A CRAIG Whiteley hat-trick left Huntington trailing leaders Dringhouses by six points, albeit with two games in hand, after a shock 4-2 loss to Thorpe United.

In fact, Thorpe - who had scored only one goal in their previous four matches - led the way for visiting sides throughout the Leeper Hare York and District Football League as the last Saturday fixtures of 2004 brought only five home wins out of 22 scheduled games.

Whiteley's treble in this premier division clash put the visitors 3-0 up before Chris Dyson reduced the deficit, but Dean Woods, with his seventh goal of the season, made sure Thorpe would end the year on a high before James Dixon grabbed a late consolation.

In a repeat of last season's scoreline, Dringhouses won 2-1 at Wiggington thanks to two early goals from Jamie Bonarius and Mark Woodward, who netted for the ninth consecutive game.

The hosts had the better of the second half but had only a single goal from Ben Coates to show for their efforts.

Malton Bacon Factory moved into second place on goal difference following an 8-0 demolition of Pocklington. Malton scored four goals in each half with Dave Bradshaw hitting his first hat-trick for his new club. The other goals came from Warren Greenly, Simon Collins and Chris Hudson. Sorry Pock also added two own goals.

For the last two weeks Dunnington have been unlucky to go down by the odd goal, but at home to Haxby everything went right for them.

Chris Burgess set up the opener for Andy Rose before roles were reversed for Burgess to score. Then Dunnington's stand-in keeper, Duncan Griffiths, brilliantly saved a penalty at the foot of the post.

Early into the second half Burgess netted from the spot and, although Haxby reduced the arrears shortly afterwards, another Rose goal and a Kent Mahill strike saw the hosts to a 5-1 win.

Their was little Christmas spirit at Copmanthorpe in a bad-tempered draw with Bishopthorpe. Three times Cop had the lead, through a lob from Mark Bellah and goals from Graham Butcher and Kieran Dow, but Bishopthorpe levelled each time.

Updated: 10:44 Monday, December 20, 2004