Hot-shot Beckett on cloud nine

NINE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER: Hollinwood manager Mark Howard salutes striker Alan Beckett.

ALAN BECKETT knows a thing or two about the art of goalscoring.

But the sharp-shooter surpassed his own high expectations when he scored NINE times for Hollinwood in their 13-2 defeat of Hindsford in the Manchester League premier division.

Beckett (28) was the top marksmen in the Manchester League for two seasons when he bagged 44 goals in 2005-06 and 45 in 2006-07.

But set to beat his best, with his stunning individual effort taking his tally to 20 goals in only seven games.

Beckett said: “All of my goals against Hindsford were shots and tap-ins — everybody knows I never score with my head.

“I scored in the first minute and the Hindsford heads just dropped.

“There was one weekend a couple of seasons ago when I scored a hat-trick for Hollinwood on the Saturday and then scored eight for 3D Dynamos on the Sunday.”

Beckett had a short and ultimately fruitless spell with Chadderton FC in the North-West Counties League last season, before returning to Hollinwood.

He is still a wanted man in non-league circles — a number of clubs have acquired about his services — but he is staying fully focused on a title charge, adding: “I am staying at Hollinwood because I think we can win the league this season.

“On top of that, I enjoy playing with my mates and there isn’t too much pressure.”

It is still not known if Beckett’s nine-goal feat and Hollinwood’s 13-2 win are league records.

Hollinwood are gunning for their first premier division title, and manager Mark Howard said: “We were back at full strength against Hindsford and when I’ve got a fully fit squad to choose from we will give anybody a run for their money.

“Injuries, suspensions and holidays have taken their toll on us so far this season, but that was not the case against Hindsford.

“Before the match, we had clear-the-air talks because I want to stress that we are not just here to mess about or make up the numbers.

“From now on in, we are pushing for honours — we want to win the title and a cup.”

Along with Beckett, returning to the Hollinwood team against Hindsford were Gary Brooks, Matthew Dickinson and Scott Yates — a formidable backbone in any line-up.

And Beckett was at it again 24 hours later, scoring twice for Chaddy End FC against Failsworth Athletic in the Oldham Sunday League. See Match of the Day.