Derby-day joy for Diggle

THIS TIME: Diggle ’keeper Mike Moore sets himself to stop Joe Rodney’s effort.

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

Uppermill 3, Diggle 4

DIGGLE manager Steve Southern’s 150-mile round trip was worthwhile as his side recorded a thrilling win over Huddersfield and District League division one rivals Uppermill at Greenfield Paper Mill.

With the hosts safe from relegation following an arduous campaign and Diggle out of the title reckoning, there was little to play for other than local pride.

Nonetheless, the neighbours contributed to an entertaining affair which featured seven goals — three of them from spot-kicks.

Despite his efforts to get to the match on time — he interrupted a holiday — it only reinforced what Southern already knew about his side.

He said: “To be fair, a draw would have been a more realistic outcome as there was very little to choose between the two teams.

“It showed once again that we are one or two players short of being a good outfit, whereas Uppermill’s performance proved that they are in a false position in the table.”

Uppermill have arguably had other sides to thank for their escape from relegation, notably New Mill ‘94, but there is no doubt that this has been a frustrating season for all concerned at the club.

Uppermill manager Matt Poulter, nearing the end of his first term at the helm, said: “It was the same old story.

“We haven’t been able to put the ball away regularly enough and we’ve paid for it.

“We had three or four one-on-ones early on against Diggle and we should have been out of sight at half-time.

“Local pride was at stake and not much else, but it wasn’t a bad game.”

Uppermill were in front on three occasions but were pegged back on each occasion.

And it was Diggle who came out on top thanks to substitute Chris Moore’s late winner.

GOALS: Uppermill — Cheetham og (21), Jacobs (pen 59), Bunn (71). Diggle — Godard (pen 66, pen 79), Mayall (35), Moore (85).

UPPERMILL: Rowbotham, Nield, Walton, Jacobs, Greenwood, Rainford, Nelson, Taylor, Jacombs, Jackson, Scully. Subs: Bunn, Thompson.

DIGGLE: Moore, Jones, Godard, Hewitt, Cheetham, Broadbent, Martin, Matley, Mayall, Chew, Taylor. Sub: Moore.


Emphatic win puts Chaddy on title alert

THE D&J Builders North-West Ltd Oldham Sunday League Jack Abbott premier division title race is set to reach a thrilling conclusion.

Chaddy End FC displayed their title credentials with a resounding 8-0 win over table-toppers Royton FC.

They are now three points behind Royton, but boast a game in hand.

Lowerhouse United, in third place, are out of the equation. They are seven points adrift of the lead and have only two matches remaining.

Failsworth Dynamos, in fourth, will pose the chief threat to the top two. They face a hectic run-in — they still have nine games to play — but will fancy their chances of claiming title glory.

Coppice United’s hopes more or less disappeared when they were held to a 3-3 draw by Failsworth Athletic, but Oddies are still in with a chance, albeit an outside one, after they defeated Shahjalal Unity 8-5.

Despite drawing 0-0 at home to Red Star, unbeaten Khartoum Northern are favourites to win David Giblin division one.

FC Broadgate, leaders by six points, were held to a 1-1 draw at home to FC Broadgate, but have only two games left compared to Northern’s eight.

In the other fixture, Westwood swept aside basement boys Crompton and Royton 5-0.

Steven Caine FC, thanks to a 3-1 win at Rifle Range Royal Blues, have moved back alongside Limeside Athletic at the top of division two.

It was significant result as a win for Rifle Range would have seen them close within three points of top spot.

Meanwhile, Oldham United and Northside fought out a 3-3 draw.

Results are —

Jack Abbott premier division: Chaddy End FC 8, Royton FC 0; Coppice United 3, Failsworth Athletic 3; Oddies FC 8 (M Hill, M Casson 4, D Jarvis 3), Shahjalal Unity 5.

David Giblin division one: FC Broadgate 1 (D Codling), Rose of Lancaster 1; Crompton & Royton 0, Westwood 5 (I Alam, A Hussain, D Wilson, M Rahman 2); Khartoum Northern 0, Red Star 0.

Division two: Rifle Range Royal Blues 1, Steven Caine FC 2; Oldham United 3, Northside FC 3.


Top-four target for in-form Oldham

AFC OLDHAM 2005, after their 12th win of the season, are on course to finish in the top four in the Lancashire and Cheshire League division two.

After defeating Tintwistle Athletic 2-0, they will be looking to overhaul Heaton Mersey, who are one place above them in fourth.

AFC Oldham are five points behind Mersey, but boast two games in hand.

Oldham Victoria, meanwhile, were held to a 2-2 draw by second-bottom Deans Youth.

In division ‘C’, Dominic Rathmill helped himself to a hat-trick as Santos reserves recorded a 5-3 win against their Manchester Rovers counterparts. Danny Hicks and Scott Watson got the other goals.

AFC Oldham reserves brushed aside Chorltonians reserves 5-2 and Oldham Victoria’s second string posted a 2-1 victory over Govan Athletic reserves.

The ‘A’ team made it a hat-trick of wins for the AFC Oldham club after a 3-0 defeat of Hooley Bridge Celtic thirds in division ‘D’.

Results are —

Division two: Tintwistle Athletic 0, AFC Oldham 2005 2; Oldham Victoria 2, Deans Youth 2.

Division ‘C’: AFC Oldham 2005 Res 5, Chorltonians Res 2; Oldham Victoria Res 2, Govan Athletic Res 1; Manchester Rovers Res 3, Santos FC Res 5.

Division ‘D’: AFC Oldham 2005 ‘A’ 3, Hooley Bridge Celtic thirds 0.


Final date for Bridge

BRIDGE made smooth progress into the Ashton Sunday League’s premier division cup final.

Mike King, Mick Fleming, Neil Walsh and Steven Gray got the goals in a 4-1 win over Moston Labour Club, for whom Anthony Whitehurst replied.

Bridge will play Warwick United in the final on Sunday, April 26.