West Yorkshire League: Quick-fire Field a step closer to repeat title

TWO wins in quick succession for Premier Division high-flyers Field has put them within touching distance of lifting the trophy for the second year in a row.
West Yorkshire League Premier Division action between Pool and Carlton. PIC: Steve RidingWest Yorkshire League Premier Division action between Pool and Carlton. PIC: Steve Riding
West Yorkshire League Premier Division action between Pool and Carlton. PIC: Steve Riding

The squad bagged the accolade last season and now wins against Otley Town and Robin Hood Athletic this week respectively have secured a four-point cushion at the top of the table.

Keen to stay grounded however, manager Steve Vickers insists that there’s still a lot to do before the squad can relax at the top.

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“Even at this stage I’m not going to say we’re going to win it.” Vickers said. “I’m just pleased to be up there competing with the best teams in this league, we know it’s going to be very hard going into this last push with the quality that we’re up against.”

“There’s definitely pressure. Every game you can feel it; there’s expectation to win it because of both the position we’re in and the fact we won it last season too, but you need to have pressure to be in with the mix, it spurs you on.”

“We want to win it and we know how to handle the pressure; we’ve won two trebles so we know what it’s about – confidence is everything but it won’t be easy.”

The club as a whole are having a commendable season with the reserves too holding their own and on their own hunt for silverware in various cup runs.

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“There’s definitely a buzz in the air at the club. The first team in the position and form that they are and then with the reserves doing so well too; they only just stayed up last season and now they’re doing so well in the cups so it’s great to see. I’m not one of these to gloat but I’m proud of the squad this season.

“You have to keep focused though. As a manager you always want your team to perform well but at this stage of the season you’ve got to say it’s about the results, especially when you’re in the position that we are, it’s vital not to lose concentration.”

“The weather that we’ve had this year has really made it hard to get results on the board, not just for us but for everyone so it’s important that now we have chance to make up for it, you get something from every game.”

“I’d have to say every game you play you’ve got to be on the ball because this is a very good league, the standard is so high and anyone can beat anyone.”

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Next up for the league leaders is third place Carlton Athletic who also have one eye on the title so it’s set to be a feisty affair.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Hunslet Club also had two games in quick succession with a 1-1 draw with Horbury Town before they beat Carlton Athletic 2-0 on Monday night. On Saturday, second place Beeston St Anthony’s remained hot on Field’s heels with a 4-2 win at Brighouse Old Boys thanks to goals from Lee Coleman (2), Stephen Crawford and Adam Fowler. Stealing the show in the top flight though, Knaresborough Town ran away prolific 7-2 winners against Wyke Wanderers thanks to a hat-trick from Stephen Walker than accompanied strikes from Ben Lock, Daniel McDid and Alexender Wilson.

Two games will be played tonight as Leeds City meet Wetherby Athletic and Pool entertain Otley Town. On Saturday, Brighouse Old Boys will play host to Hunslet Club while Otley Town host Knarseborough Town. Wyke Wanderers are at home to Beeston St. Anthony’s, Wetherby Athletic travel to Shelley and Robin Hood Athletic welcome Pool.

Meanwhile in Division One, Whitkirk Wanderers continued their strong form with a convincing 6-0 win at home to Ripon City, Stephen Copley, Eric Seed, Alex Wilson (2), Chris Baldwin and Catahl O’Hare all etching their names onto the score sheet. Another game that provided goals was Kippax’s 5-0 win at Headingley while goals from Gareth Ward and Andrew Burton secured a 2-1 win for Featherstone Colliery against Aberford Albion. Hartshead bagged a lively 4-3 win against Baildon Trinity Athletic with a brace from Christopher Jackson accompanying goals from Jonjo Haley and Jamie Wasley. Thornhill also bagged a win, Ross Ingham and Shaun McDaid both finding the target to beat East End Park 2-1 while Old Centrailians were held to a 1-1 draw against Sherburn White Rose.

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Tonight, Headingley face Ilkley Town while Leeds Modernians host Hartshead and Whitkirk Wanderers travel to Old Centrailians. Headingley are back in action at the weekend as they host Stanley United while East End Pak welcome Boroughbridge. Ilkley Town will play Thornhill, Kippax meet Featherstone Colliery and Leeds Modernians entertain Baildon Trinity Athletic. On the road are Aberford Albion as they make the journey to Old Centrailans while Ripon City travel to Sherburn White Rose and Whitkirk Wanderers host Hartshead.

Over in Division Two, Hall Green United remained in top spot with a 1-0 over Mount St. Mary’s while second place Howden Clough remained second after they were held to a 1-1 draw with Altofts’ Tom Ryan and Scott Lightowler scoring respectively. Third place Swillington Saints were also forced into sharing the spoils as they came away from Middleton Park with a 1-1 draw while hot on their heels, Ossett Albion secured a convincing 5-2 at home to Kellingley Welfare. Jack Harrison notched a hat-trick for Albion to accompany goals from Alex Ferguson and Bradley Rufus to bag the win.

Tonight, Barwick host Normanton Woodhouse Hill while Howden Clough chase top spot with a trip to Huddersfield Amateur. Amateur are back in action at the weekend too with a clash against Ossett Albion while Kellingley Welfare face Barwick and Altofts travel to Middleton Park. Normanton Woodhouse Hill will entertain Great Preston while Ossett Common Rovers face Mount St. Mary’s and Swillington Saints play Howden Clough.

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