DEARNE and District saw off an old adversary on Tuesday evening to keep their excellent start to the NCEL Division One season going.
Dearne won 2-0 at home to Doncaster City in a repeat of the game in the Central Midlands League last year for which City brought in internationals Ross McCormack, Charlie Mulgrew and Wes Hoolahan.
Dearne lost that match but still pipped their rivals to the title and have now been joined by them in the NCEL.
Atley Jackson and Luke Skelton got the goals for Dearne who have taken 21 points from nine games – with seven wins and two defeats. That puts them top of the early league table in the only automatic promotion place.
Manager Zeph Thomas said: “The last time we played them was before my time at Dearne but I remember hearing about it. They signed four of our players last season as well. It adds to the rivalry which can be a little bit feisty.
“They are trying to get up the leagues as quick as they can so it’s good to get a win against a team tipped by a lot of people to be the champions.”
Dearne had won 3-1 at home to Ilkley Town on Saturday. Jacob Woodward opening the scoring just after the break then, after a leveller, Owen Fieldsend and Jamie Austin secured the win.
Worsbrough Bridge made it five straight wins with a 3-2 success at Armthorpe Welfare on Saturday.
Ben Pike scored a hat-trick, putting his side ahead then, after the hosts went 2-1 up, he levelled before scoring a last-gasp winner. That left Bridge third with 15 points from seven games.
Athersley Rec took three points from two home games this week.
They lost 3-0 to Wakefield on Saturday then won 3-1 at home to Ilkley Town on Tuesday. James Woodhouse scored two penalties with Kane Reece on target.
