Eight is great for Carl

A STUNNING eight-goal blitz from Carl Winstanley booked Heyside’s place in the last four of the Huddersfield and District League’s Groom Cup competition.

The hot-shot was in unstoppable form as his side moved a step closer to appearing in the final.

He was the star of the show in an emphatic 10-3 win over division four promotion favourites Fenay Bridge.

John Norbury, secretary of Heyside, said: “I remember Mervyn Davies scoring six goals for us a few years ago, but to get eight in a game is something else.

“They weren’t all tap-ins either, Craig scored some good goals.”

Heyside, in the lower reaches of division three, had to do it the hard way.

They were 2-1 down after half-an-hour, only to equalise just before half-time.

Heyside scored twice within five minutes of the restart to take a firm grip on the quarter-final tie, before adding six more goals. Bridge bagged their third from the penalty spot late on.

Scott Rowbottom and Chris Raynor got the other Heyside goals.

In division one, Uppermill threw away a lead for the seventh time this season as they were beaten 3-2 at home by runaway leaders Lepton Highlanders.

Goals from Dave Taylor and James Thompson looked to have earned ’Mill three vital points.

But they paid the penalty for a lack of concentration and the inability to finish teams off as Lepton, with the aid of a penalty and an own goal, fought back to snatch the points in the last 20 minutes.

There was also defeat for Diggle, who went down 3-2 at Britannia Sports.

But the club’s second string enjoyed a 4-1 win over Honley in reserve division one, while Uppermill and Netherton shared four goals.

Heyside recent good run of results came to an end at local rivals Diggle ‘A’ in reserve division two.

Two goals adrift at the break — both goals came from defensive errors — they fell further behind after the restart.

A double strike from J Mannion reduced the arrears, but Diggle added a fourth to seal victory.

Results are —

Groom Cup, quarter-finals: Heyside FC 10, Fenay Bridge FC 3.

Division one: Britannia Sports 3, Diggle 2; Uppermill 2, Lepton Highlanders 3.

Reserve division one: Diggle Res 4, Honley Res 1; Netherton Res 2, Uppermill Res 2.

Reserve division two: Diggle ‘A’ 4, Heyside FC Res 2.