Division 1 relegation mix untangled
- Veterans League
- Aug 27, 2023
- 3 min read
Veterans League
Preview of the 6-Man League fixtures for Monday 28 August
There is an in-depth look at the remaining fixtures of the bottom four teams in Division 1 at the foot of this preview and even includes a brave (stupid) tip as to the bottom two teams to be relegated.
At the top of the table Marsh United 'A' had a good set of results last Monday and could build on that this week with a home match against Brockholes 'A'. With a 100% home win record it is not a hard decision to back the home team again this week whilst the teams in 2nd and 3rd places line-up against each other at Golcar C&BC where Skel Windmill 'A' are the visitors. Shepley 'A' will hope to push themselves back into contention for a top two slot when they host Thongsbridge 'A'.
Lindley Lib 'A' meet their biggest challenge of the season on Monday when travelling to Slaithwaite to take on the Division 2 leaders. Eleven points and behind this has to be the time for a big win if they have any title aspirations left. The leaders have won their last 12 fixtures and are unbeaten at home in all 8 matches so this is a really big ask of the Lindley boys. Third-placed Lindley Lib 'B' team could improve their chances of promotion with a good points haul from their match versus Milnsbridge 'A'.
The table below shows the remaining Divison 1 fixtures for the four teams at the foot of the Division 1 table at present. The Yellow fixtures highlight matches between teams in the bottom four and the significant importance that comes with these head-to-head encounters. As you will see only Lockwood Con have three such matches to negotiate but they do play 3 of their 5 remaining fixtures at home.
The Blue fixtures are matches against the top two teams in the table and Elland C&BC have to play both of them in their final five matches and both are at home. On top of that Elland have to play 3 of their last 5 fixtures away from home and it is difficult to see that improving their chances for all the reasons stated above. But who will go down with them?
It seems to me that the key fixture amongst all this is the one between Longwood and Lockwood Con on the penultimate Monday of the season and the loser of that match could be destined for a drop down for next season. But what do I know?
In Division 2 Almondbury Lib will not want to lose their away match at Denby Dale as that could drag them back into the relegation mix which includes the Denby team who have lost their last 7 matches. Linthwaite Hall are the other team balancing on the brink of the drop zone and have to travel to Paddock I&C this week which really isn't a green you want to play at when you are desperate for points. Golcar Lib and Clayton West could still play a part in the promotion picture but it will be much easier for the one of them that comes out on top from their meeting this week.
It looks like any 2 from 3 in the Division 3 promotion race who all manage to avoid each other this week. The leaders are Marsh Lib who have a home game against Primrose Hill Lib but have played a game more than 2nd placed New Mill who are at Holmfirth 'B' where they will expect to pick up the majority of the points. Greenhead Park remain very much in the picture having won their last 6 matches and have a home match against Meltham on Monday.
Marsh United 'B' sit in 4th place but have played more matches than any other team in Division 3 and with matches running out fast it is difficult to see them going any higher than they are now. The pack of four teams behind them will expect one of them to materialise as a major threat to the Marsh team as well. That one team could be Hemplow who have a match against lowly Brockholes 'B' who are still searching for their 2nd win of the season as are bottom team Shepley 'B' who have to go to play Thongsbridge 'B'.
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