Local Lads keep up title challenge

THERE are some familiar names at the top of the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League premier division table.

Springhead, Royton Town and Hollinwood sit just behind leaders Gregorians, who suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at Leigh Athletic.

Town, champions in 2004, are up to third after a 3-1 win at Hindsford. Ian Hulme missed a sixth-minute penalty, but went on to score twice with Jamie Peers getting the other.

Paul Bennett secured his first success as Hollinwood’s caretaker manager at home to Pennington.

Bennett, who has replaced Mark Howard until the end of the season, watched his side win 6-3.

In-form Avro moved into mid-table with a 2-1 defeat of East Manchester.

Springhead were involved in West Riding Challenge Cup action and, thanks to goals from Jack Zaman and Adam Young, they defeated Keighley outfit Steeton AFC 2-1.

They play host to Golcar in round three on Saturday, January 3.

Premier division: Atherton Town 2, Breightmet United 0; Avro 2, East Manchester 1; Elton Vale 3, Prestwich Heys 1; Hindsford 1, Royton Town 3; Hollinwood 6, Pennington 3; Leigh Athletic 2, Gregorians 1; Stockport Georgians 3, Walshaw Sports 0.

Gilgryst Cup: Wythenshawe Amateurs 7, Rochdale Sacred Heart 0.

Division two: Bury Amateurs Res P Dukinfield Town Res P; Prestwich Heys Res 4, Springhead Res 1; Rochdale Sacred Heart Res 3, Stockport Georgians Res 7; West Didsbury & Chorlton Res P Leigh Athletic Res P Wythenshawe Amateurs Res 2, Avro Res 5.

Open Trophy: Gregorians Res 5, Hindsford Res 2; Monton Amateurs Res 5, Walshaw Sports Res 4 aet.

Division three: Breightmet United Res 0, Beechfield United Res 2; Gregorians ‘A’ 1, Royton Town Res 1; Hollinwood ‘A’ P Bury Amateurs ‘A’ P; Stand Athletic Res 4, Hollinwood Res 2; Stockport Georgians ‘A’ 1, Wythenshawe Town Res 2; Walshaw Sports ‘A’ 0, Old Alts Res 11.




HARLEQUIN did the damage in the first half as they overcame Tophams Tavern 7-3 in the Rochdale On-line premier division.



They were five goals to the good by the break — Dave Bates, Jon Bland (two), Paul Higginbottom and Danny Eden were on target — before Tavern rallied in the second half.

But Harlequin added to their tally courtesy of Rob Thomas and Higginbottom again.

OLDHAM are going great guns in the Greater Manchester Ability League.

The ‘A’ team are joint top with Everton in the Premiership, while the ‘B’ side are five points clear in their section.

A hat-trick from Steve Ferris, plus other goals from Robert Watson and Ben Kielty, clinched a 5-1 win for the ‘A’ team over Manchester City, but a Ferris double was in vain as they went down 5-2 against Everton.

Scott MacKenzie scored the only goal of the game for the ‘B’ team in a 1-0 defeat of Ashton-on-Mersey, while Liam Aspin (two), Steve Mortin and MacKenzie struck in a 4-0 win over Wigan.




Uppermill cup hopes ended



UPPERMILL’S hopes of Challenge Cup glory were dashed by Huddersfield and District League division one rivals Heywood Irish Centre.



Matt Poulter’s side lost 3-1, while the club’s reserves bowed out of the FA Junior Cup at the last-eight stage with a 1-0 defeat at home to their Meltham Athletic counterparts.

Heyside, who had J Mannion on target, felt aggrieved after they succumbed 3-1 at division three leaders Scissett.

They had a penalty appeal turned down, a goal disallowed for offside and they also hit the woodwork three times, this after being reduced to 10 men.

C Crothers completed a hat-trick as Heyside’s second string beat reserve division two promotion hopefuls Cumberworth 5-2. L Hancock and an goal made up the tally.

FA Challenge Cup, round three: Heywood Irish Centre FC 3, Uppermill 1. FA Junior Cup, quarter-finals: Uppermill Res 0, Meltham Athletic Res 1. Division three: Scissett 3, Heyside FC 1. Reserve division two: Heyside FC Res 5, Cumberworth Res 2; HV Academicals Res 2, Diggle ‘A’ 4.




OLDHAM Hulmeians reserves are joint top of division six in the Lancashire Amateur League.



In the only game involving a local team last weekend, they moved level on points with leaders Lymm ‘B’ after a 5-3 win at Hesketh Casuals ‘B’.




AFC OLDHAM 2005 experienced mixed fortunes in the Lancashire and Cheshire League.



The first team were beaten 3-2 at Heaton Mersey in division two, but the reserves brushed aside their Manchester Rovers counterparts 4-0 in division ‘C’.

The club’s third team, meanwhile, lost 3-2 at Aldermere thirds in division ‘D’.




HEYSIDE Angels under-14s are through to the Oldham Girls League Knock-out Cup final after goals from Rheema Mears (two), Abbie Andrews and Katie Jones clinched a 4-1 win over Rochdale Ladies.






Coppice take over at the top



COPPICE United have taken over top spot in the D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League Jack Abbott premier division table.



United overcame Failsworth Athletic 5-2, while Lowerhouse United slipped to second place after they were beaten 6-2 by High Crompton CC.

Fitton Hill have moved a point clear in the David Giblin division one title race after they drew 5-5 with Khartoum Northern.

The result ended Khartoum’s 100-per-cent record, but they are in a three-way tie for second spot alongside Rose of Lancaster and Westwood, who defeated FC Broadgate 3-2.

Royton Athletic climbed into mid-table after an emphatic 10-1 win over lowly Wellington ‘A’.

Goodwill was in abundance in the division two fixture between Rifle Range Royal Blues and Limeside Athletic.

There were 15 goals, with Athletic emerging 9-6 winners to go third in the table.

In the other game, Oldham United overcame North Star 8-1.

The top two in the division, Steven Caine FC and Marvin Greenwood, went head to head in round two of the Challenge Cup — but they will have to try again after drawing 1-1.

Jack Abbott premier division: Oddies 1, Chaddy End FC 1; Failsworth Athletic 2, Coppice United 5; High Crompton CC 6, Lowerhouse United 2.

David Giblin division one: Fitton Hill 5, Khartoum Northern 5; Wellington ‘A’ 1, Royton Athletic 10; Westwood 3, FC Broadgate 2;

Division two: Oldham United 8, North Star 1; Rifle Range Royle Blues 6, Limeside Athletic 9; Royton Cons P Coppice Rangers P.

Challenge Cup, round two: Steven Caine FC 1, Marvin Greenwood 1.