Impressive Soothill on treble trail

Having beaten the same opponents earlier this week to claim the Wilf Ward Memorial Trophy, Soothill will be confident of progressing to the final, where they would face Premier Division side Fairbank Utd.

Soothill beat ALC 4-1 to lift the Wild Ward Trophy on Monday, Johnny Beverley scoring twice to take his tally for the season to 40.

ALC replied before half-time, but goals from Adam Williams and Tom Yarnold in the second period completed a comfortable win for Soothill.

Soothill currently sit six points clear at the top of the Spen Valley First Division, although second-placed Fairbank Utd Reserves have three games in hand.

With just four games standing between them and a stunning treble, manager Joshua Atkinson is in confident mood.

He said: “I obviously fancy our chances to get to the final.

“If we get there we will be up against a better class of opposition, but I fancy us to cause them problems and I could see us getting the treble.

“We’ve put a lot of hard work in and it’s been a progressive season. I started managing at 18 and putting the team together bit by bit, and this is my first trophy as a manager.

“I’ve built up a team, adding one or two players each year but keeping the same core since I started.”

Soothill beat Fairbank Reserves and Ravensthorpe Bulls on their way to Wilf Ward Trophy glory, scoring 12 goals in their three games.

And with a season run-in easier on paper than their rivals for the title, a three-trophy haul could be on the cards.

Club captain David Martin said: “I don’t want to be overconfident, there’s still a lot left to happen.

“We are focusing on ALC tomorrow and then there’s a Premier Division team waiting for us in the final if we win.

“The treble could happen, but I’ll be happy with a double!

“We’ve got a good set of lads who enjoy playing football together, and the best striker in the league in Johnny Beverley.

“Everyone gets on so well together and plays for each other.”