Big test for Division 2 leaders Clayton West

Winter League Preview of the Division 2 fixtures to be played at Cowcliffe on Tuesday 11 November

The Division 2 teams and supporters will be observing the two-minute silence at 11.00am on Remembrance Day. The Tuesday fixtures at all three Winter League venues will begin with two-minutes silence at the usual 11.00am start time of matches.

At Cowcliffe the early leaders are Clayton West and they have a stern test this week as they take on Lowerhouses A. Both teams came down from Division 1 two seasons ago but neither featured strongly in the competitive Division 2 promotion race last season. Different this year with both teams determined to push ahead for a return to the top flight. Tuesday's encounter will determine which one of them will have the stronger claims for the ultimate title-winning honour. Both teams are undefeated to date and a top level performance will be necessary to collect the majority of the points on offer.

New Mill B were the 2024-25 Division 3 Champions and they have brought that confidence along with them into the Division 2 promotion race as they sit 2nd in the table. This week they meet Lowerhouses B who came up with them but only after Denby Dale conceded the second promotion place. That has always meant it was going to be an uphill struggle for the Lowerhouses team to keep out of the relegation mix. They have started well and Tuesday's meeting is against a team they beat and lost to by the same 8-0 scoreline in their two matches last season.

Meltham A seem to have a relegation hangover as they have yet to set about pushing ahead for an immediate return to the top flight. A match against last season's third-placed team in Division 2 would be a good place to start and that fixture against Marsh United is important to both teams if they are to join in the promotion race this term.

Lindley Lib A may be joining the Meltham A in a freefall existence after their relegation last year and a slow winless start to the new season. A fixture against the team immediately above them in the table, Milnsbridge A, would be a good place to start for both teams.