Crown is within Scotland’s grasp

Scotland moved four points clear of nearest challengers Heckmondwike Town, who suffered a 5-1 loss at Crown Leeds Road.

That result saw second-bottom Crown close the gap on third-bottom New Scarborough to just four points, while they still have three games in hand.

Scotland had previously demolished Birstall St Patricks 11-2 last Sunday. Luke Sherman led the way with four goals, Joel Clegg hit a hat-trick, Matt Durkin a brace, with Oliver Fisher and Paul Smith netting one each.

Joe Jagger and Joe Ratcliffe replied for Birstall, who are six points off safety.

Heckmondwike Town had Jamie Wasley, Paul Walker and Liam Gowan on target in a 3-1 win over Tingley WMC (Kyle Tomey) last Sunday before their midweek slip-up.

Third-placed Navigation lost ground on the leaders last Sunday after losing 5-2 at Thornhill Lees, who had Tristan Cost (hat-trick), Scott Hargreaves and James Wilson on the scoresheet.

Dale Hanson and Lee Bennett netted for Navigation, who bounced back on Tuesday with a 2-1 win at Woodman Batley Carr to move within three points of Heckmondwike.

Daniel Facey and Steve Richards scored as Towngate won 2-1 at Littletown (Lee McKeown) last Sunday. Towngate won 2-0 at Tingley on Tuesday, while Littletown lost 4-1 at St John Fisher.

Birkenshaw moved further clear of the relegation zone last Sunday after Paul Woolford (two), Andrew Wood, Adam Harvey and Adam Womersley scored in a 5-1 success over New Scarborough (Steve Mitchell).

Fisher and Woodman shared the points in an entertaining 5-5 draw last Sunday. Jordan Midwood and Anthony Doran struck twice for Fisher, with Richard Burke hitting the other. Woodman replied through James Blane (hat-trick), Alex Pickles and Greg Snowden.

The top two sides in Division One — Thirsty Man and New Inn Staincliffe — weren’t in action last Sunday, allowing Battyeford to move within two points of the front runners after beating Scholes Athletic 9-1.

Joe Green led the way with a hat-trick, Barry Mitchell and Danny Hickling hit two each, with Richard Newman and John Rhodes completing the tally. Scholes’ reply was an own goal.

The only team who can catch the top three is Oakwell Motel but they suffered a setback on Tuesday when they lost 3-1 at Mirfield Town.

Oakwell had looked to be putting up a sustained fight after hammering Hartshead 8-0 last Sunday. MoM Danny Wilson struck six goals, supported by Johnny Beverley and Gareth Scott.

Mirfield Town’s promotion hopes ended after they lost 4-1 to already relegated Overthorpe Town last Sunday as Ashley Hill hit a hat-trick and one from Tom Hirst. Michael Rounding struck for Mirfield.

Danny Danby scored both Howden Clough’s goals as they drew 2-2 with bottom side Bay Horse East Ardsley, who had Paul Bunker and Mark Eglington on target, last Sunday but Clough then lost 5-1 to Birkenshaw Reserves on Tuesday.