THE Division One title race looks like going down to the last day as both Sportsmans FC and Northallerton Police won last Sunday. After the two title rivals had drawn 2-2 the previous Thursday evening, Sportsmans retained their nine point advantage at the top with a 10-1 thrashing of Catterick Village. Col Anderson scored five times, while Aaron Ramsbottom and James Coatsworth both struck twice and Alex Wells once.

The Police, with three games in hand, also found their shooting boots with a 5-1 success at Kildale. A goal from Tyrone Crow was all that separated the sides at the break while Graham Caygill doubled the Police advantage just after the restart. However, it was not until the final ten minutes that they finally sealed the points with a brace from Chris Walker and a strike from Sam Vernalls.

Steve Pennock replied for Kildale.

At the other end of the table, Blue Star will be sweating over their future after a 5-1 home defeat at the hands of Stokesley SC left them just three points clear of the drop zone. Ryan Leslie equalised an early strike from Stokesley’s Michael James, but that was as good as it got for the hosts as James went on to complete his hat-trick while Callum Cuthbert scored twice.

In Division Two, the title appears to be between Northallerton WMC and Appleton Wiske after both won again last weekend. The Workies thrashed Cowtons 7-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Dan Baxter, two from Wayne Thompson and strikes from Chris Smailes and Mikey Stevens. Although two points off the top, the Workies have two games in hand.

Meanwhile, Appleton Wiske remain level on pints with the Workies after a late 3-2 win at leaders Osmotherley FC.

Shaun Marshall gave the visitors as early lead but a penalty won and converted by Richard Bowden brought Ossie level by the break. The second half followed a similar pattern as Adam Crawford put Wiske ahead again before Shaun Harrison headed home a Lee Holtby corner to make it 2-2. But with time running out, Dan Jones scored what could prove to be a very important goal for Appleton to put them two points off the top with two games in hand.

The relegation battle is even tighter as any three from Three Coopers, Knayton, Streetlam Farmers, Bar One and Ainderby SC could still go down. Three Coopers remain bottom but are now just four points from safety after a 4-0 home win over Bar One.

Matthew Allison led the way with a fine hat-trick while Phil Parker was also on target.

Knayton are also in good form as they won a crucial match at Ainderby SC 3-2.

Andrew Parkinson was the Knayton hat-trick hero to give them a vital victory. Kyle O’Gorman and Will Stevenson scored for Ainderby.

Streetlam Farmers are staging their annual late escape bid after a 3-2 success against The Ship. Aan early brace from Tom Keegan looked to have put The Ship in control but second-half goals from Jamie Callaghan, Nigel Tallentine and Tom Chapman gave Streetlam a vital victory.

Topcliffe look set to lift the Division Three title after Station Hotel failed to raise a team for their scheduled visit last Sunday. It now means Topcliffe only need to win two of their final four matches to be crowned champions.