DEFENDING Division One champions and league leaders Sportsmans FC maintained their four-point advantage at the top of the table with a 5-0 thrashing of Blue Star Thirsk last Sunday.

The match was over as a contest by the break as goals from Scott McNichol, Andy Ramsbottom and an own goal put the Sporties in control.

Sam Grainger then made it 4-0 on the hour before James Coatsworth completed the scoring five minutes from time.

Henleys Athletic remain second, although they needed a fine second-half comeback to beat visitors Kildale 4-3.

Thomas Nichols and Henry Shelton put Kildale in control inside 25 minutes, although Leon Roberts pulled one back for Henleys soon after.

The points appeared to be heading back to Teesside when Cale White made it 3-1 at the break, but two goals in three minutes from Andy Allen and Josh Knox on the hour brought the hosts level. It was all Henleys now and Callum Fletcher, who was called up to the Northallerton Town first team squad this week, celebrated by grabbing the winner ten minutes from time.

Broughton and Kirkby Hibs are six points off the top with a game in hand after a 2-1 home victory over title rivals Robert Thompsons. The visitors began the day in fourth place, two points ahead of Hibs, but a brace from James Mathias gave the hosts a vital win. Dan McCalmont replied for Thompsons, who drop to fifth.

At the other end of the table, Catterick Village grabbed their first victory of the season, beating fellow-strugglers Tithe Bar 3-0.

A goal from Danny Allen was all that separated the teams at the break, but Josh Wooff and Adam Hodgkinson sealed the points for Village in the second half. They are now just three points away from safety.

Appleton Wiske are the new leaders in Division Two after a 4-1 home win over promotionrivals Cowtons. Dan Jones struck twice while Matthew Jones and Andy Gibson sealed the points. Scott Fenney scored the Cowtons consolation in the first half.

Travaux FC are second despite being held to a 1-1 by Osmotherley FC. Adam Taylor gave Travaux a half-time lead, but Lee Holtby grabbed the Ossie equaliser after a shot from Rich Bowden had been parried by the Travaux goalkeeper, 20 minutes from time.

Leyburn All-Stars, who had started the season so well, are down to sixth after an 8-4 thrashing at Ainderby SC. Kyle O’Gorman, Will Stevenson and Matthew Fishburn put Ainderby in control by the break, while a second-half hat-trick from Chris Hope and further goals from John McStavrick and Jordan Owen sealed the points.

The Ship remain in the promotion race after a 5-3 home win over Three Coopers. It looked like being a comfortable win for The Ship as a brace from Tom Keegan, the first of which came from the penalty spot, and further strikes from Scott Ryan and Rory Atkinson put them in control with less than 20 minutes remaining. However, Steve Dawson, Phil Parker and Stu Adams all scored within the next ten minutes to put Coopers right back into it, although Keegan sealed the points by completing his hattrick in the closing moments.

Elsewhere, Bar One and Streetlam Farmers fought out a rare 0-0 draw.

Northallerton WMC reached the final of the Bob Seymour Trophy with 4-1 victory at Knayton. Ross Hodgson and Dan Baxter scored twice in each half to ease the Workies through after Rob Cowton had earlier replied for Knayton. The Workies will meet the winners of The Ship versus Ainderby SC semi-final, which is being played this weekend, in April’s final at Northallerton.

Unbeaten Division Three leaders West Tanfield show no sign of easing up as they thrashed Masons Arms 8-1.

Martin Mason gave Tanfield an early lead but they did not have it all their own way in the first half as Masons were level after 20 minutes, while Duncan Terry then missed a penalty. Lewis King did restore the Tanfield advantage on the half-hour while they were awarded a second penalty just before the break. Terry again failed to find the target but referee Steve Urwin ordered a retake and Mike Cooper made no mistake.

Steve Lofthouse then scored his first goal since returning from a broken leg to make it 4- 1 early in the second half, before Cooper hit his second with a stunning volley.

With the points now safe, Terry grabbed a late brace while King scored his second as Tanfield ran out easy winners in the end.

Topcliffe are eight points adrift in second place after a 4-1 home win over Masham, although they do have three games in hand. Simon Spence, Aaron Bumby, Andrew Butler and Adam Williams were all on target as Topcliffe grabbed an 11th win in 13 games this season. Substitute Richard Barker grabbed the visitors’ consolation.

The margin of victory for Topcliffe would have been greater had it not been for the heroics of Masham goalkeeper John Craddock.

Golden Lion, Romanby appear out of the title race after a 3-0 defeat at Brompton FC.

Mark Raw scored twice while Chris Smith completed the scoring ten minutes from time.

Jolly Minister are up to fifth after a controversial 2-1 win at bottom side Northern Dons.

A free kick from Johnny Fishburn gave the Dons a firsthalf lead but the Ministermen were awarded three penalties in the second half.

Stan Parry missed the first but Gary Elsworth scored the other two to leave the Dons rooted to the bottom.

Osmotherley Rangers are sixth with games in hand after a thrilling 6-4 home victory Station Hotel. Rich Thompsons struck four times for Rangers while Matty Ranson and Matty Lamb were also on target.

Liam Dorson with a brace, Aaron Hall and Gary Toman replied for Station.

Farmers Arms, Scorton moved away from the bottom three after beating visitors County Arms 5-2. Olly Gorman and Adam Simpson put the Farmers 2-0 up inside 15 minutes, but Steve Taggart pulled one back for County soon after.

However, Dale Marshall scored either side of the break to put the Farmers in control before his brother Craig made it 5-1. Dan Nicholson then grabbed a late County consolation.