MAYBE Drighlington's defeat against Leeds Medics & Dentists in the Marflitt Trophy semi-final last Wednesday was an aberration.

After having three players sent off in an ill-tempered affair, the third-placed club returned to action in the Premier Division of the Yorkshire Amateur League and beat visitors St Nicholas 7-1.

Goals against a side who find it difficult to beat sides near the top came from Sam Thorpe (2), Harvey Booth, Tom Farrar, Shane Sowden, Ryan Rhodes and Andy Punter.

Drig, who have won 12 out of 13 in the league, are well placed to overtake the two clubs above them in Medics and Stanley United.

Stanningley Old Boys, who are third from bottom, gave Farsley Celtic Juniors a fright, leading 2-0 inside half an hour against the hosts, who then had Josh Maskill sent off.

But the Celts, who pulled a goal back in the first half, were brilliant in the second half to win 5-2, courtesy of Andy Shields (2), substitute Danny Lyons (2) and Paul Dockerty.

Grangefield Old Boys, who face Leeds Medics Reserves in a Marflitt semi-final next Monday, beat visitors Ealandians 3-1 in a mid-table clash, with the goals coming from the prolific Tom Micklethwaite, Nick Smith and second-half star Andy Kenyon.

Hosts Alwoodley, who haven't given up thoughts of the title themselves, defeated Athletico 5-1, with the latter's only goal coming in the 37th minute when Hassan Khan converted Mohammed Qasim's cross.

In the Championship Division, Calverley United had to work hard for their 2-1 win at Shire Academics, courtesy of a Jimmy Walker own goal and a Matty Wilson penalty, while fourth-placed St Bede's recovered from a 3-0 deficit to beat visitors Leeds Medics & Dentists Reserves 7-3.

Andy McHugh reduced the arrears before half-time and, inspired by substitute Tawheed Ahmed, Bede's ran away with it in the second half, with goals coming from James Moyce (3), Chris Drake, man of the match McHugh and the excellent Ahmed.

Gildersome Spurs Old Boys were irrepressible on the 3G pitch at Kettlethorpe School, despatching second-from-bottom Thornesians 12-2 as Johnny Hunt (5), Steve Wales (4), George Taylor (2) and Andy Punter cashed in.

Aaron Irving netted a hat-trick for Idle in Division One at Ealandians Reserves but that was the high point for the visitors, who led 2-0 after 20 minutes but lost 6-3.

Meanwhile, Morley Town Reserves gave their promotion hopes a boost in Division Two with an 8-2 home victory over fifth-placed Fairbank United, for whom Faris Hussain scored twice, while Harris Khan was man of the match.

Dalton Pearson (3), Ben Howarth, Jordan Chippendale, Anthony Linley, James Barstow and Ryan Wilks netted for Town.

Tyersal completed their first season in the Yorkshire Amateur League with a 3-1 defeat at potential champions Garforth Crusaders, with Ryan Pogson getting the consolation.

Calverley United Reserves are safe in Division Four, despite their 7-0 defeat at home to promoted Leeds City Old Boys Thirds, while Drighlington Reserves are also hoping to go up after a 5-0 win against visitors Dewsbury Rangers Reserves, with Johnny Lakin (3), Jamie Snelgrove and Josh Frankland on target.