Veterans League
A preview of fixtures in the Veterans 6-Man League to be played on Monday 19 August
There is a top two clash in Division 2 where the leaders, Clayton West, have to journey to their nearest rivals, Bradley & Colne and as there are only 4 points between the teams this is a key match in the title chase and could be a title decider if Clayton West manage a win.
The Bradley & Colne team have lost 2 of their last 5 matches whereas Clayton West have only lost one match all season so it is amazing that the gap between the two teams is so narrow. That will all count for nothing as they go head-to-head in what has to be a must-win fixture for the Bradley & Colne side if they are to retain an interest in the destination of the 2024 Champions title. It could be worse than that because defeat for the challengers could see them dislodged from the promotion places.
Third-placed Marsh Lib A have a real interest in that top clash as they sit 3 points behind the 2nd promotion place and have an away match at New Mill this week. The New Mill team sit in 5th place and are on an 8-match winning run which includes Julie Fuller Trophy semi-final and Final victories to make them the standout team in the division at present.
Bottom-of-the-table Elland C&BC seem destined for the drop being 17 points from safety and an away trip to 4th placed Holmfirth A this week unlikely to produce the points return they need to turn their season around. So the focus at the bottom is on which team will go down with them.
Three points separate the next four teams. Two of those teams face each other on Monday when Hemplow have home advantage over Greenhead Park. The Hemplow side have won their last two home matches whereas Greenhead Park have lost their last four fixtures.
Linthwaite Hall and Milnsbridge B are in that relegation mix and both have home matches this week against mid-table opponents which they must take points from if they are to remain aloof of the drop worries that go with a defeat.
There is a real opportunity for the Division 1 leaders, Marsh United A, to put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack this Monday. They are the only top 4 team with a home fixture this week when they take on mid-table Milnsbridge A. All the top four teams have tasted defeat in their last two matches so none of them are in their best form of the season which now sees only 3 points separating the top three.
Waterloo and Shepley A sit tied together in 2nd and 3rd places on the same 82 points mark and both play bottom three teams this Monday. Waterloo are at Paddock I&C and Shepley face a Crosland Moor team that have lost their last four matches. That makes both matches winnable for the top teams but can they do enough to retain that gap to the leaders to just 3 points?
Fourth-placed Skel Windmill A are the Division 1 form team having won 4 of their last 5 fixtures including the whitewash 7-0 win over Marsh United A last time out. A trip to play Thongsbridge A will need them to retain that form level if they want to stay in contention for title honours this season.
With Paddock and Crosland Moor suitably engaged against top three opposition the bottom team, Lockwood Con, may see an opening to reduce their 8 points deficit to safety. They face a Brockholes A team that has won their last three matches which is their best run of the season.
The Division 3 leaders, Brockholes B, are 15 points ahead of 2nd placed Denby Dale who have played one less match. That gap is surprisingly wide really as Denby Dale have lost one less match than the leaders. Both teams play bottom four teams this week with Denby Dale travelling to play second from bottom Greenhead Park whilst the Brockholes side have home advantage over Thongsbridge C.
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