By Neil Atkinson and Aidan Hopson
Lawal Lawal turned in a Man of the Match display as Berry Brow put their name back on the Barlow Cup with a tense 4-3 win over Linthwaite Athletic at Golcar United’s Skye Direct Stadium.
It was a clash between the top two in the Huddersfield District League, with Linthwaite edging out their rivals to secure the championship.
And for a time it looked like Linthwaite would complete the double as they established a 2-0 lead after 30 minutes. Both goals came from Max Morley including a stunning 25-yard screamer.
But Brow hit back before half-time with a solo effort from Lawal Lawal although there were claims for handball.
After the break Brow began to play better football and equalised through Danny Facey after a goalmouth scramble, only for Linthwaite to take the lead again to make it 3-2.
Ernest Boafo steered a brilliant free-kick from outside the box around the wall and into the bottom corner.
There were just 10 minutes left when Brow were awarded a penalty. Lawal’s kick was saved by Cameron Field but Facey managed to scramble the rebound home off a defender to level the scores at 3-3.
With both sides having chances, it fell to Facey to grab an 89th minute winner. He struck home sweetly from 12 yards having been set up by the lively Lawal, who received the Man of the Match award.
The trophy and medals were presented by former Huddersfield Town manager Gerry Murphy.
Gallery of images by: Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE
Elsewhere in the Huddersfield District League, Saddleworth United are the Division 1 champions following Moorside’s 1-1 draw with Honley as they were the only team that could catch them.
Moorside could still join their neighbours in the Premier Division next season should they win their last game of the season at Skelmanthorpe.
Jack Woods topped the league’s scoring chart with a hat-trick in Skelmanthorpe’s 8-1 win over Lepton Highlanders with Lewis Haigh also scoring three. Woods totalled 42 goals for the season with a game still to play.
The Division 2 title is yet to be decided with Berry Brow Reserves still favourites leading the division with games to play. Should AFC Volunteers in second place slip up in their last game of the season then the title will go to Berry Brow.
In the Huddersfield FA Challenge Cup semi-final Slaithwaite United sprang a major surprise beating neighbours and favourites Linthwaite Athletic 9-8 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Ashley Beardsall and Ben Boulton scored the goals for Slawit.
The Huddersfield FA Challenge Cup final between Berry Brow and Slaithwaite United will be played at the Stafflex Arena, home of Shelley on May 15, kick-off 7pm.
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