Council to review pitch procedure

CLOSE QUARTERS: Hollinwood’s Alan Beckett is put under pressure from Breightmet United’s Michael Hargreaves.

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OLDHAM Council is to carry out a review of their pitch cancellation procedures — and get tough on those teams that play on unfit pitches — following discussions at the latest Oldham Football Forum.

The forum, held at the Salt Cellar in Oldham town centre, heard complaints from local leagues and clubs that, on several occasions this season, pitches had been called off on the ‘Pitchline’ on Friday morning but were, in fact, perfectly fit for play by the Sunday.

And there was anger that some pitches called off by the council were still being played on by teams — often from outside the borough — ignoring the ‘Pitchline’ postponements

Glen Dale, Oldham Council’s horticultural services manager, told the meeting that all pitches were inspected on Friday mornings and several factors were taken into account in deciding whether they were okay for play that weekend.

He promised that the council would review this and that council officers would issue fines to clubs who flouted the system.

He called on clubs borough-wide to report those found to be playing games on pitches already deemed unfit.

It had also been brought to the attention of the council that some schools have been organising midweek games on council pitches when unfit, making them unplayable for the weekend teams that pay for the facilities.

Dale said he would be writing to those schools highlighting their responsibilities.

Colin Bridgford, county development manager at Manchester FA, said other areas of the county operated several different systems such as inspection teams and league-by-league decisions, but this was difficult for Oldham to do with teams within the borough competing in no fewer than 27 different leagues.

Other issues highlighted at the Forum included —

o County FA plans to offer incentives to clubs to increase their number of teams.

o A commitment to a midweek floodlit under-18s league.

o An Oldham mini-soccer festival.

o The formation of an Oldham mini-soccer league.

Some clubs did point out that the formation of a mini-soccer league in time for the 2009/10 season was unlikely as clubs had only until March to resign from their current leagues and would need structures in place before doing so.

The Oldham Football Forum wants to encourage local leagues and teams to get involved in discussing the issues at the heart of grassroots football.

Visit www.oldhamfootballforum.org.uk for the latest news and discussion board.

Mind games
Hollinwood 2, Breightmet United 0

PAUL BENNETT, the Hollinwood manager, was unhappy how his players approached their Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League premier division match against struggling Breightmet United.

Alan Beckett and Stuart Mellor were on target in the 2-0 win — a result which kept their title hopes alive.

But Bennett thought they could and should have done better against their lowly opponents.

He said: “No disrespect to Breightmet, but they are second from bottom.

“We showed a great attitude when we beat Prestwich the week before and we needed to repeat that on Saturday.

“I was disappointed with the way we played, although it was good to get another win to keep us in touch at the top.”

Hollinwood were sluggish at times against a Breightmet side that have tasted victory just once all season and has an unenviable goal difference of minus 43.

Perhaps it was the fact that Hollinwood only netted twice that peeved Bennett.

And it’s a good job that he has the likes of Beckett in his side to come up with the goods, the goal he scored against Breightmet being his 41st of the season.

The breakthrough arrived midway through the first half, Beckett poking the ball home from close range following a goalmouth scramble.

Hollinwood increased their lead with 20 minutes to go when substitute Stuart Mellor, who had just come on, played a neat one-two with Gary Brooks before driving the ball home from 18 yards.

HOLLINWOOD: Ashworth, Shepherd, Dickinson, Hardicre, Smith, Hatton, Fitzgerald, Yates, Snowden, Beckett, Brooks. Subs: Hardman, Mellor, Edwards.

Lane meet their Waterloo

WELLINGTON put the boot in Hunt Lane’s President’s Trophy hopes.

Bottom of David Giblin division one with only one win to their name, they sent their top-flight opponents crashing out of the Oldham Sunday League competition with a stunning 4-2 win.

But Jack Abbott premier division title contenders Coppice United had no such problems as they posted a comfortable 5-1 victory over Avro under-19s.

With United in trophy action, Royton FC seized their chance to go top of the table.

In a depleted programme because of the weather, they swept aside High Crompton CC 6-1.

Royton hold a two-point lead over United, but the real dangers appear to be Chaddy End FC and Failsworth Dynamos.

They sit fourth and fifth respectively and have games in hand over the teams above them.

The Challenge Cup replay between the top two teams in division two went the way of Marvin Greenwood, who overcame Steve Caine 2-0.

Results and scorers are —

Jack Abbott premier division: Royton FC 6 (R Siddall 3, D Dalton, R Quinlan, C Ginnever), High Crompton CC 1 (M McCabe).

Challenge Cup replay: Marvin Greenwood FC 2, Steven Caine FC 0.

President’s Trophy: Coppice United 5, Avro under-19s 1; Hunt Lane 2 (S McDonald 2), Wellington 4 (A Biggins 2, K Knowles 2).

Other fixtures postponed because of unfit pitches.

Trophy target
AVRO will be looking to get their hands on the Manchester FA Challenge Trophy tonight.

The Manchester League premier division outfit face Curzon Ashton reserves in the rearranged final at Brantingham Road, Chorlton (kick-off 7pm).

The two teams were due to meet before Christmas, but the game was postponed because of an unfit pitch.

Avro sit just below half-way in the top-flight. They have won their last four league games and are unbeaten since mid-November.

They were hoping to carry on their fine run of form at Leigh Athletic last weekend, but the match fell foul of the weather.

Royton Town’s Gilgryst Cup tie at home to Stockport Georgians was also called off, so too Springhead’s West Riding Challenge Cup encounter against Huddersfield side Golcar.

Gregorians are the new premier division pacesetters after a 3-2 win at Elton Vale, but second-placed Springhead have a game in hand.

In division two, Avro reserves recorded a 2-1 success over their Dukinfield Town counterparts, while Springhead’s second string defeated Bury Amateur reserves 4-2.

Results are —

Gilgryst Cup: Royton Town P Stockport Georgians P.

Premier division: Elton Vale 2, Gregorians 3; Hindsford 2, Wythenshawe Amateurs 3; Hollinwood 2, Breightmet United 0; Leigh Athletic P Avro P; Pennington 1, Atherton Town 6; Prestwich Heys P East Manchester P; Rochdale Sacred Heart 1, Walshaw Sports 3.

Murray Shield: Fives Athletic 1, Bury Amateurs 5.

Division two: Avro Res 2, Dukinfield Town Res 1; East Manchester Res 2, Elton Vale Res 1; Gregorians Res 4, Leigh Athletic Res 2; Monton Amateurs Res P Hindsford Res P; Springhead Res 4, Bury Amateurs Res 2; Stockport Georgians Res P West Didsbury & Chorlton Res P; Walshaw Sports Res 1, Prestwich Heys Res 0; Wythenshawe Amateurs Res 1, Rochdale Sacred Heart Res 0.

League Cup: Stockport Georgians ‘A’ P Standians Res P; Walshaw Sports ‘A’ 0, Gregorians ‘A’ 2.

Division three: Atherton Town Res 4, Old Alts Res 4; Breightmet United Res 4, Wythenshawe Town Res 5; Hollinwood ‘A’ P Royton Town Res P; Stand Athletic Res P Bury Amateurs ‘A’ P

WRCFA County Cup: Golcar United P Springhead Res P.

Heyside’s troubles start early
WHAT could go wrong did go wrong as Heyside slipped to an 8-0 defeat at the hands of promotion favourites YMCA in division three of the Huddersfield and District League.

They lost a player in the warm-up and were reduced to nine men following an injury on the half-hour mark.

YMCA, who have only lost once in the league this season, soon took command by scoring three times before the break.

Another injury meant Heyside had to use their ’keeper as an outfield player in the second half, but despite a brave effort YMCA used their numerical advantage to add five more goals to their tally.

Heyside reserves were unfortunate to go out to Lepton Highlanders in the second round of the Richardson Cup.

They led twice through Thomas Quinn and Terrence Bark, only for the visitors to equalise from the penalty spot on each occasion.

The tie appeared to be heading for extra time but, against the run of play, Lepton nicked it with a break-away goal in the very last minute.

In reserve division one, Diggle defeated Netherton 2-1, while Uppermill ‘A’ fought out a 4-4 draw at Scholes in reserve division two.

Results are —

Richardson Cup, round two: Uppermill Res P Diggle ‘A’ P;

Heyside FC Res 2, Lepton Highlanders Res 3.

Division one: Diggle P Britannia Sports P; Meltham Athletic P Uppermill P.

Division three: YMCA 8, Heyside FC 0.

Reserve division one: Netherton Res 1, Diggle Res 2.

Reserve division two: Uppermill ‘A’ 4, Scholes Res 4.Ferris and Hirons at the double

STEVE FERRIS and Damian Hirons scored a brace apiece as Oldham ‘A’ defeated Manchester United 5-2 in the Greater Manchester Ability Counts League.

Robert Watson got the other goal for Oldham, who went on to lose 5-2 against Everton in a friendly match. Ferris added two more to his tally.

In the league, Oldham ‘B’ went down 5-2 to Bolton — Liam Aspin scored twice — and Aspin’s four-goal salvo was in vain as they were beaten 7-5 by Wigan. Jason Cartwright made up the tally.

Oldham had to settle for second-best in a cup competition at the Preston Sports Arena.

They enjoyed wins over Sheffield , Preston and Liverpool, but they missed out on top honours when they lost to eventual champions Communities (Wilmslow) FC 4-2.

Scorers on the day for Oldham were Scott Mackenzie, Steve Morton and Aspin.Rochdale Sunday League

A LETHARGIC performance from Turks Head saw them slip to their second straight defeat in the Rochdale Sunday League.

Andy Eastwood put Turks ahead in the division one clash, but opponents FC Bernard bounced back to win 4-2.

Eastwood got the other goal, but Simon Orchard missed a penalty.High Crompton eye last four

HIGH Crompton CC take a break from Oldham Sunday League action this weekend, writes JOHN GILDER.

The Jack Abbott premier division outfit travel to Urmston Meadowside in a Manchester County FA Sunday Cup quarter-final tie.

After overcoming the challenge of West Didsbury in the previous round, this stage represents new territory for Stuart Lomas’ side.

The Crompton boss has fond memories of their first appearance in the Sunday Cup four years ago.

Lomas said: “We were drawn away against the holders, De La Salle, and we prepared for the match by having a light breakfast at McDonald’s.

“One of our lads picked up a newspaper and read an article about De La Salle preparing to take on an unknown side from Oldham.

“It fired us up and we went on to win 7-2.”

Lomas will select his side from a squad of 17.

High Crompton CC (from): Dean, Pearson, Wade, Bocking, Higgs, Duffy, Mulholland, Smith, Thomson, McCabe, Spence, Keating, Ashton, Trainer, Wiley, Lewis, Roberts.

o THE only Oldham-based side to lift the Manchester County FA Sunday Cup was Springbank, who beat Royal Oak 4-0 in a replay 26 years ago.

A Keith Jones hat-trick and a goal from Phil Haigh earned them a 4-0 win over Royal Oak in a replay after the first meeting had ended all-square at 2-2.

No case for the defence as Hulmeians let it slip

OLDHAM Hulmeians blew a 3-0 lead as they lost 4-3 to Ainsworth, who returned to the top of the Lancashire Amateur League’s second division with victory at Tate Street.

The opening 30 minutes saw Hulmeians take control with goals from David Bradburn (penalty), Simon Toms and Danny Proffitt, but the visitors gained in confidence after replying on the stroke of half-time.

Ainsworth got back on level terms with the help of some generous defending before winning the game with a 25-yard effort five minutes from time.

The wet weather put paid to fixtures involving Failsworth Dynamos and Chaddertonians in the premier division.

But Chadds reserves did play and they got off the mark for the season with a 4-2 win at Hindley Juniors in division three.

In a rapid-fire opening, three goals in the first six minutes saw Chadds lead 2-1 thanks to efforts from Dave Ashworth and Adam Flint.

Although Hindley equalised just before the break, late strikes from Matt Fitton and a second for Ashworth sealed victory.

Failsworth Dynamos’ second string succumbed by the same scoreline against their Moston Juniors counterparts.

Meanwhile, division six leaders Hulmeians reserves continued their winning run with a 6-2 victory at Radcliffe Town ‘B’.

Elliot McGinally and Wayne Harrison both notched a brace, while Gary Melia and Michael Drager also found the net.

John Hadfield scored the ‘B’ team’s consolation in a 4-1 defeat against Horwich RMI ‘A’ in division seven.

Results are —

Premier division: Failsworth Dynamos P Rochdale St Clements P; Horwich RMI P Chaddertonians P.

Division one: Hindley Juniors 2, Chaddertonians Res 4; Mostonians 2, Thornleigh 1.

Division two: Oldham Hulmeians 3, Ainsworth 4.

Division three: Mostonians Res 4, Failsworth Dynamos Res 2.

Division four: Chaddertonians ‘A’ P Old Blackburnians ‘B’ P.

Division six: Radcliffe Town ‘B’ 2, Oldham Hulmeians Res 6.

Division seven: Bolton Wyresdale ‘B’ P Chaddertonians ‘B’ P; Oldham Hulmeians ‘B’ 1, Horwich RMI ‘A’ 4; Rossendale Amateurs ‘D’ P Oldham Hulmeians ‘A’ P.

Bates stays cool to lift Harlequin

HARLEQUIN bounced back to form in the Rochdale On-line Alliance premier division with a 1-0 win at Sudden Carling.

David Bates got the goal, converting a penalty mid-way through the first half after he was fouled by the full-back.

Harlequin created numerous chances to extend their lead in the second half, with Bates hitting a post and striker Paul Higginbottom seeing three efforts saved.

3D Dynamo are launching a soccer school. Sessions, for children aged from four to six years, will take place every Wednesday (5.30pm to 6.30pm) on Saddleworth School’s artificial pitch.

Youngsters should bring shin pads and appropriate clothing. Trainers only.

For more details, call Peter Bagshaw on 07726 202036 or David Wilson on 07736 599784.