Veterans League
Preview of the 6-Man League fixtures scheduled for Monday 23 September
The penultimate week of the Veterans 6-Man League season with many of the season long issues still to be decided. In Division 1 the relegation matters are all wrapped up with Lockwood Con and Paddock I&C dropping down a level. However the destination of the 2024 title is still up in the air with Marsh United A the favourites to retain the title but there is considerable pressure from the new team from Waterloo and don't rule out Shepley A either.
Things do look really good for the reigning Champions as this Monday they have a home fixture against bottom of the table Lockwood Con whilst their two rivals face each other which smacks more of a decider in the runners-up race rather a pitch for the title. Waterloo have home advantage and have won their last six League matches so are in good form whilst Shepley A have won their last four matches so a close outcome can be expected which would suit the Waterloo team rather than their opponents.
In Division 2 there are five teams still in contention for the title and most would settle for one of the two promotion places. Clayton West have only lost three matches all season, half the number of any of their rivals, but only have a 2 points lead with two matches to go. If they don't lift the title it would be a real travesty but that could happen but alternatively a big home win this week against Golcar Lib could clinch the prize. If teams end up level on points totals then the greater 'Aggregate For' total comes into play which would favout 5th placed Holmfirth A. The table below shows the remaining fixtures and points won to date with the current 'Aggregate For' totals.
DIVISION 2 TITLE & PROMOTION RACE
Things are very congested at the foot of the Division 2 table with Elland C&BC already relegated but it is any one from four that will be joining them. I have discounted Milnsbridge B at this stage as they are nine points clear but they have remaining matches against top five opponents so I may have been a little premature.
Greenhead Park A currently occupy the second relegation place and have renaining matches against Elland C&BC (a) and Lindley Lib B (h) so will expect to win both of those and will probably need to if they are to avoid the drop. If they should hit that target then Linthwaite Hall and Hemplow are the most vulnerable replacements in the drop zone. Hemplow have a final day home match against Clayton West so will need to pick up points away at Almondbury Lib, which is a Thursday fixture this week, to ensure they are well placed to avoid a final day tense affair.
'Aggregate For' totals could once again come into play with the current totals for each of the bottom five teams showing in this table. Hemplow being the most vulnerable to a close points call but that can all change this Monday. Good luck to all the teams.
In Division 3 Brockholes B are already crowned as Champions with either Thongsbridge B or Denby Dale to be promoted along with them. Seven points separate the two teams who meet each other on the last day of the season. Before then the Thongsbridge B team have to play their C team who may or may not want their clubmates to be promoted. Whichever that may be the fixture is hardly an away tie for the B team so one would expect them to beat their club opponents. Denby Dale have gone well off-form losing their last three matches at the worse possible time Should the seven points gap be maintained then it will set up a final day decider to savour except for the participants. Bring it on!
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