Veterans League
A preview of the fixtures in the 6-Man League to be played on Monday 1 July
The five top teams in Division 1 are only separated by 5 points and four of those teams go up against each other this Monday. The odd one out being the leaders Marsh United A who will be keen to bounce back from a first defeat in seven after losing at bottom team Lockwood Con last week. A home match against mid-table Slaithwaite who have only won once in their last eight fixtures could fit the bill for the leaders.
Second-placed Netherton Con have to go to 5th-placed Shepley A who are in a run of six straight wins and are unbeaten on their own green since mid-April. The 3rd and 4th placed teams meet at Skel Windmill A as they take on Waterloo who lost for the first time in 9 at home to Shepley last Monday.
Lockwood Con will be aiming to build on last week's big win over the leaders when they travel to play fellow relegation-threatened Crosland Moor. The two teams finished last season in the two positions above the relegation places and with no improvement in results now linger in the 2024 relegation places as we reach the halfway point of the season.
The three teams immediately above the drop zone will all be aiming to insure themselves against being dragged into that battle by winning this week's key matches as Paddock I&C travel to Milnsbridge A, Thongsbridge A have home advantage over Lindley Lib A and Brockholes A, who have lost their last three matches, are away at Golcar C&BC.
Division 2 leaders, Clayton West, will expect to extend their 100% win record and their lead at the top of the Division 2 table when they host strugglers Hemplow this week. Bradley & Colne are the emerging threat after a run of 5 straight wins and a home fixture against Milnsbridge A should be within their capabilities.
Golcar Lib have dropped out of the promotion places after two defeats on the trot so will welcome a trip to play Elland C&BC who haven't won a home match all season. However they did have a confidence-boosting first win away at Greenhead Park A last week and that renewed form will be thoroughly tested this Monday. Currently they are 13 points adrift of safety to join a group of four teams separated by 2 points trying to stay out of the second relegation place. None of those four have welcoming fixtures this week so will be looking to pick up some losing points at best to muddy the waters somewhat.
Greenhead Park A will be keen to bounce back from that home defeat to bottom team Elland C&BC and unless they do could easily find themselves firmly rooted in the relegation fight. A trip to play Lindley Lib B hardly fits into the category of a winnable away fixture so they must aim to at least match the losing score of their lower opponents.
It is top versus bottom this week in Division 5 as Brockholes B will expect a big home win over Shepley B. They need to do that to avoid giving hope to Denby Dale who remain unbeaten all season but amazingly still only holding down second place. It may be that a home match against third-placed Thongsbridge B becomes a real test of that 100% win record.
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