Sunday Alliance League season review (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Sunday Alliance League season review

4:06pm Monday 18th May 2009

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Given the excitement they generated, it’s no suprise to see crowds are up at finals and semi-finals in the Bradford Sunday Alliance League and other competitions.

That is one obvious observation to be made as the 2008/09 campaign is reviewed.

In the two Senior cup competitions, Ventus Sports – four years ago a Division One team – qualified for both finals.

Although leading at one stage against Bolton Woods in the Bradford and District Senior final they were eventually edged out 3-2.

In the Sunday Alliance Senior final, underdogs Sports pulled off a big shock against Buttershaw White Star.

Two goals in a minute turned the game on its head and handed Ventus their first major trophy while denying Buttershaw the double again.

Buttershaw could take comfort from their league success where they lifted the Premier Division title for the second year running.

They were playing catch-up in the closing stages due to the early bad weather and also having had a good run in the West Riding County Cup.

They wobbled on occasions during the run-in, especially against Bolton Woods, but never really looked anything but champions, retaining the title with matches to spare.

The Premier Division strugglers surprisingly were Silsden, Oakenshaw and also Campion Park Avenue who started well but since Christmas played with a young and largely inexperienced team.

Long-time leaders Thornton had Division One wrapped up early on.

The battle for second went down to the wire though, with Baildon Trinity Athletic edging out Westwood Park.

Wrose Bull and Oakworth Juniors struggled at the bottom but the Keighley team did win the Keighley District Cup final against Crosshills.

In Division 1A, Cuedos Rangers led the rest for the most part but cruelly only managed to finish runners-up.

It was Seven Stars who surged up to pinch it, rising from mid-table obscurity at Christmas, timing their run to perfection and becoming champions in a really close competition.

Remarkably, Cuedos, George Hotel and Thackley Shoulder finished second, third and fourth place all on the same points, Cuedos elevated only by goal difference.

Another to spark just at the right time were Ventus United, who moved to the top of Division 1B a month from the end and went up as champions, dumping long-time leaders Allerton to runners-up.

Ravenscliffe suffered only one league defeat as champions of 2A and will be an asset to the top divisions.

Manningham reached two cup finals but unfortunately were narrowly beaten in both.

However, they did have the consolation of being promoted from Division 2B as champions.

Hudsons Athletic were worthy champions of Division 3A, while Mailcoach did the treble after adding two cup final successes to the 3B title, only losing once all season.

Division 4 victors Stanningley Albion remained unbeaten in the league while IMS Celtic, who reached the semi-final of the West Riding County competition, finished second.

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