Away days for top 3 teams in Division 3

Veterans League

Preview of the Veterans 6-Man League fixtures for Monday 20 July

Only two points separate the teams in 2nd and 3rd positions in Division 1 but that could all change this week as these two teams, Broad Oak A and Marsh United A, face each other. Broad Oak have the top number of matches won in the division and have also won their last 10 fixtures and have only lost one match all season and that was a home match to Marsh United A. They now have to travel to play their rivals on their own green. It is an important match for both teams as the loser could be eliminated from the title chase. The leaders, Clayton West A, will look on with interest at the outcome but need to keep winning their matches and it is Milnsbridge A that stand in front of them this Monday.

At the wrong end of the table the bottom two teams go up against each other as defeat for either Skel Windmill A or Thongsbridge A will increase the pressure on the losers in the fight to stay at the top level. Lindley Lib A could ease their own concerns about relegation by ending a four-match losing run when hosting Slaithwaite this week.

The top two teams in Division 2 both have home fixtures this Monday and will expect to pull away from third-placed Almondbury Lib who have to travel to play Marsh Lib A. The leaders are New Mill A and they entertain a Paddock side that has only won twice in their last seven matches and they were both against the bottom two team, Denby Dale and Brockholes B. Second in the table are Brockholes A who have won 5 of their last 6 fixtures and haven't been beaten at home since the opening day of the season, this Monday they host a Longwood team that has won their last four matches.

The top three teams in Division 3 all have away fixtures this week with the most difficult facing 2nd placed Hemplow A who have to take on a Linthwaite Hall side that has won 4 of their last 5 matches. Leaders Thongsbridge B travel to play strugglers Elland C&BC whilst third-placed Golcar Lib B go to play a Primrose Hill Lib team that has won 3 of their last 4 fixtures.

Primrose Hill Lib are one of the four teams involved in the relegation fight along with Marsh Lib B (away to Clayton West B), Elland C&BC (home to the leaders) and Greenhead Park A (away to Broad Oak B). None of those fixtures look likely to reap a season-turning moment, so we can fully expect them to remain in the bottom four, but in what order?

There are home fixtures this Tuesday for the top three teams in Division 4 when the leaders will anticipate widening the points gap over the chasing two, That gap currently stands at 14 points but with a home match against the only team that has beaten them all season, Thongsbridge C, revenge can be a great motivator and is on the cards especially as the Thongsbridge team has gone off the boil since then and are currently on a run of 5 consecutive defeats.

Meltham will have it all on to retain second place against a Holmfirth B team sat in 4th place who beat them 2-5 earlier in the season. Greenhead Park B are the third of that top three and have to meet a New Mill B team dropping out of promotion contention after losing their last four fixtures.

With the bottom three teams all playing away from home and 4th from bottom Skel Windmill B with a home match against bottom of the table Brockholes D, it presents a great opportunity to divorce themselves from those wooden spoon contenders.