Bangle could be banging the drum in the new year (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bangle could be banging the drum in the new year

3:50pm Wednesday 28th December 2011 in Sun Alliance By Trevor Adams

Bradford Sunday Alliance League club Steel Bangle go into the new year battling on two fronts.

They are in the quarter-finals of the Bradford & District Sunday Cup and are nicely placed in Division 3A.

Buttershaw Rangers lead the way, five points in front of newly-promoted Swaine Green, but the latter have two matches in hand.

George Hotel Reserves are also in with a shout due to games in hand but the dark horses are Steel Bangle, who – due to their District Cup success – have only played 11 league matches.

Also do not discount TCFC, who are fourth with games in hand as well.

Cricketers Arms and Dud-ley Hill Keys are propping up the rest but, with games in hand, a couple of victories in the new year should see them rise.

Division 2B have three representatives in the District Sunday Cup last eight but two of them play each other, with Second West entertaining Beldon Sports.

The other representatives are Heaton Athletic, who host Steel Bangle.

Whitburn Athletic are unbeaten and would still be in the District Sunday Cup but for an administrative error.

They have a five-point lead at the summit, with Inter Mill Lane their nearest challengers.

Stocks Lane United and Great Horton Fire Brigade are cast adrift at the bottom and it will take a remarkable change of form for these two to escape relegation.

Ancient Forresters are top dogs in Division 2A at the halfway stage, leading by two points from Wrose Albion, who have a game in hand.

White Hart Eccleshill are also in a strong position, being only three points behind having played ten league matches.

If they win their games in hand, they will go three points clear.

Shoulder of Mutton trail them by three points at the moment but, with all the top teams still to play each other, they could also be in the shake-up.

Bankfoot Lions, still waiting for their first victory, prop up the table.

Bradford Moor YSA and Heaton Kings Arms are also struggling.

White Hart visit league newcomers Bridge in their District Sunday Cup quarter-final.

Hare & Hounds are top in Division 3B, with Grass Greener United pushing them all the way and Pudsey Amateurs, Salthorn WMC and White Swan Wibsey there or thereabouts.

White Swan Wibsey are also through to the quarter- finals of the Bradford & District Sunday Cup.

Oddfellows, Delius A and Cycling are trying to get away from the bottom.

Division Four is a two-horse race between Mill Lane Reserves and Bridge, who are slight favourites.