The dreaded red lines appear in tables

Veterans League

Preview of fixtures for Tuesday 19 August in Divisions 3,4&5 of the Veterans 10-Man League

It has been a bad August for the Division 3 leaders, Almondbury Lib as they have lost 3 of their last 4 league matches to see their previous 12-points lead halved over the last three weeks. A group of four teams now have visions of at least a promotion spot with just 6 fixtures left to be completed. The dreaded red lines appear on the tables for the first time to help concentrate the mind on what may be possible.

Paddock I&C are the latest team aiming to puncture the leader's title aspirations but at least the Almondbury team are on home soil where they have a 100% win record this year. Springwood have come from way back to take second place after winning 5 of their last 6 fixtures including a win over the leaders last week. They will expect to build on that success with another home win this week when taking on Lindley Lib B who haven't won away from home all season and any difference this week would be a shock result.

Linthwaite Hall are poised to take advantage of any slipups on behalf of the top two and with a home match against bottom-of-the-table Marsh Lib A will not have a better chance of doing that. Only one point splits the three teams behind the top two with Hemplow A and Brockholes A within range of a promotion place. These two teams shape up against each other this week with the Badgers having home advantage.

It is a difficult time for the Thorpe Green and Lockwood Con B teams with both in danger of the drop this time around. That would mean an instant return to Division 4 for the Lockwood side whilst Thorpe Green only escaped relegation last year by one position in the final table.

Marsh Lib A were promoted from Division 4 last season and are unrecognisable this time around and with a fixture programme of 6 remaining games to play and three of those against the top three teams in the division, will be fearing the worst.

Marsh United B have one remaining chance to indent the record of the three teams above them in the Division 4 table and that is this week when they host 2nd-placed Kirkheaton C&BC A. Anything less than a win would probably bring an end to their hopes of pinching a promotion place this season. Third-placed Milnsbridge B will be willing them on to assist their own promotion hopes which be improved by a big away win at bottom-of-the-table Netherton Con B. The leaders, Skel Windmill, will be looking to extend their 17-point lead at the top when they go to Thongsbridge B in search of an 8th League double this season.

Primrose Hill Lib ocupy the second relegation place at present and with a home match against David Brown Sports, the team sat one point above them, have a great opportunity to climb out of the drop zone. That could leave David Brown Sports and Netherton Con B staring at an immediate return to Division 5.

Hemplow B have a great opportunity to push their promotion odds when hosting the team currently sat at the top of the Division 5 table, Brockholes B. A 5-points difference could disappear which may suit second-placed Kirkheaton Con B who have to travel to play mid-table Broad Oak B.

The bottom two teams are locked together on 56 points and face each other this Tuesday when Kirkheaton C&BC B have home advantage over Holmfirth B. A combination of this match result and that of 3rd from bottom New Mill B could see the bottom two both overtake New Mill B who are away at Greenhead Park. It really is that tight.