Never-say-die Avro hit back in style

AMATEUR FOOTBALL: IS this the game that inspires Avro to Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League premier division glory?

Rob Fuller’s side, who were so poor in defeat against Rochdale Sacred Heart seven days earlier, were back on song at home to title rivals Walshaw Sports — but they had to call on all their powers of recovery.

Trailing 2-0 with half-an-hour to go, Avro were heading for a second consecutive loss.

But, playing with pride and passion, they turned things around to win 3-2 to join Wythenshawe Amateurs at the top of the table.

Fuller, who fielded a new-look back-four and made changes in midfield, said: “We reacted really well after they got their second goal and, to be honest, we never looked like conceding after that.

“They are a big, physical side, but we got the better of them, so it’s onwards and upwards from here.”

Mike Barnes-Gott initiated the comeback, before Lee O’Brien put Avro on level terms, but it was left to an own goal to seal victory.

Royton Town returned from Wright Robinson College with a deserved 1-1 draw — two weeks after taking all three points off East Manchester in the reverse fixture.

The hosts struck after only five minutes as Town appealed in vain for offside.

Dave Yates and Gareth Brooks had chances for the Glebe Street outfit, before Michael Moss, ghosting in at the far post, restored parity just after the half-hour mark.

While East Manchester had the lion’s share of the possession in the first period, Town, without a clutch of regulars, took the game to their opponents in the second.

Carl Caffrey went close with a shot and Adam Ruddock’s fearsome effort crashed against the crossbar, but a point apiece was a fair reflection on the balance of play.

Meanwhile, Springhead are out of the County Cup after they went down 2-1 at Whitkirk Wanderers.

Results —

County Cup: Whitkirk Wanderers 2, Springhead 1; Bay Athletic P Springhead Res P.

Premier division: Atherton Town 1, Wythenshawe Amateurs 1; Avro 3, Walshaw Sports 2; Chapel Town 1, Stockport Georgians 3; Elton Vale P Rochdale Sacred Heart P; Hindsford 0, Old Alts 7; Manchester Gregorians 4, Prestwich Heys 1; East Manchester 1, Royton Town 1; Hollinwood 3, Leigh Athletic 2.

Division one: Breightmet United P Wythenshawe Town P; Bury Amateurs 3, Heywood St James 0; Fives Athletic P Monton Amateurs P; Pennington P West Didsbury P; Salford Victoria 2, Wilmslow Albion 1.

Open Trophy: Prestwich Heys Res P Wythenshawe Ams Res P; Stockport Georgians Res P Avro Res P.

Division three: Bury Amateurs ‘A’ 0, Hollinwood Res 6; Royton Town Res 2, Manchester Gregorians ‘A’ 4.

Division four: Hollinwood ‘A’ P West Didsbury ‘A’ P.


JACK Taylor’s double was in vain as Royton Town reserves were beaten 4-2 by Manchester Gregorians ‘A’ in division three, but Hollinwood’s second string hit Bury Amateurs ‘A’ 6-0.