DAN Broadbent scored a hat-trick as Kirkbymoorside Reserves won 4-0 at Slingsby to close the gap on RJF Homes Beckett League division one leaders Rosedale to one point.

Rosedale did not play at the weekend and Kirkbymoorside Reserves have a game in hand on them.

Man-of-the-match Broadbent's treble was his first for the club and Nick Hodgson was the other marksman for Kirkbymoorside Reserves at Slingsby, whose man of the match was Neil Jackson.

Slingsby are lacking an effective striker but persist in playing last season's leading scorer Carl Biggins in defence.

Kirkdale United moved up a place to third with a 3-0 home win against Sinnington, who hit the post in the first minute.

Johnny Marwood, making his debut for Kirkdale, opened the scoring after five minutes and he also made the second goal, with a well placed cross for David Charlton to run in and score with a header. Marwood completed the scoring two minutes from the end.

Mark Langdale was Kirkdale's man of the match, while Gary Mitchell was best for the Sinners.

Union Rovers came back from being 2-1 down at half-time to beat Ampleforth 4-2. Jamie Wilkinson fired Rovers into the lead but Ampleforth battled back. Ben Wall equalised and Kevin Wright scored the best goal of the match with an unstoppable free kick from 25 yards out.

Five minutes into the second half Rovers drew level when Paul Holden converted a hotly disputed penalty. Jamie Wilkinson restored Rovers' lead and Chris Wilkinson completed the victory with a header after a Holder cross which Brian Shepherd headed on for Wilkinson to score.

Nick Todd for man-of-the-match for Rovers, while Ampleforth's manager gave his whole team credit.

Colin Frank was Aislaby United's hero with a goal in each half in the 2-0 win against Black Swan, Pickering. Mark Harland was Aislaby's man of the match and Danny Russell was best for Black Swan.

The only second division game to beat the weather saw Duncombe Park beat visitors Old Red House 5-0 to move back into second place in the table. Park's scorers were Paul Brackley (penalty), Craig Newton, Jeremy Richardson and a brace for Liam Ogunshakin. Colin Gascoigne was Duncombe's man of the match, while Dan Varley and Alistair Davidson shared the award for Old Red House.

Updated: 11:45 Wednesday, January 02, 2002