Teams in the top section of the District League have already played three games and the results have been very much a “mixed bag”.

There have been four games where the winners have scored 10 or more while eights and nines have been registered on another four occasions.

Uncompetitive matches like these do absolutely no good to either the winners or the losers and it is hoped that travelling problems, holidays and the like are the main reason for these one-sided scorelines.

On the other hand, 17 of the 72 fixtures in the top section ended either in a draw or a single-goal advantage to the winners, and in the Division I fixtures on September 4, four of the six matches ended in a draw.

Only seven sides still have a 100% record and none of them are in Division I.

There the leaders are early-season favourites Newsome, who share the lead with dark horses Holmbridge and with newly-promoted Britannia Sports – all three having seven points from a possible nine.

Britannia Sports played Heywood Irish in their first fixture 12 months ago in Division II. The same fixture in Division I started with the reversed result – Britannia winning 4-1.

Better was to come for Britannia when they went to Newsome and came away with a point in a 5-5 draw. Having led 4-1 and 5-2 with about 15 minutes to play, the 5-5 draw was a shade disappointing especially when they conceded the last goal two minutes from time by way of a clear penalty.

Holmbridge beat neighbours Hepworth United in their first game but dropped two points when they could manage only a goalless draw with Uppermill.

At the foot of this division are Heywood Irish, but as they have already played two of the top three their position could well improve in the coming weeks.

Last season Honley regrouped after dropping from Division I to Division III.

This regrouping allowed them to complete the double – winning both Division II and the Groom Cup – and based on current form, their winning days are not over. They are the only side in division II to win all three of their games, beating Holmfirth Town, Kirkheaton Rovers and Cumberworth.

Honley’s best win was in the first game of the season when they beat Holmfirth Town 3-1. They started well and were two up at the break and, although the score in the second half was 1-1, Honley were always going to claim the points.

However, Kirkheaton, tested Honley. The Rovers were one up until just before half time when Honley equalised and the score remained 1-1 until two late goals gave Honley a 3-1 win.

Holmfirth Town have recovered well with two away wins since that defeat – against Heyside and Slaithwaite.

The other promoted side, Linthwaite Athletic have also started well. They beat Slaithwaite 3-2 in the first game only to lose by the same score at Heyside.

This was followed by a 4-1 win over Meltham so six points from three difficult fixtures must be classed as a highly satisfactory opening to their first season in Division II for many years.

Division III has four clubs with that 100% record. Scissett and Grange Moor have won three from three while Brook Motors and Aimbry have a two-from-two record.

Grange Moor started with wins over Flockton and Dewsbury Town but last week’s 6-1 win over AFC Lindley was undoubtedly the best.

The Moor have some new young blood at the club and one of these is Danny Conway who scored three of the six. Also on the scoresheet was midfielder Graham Hyland. He is not new to the club as he splits his activities with rugby. With such a good start to the season, the Moor are hoping he will commit himself to them for the whole of the season.

Scissett’s three wins have been against Wooldale, Flockton and Paddock, who between them occupy three of the bottom five positions in this division.

It’s difficult to judge the comparative performances as some teams are not able to field their strongest teams, but Aimbry have had two narrow wins over both AFC Lindley and KKS Spartans which bode well for the coming sesason.

KKS Spartans’ loss came after two high-scoring wins – a 13-1 and a 14-1. Their keeper must have thought he was on a “zero hour contract”!

Aimbry were promoted from Division IV along with AFC Lindley. The latter went through last season without dropping a point from their 24 games. They lost their second game, ironically to Aimbry, who they beat twice last season.

Colne Valley head Division IV with three wins. The club joined the League this season having played previously in the Works League under the name of Coach & Horses.

Another side with a 100% record, but from only two matches, are Almondbury Woolpack. Both their wins have been by a 3-1 scoreline over Cartworth Moor and Fartown Force.

The Woolpack, in their second season in the League, could well finish higher than last season as they have recruited a few players from the defunct Moldgreen Con.