Bennett remains defiant

BATTLE FOR THE BALL: Hollinwood’s Charlie McGrath (left) tries to dispossess Tony Cutler, of Prestwich Heys.

HOLLINWOOD caretaker boss Paul Bennett maintained an upbeat mood despite his side’s 2-1 defeat by Prestwich Heys in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League premier division.

He watched the Chapel Road outfit lose their third straight match, but insisted the title is still within their reach.

Bennett took charge of the senior team for the first time after assisting Mark Howard for the whole of the departed manager’s tenure. See Page 35

Said Bennett: “The club is a bit down at the moment because of a poor run of results, but I believe one win will turn things round for us.

“I still believe we can win the league because all the teams are capable of beating each other.

“We were gutted at the end of the game. We had enough opportunities but just didn’t take them.

“Sloppy defending cost us as well because we were looking good when (Alan) Beckett scored in the first half.

“We played some good football but if you don’t take your chances and you fall asleep at the back then you are going to get punished.”

Beckett’s 20-yard free-kick after 32 minutes was the tonic beleaguered Hollinwood were looking for, but Heys pulled themselves level close to half time.

And Bennett’s hopes of beginning his reign with a point were dashed just after the mid-way point of the second period when the visitors nosed ahead.

Although this was Hollinwood’s seventh defeat of the season, they are still only four points off top spot.

For Bennett and his troops, however, it could be a long, hard winter ahead.

Bennett, who will lead the club until the end of the season, has already ruled himself out of the job on a full-time basis due to work commitments.

HOLLINWOOD: Whiston, Booth, Dickinson, Hardicre, Smith, Shepherd, Fitzgerald, Yates, Hatton, Beckett, McGrath. Subs: Simmons, Fairclough, Blundell.