By Graham Ireton

THORPE United beat F1 Racing to move level on points with premier division leaders Dringhouses in the York Minster Engineering Football League.

With Dringhouses not in action, Thorpe took full advantage to close the gap with a 3-2 victory over a battling F1 side.

Gary Collier put Thorpe ahead early in the game but an Alex Martin penalty levelled the scores shortly before the break.

A further effort from Collier plus a Paul Moran strike saw Thorpe move into a 3-1 lead, but F1 kept working and Jon Giordano made it 3-2 late in the game.

Although Thorpe joined Dringhouses at the summit, their rivals have three games in hand.

Old Malton St Mary’s moved up into third position following a 3-1 win over Kirkbymoorside.

The defending champions leapfrogged Huntington Rovers in the table following Rovers’ 3-2 slump at Tadcaster Magnets.

Huntington had been in front with two goals from reliable hitmen James Edmond and Chris Dyson, but a brace on his debut from Shaun Hudson and a header from Jonny Hadley sealed the points for Magnets.

A hat-trick from Andrew Metcallfe and a Harry Bissett goal gained Easingwold Town a 4-1 success at Dunnington.

Copmanthorpe and Hemingbrough were locked at 2-2 at half-time and an action-packed game saw a further five goals in the second period as Copmanthorpe gained a 5-4 triumph.

Ben Jones bagged four for the hosts, with Chris Storey adding the decisive fifth.

Goals from Jason Ezard and Josh Winn (2) helped division one leaders Strensall Tigers to maintain their six-point advantage at the top as they gained a 3-1 success at Tockwith.

Tom Richards bagged a consolation for the hosts.

Malt Shovel remain in second place after coming from behind to a magnificent goal from Haxby Town’s Adam Chaplin to record a 4-1 win.

Jake Raistrick equalised from the penalty spot before going to complete his hat-trick in the second half.

Jack Morris netted the fourth for the visitors.

Rawcliffe remain one point behind Shovel with a game in hand.

Dan Moll, Niall Smallwood and Dominic Clemit struck for Rawcliffe as they edged past Malton & Norton 3-2.

Karl Babaro, Richard Hunter

and Jacob Harrison-Green (2)

fired Harrison Signs to three

points as they got the better of a seven goal thriller with Riccall United.

Tom Matthews, Nathan Spreckley and Max Faulkner were on target for Stamford Bridge in a 3-1 win over Osbaldwick.

James Smith, Leigh Dutton and Matt Currie all struck for The Beagle as they toppled division two leaders Cawood in frosty conditions.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, The Beagle kept battling to score a vital three points. Mike Goldsworthy and Luke Rayner hit the target for Cawood.

At the other end of the table, Clifford gained an important three points from their 3-2 success at Brooklyn.

York St John University moved three points clear at the top of division three following a 9-1 hammering of York RI.

Jake Dunn (2), Dan Cusdin (2), Jenson Joseph, Liam White, Ali Harvey, Sam Clarke and Adam Burdett hit the students’ goals, with Jai Wilson netting RI’s solitary reply.

Olly Farrow (2) and Dan Lewis found the target for Swinton at Duncombe Park, but their side suffered a 4-3 defeat as the hosts recorded their second victory of the season.

By Barry Casterton

POPPLETON United gave up home advantage in their York FA Saturday Senior Cup tie against Wigginton Grasshoppers and suffered an 8-1 away defeat.

Gary Newton bagged a hat-trick for Wigginton in the second round tie of the Keal Teamwear-sponsored competition.

There were also goals from Sam Gough, Mike Byram, Jack Thompson and Neale Holmes, plus an own goal.

Poppleton’s consolation came as Danny Owers put in a rebound after his penalty was saved by Michael Clancy.

The tie between

Hemingbrough United and Thorpe United is scheduled for next week after it was previously moved to make way for County Cup fixtures.

In the York FA Saturday Junior Cup, sponsored by Pavers Shoes, Mark Baggerley and

Ryan Robertson were five star men as they shared 10 goals in an 11-1 home win for Pollington over Bishopthorpe United Reserves.

Steve Ross made Pollington’s goal tally 11.

Away side Crayke United edged out Elmpark 4-3.

Charlie Armitage hit four for Fulford United in a 7-2 win against Copmanthorpe Reserves, and further goals came from Tom Wordsworth and Ben Richardson.

The third round of the York FA Saturday Cups is scheduled for December 14.