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See the slide show from Red Star v Stainland
HEBDEN Royd Red Star notched the first of what they hope will be three first team trophies in their centenary year when they clinched the title with a 1-0 victory in Saturday's battle of the top two at home to Stainland United.
A draw would have been enough for Red Star, who had learned only a couple of days earlier that Stainland had been awarded the points from a game they lost against Elland. However, they took all three points thanks to Marvin Bonny's 70th minute strike and still have two cup final appearances to come.
Both teams started cautiously and struggled on a rough pitch. Neither side created any real chances until, after 30 minutes, the ball was punted forward and looped over keeper Glynn Claxton but he got back to claw the ball away before it crossed the line.
Stainland's Dean Avis headed over from a corner while at the other end Dan Earle's header was cleared off the line by Gavin Coffey to leave the teams tied at the break.
Star thought they'd made the breakthrough when Richard Ingram played in Ryan Thomas who was brought down in the area. The linesman waved for the penalty but the referee awarded a corner.
The deadlock was broken when Earle's shot rattled the bar and Marvin Bonny was quickest to react, hammering the ball into the net from eight yards.
Stainland marched straight down the other end where Pete Southwell's header rattled the bar and his follow up went narrowly over.
Karl Jowett was then foiled by the bounce and shot well wide. Stainland forced a serious of corners but there was some excellent defending by Earle and Lee Thomas.
Star's Greg Porter was stopped by a timely tackle from Ryan Coupe and Hebden stood firm to capture their third title in four years.
Guy Flanagan scored twice as Denholme United finished off with a 3-0 home win over Calder '76, temporarily moving above Brighouse Old Boys who look likely to be awarded three points after Stump Cross, already booked for fourth place, failed to raise a team.
Division Two champions Bowling Green made it nine wins in a row in their sprint to the winning post with a 5-2 success away to Junction.
Dave Pettifor's side took the lead when Danny McGreavey headed home a corner from close range and Gavin Pettifor grabbed his 10th of the season.
Craig Gladwin beat the offside trap to slot the next and the goal of the game when player-boss Dave Pettifor broke down the right and beat two defenders before finding son Jordan, who fired home from 10 yards.
Gareth Gaukroger's 30th of the season completed Green's scoring before Junction pulled two back late on.
After the game Green collected their first trophy since changing their name from Boothtown Reserves three years ago.
Kingston climbed two places to a more respectable eighth place after a 6-4 home win over Copley United.
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The full article contains 518 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.