West Yorkshire League: Rivals face '˜defining game' of the season

The side welcome high-flyers Stanley United on Saturday and are in buoyant mood as they enter the tie off the back of comfortable 3-1 win.

With promotion the clear outcome of the season, McClure insists that the squad has enough belief to go and make the dream a reality.

“Stanley are a great team but we believe if we play our game we can beat anyone, there’s no doubt it will be a defining game of the season,” h said.

“Anything could happen in the next few weeks and a number of teams can still seal a promotion position but the belief is there within our club.

“We’re all very positive, myself and Graham Hodder, the joint manager, have a lot of support from the chairman and the committee, which is great.

“There is a real buzz around the club and we certainly believe promotion is available this year. It’s definitely our aim and we’re treating every game as a cup final at the moment but we just want to take each game as it comes and not get too carried away.”

In great form and pulling off some impressive performances, Sherburn are well on course to secure promotion, especially after a dominant performance last weekend.

The side were 3-1 winners against Baildon Trinity Athletic on Saturday to add yet another three points to the table. Connor Booth, Aaron Hodgson and Danny Middleton all notched efforts to cancel out a consolation goal for the away side but it could have been a lot more for Sherburn who were on top throughout the encounter.

“We played some really good football and would have liked to get some more goals and probably would have, if it had not been for Baildon’s ’keeper who had a outstanding game,” McClure added. Elsewhere in Division One, East End Park ran away 3-1 winners against Ilkley Town, Liam Clark, Gareth Mitchell and Craig Nicholson providing the goals.

Old Centralians were also triumphant in their clash with Featherstone Colliery, Howard Collier and Brendan Mullen bagging for Centralians in a 2-1 win.

Leeds Modernians were also in action as they secured a convincing 4-0 win at home to Kippax thanks to goals from Ben Turner (2) Paul Hurrell and Declan Keaney.

Stanley United beat Whitkirk Wanderers by the same scoreline, Ashley Downing, Nathan Smith, Ashley Munton and Stuart Davies netting for United to extend their lead at the top of the table. It was a similar story at Wetherby Athletic as they ran away 3-0 winners against Aberford Albion while bottom of the table, Thornhill held Headingley to a surprising 1-1 draw.

Ben Jones and Micheal Mullenger both scored for Boroughbridge to cancel out Joel Farrar’s effort in a 2-1 win over Hartshead.

This week, Thornhill travel to Baildon Trinity Athletric while Kippax are also on their travels as they play Aberford Albion.

East End Park host Hartshead while Ilkley Town welcome Old Centralians and Featherstone Colliery make the journey to Leeds Modernians. Also in action, Headingley who travel to Ripon City.

In the Premier Division, Pool held second-placed Beeston St Anthony’s to a -1-1 draw to allow Field to jump to top of the table thanks to their 2-0 win at Knarseborough.

Also in action, Oxenhope Recreation, who secured a 2-1 win against Shelly, Daniel Moriarty and Leon Smith the names on the scoresheet, and Hunslet Club, who beat Wyke Wanderers 2-1.

This weekend, Field look to maintain their top-of-the-league status as they host Brighouse Old Boys, while Leeds City entertain Knaresborough Town.

Pool welcome Shelley while Carlton Athletic travel to Robin Hood Athletic and Wetherby Athletic play Wyke Wanderers.

Hall Green United extended their lead at the top of the table in Division Two with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Swillington Saints, Jamie Miller’s brace accompanying Billy Mole’s effort for the win.

Second-placed Altofts, however, widened the gap even further as they were held to a 2-2 draw away to Barwick.

Howden Clough put together a comfortable victory as they beat mid-table rivals Great Preston 4-1, Scott Lightowler notching a brace to join goals from Joe Bedford and Andrew Griffiths.

In Ossett Albion’s game, James Ferguson and Domonic Simpson notched efforts to seal a 2-0 win over Mount St Mary’s – a game that also saw St Mary’s receive two red cards.

Kellingley Welfare also secured the three points in their clash with Ossett Common Rovers, Jordan Hutchinson, James Bird and Robert Anderson the names on the scoresheet in a 3-1 win, while Normanton Woodhouse Hill’s clash with Garforth Rangers was postponed.

This weekend, Altofts play Garforth Rangers while Barwick welcome Swillington Saints and Howden Clough travel to top-of-the-table Hall Green United.

Kellingley Welfare are also in action as they host Great Preston, while Middleton Park play Normanton Woodhouse Hill, Mount St Mary’s host Huddersfield Amateur and Ossett Common Rovers are at home for a derby against Ossett Albion.