Skelmanthorpe claimed the bragging rights last season with a win and a draw against their rivals, but their first meeting this season in the RCD Under 14 Division III ended in a 3-1 victory for Kirkburton, who go top.

Both sides just missed out on promotion last season and, on this form, both will be in the running again this year.

After five minutes of midfield play, Scott Bickerdike almost gave Skelmanthorpe the lead when he pounced on a careless Josh Roberts back-pass, but keeper Dominic Kubinski was quick off his line to smother the ball before Kubinski could strike.

Kirkburton soon got over their shaky start and, when a James Hill cross was put behind by a defender, Will Early floated the ensuing cross to the far post where Harry Richards headed home to give

Kirkburton the lead after 10 minutes.

Richards almost doubled the home side’s lead within a few minutes, but his 15-yard strike produced a good save from Danny Booth.

Skelmanthorpe were relying strictly on the odd breakaway, but when Caleb O’Neill forced a corner and then floated a copycat kick to the far post, Frankie West happily headed home to level the score at 1-1.

Brandon Nash-Malone showed his power and pace with a run half the length of the pitch, but his well-hit shot from the edge of the area was comfortably saved.

Kirkburton regained control and a long-range effort from Joseph Aspinall forced Booth into a full-length save but, despite a valiant effort, the keeper was unable to stop Early’s well-hit shot swerving into the top corner to give the home side a single goal advantage at the break (2-1).

Skelmanthorpe were caught out within five minutes of the re-start when Harry Richards ended a strong run with a powerful shot into the bottom corner to give Kirkburton a two-goal cushion at 3-1.

Defenders Ben Boardman, Joe Roberts, Tyler Stothard-Asher and West had worked hard to keep the Kirkburton attack at bay, but now Skelmanthorpe needed goals and it was the turn of home defenders Josh Roberts, Oliver Radcliffe and Bradley Howe to feel the pressure.

Bradley Noon fired in a cross from the right that cleared the defence to find an unmarked Bickerdike with the goal at his mercy, but the ball bounced unkindly and the chance was lost.

Nash-Malone’s ball-winning skills and Stothard-Asher’s passing kept Skelmanthorpe on the attack, but efforts from Bickerdike and Bradley Noon failed to find the mark.

Skelmanthorpe’s desire to get back in the game left them open to counter attacks but keeper Booth was in fine form to stop efforts from Aspinall, Early and Howe.

Harry Richards looked certain to score with another powerful run through the middle but a perfectly O’Neill tackle ended the Kirkburton striker’s hopes of a hat trick.

Skelmanthorpe ended the game strongly but a shot over the bar from West and O’Neill’s drive straight into the keeper’s arms meant there was no further score.

The defeat is a setback to Skelmanthorpe’s hopes, but it was Kirkburton’s day and they are now top of the table.