Five-star Franklin is Fitton Hill hero

EYES ON THE PRIZE: Fitton Hill's Michael Adz (white shirt) and Westwood's Mamun Miah.

Westwood 1, Fitton Hill 6

CALLUM Franklin boosted his goals tally by FIVE for league leaders Fitton Hill in the Jack Abbott Premier Division of the Oldham Sunday League at Clayton playing fields.

The effervescent Franklin, an absolute bubble of energy inside the opposition box, showed his prowess once more for Hill against a Westwood side that is more than holding its own in the top flight.

Two expertly taken spot-kicks and a further three supremely clinical strikes from Franklin were one of the highlights of an absorbing contest - the other was a perfect ten display from Westwood goalkeeper Mike Thompson.

It really could have been ten or more goals for Hill - and in the process quite a few more for Franklin - but breath-taking save after breath-taking save from the outstanding Thompson defied his predator whose side had scored 15 goals the week before.

Westwood bossed it in the first 30 minutes or so without converting the chances their build-up play deserved, but Hill soon asserted their undoubted authority.

There was no doubting Westwood's energy levels following the Hill bombardment, with a Moklisur Rahman goal a reward - if only a consolation - for their efforts.

Hill manager Tony Marsden said: "All I want is to win this league but I don't want to say too much because when I talked about the same thing last year it jinxed us."

Nurul Hoque, Westwood manager said: "They are a good side and they took their chances."

Of particular note for this match was the appointment of assistant referees to support match official Ian Claridge.

I spoke to two Oldham Sunday League officials who could not reveal any specific details about this appointment - except to confirm it -although what is termed as a 'Special League Meeting' is to be held on November 23 at Chadderton Football Club (7.30pm) ahead of the monthly league meeting at 8pm.

Ironically, Westwood and Fitton Hill meet again on Sunday, this time in the President's Trophy. Two assistant referees will again support the main match official.

But back to the match itself - a contest in particular between a predator and not so much an exterminator, more an extinguisher, the latter being Thompson who, it should be added, had little chance to stop the six goals.

GOALS: Westwood - M Rahman (72). Fitton Hill - Franklin (31 pen, 36, 45 pen, 79, 83), Coleman (66).

WESTWOOD: Thompson, Abul Hussain, Kausur, Zamal, H Rahman, Aktar Hussain, Noor, T Hussain, Nawaz, M Rahman, S Miah. Subs: M Miah, Uddin, Islam.

FITTON HILL: Mullen, Peace, Marsden, Hugon, K Radcliffe, Murdoch, Williamson, Brown, Franklin, Osbourne, Coleman. Subs: N Radcliffe, Hope, Buckley.

REFEREE: I Claridge.

STAR MAN: Mike Thompson (Westwood) - Conceded six goals, but prevented a further six.