Hollinwood close in on trophy prize

ON THE MARK: Hollinwood’s Alan Beckett.

AMATEUR FOOTBALL: HOLLINWOOD are one win away from the Manchester County FA Challenge Trophy final.

The Manchester League premier division outfit clinched a place in the last four of the competition with a 2-0 win at Irlam reserves.

Alan Beckett and Anthony Robinson (penalty) scored for Hollinwood, who face a semi-final tie against East Manchester in the New Year.

Meanwhile, Avro’s reign at the top of the Manchester League premier division lasted one week.

Rob Fuller’s side dropped to second place — Wythenshawe Amateurs are the new leaders — after they were beaten 3-2 by Rochdale Sacred Heart.

Avro played 65 minutes with 10 men after Paul Armstrong was sent off, but they still had enough chances to snatch a draw.

Behind early on, the local outfit restored parity thanks to a header from Mike Barnes-Gott.

The dismissal of Armstrong forced Avro to regroup, but they were unable to prevent Sacred Heart from opening up a two-goal advantage.

Stephen Morris reduced the arrears, before Lee O’Brien and Paul Greyson had shots cleared off the line.

James Hampson had a great opportunity to level late on, but his effort was saved by the ’keeper.

Wythenshawe reached the summit after a 3-0 win at home to Stockport Georgians.

The fixtures involving Springhead (v Walshaw Sports at Ashfield Crescent) and Royton Town (at Atherton Town) were postponed.

Avro reserves are through to round three of the Manchester FA Amateur Cup after a 6-3 victory over Irlam ‘A’. They now play Abacus Media.

Results —

Manchester County FA Challenge Trophy: East Manchester 5, Newton 0; Irlam 0, Hollinwood 2; Wythenshawe Town 2, Beechfield United 3.

Premier division: Avro 2, Rochdale Sacred Heart 3; Atherton Town P Royton Town P; Chapel Town P Prestwich Heys P; Dukinfield Town 1, Old Alts 3; Leigh Athletic P Elton Vale P; Manchester Gregorians 4, Hindsford 0; Springhead P Walshaw Sports P; Wythenshawe Amateurs 3, Stockport Georgians 0;

Division one: Monton Amateurs P Pennington P; West Didsbury P Fives Athletic P; Wilmslow Albion P Bury Amateurs P

Division two: Walshaw SC Res P Springhead Res P; Wythenshawe Ams Res P Monton Amateurs Res P.

Open Trophy: Rochdale SH Res 1, Old Alts Res 2.

Division three: Dukinfield Town ‘A’ P Hollinwood Res P; Royton Town Res P Chapel Town Res P.

Division four: Hollinwood ‘A’ P Wilmslow Albion Res P.