Fast-starting Rangers sink Ryburn

Matthew Chapman’s full strength side made their customary quick start and were ahead inside five minutes through Dean Lawrence after a quick passing move.

Ryburn were struggling to contain the pace and intensity of the home side and it was soon 2-0, top scorer Macauley Norcliffe flicking the ball round the last defender before racing away and poking beyond the ‘keeper.

Ryburn danger man Christian Silkstone, kept quiet for much of the half by Edward Brigg, flashed a drive just wide while Carlton Balmer shot straight at the ‘keeper and captain Craig Smith headed inches wide.

Warley extended their lead after the break when impressive full back Josh Prestage crossed superbly for Lawrence to apply a bullet a header.

Ryburn almost got one back when Ashton Richardson’s floated free kick from halfway deceived keeper Mick Hickinbotham and struck the bar.

However, Ryburn were given a lifeline on 70 minutes when Smith was adjudged to have fouled Silkstone and the striker made no mistake from the spot.

Balmer’s lob landed on the roof of the net but Rangers remained composed and extended their lead. Man of the match Danny Kirman and Oliver Raynor combined to release Corey Henderson, who scored with a rasping drive.

Substitute Damien Watkins scored Ryburn’s second in added time with a neat finish.

Calder ‘76 blasted into a five point lead at the top with a 3-0 win away to arch derby rivals Midgley United.

Goals from Ricky Topham, Steve Jones and Remi Allen inflicted a first defeat of the season on the 2012-13 champions.

Midgley had penalty appeals for handball against Carl Wooliscroft waved away in the first 10 minutes but struggled for possession.

They fell behind after half an hour when the ball was only half cleared from a corner and Topham was unable to get a clean strike but the ball bobbled past James Brookes.

Jones had a goal ruled out for offside but Calder added a second after the break when Allen and Wooliscroft combined and fullback Gav Fleming crossed. Jon Gibson’s effort was blocked on the line but Jones mopped up.

Allan missed one golden opportunity but made amends with a half-volley whilst on the deck with 20 minutes left.

Northowram picked up their first points at the fourth attempt with a 3-0 home win over disappointing visitors Greetland.

They lost ‘keeper James Bunn with a calf injury after 15 minutes and striker Chris Conroy had to go in goal but he had little to do.

The Rams were the better side but didn’t break through until the second half when Karl Amos provided the deliveries for Matthew Rushworth and Shaun Popek to score.

A late penalty from Mark Eade, after Archie Griffiths had been fouled, lifted Northowram to fourth from bottom.

Honours were even in the derby match between Holmfield and Mixenden.

Mixenden roared into a 2-0 lead through Martin Woodhouse and Billy Riley but were left to regret some first half misses as their hosts hit back.

Jason Pettifor struck twice to make it 2-2 and that is how it stayed, although Mixenden were convinced an Adam Gaze back-heel had crossed the goal line before being cleared.

Shelf and Hebden Royd Red Star also took a point each from a low quality contest which finished 3-3.

Will Chadwick gave Red Star the lead after 20 minutes but Billy Grogan scored a fine equaliser 10 minutes later when he chested the ball down and volleyed home from 25 yards.

Harry Talbot squared for Grogan to give Shelf a half time lead but Chadwick scrambled a second after 65 minutes.

Oliver Coates looked as if he might have scored a winner for Shelf with 10 minutes left but Red Star levelled through Danny Lumb from a headed down corner.

Calder ‘76 Reserves rounded off a good day for the club with a first league win of the season in Division One.

Jasim Salih scored the only goal of the game in the second half with a fine shot form the edge of the box, having been in danger of being substituted!

Calder were solid at the back with Steve Hope back from Siddal RLFC duty and young full back Ben Oldfield also impressing.

Andrew Wright scored twice as Brighouse Sports retained top spot with a hard-fought 3-2 win at Sowerby Bridge.

Illingworth St Mary’s retained their 100 per cent record with a 6-3 win away to Elland United with the visitors’ Dec Rothery, Luke Prosser and Phil Livesey and the hosts’ Mark Kelsey all scoring twice.

Sowerby United remain unbeaten after their game with Denholme United finished 2-2 in the first division.

Sowerby started brightly but Denholme slowly started to get into the game and create several good chances that they failed to take advantage of before Danny Moralee struck to give Denholme a deserved lead.

Sowerby levelled early in the second half against the run of play when Daniel Boyd’s shot struck the post and Harvey Walsh was first to react.

Denholme then put Sowerby under tremendous pressure but spurned more good chances.

With less than five minutes remaining Sowerby went ahead through Matthew Whitworth’s good finish but Denholme got a well deserved equaliser when Jack Harrison scored in the last minute.

Scott Fieldhouse bagged four as Salem beat visitors Midgley Reserves 7-2.

Five Division Two games produced 32 goals, Greetland Reserves showing the way with a 7-2 win away to Hebden Royd Red Star with a hat-trick from Andy Hurcombe.

St Columbas got back to winning ways with 5-2 home success against Salem Reserves on a poor playing surface.

Salem, who had lost five players to the firsts, went behind when captain Ryan O’Neill won the ball and set up Jack Wilkinson to round the keeper.

Keeper Danny Holmes kept Salem in it and then, against the run of play, another debutant Chris Hunter tucked the ball home from a tight angle after a howler from home keeper Zahid Hassan.

Young midfielder Ben Caldwell restored the lead for Saints with a deflected 25 yard free kick to make it 2-1 at half time.

Salem levelled again shortly after the break from Ricky Beaumont’s penalty but a strong debut from the bench by ex-Salem defender Chris Parker ensured that Saints ‘keeper wasn’t troubled for the rest of the game.

The chances kept coming at the other end. Substitute Frank Odion finished well, the returning Vinny O’Shea got a deserved goal and striker Odion finished off a flowing move.

Illingworth St Mary’s Reserves recorded a fine 5-0 win at home to a hard working Sowerby Bridge Reserves side.

Saints started quickly and it was no surprise when Robbie Wardle broke clear and squared for Tom Kershaw to tap in.

Dale Cartwright doubled the lead with a well taken free kick from the edge of the box.

Bradley Madin added a third with a fine finish before the break.

The second half was a similar story with Tom Mcgregor and Kershaw’s second adding to the tally.

Sowerby Bridge battled to the end in a game well refereed by Dave Cartwright.