Linthwaite Under 12s did their hopes of moving out of the Division III relegation places with a solid 3-1 home victory over Clifton Rangers.

The home side started well in their RCD Huddersfield Junior League clash and Clifton keeper Anthony Ellwood was soon in the action to stop a shot from Joshua Adu but, despite their commanding start, it was Clifton who took the lead when the speedy Tyreese Wilson struck the back of the Linthwaite net with a fine chip over the keeper.

Linthwaite were soon back on the attack with some fine, flowing football and their efforts paid off after 15 minutes when Dion Field provided a cross from the left for Finlay Firth to score at the far post (1-1).

Wilson continued to cause problems for the Linthwaite defence and keeper Sam Cowgill was forced into a good save at the feet of the Clifton striker to leave the scores level at the break.

Omari Beckford went close to restoring Clifton’s lead early in the second half but his chip shot drifted just wide of the mark.

Jude Lait, Kieron Tinsdale and Callum Peterson were being severely tested in the Linthwaite defence as Clifton’s counter attacking always looked like producing another goal and they were very relieved to see Omari Beckford’s chip from 15 yards drift just wide of the mark.

The home side were back on the attack from the re-start and Lait’s defence-slicing pass found Adu, who did well to slide the ball past the onrushing Anthony Ellwood to give Linthwaite the lead for the first time in the game (2-1).

Within minutes, Linthwaite were back on the attack as they tried hard to put two goals between themselves and Clifton but, despite both sides playing excellent football, the next moments were almost comedic as, first, Adu forced keeper Ellwood into a fine stop and, when Adu hit the rebound beyond the keeper, Beckford was on hand to stop the ball crossing the line.

However, his hurried clearance fell once again to Adu whose powerful shot from eight yards crashed against the bar and rebounded to safety.

Aiden Cutler, Nikita Michailovskij and Javon Kilbourne worked hard to get Clifton back in the game but another chance passed by when Wilson was again denied by an excellent Cowgill save and, moments later, Beckford was unlucky to see his shot cleared off the line.

The result was finally settled with 10 minutes remaining when a Firth pass found Field who scored from the rebound after keeper Ellwood saved his first effort (3-1).

Clifton can count themselves unlucky not to have got more from the game but they were up against a Linthwaite defence and keeper who were on top form.

Netherton’s hopes of lifting the Under 17 Division II title almost took a knock when they visited bottom club Battyeford.

The home side scored three times to keep Netherton’s nerves jangling but replies from Jordan Porter (2), Henry Bratby and James Cawley were just enough to keep Netherton two points behind leaders Shelley but with three games in hand.

In the Under 14s, Meltham continued to push for a promotion place in Division IV with victory at Westend Tigers.

The Tigers scored twice through Numaan Ali but it was not enough to deny Meltham a 4-2 win with goals from Daniel Heppenstall, Hobson, Lawton and an own goal.

Dalton Dynamoes Under 15s travelled the short distance to Lepton for a Division II meeting with the Highlanders.

Despite scoring twice, Dalton were unable to stop the Highlanders promotion march as goals from Staunton, Harrower (2) and a Joe Crossley hat trick sealed a 6-2 win for Lepton.

Hade Edge Lions added another three points to their Under 11 Division V promotion push with a solid home victory over Pudsey.

Pudsey were unable to find the Lions net as goals from William Perkins, Jack Osborn, Brook Stocks, Charlie Wadsworth and an Aiden Micklethwaite hat trick helped seal an 8-0 win for Hade Edge.