Royton up to third after stylish victory

ROYTON Town leap-frogged Springhead into third place in the Manchester League Premier Division table thanks to an impressive 4-1 win against Wilmslow Albion.

Carl Caffrey, Danny Gilmartin, Michael Moss and Andy Stafford were on target for in-form Town at Oldham Academy North.

Springhead, meanwhile, were losing 1-0 at league leaders Wythenshawe Amateurs.

Dave Wright scored the crucial goal.

Avro fell to a 3-1 defeat at Walshaw Sports.

In Division One, Heyside moved three points clear at the top of the table thanks to a battling 3-0 win against Westbury Sports Club.

The local side started the brighter and were a goal up after only five minutes.

Midfielder Johnny Pauley picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and after one bounce, volleyed a super strike over the flailing visiting 'keeper.

James Leonard and Chris Ollerton both spurned chances to extend the home side's lead, both missing the target.

Meanwhile at the other end, with regular keeper Brian Lord ill, Peter Bailey, who had been called up from the reserves, pulled off two marvellous stops from the Westbury forward line as Heyside found themselves under the cosh.

Heyside had to wait until the hour mark to extend their lead when Pauley sent Mark Hopwood racing clear and he calmly slotted home.

With the defence of Heyside now well marshalled by captain Reece Hursthouse and looking for a fifth clean sheet in six games, it was Hopwood who sealed the win.

Substitute Lyle Bogle nodded down for Hopwood to turn and score his second of the game.

It was a result that sends Heyside to the top of a Manchester League table for the first time in the club's history.

Boss Geoff Howard said: "It wasn't a great performance at all by our usual standards and I wasn't happy with us overall.

"But it's another three points."

Tom Gallagher scored for Uppermill as they were thumped 6-1 at Beechfield United.

Results -

Premier Division: Royton Town 4, Wilmslow Albion 1; Walshaw Sports 3, Avro 1; Wythenshawe Ams 1, Springhead 0. Division One: Beechfield Utd 6, Uppermill 1; Heyside 3, Westbury Sports Club 0. Division Two: Hollinwood Res 0, Wythenshawe Ams Res 7; Manchester Gregorians Res 2, Royton Town Res 1. Division Three: Govan Athletic Res 6, Springhead 'A' 0.