HAWES UNITED began 2014 as the new league leaders after a 5-1 win last Saturday at Richmond Mavericks Reserves.

Lloyd Iveson gave the visitors an early lead but Phil Stirling brought the Mavs level before the break. However, Hawes really turned on the style in the second half as Steve Calvert scored twice from the spot while an own goal and a strike from Wilf Dinsdale sent them to the top.

Defending champions Unicorn FC slipped to second after a controversial 3-3 draw against Colburn Town.

Unicorn started well and took a 15th minute with a fine finish from Stu Adams but Colburn were level soon after through Tom Sweeney.

Unicorn then felt they should have been in front twice before the break when first a header from Matthew Thomas was adjudged not to have crossed the line before an Adams strike was ruled out for a very marginal offside decision.

Unicorn’s frustration boiled over early in the second period when Sweeney put Colburn ahead from a seemingly offside position and Shaun Charlton was sent off for kicking out at Colburn’s Bobby Elliott.

But despite their numerical disadvantage, Unicorn were level on the hour when Thomas converted an Adams’ cross and they looked set to go in front when Thomas was brought down in the area three minutes later.

However, Colburn goalkeeper David Mutch saved Steve Bradley’s penalty and Stu Murray looked to have given Colburn all three points with a goal on the break ten minutes from time. But deep into stoppage time Unicorn grabbed the equaliser when Craig Swainston’s excellent cross was turned home by Adams.

Richmond Buck Inn are third after a rather more serene 2-0 home success against Spennithorne and Harmby. A cross-shot from Paul Ramsay sailed into the net to give the Buck a halftime lead, although it was not until the final minute that Matty Bateson sealed the points.

Catterick Garrison Football Centre are in sixth place after thrashing struggling Askrigg United 6-0. The game was over as a contest before the break as goals from Steven Files, Craig Teasdale, Lee Pollitt, Jez Mortimer and Daniel Deeney made it 5-0, while Mortimer completed the scoring in the second half.

Catterick Rovers and Reeth served up a festive thriller with visitors Reeth running out 5-3 victors.

Bottom side Richmond Town Academy suffered late heartbreak as they were beaten 3-2 by Carperby Rovers.