Yorkshire Amateur League: No-nonsense ref' Smith keeps derby foes on their toes

Just a couple of miles separate the two sides’ bases in Hough Top and Pudsey and neither of them have had it easy so far this season.

It was a typically tense affair and, on a heavy Woodhall pitch, defences dominated the opening 45 minutes.

Jamie McGeorge gave Stanningley an early second-half lead and the visitors battled hard to keep hold of their slim advantage.

But Shane Gaunt broke through to equalise on 70 minutes and the winner came from a clinical Tom Kitson finish ten minutes from time.

The assertive refereeing of Mark Smith helped keep the local dispute competitive rather than confrontational.

Victory, Grangefield’s second of the campaign, saw them climb to eighth.

They’ve had trouble replicating their cup exploits, progressing to the quarter-final of the Yorkshire Old Boys Shield and the third round of the Marflitt Trophy.

Stanningley are having a tough time regardless of the competition – with just two points to show from their first eight games.

In-form Bradford boys Athletico beat Morley Town 5-4 in a see-saw contest between two Premier Division newcomers.

Both sides led twice but neither looked in the mood to hold on for very long.

Adam Kenyon’s opener was cancelled out swiftly by Mahine Malik and he struck again to chalk off Matthew Agar’s 40th-minute effort.

Kenyon completed a brace and Kevin Mackay also netted for Morley but top scorer Mohammed Qasim bagged a late winner.

The recent Spen Valley League imports are fifth following a run of four wins in five, while Town sit just outside the bottom two.

Elsewhere, second-placed Stanley United left it late to seal a 3-2 win over bottom side St Nicholas at Rothwell Sports Club.

Leroy Watson gave Stanley the advantage but young Nick’s winger Amin Mohammed stole the show, levelling after skinning his full-back and finishing into the corner with aplomb.

Mohammed stunned once again for Baha Tashani’s side – without a win this season – when, after the interval, he slipped in and finished with similar conviction to make it 2-1.

Matty Williamson equalised as the hosts went to three up front and, pushing their full-backs on, they got their winner on 80 minutes when rep’ star Josh Whiteley scored.

Late heartbreak has been a familiar story for Tashani, who has been in charge for two months, with three late goals going against them in recent weeks. In the top flight’s other game, a Wayne Crossley goal was enough for Ealandians to beat Beeston Juniors at Cardinal Square.

Calverley United’s revival continues to be the story of the season in the Championship, their seventh win coming as they outplayed Thornesians to triumph 6-2.

A Matty Walker brace formed the backbone of the victory for a side who flirted with relegation last season.

They were 4-1 up by half-time and the other scorers were Jordan Williams, Simon McQuiston, Josh Debenham and powerhouse man of the match Ben Cook.

Joe Cook and Jamie Howieson were the scorers for a visiting side who admitted they were soundly beaten at Calverley Park.

Gildersome Spurs remain top of the second tier, though, by the virtue of goal difference as they edged past Leeds Medics Reserves 3-2.

Steve Wales, Connor Firth and Johnny Hunt saw them race into a lead, although Fraser Ritchie’s brace came as they began to tire late on.

Meanwhile, Leeds Independent secured a highly impressive 3-2 defeat of St Bede’s at Haycliffe Lane.

Seb Sokol, Devante Richards and Marlon Richards notched in the winning cause in spite of Adheeb Jawad’s double.

In Division One, Idle battled their way to a commanding 3-2 victory over Farsley Celtic Juniors Reserves at Bradford Academy.

Aaron Irving netted twice alongside Jack Strudwick, with Danny Kemp and Jacob Kellet unable to eke out a point.

Rothwell hit the top of the third tier with a 1-0 win over Leeds Medics III.

Division Two saw Colton Athletic outgun Huddersfield Amateur 6-2 – a fixture that featued a hat-trick from top scorer Chris Hick with Jono Goodwin and Jordan Thackeray also on the scoresheet.

Reformed Farnley Sports outsmarted East Ardsley Wanderers 6-3, with Jordan Webb doubling up, while former top-flighters Trinity were humbled 5-2 at Woodkirk Valley.

Leeds Modernians won 4-2 at Colton Athletic Reserves, while Leeds Medics IV were brushed aside 7-0 by rampant Norristhorpe.

Morley Town’s third string had the better of Tingley Athletic 2-1 as Shire Academics Reserves put three past Lepton Highlanders without reply.