Veterans League
Preview of the Veteran's 6-Man League fixtures for Monday 26 June
Division 1 leaders, Marsh United 'A' have to travel to play Netherton Con this week and two weeks ago you wouldn't have fancied their chances. At that time the two teams were locked together on 31 points with only a 10-point Aggregate For total (574=564) separating the two sides although Netherton's unbeaten record hung over the league table like a hungry vulture.
Then suddenly that record was broken with successive defeats against bottom-three teams, Lockwood Con and Longwood. That sequence now sees the Netherton side trailing the Marsh outfit by 8-points and languishing in fourth place. Meanwhile Marsh had picked up 13 points from their two matches to forge ahead with Shepley and Golcar C&BC also left in their wake but ahead of a faltering Netherton.
The formbook points towards a Marsh win unless the Netherton team can rediscover their previous winning form and take advantage of playing at home to reignite their title challenge. Shepley and Golcar C&BC are poised to pile in if the Marsh side drop points this Monday and this quartet seem destined to fight out the title battle between them. Shepley 'A' and Golcar C&BC both have winnable away games at Skel Windmill 'A' and Brockholes 'A' respectively.
Despite the big wins for Longwood and Lockwood Con they haven't reined in the two teams immediately above them in the table as Milnsbridge 'A' and Crosland Moor remain teesingly out of touch with the same one-point cushion. That could all blow up this Monday as the four teams above an Elland C&BC team erringly put into the wrong division, meet each other this week with Longwood (20pts) at Milnsbridge 'A' (21 pts) and Lockwood Con (19pts) away at Crosland Moor (21pts).
We should expect a change of leadership at the top of the Division 2 table this week as the leaders Paddock I&C have to protect their one-point lead over Lindley Lib 'A' away at 4th placed Clayton West whilst the Lindley team are at home to bottom-of-the-table Denby Dale.
Slaithwaite could also gate cash in on this scenario as they are two points behind the leaders with a home fixture against a Skel Windmill 'B' team that hasn't won since the opening day of the season. They are one of the bottom three teams separated by a single point with Linthwaite Hall also in that mix and they have a home match against a Lindley Lib 'B' who have won 6 of their last 7 matches.
Almondbury Lib won't want to slip up with a home encounter with Golcar Lib and the fear of dropping nearer the three relegation candidates should they lose this match. Holmfirth 'A' and Milnsbridge 'B' are locked together in mid-tablle with the same 26 points total and both having won two of their last three fixtures.
It is the Thongsbridge derby match in Division 3 this week as the 'B' team very much in the promotion picture in third place and one point off top place. That brings added interest to a match where the 'B' side has much more at stake and the added incentive of a possible top place at the end of the day.
Marsh Lib are the current leaders but will get few favours against a Meltham side that has won 4 of their last 5 matches. That could also open the door for Marsh United 'B' who have won all four of their home matches and will be looking to make that five when hosting Primrose Hill Lib who interestingly have won all three of their away fixtures so far this season.
The bottom two teams meet at Shepley where the Brockholes 'B; team are the visitors and New Mill entertain Greenhead Park with the teo teams locked together on the same 31 points totals. Hemplow may be third from bottom in the table but having won 3 of their last 4 games will expect to push visitors Holmfirth 'B' all the way.
Comments