Halifax-4 2, Bingley Bees 5

Matthew Clough, playing his first game of the season, bagged a hat-trick as Bingley Bees secured third place in Yorkshire Men's Division Six North by winning at basement side Halifax Fourths.

In glorious sunshine, the Bees did not start at their usual fast pace, and a good part of the opening ten minutes belonged to the home side.

The Bees defence and midfield held firm, however,  and with their first serious foray into the Halifax 23, Stephen Booth scored a blinder, taking on two defenders before striking powerfully home from the edge of the D.

A rare lapse in defence by the Bees allowed the home side an immediate equaliser but Matthew Clough then opened his account when he pounced on a rebound from his own shot and slotted nicely past the keeper.

Not to be outdone, his brother Ben, the captain, put away the visitors' third with a solid flick from a short corner.

Trailing 3-1 at half-time, Halifax came out strongly in the second and scored early but a defensive howler allowed Matthew Clough to rob the hosts and easily out the ball past an out-of-position keeper.

He then completed his hat-trick with a fine reverse-stick sweep after a neat pass put him clear inside the D.

This was a good all-round performance by the Bees, who only have one game left of their season.