Leeds Combination League: Howarth's hat-trick helps reignite HT's title challenge

HT had been struggling to field a side along with the likes of Halton Moor and champions Chapeltown Fforde Grene who ultimately sadly folded and Sports player-boss Lee Connor has announced his intensions to retire at the end of the season.

But Sunday’s success kept HT’s outside title hopes alive with a hat-trick from Chris Howarth supported by a brace from Barry Frankland plus a goal each from Steve Palfrey and Jason Davis.

In the Sanford Cup, Leeds City Rovers edged a 6-5 epic at home to New Parnaby in the fourth round to book a semi-final clash with Hope Inn.

For the hosts, Nick Clarke, Jonny Bullivant and Nick Wilson notched three, two and one respectively with doubles from Jamie Davis and Gary Driscoll plus a Richard Wheelhouse strike in vain for Parnaby.

Mid-table JB Celtic caused a surprise in the Premier with a 2-0 triumph at leaders Main Line Social as Luke Hunter and Matty Dalton notched a goal apiece.

Second-placed Queenswood Crusaders closed in with a 3-1 success at third-placed Whitkirk Wanderers thanks to a brace from Andy Mullan plus a strike from Cameron Frew.

Badri stormed up to fourth with a 7-0 crushing of third-bottom visitors South Leeds Independents while bottom club Hare & Hounds finally recorded their first league win of the season as fifth-placed visitors AFC Bramley were seen off 2-1.

Goals from Dene Dewing and Gavin Crowther won the day in the face of a Bramley response from Mikey O’Hanlon.

Division One leaders Swillington Welfare moved four points clear with a 3-2 success at third-bottom KKS Zubry for whom goals from Craig Oliver and Marcus Liburd were in vain. Second-placed New Pudsey were held to a 1-1 draw at home to fourth-placed Kippax Band Club whose Daniel Birkin netted.

Third-placed Garforth Sports & Social were swatted 5-2 at FC Broadway who sit sixth while fifth-place Leodis Units shared a 2-2 draw with fourth-bottom Oulton Athletic.

Lee McKenzie and Paul Hewson struck for Leodis with Dan Rose and Liam Atkinson on the mark for Oulton.

Chapel Allerton moved off the foot of the division on goal difference with a 2-2 draw at seventh-placed Amaranth for whom Dave Turner and Eddie McNamara netted. David Martyn and Phillip Cross were the Allerton goal-getters.

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RICK WOOLLIN hit a hat-trick as FC West Leeds Guiseley Reserves crushed visitors Northern Star 10-2 in Division Three.

Rob Fenton and Tom Killmurray also added braces as the hosts moved eighth with Chris Sharkey, Jonny Williams and Andy Serotsky also netting. Kieron Dieghan and Josh Charlesworth bagged for fourth-bottom Star.

Moortown Albion lead the division after a 4-0 win at bottom club Temple.

FC Horsforth Saints are down to second after a 2-1 loss to sixth-placed visitors Yorkshire Black Rose whose Joe Smith and Daniel Smith were in bloom.

Third-placed Halfway cut down fifth-bottom away side Republica Internationale with goals from Danny Broadhead, Pete Atkin and Adam Pullford against strikes from Jonathan Davey and Josh Booth.

Wortley Knights sit seventh after a 9-2 hammering of second-bottom visitors AFC Elford whose Barba Rohman and Ahmed Sharif struck.

Division Two leaders Beechwood Sundays were given a home walkover against Brick and second-placed East Leeds AFC were held 2-2 at home to seventh-placed Sporting Pudsey.

Rikki Page and Terry Palmer notched for Easts but an own goal and Josh Pearce spot kick gave Pudsey a point.

Third-placed Millshaw Park Rangers raced to a 7-0 win at home to fourth-bottom Bedford Arms Wakefield with a Scott Carter four-timer backed up by Adam Jarrett, Chris Holland and Aiden Phillip,

Sixth-placed Bramley Town romped in 8-2 at ninth-placed Corpus Christi.

Goals came via a Scott Barlow treble and Brian Edwards brace plus scores from Marc Wilson, Mitch Dixon and Nick Williamson.

Jack Whitehead and Ste Kay consoled the hosts with a goal apiece.

At the bottom, Daniel Hurley bagged the winner as AFC Travellers left FC West Leeds (Guiseley) with a 1-0 triumph.

In the third round of the LUTY Cup, Commercial HQ edged past hosts Waterintobeer 3-2 after extra-time.

Victory arrived thanks to a Chris Jones double and Matty Salmon strike.

Jan Konupek and Steve Kaye netted for Beer.