Calder title hopes soar

Calder '˜76 assistant boss John Jones says his side cannot rest on their laurels yet in pursuit of the club's first ever Halifax AFL title.
Football - Hebden Royd Red Star v Calder 76 (white)
Justin Halstead for Red Star and Remi Allen for CalderFootball - Hebden Royd Red Star v Calder 76 (white)
Justin Halstead for Red Star and Remi Allen for Calder
Football - Hebden Royd Red Star v Calder 76 (white) Justin Halstead for Red Star and Remi Allen for Calder

Jones’s side beat Warley Rangers 3-1 away last night and opened up a 15-point lead over Ryburn United, who lost 2-1 at home to Mixenden United.

Ryburn have played three fewer Premier Division games but their chances of silverware this season now look brighter in two cup competitions.

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Jones said it had been a very good evening for the club but stressed: “It’s not over yet.”

Calder still have four games left, including fixtures against third-placed Mixenden on Saturday and Ryburn, and Jones doesn’t expect Ryburn to throw in the towel.

Club chairman Jones was pleased with a battling display from his side in wind, sleet and rain at Shroggs Park against a useful Warley team with a couple of midweek additions.

Remi Allen twice gave the visitors the lead with headers in the first half, Josh Prestage equalising for the hosts in between.

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Calder introduced Jonny Gibson, Karl Wooliscroft and Ben Fairburn early in the second half and they helped Calder get on top, a Ricky Topham solo goal sealing victory.

Bradley Waddington’s goal was in vain for Ryburn, who lost only their third league game of the season last night.

Dan Willars and Gary Ash each scored twice as next-to-bottom Copley ended an 11-match losing run in style with a 6-1 success away to Hebden Royd Red Star.

Shelf United had lost five on the bounce before a 3-0 success at bottom side Holmfield, James Andrew netting twice.

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In Division One, champions-elect Illingworth St Mary’s made it 20 wins out of 20 in the league this season with a 14-0 thrashing of neighbours AFC Crossleys, John Booth bagging six.

Corey Henderson and Dan Boyd notched hat-tricks as Sowerby United crushed derby visitors Sowerby Bridge 8-1 to boost their hopes of the runners-up spot.

Premier Division: Hebden Royd Red Star 1 (T Barclay) Copley Utd 6 (D.Willars 2 G.Ash 2 S.Burrell L.Worrall), Holmfield AFC 0 Shelf Utd 3 (J.Andrew 2 H.Talbot), Ryburn Utd 1 (B Waddington) Mixenden Utd 2, Warley Rangers 1 (J Prestage) Calder 76 3 (R.Allen 2 R.Topham).

Division One: Crossleys 0 Illingworth SM 14 (J.Booth 6 P.Livesey 2 L.Prosser 2 G.Gaukroger 2 W.Gray L.Cartwright), Midgley Res 3 (Z.Glover J.Shaw J.Elwin) Hx Irish Centre 1 (P.Whiteley), Sowerby Utd 8 (C.Henderson 3 D.Boyd 3 J.Hiley 2) Sowerby Bridge 1 (L.Maguire).