Winter League
Monday matches in Divisions 4 and 7 are previewed
Division 4 Preview
This seems like the last chance for Rastrick, long-time leaders of the Division 4 table, to claim a promotion place after a winless run of four fixtures. As teams go into the penultimate round of matches Slaithwaite sit at the top of the table and need 9 points from their final two matches to claim the title. Six points will ensure their promotion. With all teams playing matches on Monday against the same opponents they played last Wednesday that is not good news for Rastrick as they lost 0-8 to Netherton Con A last week. A similar result this Monday would push Netherton past Rastrick.
Rastrick haven't won any of their last four League matches (L3 D1) whereas Slaithwaite have won all four of their last four. This Monday Slaithwaite play the return fixture against bottom-of-the-table Dalton and will be aiming for a similar 8-0 win to boost their title aspirations. The host team from Primrose Hill Lib have moved into the promotion mix and are primed to make the most benefit should Rastrick's form continue to dip. They play relegation-threatened Thorpe Green B who could be relegated this week unless they win Monday's fixture.
The two teams immediately above them in the table meet each other with the winner securing their Division 4 status for another season. Linthwaite Hall and Milnsbridge B are level on points and played each other last Wednesday with Milnsbridge's winless run extended to 5 matches, a repeat of that defeat could leave them in serious trouble with a last-day relegation decider against fellow strugglers Thorpe Green B in the pipeline.
Division 7 Preview
Cowcliffe B enter their final four fixtures of the season knowing that their destiny is in their own hands as they take on the four teams immediately below them in the table. However a 22points cushion lead ahead of their nearest rivals, Hanging Heaton B who they meet on Monday, could prove to be the platform to take the title earlier rather than later. They remain unbeaten over the season so far and there should be no surprises still to come so everything points to a procession to the title but things don't always turn out as expected.
Four points separate the chasing pack of four so the emphasis is on the second promotion place for these four teams. The table below shows the remaining fixtures for those four contenders for the second promotion place. That shows that they all have to play table topping and Champions-in-Waiting(?) Cowcliffe B and they all have one more top 5 opponent to play in those remaining four fixtures. It is a level playing field and good luck to them all (especially my clubmates from Kirkheaton Con B).
Broad Oak A and Lockwood Con B are already relegated but Lockwood Con B will be looking to pick up their first win of the season from among their final four fixtures.
PROMOTION RACE REMAINING FIXTURES
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