LEAGUE leaders Colburn Town maintained their narrow advantage at the top of the table with a 3-0 home victory over Spennithorne and Harmby last Saturday. Having suffered defeat in the Dales Cup the previous week, Colburn were determined to keep their title challenge alive and dominated from the start. A first-half brace from Tom Sweeney put them in control before Ben Hook completed the scoring after the break.

Richmond Buck Inn remain second on goal difference after overcoming neighbours Richmond Mavericks Reserves 2-1.

Stu Pigg put the Buck ahead at the break with his first goal of the season, while leading scorer Mickey White passed the 30-goal barrier in the second half. Lloyd Tate pulled one back for the Mavs in the closing stages, but the Buck held on to stay level on points with Colburn at the top.

Unicorn FC are two points adrift in third, although they do have two games in hand on the teams above them, after they won 4-1 at in-form Reeth.

Ryan Crowther gave the visitors an early lead which Danny Allen doubled before the break from Carl Handley’s driven cross. Allen then made it 3-0, two minutes into the second half, after a shot from Chris Duckett had been blocked, before completing his hat-trick from a Crowther cross fifteen minutes from time.

Unusually for the league there were two goalless draws. Catterick Garrison Football Centre and defending champions Richmond Town Academy were unable to find the target, while Hawes United were disappointed to be held by Catterick Rovers.

Askrigg United beat local rivals Carperby Rovers 2-1.

Gary Cockerill fired United ahead, before Shaun Sproates headed home a cross from John Pickard to bring Rovers level at the break. But Askrigg would not be denied and Cockerill grabbed his second to seal victory.