DERBY-DAY victory over Golcar United ensured Bay Athletic’s bid for a third successive West Riding County Amateur League title remained on course.
The Syngenta side suffered an unexpected defeat by Lower Hopton in their first match of the season.
But since then, there have been seven wins and two draws, putting Bay a point in front of second-placed Marsden and now five ahead of Golcar, although United have a game in hand.
Kitson Gayle grabbed the crucial goal which saw off Golcar 1-0.
Marsden kept up the pressure on their Huddersfield rivals by beating Hall Green United 2-1 at Fall Lane.
The prolific Jon Newiss netted both goals against the Wakefield side.
Kirkburton are third-bottom after their 3-2 home defeat by Brighouse Town while Meltham Athletic are seventh after a 1-0 home win over Storthes Hall in the day’s other Huddersfield derby.
Eight games in, the Hall are still seeking their first victory after losing to a strike by George Dawson, above.
This was a game dominated by the wind, with Dawson’s effort direct from a long-range free-kick and 12 minutes of time added on because the ball had to be retrieved so many times.
Storthes Hall Reserves are faring better than the firsts, their 6-1 home win over Dudley Hill Athletic putting them third in Division II.
Danny Velia (2), Joshua Cayenne, Paul Gill, Graham Pember and Steven Hirst scored.
AFC Emley Reserves went down 3-2 at Westbrook YMCA (Alex Thomas and Alan Greenwood netted) while Kirkburton Reserves lost 5-3 at West Horton, with David Waite scoring twice.
