Golcar United go into the Christmas period a point clear at the top of the NCEL Premier Division after their 1-1 draw at Tadcaster Albion on Saturday.

It was a weekend filled with sadness across the league as the first games took place following the tragic news of the passing of Barton Town goalkeeper James Hitchcock in midweek and teams in both divisions paid their respects before kick-off.

Barton's game at Silsden AFC was postponed as a mark of respect, as were all of the Swans' matches across the weekend, and we continue to send our deepest condolences to the club and to James' friends and family.

In the action that took place, Golcar took the lead at Tadcaster in the 42nd minute through Callum Petch but Elliott Andrew's equaliser with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining ensured the points were shared.

Thackley have moved to within two points of second-placed Silsden as goals in the final ten minutes through Lewis Sugden and Ben Grech-Brooksbank secured a 3-1 home victory over Frickley Athletic.

Earlier, Liam Hudson had put the Dennyboys ahead only for Callum Brook to restore parity for the visitors just before the interval.

Fourth-placed Beverley Town were unable to close the gap on the summit as, despite an Edward Birch brace, they were beaten 3-2 at Bottesford Town.

Lewis Smith struck twice for the hosts before Mason Chaffer's 86th minute ensured a win for the Poachers that moves them up to sixteenth, nine points clear of the bottom two.

Penistone Church stay fifth, a point above Hallam, as they played out a 2-2 draw at Sandygate.

Kieran Ryan put Penistone ahead in the opening minute with the home side equalising through Rio Allan and then taking the lead on 52 courtesy of Danny South before Leon Hurles-Brook made it honours even towards the end of the encounter.

It was another frustrating afternoon for the sides in the relegation zone with both Goole AFC and Winterton Rangers tasting defeat.

James Eyles scored an equaliser for the Vikings but visitors Campion ran out comfortable 6-1 winners with Kirby grabbing a couple whilst there was one each for Michael O'Brien, Ewan Gregson, Aidan Day and Marcus Day.

Four goals in twelve minutes midway through the second period put the game beyond doubt in the away side's favour.

Rangers went down 2-0 at Pickering Town, George Brown's 55th minute penalty breaking the deadlock before Joe Wood made sure of the win for the Pikes in stoppage time.

Knaresborough Town remain just outside the drop zone, four points ahead of Winterton, as goals in the last ten minutes from Ashley Worsfold and Paul Sherburn saw them beaten 2-1 at Rossington Main.

Parkgate drew 1-1 with visitors Handsworth, Jacob Pearson with opener for the hosting Steelmen cancelled out by Henry Carne and the sides are twelfth and ninth, respectively, going into the festive season.

Meanwhile, strong winds put paid to Eccleshill United's home clash with Albion Sports and that will now be played at a later date.

Runaway Division One leaders Horbury Town suffered a second successive league defeat for the first time this season as an injury-time strike from Scott Jones condemned them to a 2-1 home loss against promotion rivals South Leeds.

Benjamin Agu had put the away side ahead early in the second period and James Cusworth had seemingly rescued a point for Horbury before the late decider.

South Leeds climb to third in the table whilst Horbury's lead, although still substantial, has been cut to eleven points as second-placed Wombwell Town romped to a 9-1 win at Dronfield Town.

Jordan Kershaw's hat-trick was added to by Jason Paling, Charlie Rogerson, Jack Dando, Owen Sykes and Daniel Youel as well as an own goal with Harry Marsh denying them a clean sheet in the 89th minute.

Although there is a big gap between themselves and the summit, Wombwell have three games in hand on Horbury and will hope to use that to their advantage in the second half of the season.

Joshua Jordan and Joshua Batty netted for Brigg Town as they won 2-0 at Armthorpe Welfare to climb into fourth above Dearne & District who went down 3-0 at home to Worsbrough Bridge Athletic in one of two Friday night games.

Keelan Grist and Joshua Brown gave the visitors a two-goal cushion by half-time before Grist's second rubber-stamped the victory in the second period.

In the night's other encounter, Nostell Miners Welfare picked up three vital points in their quest to move further away from the relegation zone as Kenneth Tafireyi and Thomas Booth scored in a 2-1 win at Maltby Main.

Wakefield AFC and Ilkley Town were both winners on Saturday to stay sixth and seventh, respectively, with Curtis Morrison's 34th minute strike enough for Wakefield to beat hosts Glasshoughton Welfare by a single goal.

Ilkley, meanwhile, defeated visitors Shelley 3-0 with Joshua Parker, Eliel Maville-Anku and Jack Lane the scorers for The Baht'atters.

There were 2-0 wins for Harrogate Railway Athletic at home to Swallownest and for Selby Town at Louth Town.

Michael Morris and Sam Clothier grabbed the Rail's goals whilst Jack Bull and Samuel Calvert found the net for the Robins.

Louth remain in the bottom three alongside Appleby Frodingham and Yorkshire Amateur following their defeat.

Eugene Ugenio struck early on for App-Frod but Adam Baskerville's leveller resulted in a 1-1 draw with visitors Club Thorne Colliery.

And, the Ammers were beaten 3-0 at Athersley Recreation, Sam Thompson striking twice with Finley Durkin also adding to the hosts' tally.

Meanwhile, the midweek's sole action took place in the Second Round of the North Riding Senior Cup as, despite a goal from Souleymane Coulibaly, Pickering were beaten 3-1 at Ebac Northern League side Guisborough Town.

Photo: Joshua Jordan and his teammates celebrate his goal, Brigg Town's first in their 2-0 victory at Armthorpe Welfare in NCEL Division One on Saturday afternoon. (Picture: Anna Bäckström)