JAMES Middlebrook may not play every week for New Farnley but first-team captain Lee Goddard has praised the former Yorkshire professional for his influence at the club.

Goddard stressed that although his squad is packed full of experience, Middlebrook acts as a real example to the rest of the players.

He said: "James is semi-retired now and he only really plays for us when we require him. But James' quality meant that we were keen to keep hold of him, even if we didn't have him on the field.

"He still turns up to training and he's still there to talk to the lads. Especially for Dave McCallum, who's a good bowler but James has got a lot more experience.

"For Dave to be able to chat with James, and go to him for advice and help, it's an asset for the club."

Middlebrook played in New Farnley's 20-run victory over Townville on Saturday and took 3-61 with his off-spin. Team-mate Simon Lambert took 5-23 to help skittle the opposition for 194.

It was Lambert's first bowling spell of the season and Goddard laughed: "Don't tell Simon his average or he'll be in my ear.

"To be fair, it was the circumstances of the game. We know Simon's qualities with the ball, but we do have Dave, James and Luke Jarvis as well.

"We've got the bowling attributes to cover all bases. Simon knows he won't be used every week but it's a nice option to have and he's never let us down when he's come on to bowl."

The Bradford League Premier Division is extremely tight at present, with only nine points separating the top six, and Goddard is expecting a competitive season.

He said: "Everybody's lost at least one game already, which suggests that it's going to be a bit tighter than over the last few years. I still think Hanging Heaton are the team to beat but I'd like to think we're going to be up there."

New Farnley entertain high-flying Farsley tomorrow, and looking ahead to that fixture, Goddard said: "They're a good solid unit and they've recruited well from overseas.

"We've just got to concentrate on our own game though and do what we want to do to the best of our ability.

"I'd back us to beat anyone and we've got strengths in our game that we can show on Saturday to come out victorious."

Elsewhere, Premier Division leaders Hanging Heaton take on mid-table Scholes, while fellow top-six sides Pudsey St Lawrence and Woodlands take on strugglers Townville and Bradford & Bingley respectively.

Rock-bottom East Bierley have lost every game this season and face another tough ask at Methley. The other game in the division sees Lightcliffe host Cleckheaton.