FOR those who believe in ley lines and various mystical phenomena, Saturday's Aire-Wharfe League Division Two fixtures will hold a special fascination, for in all but one match the sides are up against a team next to them in the table.

Bottom of the heap Thackley, with only eight points to show from their four matches, will hope that the planets are at last aligning in their favour as they entertain 11th-placed Hall Park, but the omens are not good.

Thackley’s stated ambition for their two teams at the start of the campaign was ‘making sure 22 players turn up every week’ and, having lost a number of key players over the winter, they have struggled in every league match and were knocked out of the cup by Third Division Menston.

Hall Park took a while to settle in after promotion but were impressive last weekend when notching their first win by beating Tong Park Esholt.

Familiar names like James Carlill (4-55) and Mark Mc-Eneaney (52 and 3-56) figured prominently, and there was a promising knock of 72 from new overseas signing Robbie Salerni.

Hovering just above the bottom two by just a point are Addingham, who entertain seventh-placed Steeton in the only game that breaks the pattern.

With John Akrigg and Craig Walton showing early form, the visitors will start as favourites.

Calverley will seek to regain the early-season form – they won their first two matches – when they take on Skipton, still smarting from being knocked out of the cup by Third Division Bardsey.

Ben Rhydding, who are in a group of five clubs within five points of each other at the top of the table, travel to Tong Park Esholt, who have suffered two defeats since inflicting Leeds Modernians’ only league setback so far.

Leaders Adel take on second-placed Kirkstall, while the two sides hot on their heels, Follifoot and Leeds Modernians, also meet.

Horsforth will have some trepidation about welcoming Burley in their Division One clash after the visitors’ record-breaking cup exploits, and drivers are warned not to park too close to the ground until 24-sixes Ed Brown is out.

Otley should continue their recovery from a shaky start at struggling Collingham, and fourth-placed Guiseley should be too strong for Ilkley.

Since losing their first two matches, Pool have claimed the scalps of Guiseley and Burley and will fancy their chances against newly-promoted Colton.

Rawdon, however, will welcome leaders Beckwithshaw more in hope than expectation.

In Division Three, Menston can go top with a win at St Chad’s, but will be aware that the league new boys knocked Division Two front-runners Kirkstall out of the cup last Sunday.

Harden should stay among the leading pack with victory against a New Rover side that has failed to look its normal self while Bolton Villas will need to show considerable improvement if they are to beat Green Lane.