ALBION Sports are currently clinging on to the final play-off place in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division after a shock 1-0 defeat at home to lowly Bottesford Town on Wednesday night.

Only the title winners will go up automatically, and with Albion 15 points off top spot, albeit with a game in hand on leaders Emley, realistically they are looking to secure one of the four play-off spots.

They could have gone up to fourth with a win over Bottesford, who sat fifth bottom going into the clash.

But instead, an early goal from former Thackley striker Matthew Broadley proved the difference, as the visitors left Horsfall with all three points.

It was a great effort from Bottesford, who held out despite coming under severe Albion pressure, particularly in the latter stages of the game.

As for Thackley, they were in action 24 hours previously, when they hosted Silsden in a Bradford District derby.

The Dennyboys dealt their visitors an early blow thanks to a goal from Finn Donovan, while Silsden saw their chances of gaining anything from the game decrease further when Jake Cassidy was sent off for continued dissent.

Player/joint-boss Tom Greaves sealed the win for Thackley with 20 minutes to go, with that 2-0 derby success keeping them sitting pretty up in third.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Tom Greaves (9) has scored in derby wins for Thackley against Eccleshill and Silsden already in 2024.Tom Greaves (9) has scored in derby wins for Thackley against Eccleshill and Silsden already in 2024. (Image: Martin Taylor.)

The Dennyboys are unlikely to muscle their way into the title race, which looks to be a straight fight between their Bradford neighbours Campion and Emley.

The latter displaced the former at the summit on goal difference after a 1-1 draw at Hallam in midweek, and they are the clear favourites to win the division, given they have three games in hand on Campion.

For Silsden, a miserable run of form, just two wins in their last 11 league games, has seen them slip into mid-table obscurity.

It was a frustrating midweek for Eccleshill United, who were looking to build on their shock home win over Campion at the weekend by beating Penistone Church in BD2 on Wednesday night.

But the Eagles saw their game postponed just before kick-off due to a waterlogged pitch.

In a Bradford District derby between tenant and landlord at Marley on Monday night, Route One Rovers came out on top beating Steeton 3-1.

Waqas Azam scored early on for Rovers, before Zak Khan and Callan Parker-Wells put them on easy street.

Steeton substitute Ezio de Santis scored a last-gasp consolation goal for his side.

Finally, ten-man Liversedge earned a superb 3-1 win at play-off chasing Carlton in the Northern Premier League East Division.

Liam Hardy opened the scoring for the visitors, but Carlton equalised on the half-hour mark through Alex Hardwick.

Hardy was then sent off for two bookings in quick succession, only for Eddie Church to restore Sedge’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

Jack Carr added a late third for the visitors, who shot up from 15th in the table to 10th as a result of the victory.