GREETLAND lead the way in Division IV of the Under 14s and, judging by their 4-1 win at Clifton Rangers, they will be in the championship shake-up at the end of the season.

Although Clifton bravely took control in the opening encounters, they were unable to make any progress as Josh McManus, Nathan Pondel, Zak Frangos and the outstanding Jake Airey denied the home side any sight of goal.

Greetland gradually began to find their way into the game, but chances were equally few as the Clifton defence were alert to the danger.

A series of corners might have produced an opening goal for the visitors but, again, the Clifton defence and keeper Charlie Fraser were on hand to block any goalbound shots.

By the 20-minute mark, George Haigh-Gill and Anthony Smith were causing the home side all kinds of problems on the left flank and, although Jake Guest, Curtis Dransfield, Daniel Newton and Daniel Watkiss had put up brave resistance, it was only a matter of time before Greetland made the breakthrough.

Bradley Main’s shot through a crowded penalty area finally broke the deadlock for Greetland and the same player was unlucky not to score a second, minutes later, but his dipping volley from 18 yards crashed against a post and rebounded to safety.

The ever busy Callum Wilkie carved out Clifton’s first chance of the game five minutes before the break, but the midfielder’s shot lacked power and keeper Jack Rust gathered safely.

Greetland doubled their lead moments before the break when another corner fell to Haigh-Gill, who slotted home from six yards at the far post.

Clifton recovered their composure as the second half got under way but, despite the efforts of Wilkie and midfield partner Ketan Randhawan, their attempt to recover the game left them exposed and Sean Gabbitas was happy to take advantage of the extra space, providing the passes for Main and Louis Rushworth to net a goal each to put the game beyond Clifton’s reach.

Jack Saville grabbed a consolation goal for Clifton late in the game but Greetland deserved their victory and another three points.

Gomersal Under 11s retained their position among the Division IV promotion hopefuls with a solid victory at Cumberworth.

Ben Wright scored twice for the home side but replies from Sam Burbank, William Parkinson and an Adam Ibnouzaki hat trick were enough to give Gomersal a 6-2 win.

Heckmondwike Under 12s finally got a first win under their belt with a slightly surprising victory over Wyke Wanderers.

Callum Brown (2), Bradley Harris and Brandon Littlewood scored the goals to give Heckmondwike a 4-1 win to move them off the bottom of Division II.

Meltham increased their unbeaten run to eight games with a narrow victory at Battyeford.

William Gleadall scored for the Mirfield side to keep the game on a knife edge but, replies from Ronan Greenwood and Tyreke Dewar-Moodie proved just enough to give Meltham the points to keep them at the top of Division IV.

In the same division, despite scoring four times, Lepton Highlanders were unlucky not to get something from their meeting with promotion-chasing Rastrick.

Jay Bowers (2), Aaron Gill and Bailey Doran scored for the Highlanders but a goal for Charlie Stone and two each for Andrew Holland and Kerrigan Mitchell condemned Lepton to defeat.

And Lepton’s Under 13’s, who also scored 4 times, fared no better in their 11-goal thriller with Deighton.

Joe Crossley (2), Ben Ennis and Marcus Lockwood were on target for the Highlanders but Jordan Lashington was in top form, scoring five times for Deighton which, coupled with two further goals from strike partner Tom Lowbridge, secured a 7-4 win for the Division II leaders.

Shelley stay among the leaders in Division II of the Under 15s thanks to victory over Collegians.

Tom Kelly and Luke Dodson grabbed the goals to give Shelley a 2-0 win.

In the same division, Penistone were unable to find the net as goals from Conner Beaumont (2) and Nixon gave Linthwaite a seventh win from eight games to keep the Colne valley side at the top of Division II.

Bay Athletic’s flying start to the Under 17 season was brought down to earth when they were forced to share the points after a 10-goal thriller at North Gawber.

Bay found the net on five occasions through Sylbert Stewart (2), Carl David, Ruben Jerome and an own goal, but North Gawber were equal to the task and the game ended 5-5.