Veterans League
Preview of the Veterans 10-Man League fixtures in Divisions 1 & 2 on Tuesday 1 August
New Division 2 leaders Netherton Con 'A' will be delighted to see their two main rivals for the title facing each other this week as Lindley Lib 'A' (3rd) welcome neighbours Lindley BC 'A' (2nd). The Lindley Lib side will be looking to bounce back from a 1-8 defeat at Linthwaite Hall last week which cost them the top spot and what better recovery could there be than registering a good win on home soil over their neighbours?
The Netherton team are on a 6-match unbeaten run and they will fancy their chances of extending that with a home game against Linthwaite Hall this week although the Linfit side had their best win of the season last week when beating table-toppers Lindley Lib 'A' 8-1 so if they bring that form to the table then things will be far from a formality.
Broad Oak 'A' have won 7 of their last 8 matches but are still 9 points off a promotion place so cannot afford to slip up at home to New Mill 'A' who sit one place but 8 points behind them in the table. Shepley 'A' have lost their last three away fixtures but will need to address that trend if they hope to gain everything from their trip to Thorpe Green.
The 'A' teams from Hemplow and Holmfirth remain deeply entrenched in the relegation mire with the seriousness of their plight seemingly to have registered with the Holmfirth side who have woken up and won their last two matches by the same 8-1 scoreline. This week they host Thongsbridge 'A' who sit one place but 15 points ahead of them in the table. However, with the possibility of four teams being relegated this season, their need is as great as anyone as they feature among the group of four teams in the squabble for survival currently separated by 3 points. Almondbury BC 'A' find themselves in that quartet of teams as well so again their trip to Hemplow has meanings for both teams.
Division 1 Champions-in-waiting, Golcar Lib 'A' have a home fixture this Tuesday against an under-performing Elland C&BC team who have lost 3 of their last 4 matches. Ignoring the fact that the Golcar side have lost 2 of their last 3 matches to fully expect them to bring their home form to the table tomorrow. With a 15-point lead and with their three main rivals all having away fixtures this week it would be a surprise if that gap wasn't just a little wider by the end of play.
Cowcliffe has, on paper, the easiest-looking fixture of the three also-rans with a trip to play Meltham 'A' who have lost their last 3 matches. Rastrick have to go to Lowerhouses and Kirkheaton Con 'A' play at Clayton West and both will be severely tested by the home teams who remain in contention for higher finishes.
Longwood have the day off so will stay 2nd from bottom although the gap to catch Meltham may be wider as a result. Lockwood Con 'A' will be looking to put some daylight between themselves and the three expected relegation places with a home match against Milnsbridge 'A' who have only clocked up one win in their last eleven matches. Lockwood Con's away form isn't great as they have lost all their last 5 matches on the road. The unpredictable Marsh United 'A' side has a Tuesday home fixture against Waterloo who are one place and one point behind them in the table so lots to play for there.
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