Whittaker’s treble-tonic for Diggle

JEFF WHITTAKER hit a hat-trick on debut as Diggle defeated Britannia 3-2 in division one of the Huddersfield and District League.

Two goals to the good at the interval, Steve Southern’s side added a third when Whittaker, one of three new boys in the line-up, fired home from the edge of the penalty area.

Britannia, last season’s runners-up, benefited from two defensive lapses to cut the deficit, but Diggle continued to dominate and Whittaker spurned two golden chances to take his tally to five.

Uppermill, under the new management team of Paul Waterhouse and Chris Barlow, went in front after an hour at home to Meltham thanks to Tommy Bunn.

But all their hard work was undone when, with virtually the last kick of the game, Meltham equalised after ’Mill were unable to clear a free-kick.

Heyside recorded a fine 5-2 home win over Fenay Bridge in division four, twice coming from behind to draw level through James Leonard and Steven Partington.

The final half-hour belonged to Heyside as they pulled clear with goals from Carl Winstanley (two) and Chris Raynor.

Diggle made it two wins out of two in reserve division one with a 5-3 defeat of Netherton — Leland Mayall (three) and Lee Clarke (two) got the goals — while Danny Whittle scored for Uppermill in a 1-1 draw against Newsome.

Jason Stone struck five times for Diggle ‘A’ in a resounding 8-1 victory over Upperthong in reserve division two.

Heyside’s second team followed up their opening day success in reserve division three with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Slaithwaite United Res.

Michael McCabe got the all-important goal in the second half.

And Uppermill ‘A’ swept aside Wooldale 9-0. On target were Fahay (three), Faulkener (two), Beveridge, Poulter, Jones and Bottom.