Derby duel stalemate

Photo: Chris Sunderland

UP AND AT’EM: Diggle FC’S Ryan Hewitt (right) and Scott Thistleton, of Uppermill, go head to head for a high ball. PICTURES by CHRIS SUNDERLAND

Amateur football round up

Diggle 1, Uppermill 1

THINK Liverpool v Everton or Manchester United v Manchester City. Massive matches.

Now think Diggle v Uppermill in division one of the Huddersfield and District League. Another massive match, although not quite on the same scale.

However, there is no difference in terms of passion and whole-hearted commitment as displayed by a string of yellow cards in an often feisty stalemate at Churchill playing fields.

Talking of passion, derby day also marked the wedding of Uppermill third-team player Steve Bottom at noon, allowing some of the players to do what you have to do at weddings and return to Churchill in time for kick-off.

Uppermill, then, were at full strength, whereas Diggle were minus two players because of their continued attendance at the ceremony.

Diggle manager Steve Southern, though, didn’t use the absence of players as an excuse for his side dropping two points at home.

Southern said: “We dominated the first half and everyone would agree that we should have been out of sight by half time.

“Neither side looked like scoring in the second half and in fairness Uppermill were the better side during that period.”

Lee Clarke’s curling, angled drive from the edge of the penalty are put Diggle ahead inside the first quarter of the match.

Uppermill pulled level in the final quarter when Scott Thistleton scored with an audacious 35-yard lob over stranded ’keeper Gareth McWatt.

New Uppermill manager Matt Poulter declared himself happy with the point, echoing the sentiments of his Diggle counterpart in a game when both sides were keen to give nothing away.

Around 60 spectators straddled the perimeter of the pitch at Churchill.

Okay, it wasn’t Anfield, it wasn’t Old Trafford, and it wasn’t much of a spectacle either. but what mattered most was the abundance of passion displayed by the players on the pitch.

DIGGLE: McWatt, Wolfenden, Hewitt, Cheetham, Platt, Martin, Broadbent, Goddard, B Mayall, Clarke, Taylor. Subs: Jones, L Mayall, M Mayall, Cullington.

UPPERMILL: Scorer, Nield, Fitzpatrick, Heaton, Rainford, Nelson, Taylor, Potts, Jacobs, Thistleton, Bunn. Subs: Stewardson, Jackson, Ventriss.




Chaos reigns at Coalshaw

SUPPORTERS looked on in amazement after players from Parkside removed the nets midway through their D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League game against Westwood at Coalshaw Green Park.

Parkside claim referee Charles Baldwin abandoned the David Giblin division one fixture, while the official is alleged to have said it was they who walked off.

The match eventually restarted about 20 minutes later after a chat between the referee, Parkside officials and Westwood, who went on to win 4-3.

The incident occurred late on in the first half when Parkside had their third player sent off after which an argument ensued. The score was 2-2 at the time.

Goalkeeper Gordon Schofield was first to see red, followed by substitute ’keeper Alex Padgham and then midfielder Luke Hargreaves.

Reports will be sent to the league and the Manchester County FA.

Meanwhile, Royton FC returned to the top of the Jack Abbott premier division after a 3-0 victory over previous incumbents Lowerhouse United.

Coppice United moved into mid-table after a 7-1 success at Hunt Lane, but Shahjalal Unity are still searching for their first point of the season after they went 6-1 to AFC Church.

With Khartoum Northern enjoying an open date in division one, Fitton Hill have stretched their lead — but only by a point after they were held to a 2-2 draw at FC Broadgate.

Tucked in behind the top two, Red Star swept aside Springhead Libs 7-0, while Rose of Lancaster edged out Royton Athletic 2-1.

Steven Caine FC climbed to the summit of division two after a 5-1 win at home to Wellington ‘B’.

At the other end of the table, Oldham United broke their duck with a 7-2 defeat of Old Grey Mare.

Results and scorers are —

Jack Abbott premier division: Failsworth Dynamos 1 (L Mack), Failsworth Athletic 2 (Ayres, Gibson); High Crompton CC 5 (D Traynor 2, P Ashton 2, A Duffy), Avro under-19s 1 (N White); Lowerhouse Utd 0, Royton FC 3 (Dalton, L Grimes, J Howarth); Hunt Lane 1 (S Weaver), Coppice United 7; Shahjalal Unity 1, AFC Church 6.

David Giblin division one: FC Broadgate 2 (L Berry, R Jackson), Fitton Hill 2 (P Badby, D Brooks); Springhead Libs 0, Red Star 7 (M Snow, A Santoro, C Beamish, R Hobin 2, A Stafford, D Gordon); Royton Athletic 1 (A Frickers), Rose of Lancaster 2 (D Scanlon, L Ingham); Parkside 3 (S Scoltock, B Fothergill 2), Westwood 4; Crompton & Royton 4 (G. Greenwood (2), L Gray, S Harrop), Wellington ‘A’ 2 (A Biggins, A Roddock).

Division two: Coppice Rangers 4 (H Rashid 2, A Khan, N Miah), North Star 2; Limeside Athletic 6 (I Cooney, W Berry, K Stokes 2, W. Ware 2), Northside FC 1; Royton Cons FC 9, Waggon & Horses 4; Steven Caine FC 5 (N Hardman, P Jackson, J Kelly, C Pauley, R Hurst), Wellington ‘B’ 1 (L Kerwin); Old Grey Mare 2 (Chapman 2), Oldham United 7.




Last-gasp penalty anguish as lady luck deserts Heyside

HEYSIDE counted themselves unlucky to lose 3-2 at home to Paddock Rangers in division three of the Huddersfield and District League.

They had two efforts disallowed, conceded a goal as a result of wicked deflection from a free-kick and, to cap it all, were denied a point by a penalty with five minutes to go.

D Cashin had earlier equalised for Heyside, and they had to come from behind again — M Ward got the goal this time — after Rangers had nosed ahead on the stroke of half-time.

In reserve division one, Diggle ground out a 1-0 win at Newsome WMC, while Uppermill ‘A’ came from behind to defeat Heyside 4-1 in reserve division two.

Heyside, who dominated the first half-hour, went in front through S Partington, only for home side to hit back with two goals before the break.

Uppermill added two more late on in the second period after surviving a few close calls.

Results are —

Division one: Diggle 1, Uppermill 1. Division three: Heyside FC 2, Paddock Rangers 3. Reserve division one: Newsome WMC Res 0, Diggle Res 1.Reserve division two: Uppermill ‘A’ 4, Heyside FC Res 1.




Santos hit back after early blow

SANTOS stormed back after conceding an early penalty to sweep aside VC United 5-1 in division two of the Lancashire and Cheshire League.

Goals from Danny Hicks and Russell Clarke had turned the match on its head by the interval.

With Lee Higginbottom outstanding —he gave the VC left-back a torrid time — Santos took command in the second period.

Clarke doubled his tally from the penalty spot, while John Mayall and Adam McKinney also got in on the scoring act.

Elsewhere in division two, AFC Oldham 2005 enjoyed a 3-1 at VIP FC, but Oldham Victoria went down 6-3 at Droylsden Amateurs.

In division ‘C’, Victoria’s second string overcame Staly FC 3-1, but there were defeats for AFC Oldham reserves and Santos reserves.

Santos wasted a glut of chances in the 2-0 reverse against Denton West End Youth.

The best of these fell to John Bland, who sent his penalty high and wide when it was still goalless.

AFC Oldham thirds drew 2-2 with Chorltonians fifths, but Victoria thirds were beaten 1-0 at home to Whalley Range fourths.

Results are —

Division two: Droylsden Amateurs 6, Oldham Victoria 3; VIP FC 1, AFC Oldham 2005 3; VC United 1, Santos FC 5.

Division ‘C’: Oldham Victoria Res 3, Staly FC 1; AFC Oldham 2005 Res 3, Whalley Range 3rds 5; Santos FC Res 0, Denton West End Youth 2.

Division ‘D’: AFC Oldham 2005 3rds 2, Chorltonians 5ths 2.

Division ‘E’: Oldham Victoria 3rds 0, Whalley Range 4ths 1.




Five-star Guard narrow the gap

HOME Guard have moved within two points of Dog and Partridge at the top of the Ashton Sunday League division one table.

Sam Cooke, Nathan Cooke, Phil Guy, Anthony Wolfe and K Atkinson got the Guard goals in a 5-2 defeat of Anglers, for whom A Marsh replied with a brace.

But Dog’s 100-per-cent record was wrecked at Manor as the two teams fought out a 1-1 draw.

Wellington, with Danny Hepburn (two) and Colin Hill on the mark, are up to third place after they overcame Falconers 3-1.

In the premier division, Mike King’s hat-trick was the highlight of Bridge’s thrilling 5-4 win over Springbank.

They trailed 4-2 at one stage — John Payne (two), Matt Pennington and A Cope scored for Springbank — but fought back to claim maximum points.

Neil Walsh and Mick Fleming got the other Bridge goals.

Martin Chapman also hit a hat-trick for Warwick United — Dave Berry added a brace — in a 5-1 defeat of Britannia.

Meanwhile, there was double disappointment in the Manchester County FA Sunday Shield.

Halfway House, leaders of the premier division, were beaten 6-2 at Clifton — Rocky Siddall scored the consolation goals — and Moston Labour Club succumbed 9-0 to Oldham Sunday League outfit Chaddy End FC.

Results and scorers are —

Premier division: Bridge 5 (M King 3, N Walsh, M Fleming), Springbank 4 (J Payne 2, M Pennington, A Cope); Britannia 1, Warwick United 5 (M Chapman 3, D Berry 2).

Division one: Manor 1 (J Slicker), Dog and Partridge 1 (M Stott); Wellington 3 (D Hepburn 2, C Hill), Falconers 1; Anglers 2 (A Marsh 2), Home Guard 5 (S Cooke, N Cooke, P Guy, A Wolfe, K Atkinson).

MCFA Sunday Shield: Clifton 6, Halfway House 2 (R Siddall 2); Chaddy End FC 9, Moston Labour Club 0.




Cool Bennett is head turner

LOCAL clubs fill three of the top five place in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League premier division.

Leading the trio are Royton Town in third, followed by Hollinwood and Springhead, while Avro are not too far adrift, points-wise, in 10th.

Despite Town’s lofty position, pride of place last weekend went to Springhead, who produced their best performance for some time to defeat pacesetting Gregorians 1-0.

The Ashfield Crescent outfit executed their game plan to perfection to make it three wins on the bounce.

Happy to sit back and soak up plenty of pressure, they to hit their high-flying hosts on the break.

The only goal of the game midway through the first half originated from a corner at the opposite end of the field, with Jackman eventually finding Bennett, who applied a cool finish.

It was a similar story after the break as Springhead defended resolutely to keep Gregorians at bay.

Buoyed by this success, they should take all three points when they play host to bottom-of-the-table Breightmet United at Ashfield Crescent on Saturday, (2pm).

Also this weekend, Royton Town and Hollinwood go head to head in a cracking derby duel (2.15pm).

Town, the hosts, sit third in the table, one place above the visitors to Glebe Street.

Hollinwood were held to a 4-4 draw at home to Leigh Athletic in their latest outing — victory would have seen them go second in the table — while Town overcame Breightmet United 3-0.

Meanwhile, Avro are through to the next stage of the Gilgryst Cup after a 2-0 defeat of lowly Pennington.




Corlett sets ball rolling for Chadds

THREE goals in each half reflected Chaddertonians’ dominance as they defeated Bolton Wyresdale 6-0 in the premier division of the Lancashire Amateur League.

Anthony Corlett put Chadds ahead, which was soon followed by Gareth Pickup’s acrobatic volley and a cool finish from Neil Sissons.

Paul Preston added to Bolton’s woes in the second half, before Sissons again and an own goal completed the rout.

Oldham Hulmeians have slipped to the bottom of division two after a 4-2 defeat at Radcliffe Boys. Danny Proffitt and Danny Tate scored for the visitors.

In division four, Chadds ‘A’ were beaten 1-0 at home by Castle Hill reserves, who broke the deadlock with 10 minutes remaining.

But Oldham Hulmeians ‘B’ triumphed 4-3 over Rossendale Amateurs ‘C’ in division seven.

Failsworth Dynamos bowed out of the First XI Cup after a titanic struggle against Old Blackburnians, who squeezed through 9-8 on penalties.

In the Second XI Cup, Chadds booked their place in round two with a 3-1 win at Ainsworth.

A goal adrift after playing up the hill in the first half, they equalised through Matt Brocklehurst’s 20-yard strike before going in front when Antony O’Brien headed home.

And Chadds’ sealed their passage thanks to Adam Flint’s hit stunning 25-yard drive.

But Hulmeians went out after losing 3-0 against Radcliffe Town Reserves.

Chadds also through to the next stage of the “B’ Team Cup after goals from Shaun Savage (two), on debut, Damian Green and Nick Helm clinched a 4-1 victory at Bolton Wyresdale.

Leading role for in-form Heyside

UNBEATEN Heyside Ladies are riding high in division one of the West Riding Girls League.

After three wins out of four, they are a point clear of Salts United, who have played one game more.

They were hoping to maintain their 100-per-cent record against Bradford Park Avenue, but had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 3-3 draw. Rachael Davis (two) and Helen Smith scored for Heyside.


Royton are comeback kings

AFC ROYTON twice came from behind to draw 2-2 against Todmorden in division two of the Rochdale On-line Alliance.

Danny Coyle levelled after beating the offside trap just before the break and rare goal from centre-back Martin Nixon cancelled out their opponents’ second strike.