Under-14s on crest of a wave

SCHOOLS FOOTBALL

OLDHAM Schools under-14s carried their excellent Greater Manchester Schools’ League form into the North-West Woodward Trophy.

Unbeaten so far this season, they came from behind to beat Bury 3-2 in the first round.

Adrift after four minutes, Oldham equalised through a Sam Rathbone (Failsworth) header.
Joe Cooper, of Saddleworth, put them ahead in the second half and they added a third thanks to a Matthew Singleton (Crompton House) strike.

Bury hit back to reduce the arrears late on, but Oldham held out to book their place in the next stage of the competition.

The under-15s are out of the North-West Alder Own Cup after they lost 4-3 in terrific preliminary round tie at Sefton.

The Merseysiders took an early lead, only for Jamie Saunders, of Blue Coat, to restore parity soon after.

Oldham finished the first half strongly and nosed ahead thanks to Saunders’ second of the game.

Sefton were level just after the interval and then went in front, but the visitors would not lie down and equalised through Crompton House’s Dylan O’Connor.

However, the home side had the final say by grabbing a last-gasp winner.

The under-15s return to Greater Manchester Schools’ League action on Saturday when they play host to Macclesfield at the Lancaster Club (kick-off 10.30am).