ATHERSLEY Rec’s next match is a Barnsley derby at home to Wombwell Town on Tuesday – a fixture with significance at both ends of the table as the NCEL Division One season builds to an exciting conclusion.

Athersley Rec have lost seven in a row and won one of their last 15 matches since October.

That leaves them 17th, three places and seven points clear of the relegation zone with 11 games to play.

Rec lost 4-1 at home to top ten side Maltby Main on Tuesday.

The visitors went 2-0 up and, after Carter Tingle pulled one back for Athersley, scored two more.

Rec do not have a game this weekend while Wombwell host Swallownest on Saturday before the derby.

Town are third, nine points off leaders Horbury Town – who are in the only automatic promotion place but have played four extra games – while they were overtaken by Wakefield this week.

The Wombwell club, who are unbeaten in the league in 2025, then saw their planned game at South Leeds on Wednesday evening called off due to a waterlogged pitch

Dearne and District drew 2-2 at home to leaders Horbury on Tuesday, ending a five-game winning run but leaving them unbeaten in seven.

Dearne fell behind but went in front through Justin Circuit and Jamie Austin then Horbury levelled.

Dearne are fifth, in the lowest play-off place, two points ahead of sixth-placed Worsbrough Bridge who have played an extra game.

Bridge fell behind at Shelley on Tuesday evening but Harry Spooner and Lloyd Smith had them 2-1 up at the break.

Shelley levelled early in the second half and the game finished 2-2.