Huntington 2, Old Malton 4

Current champions Old Malton are clearly intent on keeping hold of their crown this season, after chalking up their fifth consecutive win to maintain their lead at the top of the York Leeper Hare Premier Division.

The management team of Kim Scott and Shaun McGinty had the pleasure of naming an unchanged side but it was Huntington who drew first blood in only the second minute.

Goalkeeper Aaron McDermid, in outstanding form of late, pulled off a crucial save from a header to stop his side going further behind before Old Malton's Aron Wilford levelled the scores with a penalty after 12 minutes.

Three minutes later, Old Malton took the lead. A long ball from centre-back Simon Cooke released Darryl Craggs, who unleashed a powerful shot which gave the keeper no chance. After such an exciting start, the game quietened somewhat but then Huntington equalised from a corner ten minutes before half-time.

The second half was just as entertaining as the first. Old

Malton had the edge but could not apply the finishing touch. However, the arrival of substitutes Lee Welburn and Michael Henderson with 20 minutes to go gave the champions fresh impetus. Henderson held the ball up well before passing to Phil Hill, who coolly shot Old Malton into a 3-2 lead. With two minutes remaining, Steve Boyd headed in a Neil Wilford free-kick to wrap up the points.

A deserved win for Old Malton, in which the central defensive pair of Simon Cooke and Marcus Lee impressed in particular. Next week Old Malton entertain Kartiers.

Updated: 12:42 Thursday, December 20, 2001