Survival bid!

gill with their matches in hand.

Elsewhere, Kirkburton and Thornhill shared the points and 10 goals and Rose & Crown weren’t able to move out of the relegation zone as they lost 4-3 to Deighton.

In Reserve Division One, Newsome are now champions despite their match being postponed!

Diggle beat their closest rivals Skelmanthorpe 5-0, meaning they are now seven points behind Newsome with only two matches left.

This result means Diggle move into third spot.

Only one match in Reserve Division Two and top side Linthwaite beat Cumberworth 5-3 to put them within a win of the title, whilst in Reserve Division Three, the only match played there had AFC

Dalton move into second position thanks to a 3-1 win over Cumberworth A.

Finally, in Reserve Division Four, the only match had Dalton Dynamos remaining in the relegation zone thanks to their 6-1 defeat by Honley A.

Meanwhile, John Moss, the current Premier League referee, is coming to PPG Canalside on Thursday, March 16 (7. 30).

There is an open invitation for players, officials and supporters of clubs in the District League to attend and listen to him. This is a free event.

With regards to referees, the Respect Campaign was brought in by the FA some years ago.

The original campaign is under review. The review is perhaps overdue but it comes at a time when there have been a number of incidents involving referees up and down the country.

The most recent in Manchester where referees threatened strike action.

In our area we have noted an increase in the number of games where referees are reporting poor behaviour towards them from players on the field, club officials and spectators.

In some cases this is not about challenging simply decisions that they see as wrong. At times the abuse referees have reported becomes very personal and often threatening.

Over the coming weeks, clubs (including their spectators) will be informed of the following, in order to ensure the Respect Campaign continues to work and matches are fully staffed by qualified referees each week:

Reminding clubs of the Respect campaign and its importance. Simply a re-enforcement of what is expected from all.

Again reminding clubs that it is supported by referees, our local FA and all clubs in the Huddersfield area (all singing from the same sheet).

The consequence of getting it wrong, referees giving up the game, games without an appointed referee and clubs being disciplined for their actions.

We have increased the number of referees in the previous few years, but this overall trend is in danger of reversing because of the issues mentioned previouslyin this article.

The District League urges clubs – who are also responsible for their supporters – to ensure that the maximum respect is shown to the matchday referee and officials to ensure that the maximum number of matches are officiated.