Albion Sports and Eccleshill contest derby (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Albion Sports and Eccleshill contest derby

8:00pm Sunday 25th December 2011 in Liversedge By Ian Whiting

There are two big Baris Northern Counties East League local derbies tomorrow and a variety of kick-off times as some of the area’s clubs go head to head.

The local clash with most at stake is the Division One derby that pitches leaders ALBION SPORTS against fellow promotion hopefuls Eccleshill UNITED. Both played in the last round of fixtures but encountered mixed fortunes.

While Kulwinder Sandhu’s Albion eased to a 3-1 victory at Askern Villa, who are second from bottom, Ian Banks’ Eagles suffered a 1-0 home defeat to promotion rivals Glasshoughton Welfare.

That meant Albion went top while Eccleshill slipped to seventh, although only four points separate the rivals and the Eagles have a game in hand.

Tomorrow’s clash kicks off at 1pm – and the next fixture is the return meeting at the Eagles’ Rapid Solicitors Stadium on January 2.

The local skirmish in the Premier Division is at Clayborn between LIVERSEDGE and BRIGHOUSE TOWN, who have seen players and even a manager switching between the clubs in recent seasons.

Hosts Sedge are 12th going into the game (3pm), just two places lower than their visitors. However, there is a sizeable gap between the clubs as Town are eight points better off and have played three fewer league fixtures.

Town’s brief today is to remain in the top half of the table before hosting THACKLEY next week.

The Dennyboys have the local bragging rights as they are eighth in the table and will be favourites to gain maximum points at home to 15th-placed Nostell MW tomorrow (noon).

Vince Brockie’s men have slipped off the pace they set themselves but should be strong enough to gain a positive result against a side averaging just a point per game.