WITH only one win between them so far, Meltham and Liversedge are still settling into the rigours of the 11-a-side game but, on this form, both sides will soon be climbing the table.

In a cracking Under 11 Division I fixture, visitors Liversedge battled to a 5-3 win.

Still looking for their first win, Meltham’s hopes were lifted after just three minutes when Louis Hepplestone cut in from the right to drill a shot into the far bottom corner to give them a dream start.

George Dignam tried hard to drag Liversedge into the game with some strong running, but his efforts were in vain as Meltham continued to dominate and when Chris Gotch floated a left-wing cross to the far post an unmarked Jack Hinchcliffe gratefully tapped the ball home to give Meltham a deserved two-goal cushion.

Liversedge were in danger of being swamped, but defenders Harrison Palmer, Charlie Oakes, Harry Hardcastle and captain Will Gibson finally closed the door and Liversedge’s fightback started after 15 minutes when the tricky Ben Hutchison ran half the length of the pitch to place a superb shot past the onrushing Meltham keeper Matthew Wagstaffe.

Elliot Cleversley and Gotch continued to pose a threat to the visitors’ goal, but Sam Trevitt and Jake Darby were now controlling midfield and Liversedge’s confidence was lifted when Hutchison threaded a superb pass into the path of Dignam who found the back of the Meltham net from 12 yards to make it 2-2.

Jacob Burnley could have put Liversedge into the lead just before half time when a corner fell at the far post, but the midfielder’s snatched shot flew over the bar.

Hepplestone restored Meltham’s lead minutes into the second half, thanks to some excellent work from Ben Mercer and, with Meltham now back in control, Hinchcliffe’s far-post cross almost produced a fourth for the home side, but Gotch’s flying volley skimmed the top of the bar.

Had the game ended after 15 minutes of the second half, no-one could have denied Meltham’s winning scoreline but, a defensive mistake gave Henry Purdy the chance to fire past the helpless Wagstaffe to level the game for a second time.

With both sides playing exciting, end-to-end football, the outcome was anyone’s guess but, despite the efforts of defenders Emily Morris, Scott McGee and Seth Hooker, they were unable to contain the tricky skills of Hutchison who, with only 10 minutes remaining, gave Liversedge the lead for the first time at 4-3.

The same player had the opportunity to seal victory for the visitors moments later but his shot rolled agonisingly wide.

The match was finally settled when Meltham failed to clear a corner from Hepplestone and, after half a dozen players from both sides had swung a leg and missed, Hardcastle connected to send the ball into the Meltham net.

Meltham have yet to taste victory and they will be disappointed not to have taken something from this game but, there’s no doubt that on this form a win is not far away.

After an indifferent start, Liversedge, managed by ex-Town player Simon Trevitt, have now won their last two games to move them into mid-table respectability and the hope of better things to come.