Veterans League
A preview of the 6-Man League fixtures scheduled for Monday 21 August
Big chance this Monday for Skel Windmill 'A' to throw the Division 1 title race wide open as they have a home match against the leaders from Marsh United 'A'. Skel are just one point behind them but have played a game more so this opportunity is not going to come along again and is a must win fixture for the home side if they are to be regarded as real title contenders. With both teams coming up from Division 2 last season this is a real achievement for both teams to feature so prominently in the top division at this stage of the season. The Marsh United team won the 2022 Division 2 title by 17 points and a big win for them this week could set up a similar scenario for this season as well.
Golcar C&BC would like to have a say in those proceedings but a 1-6 away defeat at Shepley last week has damaged those intentions and they have another away match this Monday at Thongsbridge 'A' which will test their powers of recovery. Last week's win for Shepley could spark a revival in their quest to retain the title they have claimed for their own over the last two years but that hat-trick of titles is under serious scrutiny now. A big win at Elland C&BC this Monday wouldn't go amiss.
A meeting of Crosland Moor and Longwood could be a real decider to the identity of the second relegation place-holder as they both are in danger of assuming that role. Lockwood Con could be sucked into that relegation battle but wont find points easy to come by at Brockholes 'A' this week. Netherton Con and Milnsbridge 'A' are involved in their own mid-table meeting with both looking safe with only pride to play for but with only one point between them there is still that winning incentive.
Slaithwaite continue their path to the Division 2 title with an away match at Almondbury Lib this week who will do well to end the 11-match winning run of the leaders which started way back in the first week in June against the same opponents. Second in the table, Lindley Lib 'A' have a home fixture against relegation threatened Skel Windmill 'B' and will be looking for maximum points to keep up the pressure on the leaders but closing the current 11-point gap is still a big target for them.
Paddock I&C and Lindley Lib 'B' certainly haven't given up hope of a promotion place and both need to win their away matches this week to confirm that they are still in the running for that second promotion spot. Both have winnable away matches with Lindley Lib 'B' at Holmfirth 'A' on the back of a 4-match winning run and Paddock I&C going to Milnsbridge 'B' who have won more points away from home than on their own green.
Golcar Lib have lost their last 3 matches to place themselves outside of the promotion place and have to go to play Linthwaite Hall who have won only one of their eight home matches all season and that was back in April but have picked up sufficient away points to lift themselves out of the relegation places but cannot afford a relapse now.
The southern derby match between Denby Dale and Clayton West should be savoured as it probably wont be repeated next season with the Denby team seemingly destined for a drop in divisions for next year. Two teams out of form as the Denby side have lost their last 6 matches whilst Clayton West have lost their last three home matches so it will be interesting to see which team has the greater recovery powers that this week's engagement offers.
The Marsh derby match in Division 3 offers Marsh United 'B' a great opportunity to close the gap on the leaders Marsh Lib who are one place and 6 points ahead of them but have played one match less than them so a must win match for the United side if their promotion aspirations are to be fed.
Two teams hoping for a Liberal Club win are New Mill and Greenhead Park who are within spitting distance of the second promotion place and any setback for the Marsh United run-in would be quickly jumped upon by New Mill who will surely be expecting a big win this week at home to second from the foot of the table Brockholes 'B' side who have lost their last 7 matches whilst New Mill have won their last 5.
Greenhead Park have also won their last 5 fixtures which includes wins against the top two on their own greens which is devastating form which if continued would surely make them a real promotion contender. This week they have to go to Primrose Hill Lib but on current form that shouldn't be beyond them and a win is a must if they are to remain in promotion contention.
The remaining three matches in this division all have an end of season feel about them with little at stake for any of the 6 teams involved in them although Thongsbridge 'B' probably wont agree with that assessment. They are in 6th place but only 5 points off the second promotion place and have to travel to Hemplow this week who are just four points behind them in the table.