Tough opener for promoted Shelf

The opening fixtures of the season have been confirmed after Monday’s league meeting and last year’s Division One runners-up will host champions Ryburn United on Friday, August 29.

Shelf’s neighbours Northowram, the team that beat them to the silverware last season, start Premier life at home to Copley United on the same evening.

There is also a tasty Calder Valley derby between Hebden Royd Red Star and Midgley United.

The opening Division One games take place two days earlier with Holmfield and Sowerby Bridge, the two sides relegated from the Premier, in opposition.

First division teams are in action again the following Saturday when the Division Two programme gets under way.

Fixtures

Wednesday, August 27, Division One: AFC Crossleys v Denholme United (ref S Hoyle), Calder 76 Res v Midgley United Res (M.Edwards), Elland Allstars v Volunteer Arms (L.Youell), Holmfield AFC v Sowerby Bridge (C.Salmons), Mixenden United v Salem (H.Naylor), Ryburn United Res v Greetland AFC Res (D.Bartley).

Friday, August 29, Premier Division: Hebden Royd Red Star v Midgley United (W Cotton), Northowram v Copley United (L.Dawson), Shelf United v Ryburn United (S Adams), Sowerby United v Elland United (R.Gatenby), Stump Cross v Greetland AFC (A.Williams).

Division Two: Brighouse Sports AFC v Salem Res (J.Reilly), Denholme United Res v Illingworth St Marys (B.Payton), Sowerby Bridge Res v AFC Crossleys Res (M.Sharman).

Saturday August 30, Division One: AFC Crossleys v Calder 76 Res (I.Childs), Denholme United v Midgley United Res (J.Hallos), Holmfield AFC v Salem (S.Hoyle), Hx Irish Centre v Greetland AFC Res (C.Salmons), Mixenden United v Elland Allstars (M.Beard), Ryburn United Res v Sowerby Bridge (S.Dennis), Stainland United v Volunteer Arms (R.Varley).

Division Two: Northowram Res v Shelf FC (D.Sutcliffe), Shelf United Res v Hebden Royd Red Star (D.Wright), West Central v St Columbas (A Gee).