Reigning champions Midgley United travel to play Copley United on Saturday having regained top spot in the Premier Division of the Haslem-Sheppard Halifax AFL.
The league table suggests it is another good winning opportunity but as Craig Gee’s men found out at home to bottom club Sowerby Bridge last Saturday, there are no easy games at this stage of the campaign.
Midgley came through 2-0 with goals from AndrewButterworth and Ian Hudson in very windy conditions, taking advantage of Stump Cross’s cup commitments to take over at the summit.
However, Midgley have dropped 16 points whilst Ryburn United and Stump have only dropped nine.
That means Gee’s men have to win most of their remaining eight games and hope that their two biggest rivals drop points in a congested run in.
Copley are third from bottom but in GarryAsh they have a potential match winner.
Gee reported a clean bill of health after the win over Bridge and was pleased with a battling display.
“We never really looked in danger but it was difficult in the conditions.
“Sowerby Bridge were not a poor side and it will be the same against Copley.
“Every game has got to be three points and we’ll see where that takes us.”
The first half at Midgley Rec was goalless, Butterworth and Tom Booth hitting the woodwork for the hosts.
Bridge’s best effort came from Martin Bates, whose shot struck Calum Rodgers.
Midgley got on top after the break and went in front after 55 minutes. Dean Park handled on the line - Midgley thought the ball had crossed it - and Butterworth followed up to score after Danny Jennings had blocked his penalty.
Hudson and James Adey were outstanding for the home side and it was the former who completed the scoring with 10 minutes left following Shaun Frewin’s perfectly-weighted pass.
Calder ‘76 are without a game on Saturday having had last weekend’s game at Elland United postponed.
Hebden Royd Red Star, who have played only once this year when crashing out of the Halifax FA Cup to Brighouse OB, could do Midgley a favour by taking points off Stump Cross.
Wadsworth eased their relegation fears in Division One with a 3-0 home win over Halifax Irish last Saturday but are without a game tomorrow.
Midgley United Reserves host AFC Crossleys, who are the second division title favourites after their win over Spring Hall Celtic last week.
Calder ‘76 Reserves are at home in a mid-table clash with King Cross Warley Reserves.
Hebden Royd Red Star Reserves will hope to have the edge in what should be a fairly even contest against Denholme United Reserves.
Premier Division: Copley United v Midgley United (M.Beard), Holmfield AFC v Greetland AFC (S.Hoyle), King Cross Warley v Elland United (P.Bowe), Sowerby United v Sowerby Bridge (S.Adams), Stump Cross v Hebden Royd Red Star (P.Higgins).
Division One: Denholme United v Stainland United (I.Childs), Elland Allstars v Sowerby Bridge Res (D.Bartley), Greetland AFC Res v Northowram (M.Taj), Salem v Hx Irish Centre (P.Crabtree), Volunteer Arms v Ryburn United Res (V.Janecki).
Division Two: Calder 76 Res v King Cross Warley Res (M.Sharman), Hebden Royd Red Star Res v Denholme United Res (D.Cartwright), Midgley United Res v AFC Crossleys (M.Redmile), Mixenden United v Spring Hall Celtic (W.Cotton).
Division Three: Brighouse Sports AFC v Shelf FC (J.Hallos), West Central FC v Savile Arms FC (R.Smith).
Halifax F.A.Albert Crabtree Cup semi-finals: Brighouse OB v Shelf United (ref C.Salmon), Ryburn United v Ovenden WR (R.Varley).