Tricky trip to Greetland in store for red-hot Red Star
HALIFAX AFL Premier Division leaders Hebden Royd Red Star travel to Greetland in search of three points to consolidate their place at the top.
This could prove a tricky affair for Red Star against hosts who have been somewhat inconsistent so far this season.
At their best Greetland will be a test for any side and in Jordan Winter have a potential match winner, but goals, only seven in four outings, have been hard to come by.
Red Star, averaging over six goals a game, are well capable of punishing the hosts if they fail to improve that strike rate.
Second-placed Shelf FC have been thwarted by the weather in the last two weeks and will be chomping at the bit when they face Denholme United.
The bottom four sides in the First Division all do battle.
Shelf United Res hauled themselves off the bottom with a fine win over Elland United.
They can give their survival hopes a massive boost with a win against bottom-of-the-table Midgley United Res.
Next-to-bottom Northowram Res travel to Illingworth St Mary’s Res who are two places above them. This could be a stiff test for the Rams second string.
Hebden Royd Red Star Res can reclaim top spot in the Second Division if they take at least a point from their meeting against the much-improved Shelf FC Res.
Sowerby United Res are having a much better season but are sure to be tested at neighbours Sowerby Bridge Res.
Calder 76 Res lost for the first time in the league last week but can bounce back to winning ways against Warley Rangers.
Home soil advantage may just tip the balance AFC Crossleys Res’ way in their meeting with Greetland Res.
Ealandians host Sowerby Bridge in a mouthwatering tie in the first round of the Halifax FA Albert Crabtree Cup.
Having beaten Hebden Royd Red Star in the preliminary round it points to Sowerby Bridge facing a tough test.
Much could depend on the big injury list that the Bridge have and performances of some of their experienced key players.
If injuries ease up and key men perform then the Bridge could well make it into round two.
Shelf United were beaten in last season’s final and will be hoping to go one better this time round.
They make the short trip to take on Northowram where they will start favourites.
Midgley United have found form and look like being too strong for lower league Flying Dutchman.
Craig Gee’s side have won their last three matches and are keen to embark on a cup run.
Sowerby United face Ryburn United who are flying high in the AFL First Division.
Calder 76 host Elland United in what again looks like being a very close affair.
Ivy House, despite home advantage, may find AFC Crossleys just a bit too strong.
The very much in-form Salem travel to St Columbas where they may not have things all their own way.
In the delayed preliminary tie Brighouse Sports OB will start favourites against Illingworth St Mary’s with holders Huddersfield Amateurs awaiting the winners in the first round.
Results - Premier Division: Denholme United P Greetland, Illingworth St Mary’s 4-7
Midgley United, Shelf FC P Hebden Royd Red Star, Sowerby Bridge P Shelf United, Sowerby United 4-0 Northowram. First Division: Midgley United Res 2-4 Salem, Northowram Res P Calder 76, Ryburn United 4-0 Illingworth St Mary’s Res, Shelf United Res 4-1 Elland United. Second Division: Calder 76 Res 2-3 Shelf FC Res, Greetland Res 1-1 Sowerby United Res, Hebden Royd Red Star Res P St Columbas Res, Ivy House 4-3 AFC Crossleys Res, Warley Rangers 0-6 Sowerby Bridge Res.
Fixtures - Premier Division: Greetland v Hebden Royd Red Star, Shelf FC v Denholme United. First Division: Illingworth St Mary’s v Northowram Res, Shelf United Res v Midgley
United Res. Second Division: AFC Crossleys Res v Greetland Res, Hebden Royd Red Star Res v Shelf FC Res, Sowerby Bridge Res v Sowerby United Res, Warley Rangers v Calder 76 Res. Halifax FA Cup Preliminary Round: Brighouse Sports OB v Illingworth St Mary’s. Halifax FA Cup 1st Round: Calder 76 v Elland United, Ealandians v Sowerby Bridge, Ivy House v AFC Crossleys, Midgley United v Flying Dutchman, Northowram v Shelf United, Sowerby United v Ryburn United, St Columbas v Salem.
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