THE weather was the winner on the local football scene on Saturday with only two games surviving in the Leeper Hare York and District Football League.

With temperatures dipping below zero on Friday night and barely recovering during the day, the fixture programme was virtually obliterated.

Fixture secretary Colin Atkinson is now faced with a massive headache to try to rearrange all the postponed games. However, one club did get the better of the elements – and Nestlé Rowntree were rewarded with victories for both their first team and reserve side.

The first team were trailing by two goals at the break, but hit back to win their division one clash with York RI 3-2 at Mille Crux.

Nestlé conjured a last-minute winner to record their first home win since February 2008. Earlier, Lee Dutton took his tally for the season into double figures when he put York RI in front and Danny Woods doubled their advantage.

However, Nestlé have a new goal machine in the form of Carl Stewart and he lived up to his reputation with a second half hat-trick.

Stewart’s third treble in as many games ensured Nestlé collected maximum points and moved out of the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, in reserve ‘B’, the Nestlé second string recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since February 2007.

The previous weekend saw their first away win in 20 games and they followed that with a 3-1 home win over Pocklington on Saturday.

After a relatively even first half, the sides were separated by a Stephen Pickup goal. The hosts went further in front as Pickup completed his hat-trick.

Pocklington looked unlikely to get anything from the game until they reduced the arrears with an Alex Downey penalty 15 minutes from time.

Meanwhile, the RJF Homes Beckett League programme was also wiped out, as were games in the Ryedale Hospital Cup and the Gordon Harrison Memorial Trophy.

Kirkbymoorside’s Wearside League trip to Newton Aycliffe fell foul of the weather, while there was only one game played in the Scarborough & District League with Ayton Reserves beating Scalby Reserves 2-0 in division three.

The weather eased yesterday and the majority of games in the York F1 Racing Premier Karting Sunday Morning League went ahead.

* Don’t miss The Press on Friday for a full round-up of all the Sunday football action.