DIGGLE Reserves overcame Newsome WMC’s second string to claim the Richardson Cup 2-0 at Marsden.
The two sides met just five days previously in the Huddersfield FA Trophy when Diggle won 2-1 and there was a similarity about both games.
In the first 30 minutes, there wasn’t a single chance and the nearest either side came to scoring was from long-range efforts and those were high and wide.
During this time, Diggle had the bulk of the possession and so it was no surprise when they took the lead.
A cross from the left fell to Glynn Partington and his shot on the turn from eight yards gave the keeper no chance.
Diggle continued to have the advantage with midfielder Danny Tomlinson being influential while veteran Leland Mayall always looked dangerous up front. Diggle almost increased their lead when Mayall struck an 18-yarder but it was well saved by Newsome’s keeper Mark Kinane.
Just as in the previous encounter, Newsome improved after the break and they almost equalised in the 57th minute when a shot from substitute Donovan Pentecott took a slight deflection and went over the bar. Eight minutes later it was 2-0 to Diggle. Another cross from the left found Matthew Taylor (senior) and his left-foot shot found the target. Newsome tried to reply but the nearest they came to scoring was when an Aaron Gledhill free-kick bounced in front of the keeper, but he pushed it to safety.
With some sides playing twice or three times in a week, league titles are now nearing a decision. In Division I, Lepton Highlanders managed one win, one draw and one defeat which means that they may be overtaken for second position by Diggle. Newsome WMC now need only two points from three games to reclaim the title they won three seasons ago.
In Division II, the top two, Berry Brow and Netherton, met and shared the points in a 1-1 draw. This point is enough to ensure the Brow will be playing Division I football next season.
The week started badly for Division III leaders Holmbridge when Royal Dolphins beat them 2-1 in the Groom Cup semi-final, but they can now start the celebrations as they have won the title.
The Dolphins dropped points at Grange Moor and then a 3-0 win by Holmbridge over HV Academiclas means they can’t be caught at the top.
Savile Town are mounting a late challenge for promotion with wins over Upperthong and Brook Motors but a 1-1 draw with YMCA leaves them seven points adrift of the Dolphins (Savile do have a game in hand).
In the Reserves section, no more has been decided although it seems that another two trophies could be heading the way of Diggle as both the Reserves and the A team lead their divisions with games in hand.
Reserve Division IV is much closer. Leaders Britannia Sports A dropped two points in a 4-4 draw with Flockton but the second-placed side, Hade Edge Reserves, did even worse by losing 5-4 at Scissett.
Britannia lead by two points from one fewer but the side in third could have a say on what happens at the top.
Berry Brow A are seven points off a promotion place with two games in hand, but they have to play both the top two – this division could go to May 1 before being decided.
