Ryburn hot on Calder's trail

Shelf Utd (blue) v Ryburn. Danny Thornton and Christian Silkstone.

Ryburn United cut Calder '˜76's advantage at the top of the Haslem-Sheppard Halifax AFL to nine points last night.

Craig Walker’s men, who have played two games fewer than the leaders with a clash between the pair still to come, crushed bottom side Holmfield 9-1 at Ripponden Wood.

Ryburn were completing a five-day double over the bottom side, having won 6-1 away on Saturday, and their goal difference is now only four inferior to Calder’s.

Christian Silkstone followed up his five goals at the weekend with another three and there was also a hat-trick for Bradley Waddington.

Brighouse Sports are favourites for the runners-up spot behind champions Illingworth St Mary’s in Division One after an eye-catching 5-0 win at Denholme last night.

The hosts had been charging up the table with a string of impressive wins but they were stopped in their tracks by the visitors, Borhan Doski and Nathan Shaw each scoring twice.

Third-placed Sowerby United kept up the pressure on Brighouse with a 5-3 home win over Elland United, Dan Crosland scoring twice.

Premier Division: Greetland 6 (T.Wall 2 A.Ford 2 K.Jowett D.Dorward) Northowram 0, Mixenden United 3 (T.Allinson D.Randall C.Woodhouse) Hebden Royd Red Star 1 (G.Oliver), Ryburn United 9 (B.Waddington 3 C.Silkstone 3 J.Finch M.Peacock A.Barlow) Holmfield 1 (J.Pettofor), Warley Rangers 2 (P.Kendall R.Kendall) Shelf United 1 (og).

Division One: AFC Crossleys 1 (A.Brunning) Salem 5 (T.Lamb L.Huson B.Huson M.Jenkins J.Thomas), Calder 76 Res 0 Elland Allstars 0, Denholme United 0 Brighouse Sports AFC 5 (N.Shaw 2 B.Doski 2 A.Johnson), Sowerby Bridge v Midgley United Res P, Sowerby United 5 (D.Crosland 2 L.Senior H.Walsh C.Henderson) Elland United 3 (D.Swiss M.Kelsey R.Youell).