Late goals help Stump eat into Ryburn’s lead
Stump Cross have got their Haslem-Sheppard Halifax AFL title bid back on course with three wins in eight days. The latest success for Tony Kniveton’s side came on Wednesday evening when they beat Shelf United 3-1 at Shroggs Park.
Stump cut it fine with two goals in the last 10 minutes.
Damian Watkins gave Stump the lead after half an hour with a free header but Shelf levelled with a fine individual effort from Hayden Finch.
The second half belonged to Stump but they could not break down a dogged Shelf defence until an own goal entering the closing stages. A Tom Robinson strike two minutes from time sealed victory.
Stump had put some poor form behind them with a 6-0 win over Sowerby the previous Wednesday and a 3-0 success at Greetland last Saturday when two goals from Watkins and one from Martin Bates did the trick.
The hat-trick of wins has left Stump only three points behind title rivals Ryburn. Stump have a game and hand and, significantly, a better goal difference.
Shelf were also in action on Monday evening when they drew 2-2 away to Hebden Royd Red Star, who regained fourth place in the Premier from neighbours Calder ‘76.
Calder have rocketed up the league recently, extending their fine run with a 2-1 success at home to Midgley United last Saturday.
Midgley slipped to third as a result but have six points more than their Calder Valley rivals from one extra game.
Chances were at a premium on a hard, bobbly pitch at Luddenden Foot.
Midgley, who won the first meeting with a single goal at the start of the season, drew first blood with Rob Stansfield’s free header from an Andrew Butterworth free kick after 15 minutes.
However, a mix-up at the back let in Ricky Topham and he finished smartly to make it 1-1 after 35 minutes. Topham cashed in on a second mistake after 70 minutes.
Calder defended well after that, although George Bamford did hit a post late on.
Shelf moved above Warley Rangers with a 4-2 win at Elland United, who look likely to finish bottom. Oliver Coates scored twice. Division Two side St Columbas received a triple points boost at the league meeting on Monday night.
Two teams were found to have played ineligible players against them - Hebden Royd Red Star Reserves in a 4-4 draw on February 28 and Sowerby United Reserves, who beat them 5-1 on March 14.
Saints also collected three points when Denholme United Reserves were unable to raise a team on March 28.
Premier side Northowram and Division One side Halifax Irish Centre were awarded points from games against Elland on March 30 and Volunteer on March 21 respectively. Elland and Volunteer had failed to fulfil the fixtures. Two easy away wins in the space of four days has taken Mixenden United to the brink of Premier football next season. Goals from Damian Randall (two), Paul Kemp and Matthew Horsfall gave them a 4-0 win at Elland Allstars on Wednesday. Mixi had thrashed Volunteer Arms 7-0 last Saturday with four goals, two assists and a man of the match display from Randall. Randall and Travis Allison helped the visitors into a 2-0 lead against the wind at Savile Park. Randall bagged three more after the break and Mark Machon and a Richard Stock header completed the visitors’ tally. Holmfield beat Midgley Reserves for the second time in eight days last Saturday to seal promotion and edge nearer the crown.
They following up a 3-1 away success with a 3-0 home victory.
Second half goals from Chris Woodhouse (two) and Jason Pettifor did the trick.
AFC Crossleys are back up to third after Monday’s 7-2 win over Volunteer Arms while busy Denholme have had a mixed week with wins over Stainland on Saturday and Elland Allstars on Monday before a 4-3 home defeat to Ryburn United Reserves on Wednesday.
Halifax Irish Centre are out of the bottom two after a 2-2 draw with Salem in midweek.