As the RCD Junior League continues to expand, it has been necessary to introduce an extra round of the cup for most age groups.

In turn, this means that the first rounds are now taking place a month earlier than has been the case in the past.

Holmfirth Town were unlucky losers when they met Shelf in the preliminary round of the Under 11 Cup.

Despite scoring twice, Holmfirth conceded goals from Fitzpatrick (2), Storer (2), Andrews and Swinbank to seal 6-2 win for Shelf.

Raminder Pawar, Josh Whitehead and Nathan Goddard were on target for Kirkheaton who played host to Gomersal & Cleckheaton in the preliminary round of the Under 12 Cup, but a goal for Morgan East and two each for McAliskey, Pitts and Derjeant were enough to ensure a 7-3 victory for Gomersal.

Westend Lions Under 12s progressed past the preliminary round with victory at Greetland.

Ben Marlor scored for the home side but replies from Mangoro, Alfie Westwood, Ben Mellor (2) and a Tom Brook hat trick gave Westend a solid 7-1 win.

High-flying Third Division Northowram Colts arrived at Skelmanthorpe with high hopes of getting a result against the Second Division outfit, but a Matthew Heywood strike and a Josh Megson hat trick secured a 4-2 win for Skelmanthorpe.

The Under 14 Cup gave Third Division Netherton a home draw against Fourth Division opponents and the home side made sure there was no upset with a solid 5-2 victory over Bradford Hornets.

Ryan Denton, Cameron McGrath, Keesan Morgan, Adam Sheffield and Cooper were on target for Netherton

Under 14 Division III pacesetters Upperthong retained their unbeaten run with victory in the preliminary round of the Cup at home to Lepton Highlanders B.

A goal for Lepton’s division strugglers kept the result on a knife edge but goals from Joey Hodgkiss and Cameron Sharp settled the issue 2-1 in Upperthong’s favour.

In the same age group, YMCA made progress into the next round with a home victory over Honley.

Honley found the net twice against their Second Division counterparts but replies from Wadsworth (2), Finley Brooke, Alexander Harrington-Tempest and Mainetti secured a 5-2 win and a place in the next round for YMCA.

Back in the League, Kirkburton and Honley Under 12s shared eight goals in their Division II meeting at Kirkburton Middle School.

Kiran Green, Josh Craddock, Hayden Charlesworth and an own goal were responsible for Kirkburton’s goals but Honley replied through Harrison Booth (2), Nathan Sheard and Tom Pollard to leave the teams with one point each for their efforts.

Battyeford Under 16s grabbed a surprise win over Northowram Rams.

Sitting in second place in Division II, Northowram, who had lost only once previously, scored through Jackson but Battyeford were on top form and a double strike from Chandler Warby and one from Ahmed Elmustafa gave the Mirfield side a 3-1 win.

In the same division, Upperthong pushed themselves several places up the table with a fine win at Howden Clough.

Despite the home side finding the net twice, the Holme Valley side were undeterred and goals from Thomas Mighill, Aiden Harvey-Franklin and four from Edward Clowes sealed a comfortable 6-2 victory for Upperthong.

Kirkburton retained their position at the top of Division III in the Under 17s with a narrow victory at Drighlington.

The home side found the net twice but replies from Schofield, Hayward and Earnshaw secured a 3-2 victory and vital three points for Kirkburton.