It's win, win, win for impressive OB
BRIGHOUSE Old Boys' three teams all recorded victories last weekend to delight their respective managers but West Yorkshire League Division Two team manager Phil Garbe knows all too well, you are only as good as your last result.
Six points clear at the top and with a slight goal difference advantage over second-placed Leeds Gryphons, Garbe knows it is a match they need to win and further increase the points distance between the two of them.
"Our players were cock-a-hoop after last Saturday's home win over a physical and vociferous Hunslet side and were singing, bring on the Gryphons in the showers and later at our Old Pond headquarters where we celebrated all three team wins.
"This is likely to be our hardest away game of the season as they are a good side but we did defeat them 2-1 at our place and are going for a double come 2.30pm on Saturday.
"It was a really good performance against Hunslet, they are no mugs and are a tough, physical side. They also criticised the referee from start to finish and how they still ended up with eleven players on the pitch I will never know.
"I just told my lot at half time to concentrate on their football and we would beat them.
"It was good to have central defender Sam Ferguson back after his work and family commitments. He won everything in the air and was unlucky not to score from corners.
"Winger Matty Roy, who recently joined us, is getting there in terms of match fitness and will be a big asset for us. Our other new recruit, Mike Pearson, is a good player and again put his mark on this match, while Mike Barlow has really come on and was far and away the best player on the park.
"I should have a full squad to choose from as James Fletcher is having a fitness test on his ankle injury on Thursday evening and if he comes through I will place him on the bench."
The club's second team under their astute manager Julian Prior had a good 6-2 win over Rothwell's reserves and veteran striker Neil Butcher, on his way back from injury, registered a hat trick to put him firmly and squarely back in the reckoning for first team selection.
The reserves entertain Ilkley Res on Saturday (2.30) and are looking, like the first team, for a double after defeating their opponents 4-1 away in a league cup tie back in October.
This will be the first meeting of the clubs in the league as the weather has prevented them visiting the gateway town to the Yorkshire Dales so far.
Prior is without Andy Taylor who is snowboarding in the Alps, while Alex Bembridge has a concert engagement with Huddersfield and Ripponden Brass Band.
There is also a doubt about influential veteran midfielder Vaughan Wagstaffe whose wife Francesca has just presented him with their first born.
The Halifax League Division One side should have won their relegation scrap with Salem by a clearer margin, according to manager Chris Wadsworth who felt they just `tried too hard' instead of relaxing and this hindered them scoring more goals.
"Adam Williams turned in a very good performance in what was a strong team performance," added Wadsworth.
"There are some good young players coming through and they will be pushing all the way next season to make their mark in this club with the other two teams to aim at.
"Following the game Salem officials, who now face relegation, questioned the make up of our side, feeling we had played some ringers – players who had dropped down from the first and second teams.
"We hadn't, we don't need to, but it just had overtures of the Northowram game when they questioned the team after we had battered them."
Saturday's game is a derby clash on Lane Head Rec (2.30) with Martins Nest.
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Weather for Halifax
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
