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The bus to Bankfoot was fine and there was a prompt change to the 268. At Cleckheaton, however, rather than turn to make the call at the bus station, it flew straight past, adding an extra furlong to the walk up to:

Tuesday 4th April 2023
NPL Premier Division
Liversedge   1   v   1   Lancaster City
Jack Hall; Gordon Greaves, Matt Coles

JCFC received a friendly wave from Mr Hall as he came towards the end of his warm-up - no prizes for guessing which of the two that "he" refers to.

In the 9th minute Lancaster were awarded a penalty, queried, but not too vehemently by a number of Sedge players; the taker made a very rapid run-up and blasted the ball into the net. A brief check on twitter revealed that Brighouse Town had gone behind at Shildon, which put their hosts above them and left Town currently facing a relegation play-off. A home player and his captain were the recipients of a longish lecture three minutes later. The rest of the half passed agreeably, with the visitors having the better of the play.

At half-time, a further twitter check revealed that Brighouse had scored in the 44th minute to move them above Shildon once more. Google revealed that Cleckheaton bus station was being avoided from 5pm because of anti-social behaviour (ASB) by some youngsters. A strange quotation from one Inspector David Bates - "A juvenile was recently arrested at the location on suspicion of other ASB by officers" - gives what one trusts is a misleading impression. It is not clear whether the station will be avoided on further evenings, or even at all times.

Sedge started the second half much better, having a couple of early shots blocked and scuffing another shot when clean through. They then had a penalty appeal turned down, the appeals not being prolonged. On 53 minutes Mr Hall had a pre-emptive word with the visiting keeper, to avoid time-wasting at a free-kick. There was a yellow card for a Lancaster player for a foul just after the hour as Liversedge continued to dominate. This did leave them exposed and it took a great block by a defender racing back to prevent Lancaster having a great opportunity to extend their lead. Substitutions allowed a further check on Twitter - and Town had surprisingly taken the lead. Sedge headed over the bar and Lancaster pulled a shot wide, as Sedge were stretched. Three minutes into added time the visitors appeared to be about to seal the points, with an attacker one on one with the keeper. The young goalie, however, managed to block the ball to safety and thence it was played immediately to the other end and into the Lancaster net, for an equaliser that Liversedge deserved.

Mr Hall has been commented on many times before, so sufficient to say that he added use of a trailing eye to his alertness. His movement is not exaggerated, but when he senses a possible danger, he makes sure that he is on the spot with a fine turn of speed. The officials seemed to be well enough received at the final whistle - and rightly so.

Given that the bus station was out of commission, though still lit up, JCFC  paid a further visit to Obediah Brook to wait for the 22.46 bus. £2.46 was exchanged for a pint of Kirkby Lonsdale 1822, but the comfortable seat was the main object of the exercise.

Brighouse, meanwhile, had hung on to take all three points, which lifted them above Sheffield and Lincoln United, but still some way from safety.