Title hopefuls Ryburn and Stump ‘nil’ foes
Ryburn United took full toll on an under-strength and flagging Shelf United side in their Haslem-Sheppard Halifax AFL title quest. They thumped the visitors 100 last Saturday, going two up in two minutes against opponents weakened by absentees on a stag trip and fielding only three first team regulars.
It was 6- 0 at half time and Ryburn were ruthless in front of goal while Shelf, playing their fourth game in eight days, fluffed the opportunities that came their way.
Christian Silkstone led the way for the winners with four goals and others came from Joe Swallow (two), Alex Austin (two), Lewis Brearley and Carl Maguire.
Ryburn were keen to boost their goal difference with title rivals Stump Cross having dropped the same number of points.
But Stump made no mistake in a potential banana skin fixture against Challenge Cup finalists Midgley United, winning 4-0 at Shroggs Park.
Tom Robinson, Adam Barlow, Kai Hadley and an own goal gave them a comfortable win - their fourth in 11 days.
Their task was aided when Midgley skipper Andrew Butterworth was dismissed for retaliation to a bad challenge on six minutes.
Robinson opened the scoring immediately and Andy Wilkinson’s attempted clearance then went into his own net. Hadley added a third after 35 minutes.
Midgley’s problems multiplied when ‘keeper James Brooks dislocated a finger, meaning their sole substitute winger Ryan Jeffries went in goal, and then Tom Booth pulled a hamstring.
The visiting nine players battled manfully in the second half and restricted Stump to just one more goal from Barlow’s low drive.
Warley Rangers made hard work of beating already-relegated Elland United 4-2.
They appeared to be coasting at 3-0 but Elland scored twice in as many minutes to set up a thrilling finale before a late Rangers goal killed off their hopes.
Rangers went close through Tom Hiley and Matthew Chapman while Elland appealed in vain for a penalty when Adam Goldthorpe appeared to be tripped.
Tom Hiley twice missed the target before Carlton Balmer swivelled and scored from Paul Kendall’s quickly-taken corner.
Craig Smith’s finger tip save to deny Elland’s Anthony Campbell was followed by Warley’s second goal from veteran Kendall’s sweetly struck free kick.
Hiley grabbed the goal he deserved from Damon Nicholls’ pass before a moment of unbelievable sportsmanship from Campbell, who admitted he had fallen in the area and the referee overturned his decision to award a penalty.
Goldthorpe scored what appeared to be a consolation goal with five minutes left but it was game on when Brett Rhodes powered in a header from a Martin Boon free kick.
Elland had the chance to equalise but a mistake from the ‘keeper allowed Balmer to nip in and walk the ball into the net.