Town have edge in opening day derby

Royton's Jake Coe (left) is tackled by Andrew Pheby

FOOTBALL: ROYTON Town secured the early derby spoils on the opening day of the new FBT Manchester League season.

Mark Howard’s side eased to a 2-0 home Premier Division win against Uppermill thanks to strikes from Billy Dempsey and Michael Moss.

Town followed up on Wednesday with a 3-3 draw at Walshaw Sports. On the mark in Bury were Dempsey, Moss and Craig Schumann.

Springhead have made a solid start to their campaign, winning twice. On Saturday Lee McAllister’s men edged out Walshaw Sports 2-1 thanks to Dominic Hallam and Nathan Eastmond, before following up in midweek with a 2-0 derby success at Uppermill.

It’s not been a great start for Avro, who followed a 3-1 home defeat to Prestwich Heys with a 1-0 reverse at Dukinfield Town in midweek.

Hollinwood got their Division One campaign off to an impressive start as they triumphed 4-3 at Westbury Sports. But Chadderton’s reserves were beaten 5-2 at Beechfield United.

There was another derby clash in Division Two, with Royton Town’s second string prevailing 2-1 against their Hollinwood counterparts.

The new Lancashire Amateur League season kicks-off tomorrow with newly-promoted Chaddertonians beginning their Premier Division tilt with a trip to near rivals Mostonians.

Fellow top-flight outfit Failsworth Dynamos travel to Howe Bridge Mills.