On-song Beech boys put Athletic in a spin

AMATEUR FOOTBALL: TEAMS from the D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League had no luck in the Manchester County FA Sunday Cup.

While Highfield United lost 2-1 at home to Charlestown CYC — see John Gilder’s Match of the Day — Failsworth Athletic went down 3-1 at Beech Sports.

Meanwhile, Failsworth Dynamos are up to fourth in the Jack Abbott premier division.

They jumped two places after a 4-1 win over Lowerhouse United ‘A’.

Westwood struck four times in their David Giblin division one clash against Wellington — but they are still searching for their first win in the league this season after they went down to a 5-4 defeat.

A 5-0 win over Limeside Athletic ‘B’ sent Rifle Range Royal Blues three points clear at the top of division two.

Lark Inn are second on goal difference after a 5-2 victory at Old Grey Mare.

Royal Oak lost ground on the top three after they were beaten 6-3 by improving Springhead Libs — striker Leyton Richardson got four of the goals — while Aaron Booskill hit five for Lowerhouse United ‘B’ in an emphatic 11-0 defeat of North Star Athletic. Martin Meggison weighed in with four.


IT was a blank weekend in the Ashton Sunday League after waterlogged pitches caused all three fixtures to be called off.


Chadds target place in last four

CHADDERTONIANS are counting down to an important Lancashire Amateur Cup date.

They are at home to Highgrove FC, from the North Lancashire League, in the last eight of the competition at the Lancaster Club tomorrow (kick-off 1.30pm).

Meanwhile, Chadds reserves were knocked off top-spot in division two of a reduced Lancashire Amateur League programme because of the weather.

The club’s second string were beaten 1-0 by Radcliffe Boys.

Games involving the four teams at Oldham Hulmeians, including the first XI’s fixture at home to Bolton Ambassadors, were all postponed due to waterlogged pitches.


Bates inspires ’Quins

HARLEQUIN made the perfect start to the group stages of the AW Trippier Cup.

A hat-trick from David Bates and a Simon Butler goal completed a 4-2 win at home to Dusty Miller in the Rochdale On-line Alliance competition.

But Harlequin were also grateful to ’keeper Wayne Ankers, who saved a first-half penalty with score at 1-0 to the visitors.

Bates equalised after exchanging passes with Danny Eden, he netted from close range for number two and completed his treble after beating the offside trap.

Butler slipped the ball under the ’keeper for Harlequin’s fourth, before Miller pulled another goal back.