Relief as Remi fires Calder to safety

A Remi Allen hat-trick in a 4-3 win away to Greetland ensured Rob Kenworthy’s side would avoid the one relegation spot in the Premier Division.

It means they can focus on their Halifax FA Cup final clash with Brighouse OB at Brighouse Town on Tuesday, May 7.

Meanwhile, Midgley United and Hebden Royd Red Star look certain to clinch a title double in the top two divisions .

Midgley won 3-2 at Ryburn United last Friday and Hebden Royd Red Star had a 5-1 success at Elland Allstars the following day.

Rob Kenworthy’s Calder have strung together a four-match unbeaten run - two wins and two draws - to leave Shelf United, Copley United and Sowerby United battling to avoid one relegation slot.

They have had an exhausting, busy run-in after a string of winter postponements.

“It’s a massive relief,” admitted player Simon Stansfield, whose side were playing Sowerby United away last night before finishing their league programme away to Elland United on Saturday.

Stansfield said players carrying injuries would get a chance to rest before the final.

“We have had players dropping like flies. The second teamers who have come in have done a tremendous job,” he said.

It was a typical Calder performance at Greetland as they blew hot and cold.

A Ricky Topham penalty in the first couple of minutes, after Remi Allen had been brought down, gave them a dream start.

However, a disastrous five minutes followed in which they conceded two goals to Johnny Crowther and one to Scott McHale. It could have been much worse because other Greetland chances went begging with Calder all at sea.

Kenworthy moved Adam Newby into midfield and Simon Whitton to centre half and that steadied the ship.

Allen burst through to make it 3-2 before half time, having earlier been denied when the ball bobbled and he sliced wide.

The cavalry arrived in the shape of late arrivals Matty McCambridge and Hayden Gee for the second half and Calder dominated play but struggled to get on terms.

Irfan Afzal had one cleared off the line and Whitton had a long-range strike tipped over but Crowther could have virtually sealed it for the hosts, ‘keeper Warren Clayton denying him and James Megson making a last ditch clearance.

The equaliser and winner came from James Megson corners. Allen headed home for 3-3 on 70 minutes and tapped in the winner 10 minutes later from McCambridge’s header across the goal.

“It was a brilliant performance in the second half,” added Stansfield.