Ryburn favourites for glory after near miss
The Haslem-Sheppard Halifax AFL kicks off tonight with several sides hoping to step into the shoes of now-defunct champions Stump Cross. Ryburn United, who missed out on goal difference in the Premier last season, will start favourites to win their second title in three seasons.
Whilst their campaign does not start until the third week, Ryburn have been building a strong squad with Damian Watkins coming in to partner goal machine Christian Silkstone.
Calder ‘ 76 finished best last season, winning nine and drawing one of their last 10 games.
Calder start with a short trip to Hebden Royd Red Star where strikers Jonny Gibson (Calder) and last season’s footballer of the year Lewis Cockroft (Red Star) will be key men.
Midgley United lifted the Challenge Cup last May and the 2012-13 champions could be in the title shake-up with better luck on the injury front.
Liam Brompton has signed from Stump Cross and is sure to strengthen the side, but the loss of striker George Bamford to Ovenden is a big blow.
Midgley visit last season’s first division champions Holmfield in their opener.
Promoted Mixenden Unit- ed don’t start until next week but will have high hopes ofholding their own.
Greetland, Shelf United and Copley United, who will be playing at Shroggs Park, will be keen to improve on last season with perhaps Greetland the most likely to do so.
A clue to that could come when Greetland visit Shelf in the opener.
Northowram and Warley Rangers do not start until next week but both look likely to be top half of the table sides.
In the first division last season’s second division champions Illingworth St Marys will be the side to beat.
The capture of John Booth from Ovenden WR has boosted an already strong squad. Denholme United are their first foes.
Brighouse Sports, promoted as runners up, can do well but face a tough start with a trip to Ryburn Reserves.
Sowerby United are hoping to make quick return to the top flight. They face a tricky start away to last season’s fourth-placed finishers AFC Crossleys.
Elland United host Elland Allstars as they start life in the first division.
Sowerby Bridge are likely to be without several key players from last season and their first outing against Salem could provide clues as to what the season holds in store.
Halifax Irish Centre just es- caped the drop last season but could be stronger this time. They start by hosting Midgley United Reserves.
Illingworth St Marys Reserves will be hoping to repeat the feat of their first team by winning promotion in their first season. They begin away to AFC Crossleys Reserves.
Denholme United Reserves tailed off towards the end of last season and face a tricky start against Hebden Royd Red Star Reserves.
St Columbas could be title contenders and a win in their opener at Northowram Reserves would be a real boost.
Shelf FC and relegated Greetland Reserves could be among the title hopefuls whilst Sowerby United Reserves’ young side may build onlast season’s strong finish. Tonight - Premier Division: Hebden Royd RS v Calder 76 (ref J.Hallos), Holmfield v Midgley Utd (A.Gee), Shelf Utd v Greetland (R.Gatenby). Division One: AFC Crossleys v Sowerby Utd (S.Hoyle), Denholme Utd v Illingworth SM (S.Adams), Elland Utd v Elland Allstars (L.Dawson), Sowerby Bridge v Salem (B.Payton). Tomorrow - Division One: Hx Irish Centre v Midgley Utd Res (D.Fairley), Ryburn Utd Res v Brighouse S (P.Crabtree). Division Two: AFC Crossleys Res v Illingworth SM Res (P.Higgins), Denholme Utd Res v Hebden Royd RS Res (S.Dennis), Northowram Res v St Columbas (D.Whitworth). Wednesday - Division Two: Northowram Res v Shelf United Res (D.Wales). Wednesday result - Division Two: Greetland Reserves 6 (A Hurcombe 2, G Bainbridge 2, G Wall, T Wall). Brighouse Old Boys are away to Robin Hood Athletic tomorrow (2.30pm) after a mixed start to their season.
They have four points from four games in the West Yorkshire League’s Premier Division.
That is one point more than tomorrow’s hosts.
Brighouse’s 2- 2 draw away to Wyke Wanderers on Wednesday followed a 4-1 defeat at Horbury Town last Saturday.
Last weekend’s display was particalarly disappointing.
The home side took advantage of poor marking to take the lead, target man Mike Hall shooting past Jason Hibbert.
Old Boys’ midfield of Calvin Lee, Chris Wdowczyk, Jimmy Cummings and James Coates struggled to break through a tight Horbury back four, with a goal keeping error gifting a chance to Paul Taylor, who shot wide.
Hall scored a second from a corner and Hornbury added a breakaway goal, a midfielder running through and placing the ball past Hibbert.
In the second half, Brighouse competed better but Horbury extended their lead with a solo effort plus a neat finish.
The visitors gained some reward whenRichard Heins chased down a back pass and the keeper’s attempted clearance hit him, the ball rebounding into the net.
The reserves also play Robin Hood tomorrow.