The two leading teams in the area look set to become involved in a battle for East Men’s League promotion.

The Hunts Post: Jamie Cluer was one of the St Neots Men's 1sts goalscorers in their win against Wisbech 2nds. Picture: BARRY GIDDINGSJamie Cluer was one of the St Neots Men's 1sts goalscorers in their win against Wisbech 2nds. Picture: BARRY GIDDINGS (Image: Archant)

St Neots 1sts and St Ives 1sts have made fine starts to the new season to rise into the upper reaches of Division Three North-West.

A brace of Anthony Holmes goals helped second-placed St Neots to a fourth win of the campaign as they beat Wisbech 2nds last Saturday. Jamie Cluer and Garth Mooney also struck in a 4-1 triumph.

St Ives 1sts are only a couple of points and places behind their local rivals as they bounce back from relegation last term.

They breezed to a 4-0 win against Leadenham 1sts last Saturday courtesy of goals from Michael Jenner, Cameron Seton, Peter Liddle and David McCarter.

The Hunts Post: St Neots Men's 1sts have defending to do in their win against Wisbech 2nds. Picture: BARRY GIDDINGSSt Neots Men's 1sts have defending to do in their win against Wisbech 2nds. Picture: BARRY GIDDINGS (Image: Archant)

Elsewhere, captain Tim Jones led by example with a hat-trick as St Ives 2nds thumped Alford & District 1sts 6-3 in Division Four North-West, while St Neots 4ths claimed in-house bragging rights after beating the club’s 5th team 2-1 in a Division Six North-West (South) clash.

The two St Neots sides in the Five Counties Women’s League both enjoyed victories lit up by hat-tricks.

Emma Rowe hit a treble as the 2nds beat Royston 3rds 3-0 to climb into second spot in Division Three while Freya Drew enjoyed a dream debut as the 4ths continued their memorable debut season. The table-toppers triumphed 4-0 at Bedford 6ths in Division Five thanks to a Drew hat-trick and a Charlie Churms strike.

The 2nds were also in winning form in Division Four North-West (South) of the East Women’s League. Chris Deeks, Claire Piper and Jay Dickinson struck in a 3-0 success against Cambridge South 3rds, but the 1sts saw a three-match hot streak come to an end in Division Two North-West when going down 2-1 to a speedy City of Peterborough 2nds side.

St Ives also boast an in-form female side. Their 3rds roared to a fourth successive win in Division Four North-West (South) of the East Women’s League

Emma Rushmer hit a hat-trick and Shona Drummond also struck in a 4-0 rout of Newmarket 3rds.

OCTOBER 15 RESULTS . . .

EAST MEN’S LEAGUE

Division Three North-West: St Ives 1sts 4 (Jenner, Seton, Liddle, McCarter), Leadenham 1sts 0; St Neots 1sts 4 (Holmes 2, Cluer, Mooney), Wisbech 2nds 1.

Division Four North-West: Alford & District 1sts 3, St Ives 2nds 6 (T. Jones 3, D. Jones 2, England); City of Peterborough 5ths 4, St Neots 2nds 1.

Division Five North-West: St Ives 3rds 1, Kettering 2nds 5; St Neots 3rds 5, Horncastle 2nds 0 – walkover.

Division Six North-West (South): Kettering 3rds 1, St Ives 5ths 1 (Corbett); St Ives 4ths 5, Saffron Walden 8ths 0 – walkover; St Neots 4ths 2, St Neots 5ths 1.

EAST WOMEN’S LEAGUE

Division One North: Cambridge City 2nds 3, St Ives 1sts 2 (Griffiths, Clarke).

Division Two North-West: City of Peterborough 2nds 2, St Neots 1sts 1 (Bingham).

Division Three North-West: St Ives 2nds 1 (Stride), Cambridge South 1sts 1.

Division Four North-West (South): Cambridge South 3rds 0, St Neots 3rds 3 (Deeks, Piper, Dickinson); Newmarket 3rds 0, St Ives 3rds 4 (Rushmer 3, Drummond).

FIVE COUNTIES WOMEN’S LEAGUE

Division Three: St Neots 2nds 3 (Rowe 3), Royston 3rds 0.

Division Five: Bedford 6ths 0, St Neots 4ths 4 (Drew 3, Churms).