That’s the way to do it

Diggle’s Mark Jackson and Newsome's Aaron Crossley

Diggle 3, Newsome WMC 3

DIGGLE could only manage a point in their Huddersfield and District League top-of-the-table clash with Newsome WMC at Churchill playing fields.

The local outfit seemed set for maximum points after scoring twice in the opening eight minutes of the division one clash, but they had to settle for a share of the spoils in the end.

Diggle manager Steve Southern said: “Although the pace and quality of the game made this a very good advert for the league, we learned some lessons from Newsome about what to do when we’ve not got the ball.

“Newsome worked extremely hard whenever they were not in possession and that aspect of their game allowed them to get a point.”

Despite being held at home, Diggle have made a superb start to the campaign in this, their 50th season as a club.

Southern, in his fourth season in charge, reckons his side has got what it takes to celebrate the club’s milestone by landing the title for the first time.

He said: “I see this as a long-term project for Diggle being perceived as a backwater club to one that strives to be as professional as possible.

“We can win the title but we’ve got a lot more learning to do.”

Championship glory would be something to be really proud of for Diggle, who have secured runners-up spot and finished third on two occasions under Southern’s tutelage.

Southern has also instilled his ethics into all the club’s sides — the second and third teams have made barnstorming starts to the season in their respective divisions.

Southern added: “We have three very capable teams and it would matter an awful lot to many people if we were to win the title this season.”

Diggle certainly looked like title contenders as they raced into a two-goal lead against Newsome.

Jeff Whittaker opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a close-range effort, and it was 2-0 moments later when Chris Moore turned the ball home following a trademark throw-in from Wayne Broadbent.

Newsome, however, were level by the midway point of the first half as their never-say-die attitude came to the fore.

Diggle found themselves on the back foot five minutes after the restart when Lee Rainford stretched out a leg to clear a cross only to turn the ball into his own net.

Rainford was crestfallen, but he couldn’t blame himself.

Any blushes he may have had were spared 20 minutes from the end when Moore converted from the spot after Whittaker was fouled in the box.

It was the end of the scoring, but certainly far from the end of Diggle’s pursuit of the title.

DIGGLE: McWatt, Jones, M Mayall, Cheetham, Rainford, Martin, Jacobs, Jackson, Broadbent, Moore, Whittaker. Subs: B Mayall, Hewitt, Taylor.