Manchester League: Double blow for Town

ROYTON TOWN suffered a 2-1 defeat at Chapel Town, last season’s first division champions, in the Manchester League premier division.

Chapel, unbeaten at home for more than a year, took the lead after five minutes after a mistake by Steve Birchenall in the Town goal.

After Michael Moss had been denied by a goalline clearance, Town drew level after 60 minutes following a free kick when Chris Mason set up Ian Hulme to hammer home.

However, against the run of play, Chapel scored the winner after 85 minutes

Town were disappointed with their midweek performance in going down 3-2 at home to Leigh Athletic.

Ian Hulme put them in front after 25 minutes but they were trailing 2-1 by the interval and went further behind to an 80th minute penalty before Hulme scored his second of the night.

Hollinwood are the early leaders after a 2-1 win at Chapel Town on Tuesday night.

Still unbeaten in the league, Mark Howard’s men had earlier enjoyed a 4-2 victory at East Manchester.

Avro are third in the table after posting impressive 5-3 and 3-1 wins over Pennington and East Manchester respectively.

Springhead are also going well in fourth place.

After going down 1-0 at home to Walshaw Sports on Saturday, the Ashfield Crescent club hit back with a 1-0 defeat of Pennington.

Results —

Premier division: Atherton Town 2, Rochdale Sacred Heart 3; Chapel Town 2, Royton Town 1; Elton Vale 8, Breightmet United 1; Hindsford 2, Gregorians 3; Leigh Athletic 7, Stockport Georgians 0; Pennington 3, Avro 5; Prestwich Heys 3, Wythenshawe Amateurs 2; Springhead 0. Walshaw Sports 1; Hollinwood 4, East Manchester 2.

Division one: Beechfield United 2, Bury Amateurs 5; Old Alts 3, Salford Victoria 1; Stand Athletic 0, Monton Amateurs 0; Standians 2, Dukinfield Town 3; Whitworth Valley 0, West Didsbury 8; Wilmslow Albion 0, Manchester Juniors 3; Wythenshawe Town 3, Heywood St James 1.

Division two: Bury Amateurs Res 1, Wythenshawe Amateurs Res 1; Dukinfield Town Res 3, Walshaw Sports Res 2; East Manchester Res 0, Rochdale Sacred Heart Res 0; Gregorians Res 1, Springhead Res 1; Monton Amateurs Res 2, Leigh Athletic Res 1; Stockport Georgians Res 4, Elton Vale Res 1; West Didsbury & Chorlton 3, Avro Res 1.