Local pride is at stake on Saturday as Northern Counties East League Premier Division leaders Thackley host Division One promotion hopefuls Eccleshill United in the first round of the FA Vase.

The Dennyboys are on fire with four league victories on the spin, keeping them four points clear at the summit, while the Eagles were in similar form in September but have lost momentum in recent weeks.

However, derby games are great levellers and the two clubs – separated by just two miles – have always enjoyed meeting each other.

Eccleshill’s football chairman Adrian Benson said: “It should be a very good cup tie and we have been looking forward to it since the draw was made. I would sooner have had it up at our place but I like Thackley.

“It’s a really good club run well by very nice people.

“There have been a lot of players who have moved between the clubs down the years and the links have always been close. But for 90 minutes, at least, on the pitch we will be sworn enemies. Then I’m sure we’ll all have a drink afterwards.”

Also in the Vase, Liversedge have home advantage over Armthorpe Welfare just a week after the two clubs met in the league. The points were shared last Saturday at Armthorpe in a 1-1 draw.

Albion Sports host Brighouse Town on Saturday knowing a win would see them overtake their neighbours in the NCEL Premier Division.

Just one point separates the clubs after Albion beat Lincoln Moorlands Railway 6-1 on Wednesday, while Town lost 1-0 at Heanor Town.

Town are fifth with 24 points from 11 games but Albion are now in hot pursuit with 23 from 12 games played.

Albion are still missing their potent striker Karl Hall and have a few players carrying knocks after the Lincoln game.

Brighouse have injured pride following their defeat to a contentious penalty at Heanor and Ben Small is sidelined after sustaining a gash to his head in last Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Nostell MW.

Silsden head to St Helens Town on Saturday for a North West Counties Premier Division clash on the back of a three-match unbeaten run.

St Helens are a healthy eighth in the table and have a four-point cushion over their visitors but have played one game more.

Last Saturday’s 3-2 win over Alsager Town at home meant the Cobbydalers have banked seven points from a possible nine. They began the season with the same points haul over the opening three games but they will be hoping to avoid a repeat of what followed.

The Cobbydalers went the next seven games without a win, gaining just one point during that sequence.

Striker Mikey Hall will be looking forward to the game after opening his account for Silsden with a hat-trick last week.