Lilley’s stunner
Date published: 05 February 2009
Amateur football round up II
ROYTON Town suffered a last-gasp hammer blow as they went down 2-1 at table-topping Gregorians in the Bridgewater Office Furniture Manchester League premier division.
They looked good for a share of the spoils, until former Glebe Street old-boy Danny Lilley struck with the last kick of the game.
Gregorians went ahead just after the hour mark, but the lead was short-lived as Michael Moss equalised from Tommy Bogan’s great cross.
Both teams created a host of chances, but it was left to Lilley to break Town’s hearts with the final whistle looming.
Hollinwood climbed to third in the table after a 2–1 win over Rochdale Sacred Heart, but it was a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show for Avro.
On a high after their lifting the Manchester FA Challenge Trophy for the sixth time after a 2-0 defeat of Curzon Ashton reserves, they went down 3-1 at home to Walshaw Sports in the league.
Springhead’s West Riding Challenge Cup tie at Golcar finally got played — the two teams took to the field at the fifth attempt — but it ended in disappointment for the Ashfield Crescent outfit, who lost 2-1 after extra time.
In division two, Springhead’s second string were beaten 5-2 by their Dukinfield Town counterparts, but Avro reserves edged out East Manchester reserves 1-0.
Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession against division three title-chasers Beechfield United, Royton Town reserves lost 3-0.
But Hollinwood reserves are up to sixth in the table after a 6-3 win over Atherton Town reserves.
Results are —
Premier division: Atherton Town 0, Wythenshawe Amateurs 2; Avro 1, Walshaw Sports 3; Breightmet United 2, Elton Vale 2; Chapel Town 3, East Manchester 1; Gregorians 2, Royton Town 1; Pennington P Prestwich Heys P; Rochdale Sacred Heart 1, Hollinwood 2; Stockport Georgians 1, Leigh Athletic 0;
Division two: Dukinfield Town Res 5, Springhead Res 2; East Manchester Res 0, Avro Res 1; Elton Vale Res 4, Stockport Georgians Res 1; Hindsford Res 5, Bury Amateurs Res 2; Leigh Athletic Res 2, Wythenshawe Amateurs Res 3; Prestwich Heys Res 1, Rochdale Sacred Heart Res 3; Walshaw Sports Res 2, Gregorians Res 1.
League Cup: Hollinwood ‘A’ P Chapel Town Res P.
Division three: Bury Amateurs ‘A’ 1, Wythenshawe Town Res 4; Gregorians ‘A’ 6, Walshaw Sports ‘A’ 0; Hollinwood Res 6, Atherton Town Res 3; Old Alts Res 5, Stockport Georgians ‘A’ 3; Royton Town Res 0, Beechfield United Res 3; Stand Athletic Res 3, Breightmet United Res 1.
West Riding Challenge Cup: Golcar 2, Springhead 1 aet.
Jubilant Northside claim top-flight scalp
DIVISION two outfit Northside showed Shahjalal Unity the exit door in the D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League’s President’s Trophy competition.
In one of two third-round ties, the mid-table men caused an upset by beating the Jack Abbott premier division strugglers 4-3.
Top-of-the-table FC Royton took a step closer to the final after seeing off fellow championship contenders Chaddy End FC in a 6-5 thriller.
In the second round of the competition, both Red Star and Crompton and Royton won through in convincing style.
FC Royton’s two nearest rivals in the race for the premier division crown wasted chances to narrow the gap.
Coppice United, in second place, were beaten 4-0 by Failsworth Dynamos who have title aspirations of their own.
As for Lowerhouse United, they fought out a remarkable 6-6 draw at home to Hunt Lane.
Khartoum Northern, in second spot, are now firm favourites to win David Giblin division one after they swept aside Springhead Libs 6-3.
They have four games in hand over leaders Fitton Hill, who saw their advantage cut to a solitary point after they were beaten 3-1 by FC Broadgate.
Rose of Lancaster, who overcame Royton Athletic by the same scoreline, are also in the hunt for top-spot glory.
Steven Caine FC and Limeside Athletic are neck-and-neck in division two.
The former beat Coppice Rangers 1-0, while Athletic maintained their 100-per-cent record with an emphatic 6-2 defeat of Royton Cons.
Oakes produced the best individual performance of the day, scoring five times as Rifle Range Royal Blues put 10 past Waggon and Horses.
Buckley cries foul
HEYSIDE Juniors stalwart Martin Buckley has hit out at the increase in dog fouling at Blackshaw Lane playing fields.
Buckley, who is also chairman of the D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League, said: “I went to watch my grandson playing for Heyside under-11s last weekend and the amount of dog excrement on the pitch was unacceptable.
“Any amount is unwanted, especially when it is left behind by irresponsible dog owners.
“The pitch had to be cleared before the match started. God forbid if any child, or adult for that matter, came into contact with it and they had a cut or a graze.
“I am just asking for people to be a bit more aware, especially as there is a special bin on site for the purpose of disposing dog excrement.
“I have been told that cars often pull up on the site and let their dogs roam free for a while before driving off again.”
Dog owners could face an £80 on-the-spot fine if they fail to clean up mess left by their pets
Under the Oldham Council plan, anyone who fails to pay the fine — reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days — could face court costs of up to £1,000.
There are two pitches at the Blackshaw Lane site and both are widely used for sporting activities by both adults and children.
Dog see lead cut in race for title
THE Ashton Sunday League division one title race is hotting up after Dog and Partridge, the leaders, were held to a 2-2 draw at Falconers.
Chris Dempsey and an own goal made up Falconers’ tally, while Ryan Rafferty and Nick Heap scored for Dog, who are now only a point clear of Wellington.
They had Danny Murray and Daniel Hepburn on target in a 2-1 triumph over basement boys Anglers.
Home Guard, like Dog, remain unbeaten in the league and they climbed to third in the table after an exciting 4-3 win over Charlestown. Sam Cooke (two), Andy Taylor and Anthony Wolfe were on target.
Warwick United have joined Bridge at the top of the premier division — but they were pushed all the way by bottom team Moston Labour Club.
Mark Derbyshire hit a hat-trick and Nick Foran got the other in the 4-3 victory. Steven Firth (two) and Anthony Whitehurst replied for the basement battlers.
Clayton at the double
TWO goals from Helen Clayton set Uppermill Rockettes on their way to back-to-back wins in division two of the West Riding Girls League.
The leading goal-scorer struck twice inside the first 20 minutes in the 5-1 defeat of West Leeds Ladies.
Clayton left the field at half time through injury and is was her replacement, Amy Howard, who scored the third with her first touch in Uppermill colours.
Becky Fox was the architect with a fine run and shot which cannoned off the bar and into the path of the grateful Howard.
Captain Caroline Pinches capped a fine individual display with her third of the season, before pressure from Katie Wretham forced an own goal for the fifth.
