Top 5 Division 1 teams play away

Veterans League

Preview of the Veterans 6-Man League fixtures to be played on Monday 9 June

The top five teams in Division 1 of the 6-Man League have away fixtures this Monday and with the leaders Clayton West A travelling to play bottom-of-the-table Brockholes A it would be a surprise if any team could whittle down the leaders 3 points lead they have at present. Second placed Marsh United A are likely to have a much stiffer challenge awaiting them at sixth-placed Milnsbridge A.

Waterloo, Thongsbridge A and Skel Windmill make up the other travellers who go to play at Golcar C&BC, New Mill A and Shepley A respectively. Two teams locked together just above the drop zone, Netherton Con A and Slaithwaite, go up against each other to see which team is going to become involved in the relegation battle.

Interest in the Division 2 promotion chase focuses on the group of three teams on the same 21-points mark just behind the two leaders. Two of that trio go up against each other this Monday as Golcar Lib entertain Lockwood Con. Broad Oak are also on that same points total and they have to travel to play the Marsh Lib A side who are just two points behind them. The losing pair from these two fixtures are going to find that they have it all on to get back into the promotion chase as the top two teams both have winnable matches lined up and a growing lead into the bargain.

Holmfirth A have a 5 points lead over 2nd placed Lindley Lib A and the leaders are away at 2nd from bottom Longwood this week whereas Lindley Lib A have a home fixture against Brockholes B who are sitting just above the relegation zone. Both of these two leading teams will be disappointed if they don't win their fixtures in convincing manner.

Thongsbridge B sit at the foot of the table and are in danger of becoming adrift from the teams immediately above them. One of those teams is Crosland Moor who they host this Monday with the chance of closing the gap uppermost in their thoughts.

The key Division 3 fixture this Monday is between the third and fourth placed teams of Denby Dale and Linthwaite Hall. They are on the same points total of 22 which is just one point behind 2nd placed Marsh Lib B who have to go to Thorpe Green to play Greenhead Park A. The winner of the 3rd and 4th teams could take over 2nd place which is likely to be the only promotion position up for grabs as increasingly it looks like the title is nailed on for the Almondbury Lib side who have a massive 13 points lead. With a home fixture against mid-table team Primrose Hill Lib this week that lead doesn't seem to be under any immediate threat.

However there could be some movement in the relegation battle as bottom side Hemplow A have to go to play third from bottom Elland C&BC with a 6 points gap between the teams. Holmfirth B sit between the two strugglers and have a home match against Milnsbridge B on Monday. Should the formbook rule then the bottom two could find themselves seriously adrift in the relegation places.

Two Division 4 results from the past week have been added to the above league table and they saw Brockholes C have a good 5-2 home win over Marsh United B to lift themselves well clear of the bottom two places. However that means no team has played as many games as them, and they have an away match at Clayton West B this Monday which they will do well to come home with the majority of the points.

Last week also saw Skel Windmill B win a delayed away match at Thongsbridge C by 4-3 which again has been added to the table above. This week they have to take on 2nd-placed Netherton Con B but do have home advantage which could be important but a 6 points gap is a lot to make up to elevate their cause into promotion hopes.

Continuing the Division 4 preview with a good attraction of 1st v 3rd match to savour as the leaders, Hemplow B, have home advantage and a 10-points lead over New Mill B. Bottom of the table Meltham go looking for a second win of the season with a home fixture against Greenhead Park B. Although there are 5 places between the teams the gap is only four points and with matches in hand over most of the teams between them their position is far from being desperate. The same can be said of 2nd from bottom Thongsbridge C but they have a much more difficult looking Monday fixture away at 4th placed Marsh United B.