a brief spell, with Chris Dyson forcing Michael Clancy into a reaction save, but a tremendous free-kick from Jordan Holt ten minutes from time wrapped up a convincing 5-0 win.

Dunnington moved ever closer to the league title with an 8-0 humbling of Church Fenton White Horse.

Robert Chipps (3), Ben Small (2), Dan Andrew, Josh Hutchinson and Scott Sullivan were all on target in the triumph.

Old Malton St Mary’s 3-0 win over Osbaldwick ensured that they will be waiting in the wings to challenge for the title should Dunnington drop any points in their final three games.

Elsewhere, Riccall United progressed in the League Senior Cup with a 4-2 victory at Sporting Knavesmire.

Alan Jackson and Gary Collier (2) combined to put the current York Minster Engineering League champions into a 3-0 lead before Knavesmire fought back, Andrew Simpson and Mike Eddon making it 3-2.

However, the premier division side found an extra gear and Josh Brigham’s goal secured their passage into the next round.

In division one, Pocklington Town moved to within a point of table-topping Malton and Norton following a 3-1 success over Cliffe.

Tom Knowles put the home side ahead early on, but a Jamie England penalty made it 1-1 at the break.

However, a second from Knowles restored Pocklington’s lead before a George Alllport cross was turned into his own net by a Cliffe defender to secure the points for Town.

Johnny Hall put Heslington 1-0 up at Easingwold Town, and when the home side’s striker was dismissed following a second yellow card early in the closing period, the contest was virtually over.

Heslington now lie fifth in the table whilst Easingwold require a minor miracle to avoid the drop to Division Two.

Strensall put the cat amongst the pigeons in division two as they overcame league leaders Thorpe United 4-3.

Leon Wood, Martin Howson and Jordan Emery were on target for the leaders but a brace apiece from Charlie Coupland and Jason Heslop gave the points to the away side following a titanic battle.

The result was excellent news for Kirkbymoorside, who edged a step closer to promotion following a 5-0 win over Haxby United with hat-trick hero Josh Butler playing a starring role.

Kirkby started the game brightly and took the lead on ten minutes when Danny Butterworth smashed home from 30 yards after the ball had only been half-cleared by the Haxby defence.

The home side continued to play good football and doubled their lead after 23 minutes through an Aaron Rivis header.

In the second period, a Karl Richardson cross was headed back by Rivis for Butler to volley home, and a fourth goal came just two minutes later, Butler sliding in to put the ball past a helpless Matt Dawson in the Haxby goal.

James Gilbertson briefly threatened for Haxby but was quickly closed down by Kirkby keeper Chris Nichols, and a series of one-touch passes from Rivis, Danny Butterworth, and Jack Dowson carved open the Haxby defence for Butler to tap in and complete his hat-trick.

John Cavanagh fired a treble for Stamford Bridge as they defeated Fulford 4-1. Darren Heels added the fourth for the visitors.

Jed Vale (2), Si Houlder (2) and Phil O’Reilly found the target for Wilberfoss to gain them a 5-0 victory over Rufforth United and move them within two points of the division three title.

The home side are already promoted and have four games left to gain the championship-winning points they require.

Civil Service gained an all-important three points in their bid for promotion, outscoring South Milford 5-3 to overtake their rivals and move into second place.

South Milford took an early lead but this was cancelled out by a Jason Hogg effort before the visitors took control of the game and moved into a 3-1 advantage.

However, Ian Jeffery’s men were not done with and showed plenty of resolve, with Hogg, Shaun Corr, Craig Thaeker and Danny Craig all finding the net to put the home side firmly on course for promotion.

Neil Hunter scored a penalty for Bubwith as they drew 1-1 at Selby Olympia. Mark Cobb (2) and Dave Adams cancelled out efforts from Smith, Davis and Goldsworthy to give Huby United a point from a 3-3 share-all at Cawood.

In division four, Wetherby Athletic moved up to third place with a 3-1 win over Settrington, while Howden Academy gained a 2-0 win at LNER Builders to go fifth.

Liam Kettlewell gave New York WMC a 1-0 half-time lead at Crayke – a margin that was doubled after the interval by a 40-yard half volley from Kenny Charman. Tommy Hilling struck back for Crayke but New York WMC hung on for a much needed 2-1 win.