Saints go marching in

St Columba's secured promotion from Division Two of the Halifax AFL on Saturday with a hard fought 2-0 winner-takes-all victory over Junction Inn.
Actions from St Columba's AFC v Junction, at Natty Lane, Illingworth. Pictured is Scott Holmes, lines up a goalActions from St Columba's AFC v Junction, at Natty Lane, Illingworth. Pictured is Scott Holmes, lines up a goal
Actions from St Columba's AFC v Junction, at Natty Lane, Illingworth. Pictured is Scott Holmes, lines up a goal

Junction had Saints on the back foot for the first 20 minutes but Saints grew into the Natty Lane contest and play became even.

Frank Odion opened the scoring when he latched on to a long clearance from keeper Macauley Richardson and tucked the ball into the bottom corner.

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Junction threw everything at Saints in search of an equaliser but a committed and in-form Saints defence kept them at bay, securing a remarkable seventh consecutive clean sheet.

Success was sealed with 10 minutes left when Kutubo Touray skipped passed a couple of defenders and played Scott Holmes through on goal. Holmes’ left foot strike found the net and sparked jubilant celebrations.

A late Junction free kick was bound for the top corner but keeper Richardson pulled off a stunning one handed save.

Saints are top and have completed their games but Plummet Line, just a point behind them, have two chances to overtake them and take the title.

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Two goals each for Josh Hunt and Rory Youell gave Plummet a 4-2 success away to Northowram Reserves.

Sam Cole scored four times as AFC Crossley’s Reserves gained a welcome third league win of the season by 7-2 at home to 10-man Sowerby Bridge Reserves.

Greetland Reserves were handsome 6-2 home winners over Hebden Royd Red Star Reserves, who slipped to the foot of the table.

Division One champions Denholme United eased to a 5-1 success away to Ryburn United Reserves.

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Salem kept alive their outside hopes of claiming the runners-up berth with victory by the odd goal in 11 against Illingworth St Mary’s Reserves. Nick Green struck four times for them on the Trinity Academy 3G.

There was a goalless stalemate between Elland Allstars and Ivy House at Greetland and two other games in the division were postponed.

Gary Boldy’s goal for Shelf FC Reserves was the only one of the Division Three match against Flying Dutchman.

Also at Savile Park, Danny Hildred scored four times as FC Ovenden gained compensation for a narrow defeat at the hands of champions Mixenden United three days earlier with a 6-1 win over Warley Rangers.

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Monday - Premier: Ryburn United v Greetland (ref P.Higgins), Shelf FC v Illingworth St Mary’s (S.Adams).

Division Two: Sowerby Bridge Res v Junction Inn (D.McKee), Sowerby United Res v Midgley United Res (G.Porter).

Wednesday - Premier: Hebden Royd Red Star v Shelf FC (P.Higgins), Sowerby Bridge v Midgley United (S.Adams), Sowerby United v Greetland AFC (C.Salmons).

Division One: Denholme United v Salem (R.Stock), Elland Allstars v Illingworth St Mary’s Res (J.Hallos), Ryburn United Res v Ivy House (D.McKee).