Heyside relief as Carl hits hat-trick

CARL WINSTANLEY was the star of the show as Heyside recorded only their third win of the season in division three of the Huddersfield and District League.

He scored a hat-trick to clinch a vital 4-1 victory at home to fellow strugglers Linthwaite Athletic.

Michael Ward put Heyside in front after half-an-hour and, although they went on to dominate the remainder of the match, they allowed Linthwaite to equalise with a breakaway goal.

But the hosts’ pressure finally paid off when Winstanley helped himself to a treble in the last 20 minutes.

In division one, third-bottom Uppermill produced a much-improved display against Britannia Sports.

After a series of disappointing results — they had lost their three previous games — they showed signs of recovery in a hard-fought 3-3 draw.

They were 2-0 down, but hit back through goals from Dave Taylor and new-boy James Thompson.

Another fresh face, Joe Scally, put Uppermill ahead with a wonder strike, only for Britannia to equalise late on.

The result should lift Uppermill in their battle to avoid the drop.

Meanwhile, Diggle had no answer to champions-elect Lepton Highlanders, who ran out 4-2 winners.

Diggle’s second string went down 4-1 to their Lepton Highlanders counterparts in reserve division one, but Uppermill edged out Heywood Irish Centre 2-1 to stay in the hunt for title honours.

Heyside continued their fine run of form in reserve division two.

They made it four straight wins with an emphatic 5-1 defeat of Mount FC. A hat-trick from Danny Sidlow, plus other goals from Dave Ogden and Lee Watkinson, did the damage.

Uppermill ‘A’ overcame HV Academicals 3-1, but Diggle ‘A’ lost 3-2 at Slaithwaite United.

Results are —

Division one: Britannia Sports 3, Uppermill 3; Lepton Highlanders 4, Diggle 2.

Division three: Heyside FC 4, Linthwaite Athletic 1.

Reserve division one: Diggle Res 1, Lepton Highlanders Res 4; Uppermill Res 2, Heywood Irish Centre Res 1.

Reserve division two: Mount Res 1, Heyside FC Res 5; Slaithwaite United Res 3, Diggle ‘A’ 2; Uppermill ‘A’ 3, HV Academicals Res 1.