Town return to winning ways

THERE was relief in the Royton Town camp after they recorded their first victory in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League for almost a month.

The Glebe Street outfit, without a win in the premier division since September 26, beat basement boys Leigh Athletic 5-3, despite having Alistair Simmons sent off.

Wayne Dean broke the deadlock in the 10th minute with a superb curling effort from the edge of the penalty area, before Fraser Hatton made it two.

Simmons was then shown the red card for retaliation, but the dismissal seemed to lift the home side, who added a third through Chris MacKay.

However, Town allowed Leigh back in the game by conceding two goals from set-pieces.

They soon restored their two-goal lead through Michael Moss, only for Leigh to put the game back in the balance with a third.

But Town sealed victory just after the hour mark when Tommy Bogan picked out Moss, who made no mistake.

An understrength Springhead fought out a 1-1 draw at home to high-flying Wythenshawe Amateurs.

Lee McAllister’s men fell behind in the first half after a mistake in the penalty area.

But Springhead dominated the second half and deservedly drew level thanks to Mark Hopwood’s third goal in two games after good work from Ryan Shaughnessy.

Richard Ferguson almost grabbed a dramatic late winner for the local side, his cross hitting both posts before bouncing to safety.

o AVRO, the holders, bowed out of the Manchester Challenge Trophy at the first-round stage after they were beaten 4-1 on penalties by Trafford reserves.

Goalless at the end of 90 minutes, the tie went to spot-kicks after Daniel Grimshaw converted a penalty in the last minute of extra time.

But it all went wrong in the shoot-out as Avro missed their first three attempts.

Hollinwood are through to the next stage after an emphatic 7-0 defeat of Chorltonians, from the Lancashire and Cheshire League.

Anthony Robinson and Daniel Murray hit hat-tricks and Chris Jepson got the other.

Results —

Challenge Trophy: Curzon Ashton Res 1, East Manchester 4; Hollinwood 7, Chorltonians 0; Trafford Res 1, Avro 1 aet — Trafford won 4-1 on penalties; Capenhurst Villa 1, Stockport Georgians 3; Dukinfield Town 0, Castrol Social 1; Ellesmere Port 3, Old Alts 1.

Premier division: Hindsford 2, Manchester Gregorians 0; Prestwich Heys 3, Chapel Town 0; Royton Town 5, Leigh Athletic 3; Springhead 1, Wythenshawe Amateurs 1; Walshaw Sports 1, Atherton Town 1.

Division one: Heywood St James 1, Wilmslow Albion 3; West Didsbury 0, Wythenshawe Town 0; Salford Victoria 3, Beechfield United 4.

Division two: Avro Res 2, Walshaw SC Res 2; Dukinfield Town Res 2, Springhead Res 1.

Division three: Atherton Town Res 2, Hollinwood Res 6;

Division four: Salford Victoria Res 4, Hollinwood ‘A’ 2.