Uppermill stop rot after injection of new blood

I’M FIRST: Springhead’s Rick Wilde (left) gets to grips with Wythenshawe’s Pat O’Brien.

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from the second team made all the difference as Uppermill ended a run of five consecutive defeats in the Huddersfield and District League.

They drew 1-1 at fellow division one strugglers Meltham Athletic after being set for a morale-boosting success.

A 30-yard drive from Jake Jacobs put Uppermill ahead and they had an opportunity to seal victory when man-of-the-match Matt Walton burst through.

However, Walton dragged his shot wide and Meltham equalised with two minutes to go.

Meanwhile, Diggle’s title challenge is petering out after they were held to a 1-1 draw by basement boys New Mill 94.

In division three, Heyside went behind in the first minute to promotion hopefuls Holmbridge, who went on to add five more goals after the break to complete a 6-1 win.

Joe Mannion scored the consolation as relegation-threatened Heyside conceded an own goal and two penalties in the final 15 minutes.

In reserve division one, Phil Austin and Jeff Grace hit hat-tricks for Uppermill in a decisive 8-0 victory over Britannia Sports. Chris Taylor and Ash Stewardson got the others.

But Diggle’s second string lost 2-1 at Kirkheaton Rovers.

Heyside returned to winning ways in reserve division two when they hammered HV Academicals 8-2.

Terrence Bark and Michael Ward recorded trebles, and there was one each for Luke Hancock and Richard Headon

John Lees scored for Uppermill ‘A’ in a 1-1 draw against Slaithwaite United, but Diggle ‘A’ lost 3-1 at New Mill 94.

In the Works League, Ryan Hughes, James Beveridge, Matthew Reeves, Jake Longmore and Chris Barlow scored for Uppermill thirds in a thrilling 5-5 draw against Railway, but the club’s fifth team lost 7-0 to Aimbry.


We can bounce back — McAllister

Match of the Day by JOHN GILDER

MANAGER Lee McAllister is confident Springhead can come strong again after his crest-fallen side went down 2-1 to Wythenshawe Amateurs in the premier division of the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League.

Leaders before Christmas, the Ashfield Crescent outfit now find themselves in sixth place and 12 points behind Gregorians.

McAllister said: “The weather enforced break over Christmas, when we went six weeks without a game, has killed us.

“It was something of a surprise to find ourselves at the top of the table because we hadn’t set ourselves any targets at the start of the season.

“To be honest, we expected a blip at some stage, but I feel confident that we will get back into our stride soon.”

Springhead were more or less at full strength for the visit to Ashfield Crescent of Wythenshawe, another side who are in with a shout of title success.

But McAllister blamed a lack-lustre first 45 minutes for the defeat.

He said: “We were woeful in the first half and we were lucky to concede just two goals.

“But we rallied in the second half and could have taken something out of the game.”

After a poor opening period, Springhead needed a quick riposte and they got it when Ryan Shaughnessy’s delightful chip from 25 yards chip found the back of the net.

A succession of half-chances followed, notably for Richard Bennett, Richard Ferguson and Shaughnessy, but a robust-looking Wythenshawe side stood firm to collect maximum points.

McAllister’s side have now taken just a solitary point from their last three league matches, but can get back on track when they visit struggling Breightmet United on Saturday.

SPRINGHEAD: Milner, Boden, Ferguson, Wild, Needham, Jackman, Bennett, Fletcher, Shaw, Stevenson, Shaughnessy. Subs: Byrne, Zaman, Lees.




Chadds on a high after away-day joy

CHADDERTONIANS went some way to erasing the memory of their Lancashire FA Cup semi-final defeat by posting an excellent 2-1 win at Lancashire Amateur League division one pacesetters Old Boltonians.

A superb free-kick from Steve Barrow put Craig Stone’s side ahead and they increased their lead through Ben Radcliffe.

Boltonians pulled a goal back late on, but Chadds held firm to climb to fifth in the table.

One place below them are Failsworth Dynamos, who were beaten 2-0 at third-placed Old Blackburnians.

Chadds’ second team lost 4-2 at high-flying Prairie United in division one — Paul Kearns and Dave Ashworth got the goals — and Oldham Hulmeians dropped a place to ninth in division two as Rochdale St Clements Reserves ran out 3-0 victors at Tate Street.

Chadds ‘A’, with Sean Diveney, Damien Hardman, Pat Kearns and Ashem Arriane on the mark, recorded a great win 4-1 at second-placed Bolton Lads Club reserves in division four.

Hulmeians reserves remain well-placed for promotion after goals from Elliot McKinnell (two) and Gary Melia handed them a 3-2 win at Lymm ‘A’ in division six.

To complete a good day for the Chadds club, the ‘B’ team beat leaders Broughton Amateurs ‘B’ 3-1 in division seven.

Warren Griffith (two) and Jason Bowes were on target as their side moved within a point of top spot.

But Lee Kerwin notched a consolation as Hulmeians ‘A’ went down 3-1 at Old Blackburnians ‘C’, while the ‘B’ team lost 2-1 at home to Rossendale Amateurs ‘D’. Julian Rogers was on the mark.

Results are —

Premier division: Old Blackburnians 2, Failsworth Dynamos 0; Old Boltonians 1, Chaddertonians 2. Division one: Prairie United 4, Chaddertonians Res 2. Division two: Oldham Hulmeians 0, Rochdale St Clems Res 3. Division three: Failsworth Dynamos Res 2, Accrington Ams Res 2; Mostonians Reserves 3, Bacup United 1. Division four: Bolton Lads Club Res 1, Chaddertonians ‘A’ 4. Division five: Tottington United Res 1, Mostonians ‘A’ 4. Division six: Lymm ‘A’ 2, Oldham Hulms Res 3. Division seven: Chaddertonians ‘B’ 3, Broughton Amateurs ‘B’ 1; Old Blackburnians ‘C’ 3, Oldham Hulmeians ‘A’ 1; Oldham Hulmeians ‘B’ 1, Rossendale Ams ‘D’ 2.




Fightback in vain as Royton crash

A STORMING fightback from AFC Royton was to no avail as they were beaten 5-4 by Todmorden in division two of the Rochdale On-line Alliance.

Four goals adrift at half-time, they conceded a fifth shortly after the restart.

However, efforts from Gary Jackson, Simon Atkinson, Martin Wild and Barry King gave Royton hope of snatching an unlikely draw.

They had the ball in the back of the net for a fifth time, but unfortunately the goal was ruled out.

In the premier division, a last-gasp goal from Ash Lomas saw Harlequin register a superb 3-2 win at reigning champions Wardle.

Jordan Prince, who cancelled out an early Wardle effort, and Jon Bland were also on target for Harlequin.


Fox registers double delight

TWO goals from Rebecca Fox helped Uppermill Rockettes Ladies to their third consecutive win in division two of the West Riding Girls League.

Her first came after good work from Helen Clayton while number two was a cheeky backheel in the 3-1 defeat of West Leeds Ladies. An own goal made up the tally.

Rockettes welcome Northowram to the Woolpack on Sunday (kick-off 2pm).


Triumph for Turks

TURKS Head got back on track in division one of the Rochdale Sunday League with a 4-2 win at home to Royal Exchange.

Andy Nuttall (two), Andy Fletcher and Jack Taylor scored for the Royton outfit, who had defender John Mannion sent off for two yellow cards moments after seeing his side take a 3-1 lead.

Exchange’s goals came from the penalty spot for a handball offence.