Handsome wins for title rivals

Stump remain two points ahead of Ryburn in the Premier Division, from one game more, but reigning champions Midgley United’s hopes of a repeat have almost vanished.

Tony Kniveton’s Stump won 4-1 away to King Cross Warley while Ryburn thrashed visitors Elland United 6-0 with three more goals from Christian Silkstone.

Alex Coburn (two) and John Wadsworth were the other scorers.

Copley United were 5-2 winners at Holmfield in the big match at the bottom of the table.

Strike ace Gary Ash hit a hat-trick for them and Dan Minshull got the other two with Mick Palethorpe and Jamie Keegan on target for Holmfield.

Holmfield are now four points adrift at the bottom and Copley have leap-frogged Sowerby Bridge and Hebden Royd Red Star, who continued in free-fall with a 2-1 home defeat by Sowerby United.

Lewis Cockroft scored again for Red Star but goals from Alex Haggerty and Dan Boyd helped Sowerby climb into mid-table.

Last night’s fifth Premier Division game resulted in a 3-2 home win for Greetland over Calder ‘76, widening the gap between the fourth and fifth-placed sides to five points.

Adam Oldfield (two) and Carl Ainley struck for Greetland with Jonathan Gibson getting both Calder’s goals.

Denholme United put a severe dent in Shelf United’s Division One title hopes by inflicting a 5-0 mauling at Foster Park.

A Neil Roberts hat-trick, plus other goals from Danny Moralee and Michael Midgley, brought Shelf’s 10-match winning run in all competitions to a shuddering halt.

It was a great result for leaders Northowram, who have still got their second-placed neighbours Shelf to play.

Elland Allstars won the other game in the section by 2-1 away to Sowerby Bridge Reserves.