FESTIVE wishes came true for Tadcaster Albion as they head into Christmas seven points clear at the pinnacle of the Northern Counties East League premier division.

The barnstorming Brewers bested visiting Heanor Town 3-0 and were further boosted by rivals Shaw Lane Aquaforce being held to a draw and Worksop’s game being called off.

In front of a crowd of more than 460 Albion broke the deadlock three minutes before half-time when Callum Ward struck.

Fellow front-man Carl Stewart, still battling against a knee injury, doubled the lead in the 75th minute before Josh Greening added a late flourish with the hosts’ third goal.

Pickering Town posted the same 3-0 winning margin to see off Parkgate at the Recreation Ground, where Chris Batchelor opened the account just 11 minutes in.

Top scorer Billy Logan continued his recent predatory streak with another brace of goals either side of half-time to reinforce manager Tony Hackworth’s belief that extra drills undertaken in the past fortnight without a game would bear fruit.

The NCEL division one derby between Knaresborough Town and Selby Town ended all-square at 1-1.

Chris Jackson was again on target for the Robins, who powered into a 12th-minute lead, but once more the visitors were unable to either add to their advantage or keep a clean sheet with the hosts’ Mitchell Hamilton levelling two minutes before the interval to end the scoring.

Victories were posted by both Scarborough Athletic and Harrogate Railway Athletic in the Evo-Stik League first division north.

The Seadogs rewarded the new permanent managerial team of Bryan Hughes and Paul Foot – the duo were confirmed in charge on Friday – with a 2-1 home triumph over Mossley.

But the hosts left it late. After Gary Bradshaw’s opener on the hour was wiped out by a Mossley equaliser, Matthew Plummer plundered all three points with a stoppage-time winner.

The Rail trailed 1-0 at home to Brighouse, but turned on a second-half surge to win 4-1 with goals from Adam Baker, Matthew Heath, leading marksman Nathan Cartman and Jesus Martin.

Neighbours Harrogate Town fell 3-0 in their Conference North outing to Tamworth.