THE Lindley-based club Britannia Sports entered three teams for the County cups.
They had hoped their first team would be accepted for the Challenge Cup, with the other two teams in the Challenge Trophy.
The West Riding County FA now allow only First Division clubs from the District League to contest the Cup, so all three teams were put into the Trophy.
After last week’s games, two wins from three was a decent return.
The club was formerly based at their own grounds at Salendine Nook but, with the engineering company Hopkinsons/Weirs withdrawing support, the club is now just a group of individuals based at Lindley WMC.
However, despite retirement from club of stalwarts Tony Field and Barry Hunmphreys, a strong committee is ensuring the survival of the club whose members tend to be local lads in their early or mid 20s.
Britannia’s first team had an easy 6-0 win over Battyeford Airedale but the second elevens had a meritorious 2-1 win at Westbrooke YMCA.
The Reserves started well with the young team pressing their opponents in all areas of the field. This plus good work from wingers, Jermaine Hamlet and Ryan John, caused problems for Westbrooke. The latter had to leave the field after 30 minutes following a strong challenge.
The first goal came from an assist by Britannia’s keeper, Ashley McQuillan. A long goal kick was picked by Duaine Dunston, who shrugged off his marker and slid the ball home.
In the second half, the Huddersfield side failed to dominate to the same extent and their opponents equalised after 55 minutes. Keeper McQuillan came for a cross from the left but a Westbrooke forward just beat him to the ball and headed into an empty net.
The tie was now evenly balanced but substitute Jamie Metcalfe came close to regaining the lead for Britannia after he was fed by Kain Jordan.
Both managers made substitutions to try and break the deadlock – Chris Foster and Simon Blakey going on for the visitors, who then went close with efforts from Dunstan and Michael Cross.
As Britannia attacked, Westbrooke proved dangerous on the break but the central defensive pair of Bob Clark and James Murphy managed to contain them.
The winner came five minutes from time. A superb reverse pass from Jordan found Metcalfe 12 yards out and his sweetly struck half volley found the corner of the net.
The A team went out to Tyresal and the hope for the club is that both their remaining teams don’t meet in the next round.
District League clubs were involved in 11 matches in the Challenge Trophy – six won while five were eliminated.
Division Two teams Meltham and Heywood Irish progressed with wins over Pontefract S&S and Garforth Rangers respectively.
The other two clubs who will be involved in the second round are Linthwaite, who won 8-3 at Thornhill, and Honley, 2-0 winners at Leeds City.
Only three members of Division One played in the Challenge Cup – all three were drawn away but all three came back victorious.
The sides in second and third positions in Division One, Uppermill and Newsome, both had 2-1 away wins. Uppermill visited Otley Town for their victory while Newsome travelled to Old Headingley. Goals from Wilkinson and Beckley gave them the win.
The third club to win was Moldgreen. Last season, they had a reserve team in the Works League but this season, they have just the one team.
With losing keeper Jordan Grout to rugby and Ryan Hall to Brighouse Town, the club are struggling with a small squad. Their League results show one win and one draw from their four games.
Last week their travels took them to Halifax Premier League side Elland All Stars.
After 30 minutes Moldgreen were a goal adrift but just before the break, it was 1-1 courtesy of an own goal. There was no doubting Moldgreen’s superiority in the second and a hat trick from John Flynn helped his side to a comfortable 4-1 victory.
In Division One matches, Scholes moved out of a relegation place after a 5-1 win over Berry Brow while Netherton are now showing their true form.
Having lost their first three matches, they have now matched that run with three wins and move into fourth place.
In the section for first teams there are now only two teams with a 100% record. Division One side Uppermill (who were in cup action last week) and Division Four’s AFC Lindley. They won their fourth successive match by beating Almondbury Woolpack.
