Palestine: Shabab Al-Khaleel won 1-0 at Shabab Al-Am’ari (Ramallah) to move top of the West Bank League after Champions Hilal Al-Quds could only draw at Thaqafi Tulkarem and Markz Balata were beaten 2-1 by Ahli Al-Khalil. Shabab Al-Dhahiriya climbed off the bottom of the table after they saw off new basement dwellers Markaz Tulkarm 3-0, Al-Birah Institution edged out Jabal Al Mukaber (Al Ram) 2-1 and Taraji Wadi Al-Nes beat Shabab Alsamu (Hebron) 2-0.

N Ireland: Just two points separate the top three in the Irish Premiership after Andrew Waterworth’s hat-trick helped league leaders Linfield brush aside Cliftonville 4-2, second-placed Ballymena narrowly won 2-1 at Newry and Glenavon, in third, beat bottom club Ards 3-1. Improving Crusaders left it late to see off Institute 3-2, Dungannon beat Glentoran 1-0 and Warrenpoint claimed a surprise 2-1 win over Coleraine.

Scotland: Celtic moved two points clear in the Scottish Premiership after they smashed a 3-0 win at Hamilton and Hearts’ miserable form continued with a 2-0 loss at struggling St Mirren. Rangers brushed aside Livingston 3-0 to climb into second place. Bottom club Dundee came from two down to draw 2-2 at Hibernian, Aberdeen slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Motherwell and St Johnstone drew 0-0 with Kilmarnock.

Wales: Cambrian and Clydach Vale will meet Cardiff Met in January’s final of the Nathanial MG Welsh League Cup after both clubs caused big upsets in the semi-finals. The New Saints, who have won the cup for the last four seasons, lost in extra time to minnows Cambrian and Clydach while Adam Roscrow’s first half strike gave Cardiff Met a 1-0 win at current Welsh Premier league leaders Connah’s Quay.