CUMBERWORTH are one of four clubs that have four teams in the District League – the others being Meltham Athletic, Netherton, and Uppermill.

The Cumberworth side were reformed after the Second World War in 1947, the year the League started its third division, and have been with the League ever since; 64 successive seasons.

Their successes have not been great although in the first decade of this century, they must be pleased with their achievements.

They won the Groom Cup in 2000 and four years later added the Gee Cup to the list. The years 2007 to 2009, however, proved to be their best.

They won the Groom Cup in 2007 and the Richardson Cup the following year, but the 2008-09 season brought them the Division Two championship and promotion to the top division for the first time.

One of the problems of the officials of a club with four teams is the task of keeping about 70 players happy.

Some always think they are better than they really are, but just as difficult is the player who improves but prefers to play “with his mates” rather than climb his way through the club.

Cumberworth have introduced a club rule that a player must play for the team he is selected for and if he refuses, then he doesn’t play for any.

This is bold move on behalf of the club because the movement of players between clubs is much easier than it used to be.

However, the club have faith in their management team – Antonni Short, Jez Elson, Julian Mann and club stalwart Andy Whitehead.

They are in constant touch when deciding team selection and their aim is to foster the club spirit where all want to play as high as possible.

The club stayed in the top division for just two seasons and they are now striving to return at their first attempt.

They are currently in third spot in Division II but all of the top five fancy their chances of promotion.

The Second team and the “A” team figure prominently in their divisions but look to have a tough fight on to gain promotion, while their “B” team are at the wrong end of their division.

Last week the Reserves met Honley Reserves in a Richardson Cup tie with Cumberworth scoring all three goals before eventually winning 2-1.

An own goal gave Honley the lead but a cross from the right and a header back across goal gave Michael Johnson the simple task of scoring from close range. It was a little unfortunate for Honley that Cumberworth grabbed the winner with the last kick of the game when David Dunne scrambled the ball home.

Four other Richardson Cup ties went ahead last week.

Berry Brow Reserves easily overcame Westend Reserves but the other three were decided by the odd goal.

Diggle Reserves sacrificed home advantage to Slaithwaite Reserves but still won 1-0 and they will now meet Cumberworth Reserves for a place in the semis.

In the Barlow Cup, holders Newsome went ahead in their game at Lepton when Joe Bryce opened the scoring.

They Šthen wasted the chance to go 2-0 by missing a penalty and nearly paid the price as Lepton equalised 10 minutes from time.

No goals in extra time led to penalties. Both teams scored four out of five and it then went to sudden death with Mark McSherry scoring for a Newsome win.

Berry Brow and Netherton both had 5-1 wins and will now face each other for a place in the semis.

In the West Riding County FA Trophy, Heywood Irish travelled to Featherstone Colliery. On a hard surface, the home side settled best but Heywoods took the lead with their first serious attack when an O’Connor cross was headed home by Roberts.

The Colliery side hit back and one of their forwards was brought down in the box by Heywoods keeper Ashe.

The keeper was lucky to stay on the field but he could do nothing about the spot kick .

In the second half, the home side took control and went into the lead with another penalty as Heywoods struggled to hold back wave after wave of attacks. A pair of Heywood substitutions soon brought some reward.

Sub Bell’s shot was only parried by the opposing keeper and Jaggar scrambled the ball home and, in the last 10 minutes of normal time, Heywoods almost grabbed a winner.

In extra-time Featherstone took the lead again with yet another penalty but it was 3-3 when Jaggar netted his second.

A corner cleared everybody at Šthe back post but defender Brennan chased the ball to the touchline and crossed it back for Jaggar to head in.

Five minutes from the end of extra-time, Featherstone showed they could score without it being a penalty but the defiant Heywoods fought back again and in the last minute Bell scored to send the tie into a penalty shoot-out.

The Colliery side had already had plenty of practice in this discipline but managed to score only two of their five – but it was enough as Heywoods scored just one of theirs. ŠŠŠŠŠŠŠŠ