It is often stated when discussing sporting events that “everybody remembers the winners, but no-one remembers the runners up”.

That is probably true, but in football, there can be only one winner of a Division or League Cup and consequently there are more losers than winners.

It must not be forgotten that if some players and teams were not prepared to go out on a Saturday afternoon in the knowledge that it was likely that they would lose, then there would be no match and therefore no winner.

But generally, in the District League, even the losers have their day and last week it was the turn of Paddock Rangers.

The club was formed in 1997 from the ashes of the Botham Hall club and their first manager was Alan Dearnley.

In their first season, they won just two games but did achieve some success when they gained promotion to Division Three.

They have a small band of loyal players and committee members who have been with the club for the whole time.

The Dearnley family is a perfect example as Alan is now chairman, his wife, Pam, is Treasurer and son Jonathan is secretary-player. They are supported by John Davies, Darren Mcavinue and Nick Johnson.

As with all clubs, the financial side of running a club is always difficult and the Dearnley family have often “dug deep” into their own pockets but they have been rewarded with some of the social aspects of the club.

They have played friendlies as far away as Cornwall but even that was beaten when they travelled to Lille in France to play against a team who has a former player living there.

The last three seasons have seen the club at the bottom of Division Three with only three League wins in those three seasons – in fact they should have been relegated but with clubs above them withdrawing from the League, they have been spared.

This season looks destined to be the same as they have lost all their 13 League games but have managed to win two cup games.

The bare results do hide the fact that the club are playing better this season under new coach, Robert Brook, who was with Linthwaite last season.

They started badly with two very heavy defeats, but since then eight of the 11 defeats have been by one, two or three goals.

They beat Division Four Brow United in the Huddersfield FA Challenge Cup and last week they beat Grange Moor 4-1.

Playing down the slope at Reinwood Rec, they built up a three-goal advantage by the break.

They expected to be put under pressure from the Moor in the second half but instead they increased the lead and the Moor goal only came late in the game. Paddock’s scorers were Danny Lawrence (2), Jack Senior and an own goal. They are now just 90 minutes away from a semi-finalposition with Scissett being their opponents in the quarter-finals.

There were four Huddersfield FA Challenge Cup matches and it was a case of a District League team versus a side from a different League.

Second Division Meltham Athletic overcame Works League team Royal Dolphins by 3-2 but the other three were all clashes with the West Riding County Amateur League clubs.

Storthes Hall had a 14-1 win over the struggling Division Two Linthwaite but the other two provided wins for the District League One leaders Holmbridge beat YMCA in a 1-0 win and Second Division Kirkheaton Rovers defeated DRAM Community.

They may now be in different Leagues but a Kirkheaton and DRAM match is a local derby as DRAM was formed from the merging of Moldgreen and Dalton.

DRAM took an early lead with a penalty just before the half-time whistle it was 1-1.

A through-ball from Wayne Long found Richard Heins who squared the ball for Johnnie Lodge to equalise.

In the second half the roles were reversed as a free kick from Lodge fed Heins who put the Rovers in front.

The clincher came from another free kick as Liam Dobson set up a volley for another Heins goal and a 3-1 win.

Holmbridge may have had a good cup result but they have been deposed as First Division leaders. Berry Brow played a League game against Uppermill which they won 6-2.

The Brow not only top the division from Holmbridge and Netherton but they have games in hand of the teams below them. Fourth placed Newsome have played one game less but are five points behind the Brow.

Two of the top four in Division II played each other and it was a 3-0 victory for Shelley over Honley. The match was a credit to Division II with good competitive football from both sides as each had their moments of superiority.

An Oliver Murray goal ended a fine move from Shelley and this turned out to be the only goal of the first half but Shelley were grateful for their keeper Dave Walsh for their interval lead.

In the second half, Shelley’s new signing Andy Smith from KKS Spartans caused Honley trouble. His selfish performance helped his side to two more goals.

Danny Lockwood scored a composed goal from inside a crowded six yard box and substitute Leo Driscoll scored within 20 seconds of taking the field. His first touch controlled the ball and he scored with his second touch.

Shelley top the division but have only six games to play.

Fourth placed Honley on the other hand have eleven fixtures remaining and the clubs between them are Holmfirth Town and Heyside.

The shock of the day came in Division Four when second placed Colne Valley suffered a 3-1 defeat to mid table Fantastic.

To make matters worse for Colne Valley, two of their close rivals for promotion, Almondbury Woolpack and Cartworth Moor had high scoring wins.