A Hoggarth and Sons Eskvale and Cleveland League

Loftus YC edged to a 4-3 win over home side Brotton, a game between two evenly-matched teams.

Brotton enjoyed most of the early play and should have taken the lead when Ryan Johnson was brought down in the penalty area but Michael Waters hit the spot-kick wide. Loftus took the lead when Graham Brewer's cross was won in the air by Oakley and forced over the line by the manager's 18-year-old Danny Jemson. Brotton hit back immediately with Johnson beating two men on the edge of the box before shooting home. Peter Winspear put Loftus back in front when a Howse shot was blocked and Winspear turned home the loose ball. Again the lead was shortlived as Johnson capitalised on the lack of pace in the Loftus defence to race clear and equalise on the stroke of half-time. Loftus attacked at the start of the second half and after Howse had twice gone close took the lead when Brewer headed home a well-flighted Peel free-kick. Loftus gave themselves a two-goal cushion on 30 minutes when Ian Burton's free-kick was headed into the net by a defender, under pressure from Brewer, for an own goal. Further chances were at a premium and Howse was denied by an excellent tackle from Gary Baker before Brotton managed to pull a goal back in the final minute when Davies slotted home after a shot had come back off substitute keeper Craig Cole.

Nigel Hutton gave visitors Great Ayton the lead after 15 minutes which they held until the interval but Highland Laddie hit back for a 2-1 win.

Paul Neesham equalised from the penalty spot before Andy Hopwood struck a 25-five yard shot to put the home side in front. Phil Makin was brought down in the last minute to win a penalty for the visitors but stand in keeper Gary Mclean saved the spot kick to allow Laddie to leapfrog Ayton.

John Barnard scored twice for Loftus Athletic in their 4-1 win at Hinderwell, Jamie Melbourne and Richie Limon also on target. Michael Harvey scored a consolation for the home side.

Lealholm gained a 2-0 home over Huntsman and in a poor first-half neither team produced a shot on target as an understrength Huntsman took time to settle down. Andrew Raw put Lealholm in front in the second-half, beating two men and firing home from 20 yards. Nick Welford forced a flying save from Ian Moore as Lealholm looked to extend their lead before substitute Darren Harland added a second when he shot home at the second time of asking. Huntsman attacked constantly for the final 15 minutes but Lealholm stood firm to edge closer to them in the table.

Goldsborough established a three-goal interval lead through Rob Clark (2) and Russell Ingham at Lingdale. The home side came back strongly in the second-half and pulled a goal back through Dave Brown but were denied further goals by stout defending and the woodwork, Goldsborough winning 3-1.

Grangetown settled well and went two goals in front at Mackinlay Park through Dean Wake and Ged Cairns. Mackinlay Park hit back to level matters but Grangetown took advantage of defensive mistakes and ran out 6-2 winners.

Mackinlay Park lifted their game and Paul Agar netted twice, both one on one situations with goalkeeper Chris Moore, to level the scores before the interval.

However, defensive mistakes allowed the visitors to restore their advantage and eventually they ran out comfortable winners as Wake and Cairns found the net again with Ian Williams also scoring twice.

Man of the match for the home side was full-back Mark Dormason while defender Davy Jones collected the award for the opposition.

Staithes ran out winners as Glenn Smith netted four times in a 7-0 home win over Anchor. Other scorers were Richie Ward, Rob Smith and Neill Reed. The Grosmont-Boosbeck match was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.