FOUR of the bottom six in Division II played each other and wins for Honley and Skelmanthorpe moved both of them up three positions.
Second bottom Honley recorded their first league win with an emphatic 5-1 victory over KKS Ashbrow, the goals were scored by Hirst (2), Lee, Silkstone and Vant.
The other was a true local derby. Bottom club Scissett, who had only a single point to their credit this season, were at home to third bottom Skelmanthorpe and the visitors came away with the points.
Both were promoted last year from Division III – Scissett as champions and Skelmanthorpe after a play-off with YMCA – and when they met each other last season they both won one each.
There is no doubting Skelmanthorpe’s superiority this season as they defeated their rivals for the second time in four weeks.
They won 4-0 at Nortonthorpe and the same score was a possibility when they led 3-0 through goals from Matt Green, Ben Dyson and the best of the match from Danny Simpson, but a late reply from Beaumont made it 3-1.
The other two clubs in the bottom six both lost, New Mill 94 at home to Westend and Slaithwaite Utd away at Scholes.
Despite the changing of positions, the relegation situation currently involves several clubs as, although Scissett are rooted to the bottom four points behind their closest rivals, there are then six clubs separated by just three points.
Berry Brow regained top spot following their 3-1 win over Kirkheaton, but whether they stay in front could depend on the League Council’s decision over the abandoned game between the other top teams, Netherton and Lamb Inn.
As soon as praise was heaped on Grange Moor’s defence, they let in three goals and lost to Savile Town 3-1 in Division III. This allowed Royal Dolphins to claim back top spot after beating Mount by 5-2, but close on their heels are Holmbridge.
Holmbridge finished fourth last season but they have a stronger squad this year and the only time they have failed to win was when they lost 4-2 to the Dolphins.
Joe McConnell scored the only goal of the game against Paddock Rangers who had their keeper to thank for keeping the score to just 1-0.
Four years ago, the Bridge were promoted to Division II and in the December of that season, they actually led the table, but things went wrong and after two years they were back down to Division III.
They have recently lost their first choice keeper to Storthes Hall, but if they continue with their current form they may find themselves stepping back up.
In Division One action, Lepton Highlanders disposed of Hepworth Utd by 4-0, but the result at Diggle was just as good for the Highlanders.
The other two challengers, Newsome and Diggle, shared the points in a 3-3 draw.
Diggle scored twice in the first five minutes, but by the break it was two apiece with goals from Aaron Joseph and Joel Liburd.
The visitors then took the lead following Doran Jordan’s strike, but a penalty gave Diggle a 3-3 draw.
Shepley, who beat Cumberworth 3-1, kept in touch with the leaders and are only three points behind leaders Diggle.
Newsome Reserves did better than their first team as they became the first team in Reserve Division I to take a point off Diggle Reserves. There are normally plenty of goals in the bottom two divisions of the Reserve Section but in 12 fixtures in these two divisions, no fewer than four of the fixtures ended 4-3 – so there’s plenty of competition lower down the League.
