Springhead’s last-minute stunner

FOOTBALL: SPRINGHEAD were out of luck when they conceded an injury-time penalty to draw 2-2 at home to Monton in the FBT Manchester League Premier Division.

’Head should have been two up in the opening 20 minutes: Ryan Fagan and Leighton Stephenson both missed glorious opportunities. Stephenson atoned for his earlier miss when he later smashed home a 30-yard volley.

Monton were offering very little at the other end, but received a lifeline on half-time as their striker headed home bravely past ’keeper Osman Bushara.

Just after the hour mark Callum Grant’s effort came back off the crossbar, but he reacted quickest to prod home the rebound.

Springhead seemed destined to hold on for a 2-1 win, but in the third minute of added time a Monton cross cruelly bounced up to hit Dale Jackman on the hand in the box.

The Monton forward sent Bushara the wrong way to make it 2-2 and leave ’Head with two draws from their opening two games.

Elsewhere, Mark Howard’s Royton Town secured an impressive 2-1 victory at East Manchester, but Avro fell to a 2-0 defeat at Manchester Gregorians.

There were goals galore for local sides in Division One.

Hollinwood triumphed 5-3 at Leigh Athletic, while Uppermill thumped visitors Pennington 5-0.

Chadderton’s reserves drew 1-1 with Breighmet on Tuesday.

Failsworth Dynamos notched a superb 4-0 victory at Bury GSOB in the Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division.

In Division One, Oldham Hulmeians were 2-1 victors at Rochdale St Clement’s Reserves, but Chaddertonians were defeated 2-1 at Horwich RMI.

Wednesday night’s action saw Hulmeians triumph 3-2 at Ainsworth and Chaddertonians pocket a superb 4-1 win at Wardle.

Lancashire and Cheshire League action saw AFC Oldham draw their Premier Division clash 3-3 at home against Old Stretfordians.

Santos lost 2-1 at home to Milton in Division One.

The Huddersfield League got under way on Wednesday, and in Division One Diggle opened with a fine 3-0 home win against Holmbridge.

Heyside won their Division Two clash 2-1 at Slaithwaite, while in Division Four, 3D Dynamos opened with a 5-1 success at Cartworth Moor and Moorside and Uppermill drew their derby game 2-2.