Veterans League Preview of the 10-Man League fixtures for Tuesday 31 May
Starting off in Division 2 for this week's preview as the top two teams tough it out at Milnsbridge 'A' where the leaders defend their unbeaten home record against 2nd placed Almondbury BC 'A'. With a 6-point lead at the top Milnsbridge will be keen to secure that top spot with the visitors eager to recover from the setback of a home defeat at the hands of Netherton Cons last week. Netherton are one of four teams trailing just behind the two leaders and with a home game against bottom of the table Brockholes 'A' this Tuesday will be looking to make inroads into that difference.
Third-placed Bradley & Colne entertain a Slaithwaite side that have won 3 of their 4 away matches this season and itching to climb among the chasing pack which a win would surely bring.
The other two teams in the promotion mix are Broad Oak 'A' and Shepley and both have away fixtures this week. Broad Oak 'A' play a Hemplow 'A' side that lost 0-9 at home to Shepley last week but have still won more matches than they have lost. Whereas the Shepley side buzzing from that big win last week will be at New Mill 'A' who have won all 3 of their home matches to date, the latest being a 9-0 whitewash win over Thorpe Green.
Division 1 leaders Marsh United 'A' have a bye this week and could be overtaken by either, or both, Golcar Lib 'A' and Kirkheaton Con 'A' who play bottom three teams. The Golcar side are at Lindley Lib 'A' who will have been boosted by their 'derby' win at Lindley BC last week. The Kirkheaton Con side have home advantage over Longwood, who will fancy their chances of collecting their second league win of the season after beating Marsh United 'A' last Tuesday.
Last season's top two meet for the first time this season locked together on the same points total in 5th and 6th positions. Lockwood Con 'A' having home advantage over Elland C&BC 'A'. Lockwood's run of 4 wins on the bounce was ended at Waterloo last week and they will be keen to turn home advantage into a points advantage over their old rivals.
Clayton West haven't shown the form that enabled them to finish in the top half of the table last season so will look on the visit of bottom-placed Lindley BC 'A' as an ideal opportunity to start to correct that failing.
Paddock I&C lost their unbeaten Division 3 record last week in emphatic style (1-8) at Almondbury Lib and will be looking to address that this week and who better to take it out on than the new leaders Holmfirth 'A'?
Just 5 points separate the top six teams and apart from Paddock and Holmfirth they all play teams below them in the league. Third-placed Denby Dale have to temper an Almondbury Lib side that is rampant at home but cannot win away at all and if they can alter that then they will quickly feature in the top half of the table. Golcar Lib, Linthwaite Hall and Huddersfield Recreation Club will all expect to, and will need to, win their matches this week to remain in the hunt for promotion.
Outlane will play a third consecutive away match when travelling to test the returning Division 4 leaders, Ravensknowle Park, this week. The Outlane side has only lost once this season and will provide a good test for the leaders who cannot afford any relaxation of effort with teams queueing up behind them ready to take advantage of any slip-up. The Elland C&BC 'B' side has a match in hand over all their rivals and they will expect to extend their unbeaten home record when a Milnsbridge 'B' side still looking for their first away win of the season come to visit.
Primrose Hill Lib sit second in the table and have to play at Meltham 'B' this week who has the added incentive that swapping places with their opponents is on the cards with a big home win. Thongsbridge 'B' will be looking to put some daylight between themselves and the relegation places when they play at bottom-of-the-table Brockholes 'B' this Tuesday who are still seeking their first win of the season.
Division 5 leaders, Marsh Lib, have the day off this week which enables Dalton to move above them unless they get a nose-bleed from such a lofty position. Only Greenhead Park stands in their way although the 'B' teams from Netherton Con and Kirkheaton Con are poised just behind them although both have away matches this week.
The Kirkheaton 'derby' match is always closely contested with the Cricket Club having home advantage and an obvious incentive to climb out of the bottom three that a win would surely bring. Hemplow 'B' are still after their first win of 2022 and they will do well if they can claim that away at Broad Oak 'B' this week.
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