Leeds Combination League: Welfare state their top-four credentials

J Witcher hit an astonishing six goals for the away side, with Foster and J Scott also finding the net to ensure Welfare took the points – despite a valiant response from Hunslet through Miller Davis (2), Jamie Davis, Chris Storey, and Kyle Swithenbank.

The weekend’s only other Premier fixture saw bottom club Chapeltown Fforde Grene Reserves and second-placed Kirkstall Crusaders battle out an entertaining 3-3 draw.

Strikes from Fernando Moke, Silvan Mboma and Daniel Sheriffe for the hosts were cancelled out by Ash Hubbard (2) and James Burgess for Kirkstall.

In Division One, strikes from Michael Hartley and Ryan McGee were not enough to prevent Commercial HQ succumbing to a 4-2 defeat away at fifth-place d Halton. Millshaw Park Rangers gained a 2-0 home victory against second-bottom Oulton Athletic thanks to efforts from Dave Thorpe and Isaac Denny.

Finally, a brace from Jordan Riley could not prevent a 5-2 defeat for Pendas Arms at home to promotion rivals Chapel Allerton.

In Division Two, league leaders South Seacroft ran riot with a 9-0 away victory at rock-bottom AFC Elford.

Gary Crossley bagged a hat-trick for the away side, alongside braces apiece for Danny Thorpe, Luke Hunter and Joe Johnson.

Elsewhere, Pudsey Athletic gained a crucial away victory, triumphing 4-1 at second-bottom FC West Leeds.

A hat-trick from Matty Gerraghty and an Adam Cole strike ensured the points went back to Pudsey, despite a Mike Williams consolation for the home side.

A Rick Hall effort was mere consolation for FC Horsforth Saints as they suffered defeat away at third-placed Sporting Pudsey.

Finally, second-placed West Leeds Armley maintained pressure on the top with a 5-3 triumph over sixth-placed Corpus Christi.

West Leeds Armley took the points thanks to strikes from Nathan Chadwick, Josh Summer, Jordan Tate, Mark Ferguson and an own goal. Corpus Christi replied unsuccessfully through Macca Riley, Stuart Scales and Phil Jarvis.

The weekend’s only Division 3A fixture saw Oliver Hickford score a consolation goal for bottom club Original Oak as they were defeated 3-1 at home to second-placed Wortley Knights.

In Division 3B, ninth-placed Temple gained their sixth win of the season, obliging 5-2 at home to seventh-placed West Leeds Bramley.

Ryan McGregor and Scott Baines each scored braces for the hosts, with Daniel Mendoza adding a fifth.

Elsewhere, second-placed Bramley Town Reserves triumphed 3-0 at home to eighth-placed Moortown Albion Reserves, and third-placed FC Armley were 11-3 victors at home to bottom club FC Retailers.

There was also action in the Sanford Cup quarter-finals over the weekend. Horsforth Fairweather progressed with a 3-1 home victory over Kippax Sundays.

Rob Wilson (2) and James Thorp found the net for the home side, and Josh Morley’s strike for Kippax was in vain.

Leeds City Rovers are also in the hat for the next round after defeating Main Line Social 5-3 away from home. Nick Clarke and Joe Clarke both bagged braces, with an own goal also helping Rovers seal victory.

Finally, Seacroft WMC’s passage to the semi-finals was secured thanks to a 2-0 home victory over FC Broadway, courtesy of strikes from Scott Jones and Ryan Robinson.