Veterans League
A preview of the Veterans 6-Man League fixtures scheduled for Monday 24 July
Division 1 leaders Marsh United 'A' will be looking for a strong reaction to their shock defeat in the Julie Fuller Trophy Quarter-Finals last Thursday when they have a home fixture against relegation-threatened Longwood this week. It would be another shock if they failed to rebound from that KO exit against a team desperate for points to stave off the looming threat of relegation. Longwood are in the relegation places at present but level with on points and also level on Aggregate For totals with Crosland Moor who are above the dropline.
Crosland Moor have a stiff task away at Thongsbridge 'A' who are on a high after they secured their passage to the Semi-Finals of the Julie Fuller Trophy on Thursday. Milnsbridge 'A' could also come into the picture if they fail to claim some points from their trip to high-riding Skel Windmill 'A'. Golcar C&BC will be looking for revenge for their JFT exit to Netherton Con when the two teams meet again but with home advantage this time. Shepley 'A' will be looking to get their game back together after their JFT exit and losing 3 of their last 4 League matches when they host Lockwood Con. Meanwhile Bockholes 'A' welcome winless Elland C&BC and the expectation of a first win in four for the Badgers.
The top two teams in Division 2 have opened up a gap over the chasing pack who will hope for some change in fortunes with the two leaders Slaithwaite and Lindley Lib 'A' both having away games this Monday. Bottom-of-the-table Linthwaite Hall have the unenviable task of halting Slaithwaite's 7-match unbeaten run whilst the Lindley Lib team travels to play Milnsbridge 'B'.
The three teams immediately behind the top two all have home fixtures this Monday they meet the three teams immediately above the bottom team. Any slip up by the top two is likely to be quickly punished by an eager challenger. Paddock I&C, Golcar Lib and Lindley Lib 'B' are the three challengers and with fixtures against Almondbury Lib, Skel Windmill 'B' and Denby Dale respectively will anticipate making a collective surge towards the lead pair. Crammed into the middle of this bun-fight is the mid-table meeting of Clayton West and Holmfirth 'A' who seem to have little interest in events at either end of the table at present.
Thongsbridge 'C' s hopes of gatecrashing the top three places in Division 3 were scuppered on Friday when they lost 2-5 at home to Primrose Hill Lib. This was a surprise result as the Pip Hill team were in the bottom three although this win lifted them a place in the and the Thongsbridge team stay 5th but could have gone 2nd with a big win.
Things are really tight in this division with 9 of the 12 teams within 7 points of each other so one good win could leapfrog almost any number of teams and change that team's outlook for the rest of the season. The top two teams have the comfort of having home fixtures this week and whilst the leaders, Marsh Lib, will not be phased by the visit of lowly Brockholes 'B', New Mill will need to be on their toes to ward off the challenge of the former table-toppers from Marsh United 'B'. This is the start of a run-in to the end of the season for New Mill in which they will face their main rivals for promotion but have the advantage of meeting them all on home soil and this makes them a strong contender for the second promotion place if not a greater reward.
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