Diggle storm to victory

SORE heads were soon made better as Diggle stormed to a 4–2 success over reigning champions Heywood Irish Centre in division one of the Huddersfield and District League.

The previous night’s celebrations — it was manager Steve Southern’s birthday — had no lasting damage as Diggle, beaten 9-2 in the corresponding fixture last season, raced into a two-goal lead through new-boy Lee Clarke and Matt Taylor.

Heywood hit back to wipe out the advantage within the first 10 minutes of the second half, only for the visitors to recover their composure and edge ahead through a Gary Goddard penalty, before Taylor grabbed his second with two minutes to go.

With nine players unavailable Heyside were always facing an uphill struggle against at Lindley in division three — and so it turned out as they went down 7-2. S Partington’s brace was to no avail.

Uppermill, with Jeff Grace (two), Dave Taylor (two) and Ash Wilson on target, earned local bragging rights after they swept aside Diggle 5-1 in reserve division one.

The ‘A’ team were also victorious, with K Fahay (three), N Boote (two), S Simister getting the goals in a 6-3 win at Mount in reserve division two, but Heyside’s second team were beaten 6-0 by Wooldale Wanderers.

Division one: Heywood Irish Centre FC 2, Diggle 4. Division three: Lindley AFC 7, Heyside FC 2. Reserve division one: Diggle Res 1, Uppermill Res 5. Reserve division two: Diggle ‘A’ P Slaithwaite Utd Res P; Heyside FC Res 0, Wooldale Wanderers Res 6; Mount Res 3, Uppermill ‘A’ 6.



SPRINGBANK have made an instant impact on the Ashton Sunday League. In their opening match in the premier division, a goal from Steven Campbell was enough to clinch a 1-0 win over Britannia.

Bridge and Warwick United fought out a 4-4 draw — Mike King notched a hat-trick for Bridge — while reigning champions Halfway House defeated Moston Labour Club 4-0. Rocky Siddall scored two of the goals.

Dog and Partridge kicked off their division one campaign with a 2-0 win at Charlestown thanks to Gareth Cardwell and Ryan Rafferty.

Premier division: Springbank 1 (S Campbell), Britannia 0; Bridge 4 (M King 3, D Ryder), Warwick United 4 (K Dunks 2, M Chapman 2); Halfway House 4 (R Siddall 2, J Parkinson, D Blundell), Moston Labour Club.

Division one: Dog and Partridge 2 (G Cardwell, R Rafferty), Charlestown 0; Manor 1 (J Flicker), Falconers 1 (own goal); Home Guard 2 (S Cooke, A Wolfe), Anglers 2 (B Grimshaw 2).




HARLEQUIN climbed to the top of the Rochdale On-line Alliance premier division table with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Roca Juniors.

Behind to a 55th-minute goal, they equalised through Ash Lomas, the midfielder scoring at the third attempt after two fine saves from the ’keeper.

The turnaround was complete with 10 minutes to go when captain Dave Midgely, who was sent off the previous week, scored from the edge of the penalty area.

AFC Royton’s first game of the season ended in a 4-1 defeat at Pleasant, who were three goals to the good at half-time.

Danny Cole scored for Royton with a curling free kick around the wall into the top corner.