IF bookmakers took bets on District League matches, then last week there would have been two coupon busters – Uppermill and Sports Together.

In the space of eight days, Uppermill have lost to a team that hadn’t gained a point, then they went and beat a team who hadn’t dropped a point.

Following on from a 4-1 defeat which gave Heywood Sports their first points of the season, confidence cannot have been too great when Lepton took their 100% record over to Uppermill.

The home side shaded the first half but the main action took place in the last five minutes of the half.

On 40 minutes, Lepton were reduced to 10 men and two minutes before the break, Darren Scanlon put Uppermill in front.

Ten minutes into the second, the numerical advantage disappeared as Uppermill had a man sent off. Lepton began to dominate but Uppermill fought to defend their lead and the game was settled two minutes from time when Scanlon scored his second.

Following a poor start, coach Paul Waterhouse will settle for a comfortable mid-table position, which he feels is a possibility. He has a young squad and he feels there is plenty of improvement to come.

They change position with Heywood Irish at the bottom while at the top, Lepton are overtaken by Newsome WMC who beat Britannia Sports.

Sport Together, coached by Milton Brown, had an even more dramatic reversal of form.

They played Heyside twice in a week. When they travelled to Lancashire, they were thrashed 12-1. In that game, they were three down in the first fifteen minutes and from then on, their defending went to pieces.

Last week at Bradley Park, an early goal by secretary Daner Nuhman gave them something to hang on to.

Heyside, without six regular first teamers, didn’t help their cause by missing a penalty and try as hard as they could, they couldn’t break Sport Together’s defence.

The 1-0 scoreline gave Sport Together their first points of the season.

In the West Riding Trophy, there was a welcome win for Norman Douglas and his Dalton Crusaders team.

With seven players leaving in the close season, it looked a distinct possibility that the Crusaders might have to fold, but a few late signings guaranteed that they could field a team.

One win from four League outings means they are mid-table in Division III and they were expecting a tough match against Tyresal.

Dalton, however, showed they have a true fighting spirit after coming from behind on three occasions to win.

They fell behind early but Chris Valentine netted the first equaliser. When they trailed for a second time, it was James White’s turn to level. Just before the break, Tyresal took the lead again but the half-time team talk was still upbeat.

Ten minutes into the second period, White notched his second and the Crusaders were level again. In the 70th minute, Dalton took the lead for the first time when Darius Matheson scored direct from a free-kick and the tie was sealed in the 80th minute with a John McKenzie goal.

In Division II, it was a good day for Berry Brow. Not only did they maintain their 100% record with a 3-0 win over Honley but both Lamb Inn and rivals Netherton dropped points for the first time.

What a day for the Brow!