Sunday League: Leaders Waiters Arms in top form

Valley started the game with 10 men and things looked ominous from the start when Waiters skipper Ash O’Shea headed home unmarked from a Reece Uttley corner and Billy Grogan lobbed Matty Hirst to make it 2-0 within 10 minutes.

Valley didn’t cave in though and looked industrious in midfield with Scott Hibbert and Dayle Maguire getting on the ball. Waiters did fluff further chances through Lee Wood and Adam Helliwell but the latter did make it 3-0 from a James Waggett corner nodding home and it was 4-0 just before the break with Grogan finishing from 30 yards.

The second half started well for Waiters with two quick goals, the first another header for Helliwell and the second a smart finish on the turn from Macaulay Peacock.

Danny Cook set-up Peacock for a smart diving header to make it 7-0. A Cook corner made it 8-0 before James Grimble’s lofted ball evaded everyone and nestled in the top corner.

Waiters boss Adam Fenton said: “All credit to Ryburn, despite their difficulties they tried to play football and kept going despite the score, they have some good young players.

“We now have three games to go and need victory in all three if we are to win the league.”

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Feathers beat King Cross 4-1.

Hollins Holme boss Steve Parker believes his players are very capable of beating hosts Halifax Hammers on Sunday and earning themselves a place in the final of the Halifax FA Sunday Cup.

Hollins earned their semi-final at Calderdale College with a 6-0 eclipse of division lower North Bridge last weekend, helped by a Chris Garbutt hat-trick.

Parker said that while a Hammers side still involved in the title race would be keen to win both games, Hollins’ main focus would be on Sunday.

While Hammers have some talented players, Parker’s men have already sprung one upset in this season’s district cup by beating leaders Waiters Arms.

He added: “With the right attitude there is no reason why we cannot beat them.”

Hollins have come unstuck against lowly opposition in knockout competitions before but they were always in control of last weekend’s game.

Big Joe Gibson headed them in front from an early Greg Spink corner, clattering into the post in the process.

Garbutt, playing up front with Rob Laycock, scored the second with a left foot volley and the third with an excellent flicked header from around the penalty spot.

A Spink penalty just before half time left Hollins sitting pretty.

North Bridge deserved credit for a strong third quarter, having moved an extra man up front and decided on a more direct approach.

They had a golden chance to get on the scoresheet when they won a penalty but Gareth Swain made a really good save to keep the ball out of the bottom corner of the net.

Garbutt, who often plays in defence, completed a rare hat-trick and a couple of minutes later Jack Gormley finished off the scoring with a screamer of a shot. The ball went after ricocheting around between the under side of the bar and goal line.

Lee Mount beat Ryburn United 7-1 in their quarter-final.

Division One leaders Siddal Place won 8-2 at Barum Top, while Halifax Hammers Reserves and Halifax Rangers played out a 5-5 draw.

Old Pond also beat Triangle 4-2.

In the League Cup, Bradshaw beat Halifax Amateurs 5-1.