First defeat for Athletic

ALL good things must come to an end sometime — and that was certainly the case with Limeside Athletic in division two of the D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League.

Athletic were looking to make it 10 wins out of 10, but instead went down to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of title rivals Steven Caine FC, who now enjoy a three-point lead.

Rifle Range Royal Blues are still in the hunt after a 3-1 victory over North Star.

With games in hand, Failsworth Dynamos will be looking to mount a bid for glory in the Jack Abbott premier division.

Dynamos climbed up to third in the table after a 6-1 demolition of Chaddy End FC.

Royton FC, the leaders, were held to a surprise 2-2 at home to lowly Hunt Lane, while Coppice United were beaten 2-1 by Oddies.

In David Giblin division one, Sam Widdall made his comeback in FC Broadgate’s 3-2 win in a rearranged game against Crompton and Royton.

By coincidence, it was this fixture, originally played in January, which had to be abandoned when Widdall collapsed with a heart attack.

Widdall, who has now had a defibrillator fitted which will shock his heart into action if it stops in the future, was given the all-clear to resume playing last week.

FC Broadgate are now three points clear of Khartoum Northern, who had to settle for a goalless draw at home to third-placed Fitton Hill.

Red Star, in fourth, enjoyed a 5-2 win at Rose Of Lancaster. Carl Beamish grabbed three of their goals.