Hot-shot Ainsworth is four-midable yet again

Photo: Tim Bradley

GETTING STUCK IN . . . Royton Athletic's Paul Badby and Horseshoe's Adam Carr. PICTURES by TIM BRADLEY

Royton Athletic 1, Horseshoe 8

ASH Ainsworth bagged four goals to boost Horseshoe's promotion hopes in David Giblin Division One of the Oldham Sunday League at Clayton playing fields.

Against a Royton Athletic side who were also in the hunt for a place in the top flight, Horseshoe were worthy winners, although a red card for Athletic's Ben Clark when he handled an Ainsworth effort on the goal-line hampered the hosts in the game's final quarter.

Ainsworth had already scored twice inside the opening twenty minutes to set Horseshoe on their way, but that lead was generally against the run of play as Athletic started brightly.

HOPE

Athletic's Kevin Thomasson pulled a goal back shortly before the break to give his side hope in the second period. But there are many teams who will face a struggle against the lively Ainsworth, whose brace of second-half strikes allowed Horseshoe to see out the match in cruise-control.

Horseshoe boss Nathan Handley said: "It was a scrappy first half and we were under a lot of pressure, but in the second half we were well on top.

"We are second in the league with a game in hand and it looks like the game against Oddies could well be a title decider. It's been a good season for us so far and we are in two semi-finals."

Disappointed Athletic official Michael Garrett said: "It was a shocker for us and the sending-off of Ben certainly didn't help us. Unless Horseshoe and Oddies slip up it looks like our promotion chase is up this year, but we stil have Challenge Cup and Shield semi-finals to come."

GOALS: Royton Athletic - Thomason (41). Horseshoe - Ainsworth (10, 25, 50, 64), Jackson (47, 58), Bowles (83), Lawrence (88).

ROYTON ATHLETIC: J Clark, Joy, Mullen, O'Donnell, Gayle, Thomasson, Holmes, Lockett, B Clark, Badby, Sidall. Subs: Garrett, Bradbury, Leach.

HORSESHOE: Taylor, Fitton, Simpson, Carr, C Maznyczenko, G Maznyczenko, Willis, N Maznyczenko, Bowles, Ainsworth, Jackson. Sub: Lawrence.

STAR MAN: Ash Ainsworth - Four goals and always a threat.

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