Round-up: Saints' big victory can't save Greaves

After picking up only one point in their last two games, leaders Beeston recaptured their form in style, thrashing Robin Hood Athletic 6-1, thanks to a hat-trick for James Allan, two from Christy Wood and a Matthew Moon strike. Beeston are also celebrating the news that their own Stephen Crawford has been named in the first ever Yorkshire International Football Association squad, to play Ellan Vannin on January 28. The positivity is somewhat overshadowed however, by the club’s sacking of manager Mark Greaves, with the Robin Hood victory failing to save his job after the team’s previous poor form. Second-placed Ilkley lost ground to the leaders, after a red card for Adam Davey saw them squander their lead at Shelley, with the game finishing 1-1. Leeds City moved level on points with Ilkley after their 3-2 win over Hartshead. The pair are set to meet next week at Ben Rhydding Sports Club in what will be a vital game in the race for the title. Horbury Town and Huddersfield Amateur played out an 11-goal thriller, with Horbury recording a crushing 8-3 victory, while Sherburn picked up their first league win in seven, with a 2-1 triumph over in-form Hunslet. In Division One, East End Park continued their promotion push with a 3-2 win at Leeds Modernians, while Whitkirk Wanderers maintained top spot with a 4-1 victory over Rothwell in the only other league fixture to get underway at the weekend. Garforth Rangers suffered their 17th straight defeat, despite an improved performance after their 2-0 loss to Ripon City, while Old Centralians drew 3-3 with Kirk Deighton Rangers to round-up the Division Two action. In the WRCFA fourth round Challenge Trophy tie, Yorkshire Amateur League (YAL) Division One side Leeds City OB Res defeated Division Two leaders Garforth Crusaders 3-2, to earn the right to travel to Salts Res in the fifth round. Mark Dixon gave Leeds City OB a first-half lead with parity restored by slow starting Garforth before the interval. Goals from Reuben Young and Mark Dixon gave the Adel based team a 3-1 advantage, but late pressure from Crusaders yielded one goal as Leeds City defended heroically. Goals for promotion hopefuls Crusaders came from Tom Halliwell and Carl Brownbill, with City also missing a penalty. Morley Town bowed out of the Terry Marflitt Trophy with a 4-0 quarter-final defeat at the hands of visiting Leeds Medics and Dentists. Medics goalscorers were Thomas Smith (2), David Emms and James Chadwick against a Morley side who had Elliott Foster sent off on 70 minutes. The draw for the semi-finals will take place on January 29. The lead in the YAL Premier Division changed hands as Stanley United’s point in a 2-2 draw at Ealandians was sufficient for them to go top and oust the current leaders Medics who have a 100 per cent record. The slope at Ealandians worked against both teams. The hosts played well uphill in the first half and took a two-goal lead thanks to Damon Nicholls in the first half and Carlton Balmer just after the interval. Nathan Smith pulled a goal back for Stanley and the game became a lot more open and Ash Munton eventually equalised for United. TVR moved up to seventh place in the West Riding County Amateur Division One table thanks to a 4-3 victory at basement side Bradford. Jinaid Taj netted a brace and the other goals came from Faisal Shabir and Abid Khan. Steeton Reserves moved into the next round of the Keighley FA Supplementary Cup thanks to an extra-time 4-2 victory over Broomhill. Andrew Howland netted a double with Will Knight and Toby Jeffrey also scoring for Steeton. Rock Inn moved level on points with second-placed Real Moor following their 4-1 victory over Crofton Sports in the only game played in the Wakefield League Premier Division. In Division One, FC Prince missed the chance to put pressure on leaders Durkar FC when they could only draw 2-2 with Pontefract Sports and Social. Ste Campbell and Nathan Perks scored the Prince goals. Goals from Barry Braiden, Lee Carrington and Danny Young helped Ryhill defeat Gascoigne Garforth 3-1. In Division Two, AFC Sheaf cruised to a 4-0 victory over Middleton Old Boys. Among the goalscorers were Samuel Auty, David Mitchell and Joe Pickersgill. Elsewhere in the Cyril Craven Challenge Cup, Fieldhead Hospital won 6-4 at Nostell Miners Welfare. Only two matches survived the weather in the Leeds Combination League. Goals from Adam Cole and Matthew Wood helped Pudsey Athletic defeat Kirkstall Crusaders Academy 2-0 in the second round of the Mawson Cup. Elsewhere, in Division Two the spoils were shared in a 2-2 draw between Sporting Pudsey and Athletico Bramley. On the scoresheet for Pudsey were Jamie McGougan and Chris Blackburn, while netting for Bramley were Chris Pilmoor and Matty Wimpenny. Just three games survived the weather in the Wakefield Sunday League. Pontefract Sports and Social enjoyed a 9-1 victory over Horbury Slazengers, while Viaduct won 8-2 at Thatched House in Championship League One. In the Championship League One Cup, Ackworth were 3-2 victors over Wrenthorpe Rangers Reserves. No games survived the wintry conditions in the Heavy Woollen League.