Defeat difficult to swallow for Avro

AMATEUR FOTBALL: IT was a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show for Avro in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League premier division.

The joy of beating title rivals Walshaw Sports must have seemed a distant memory to manager Rob Fuller after watching the local outfit succumb 2-1 at mid-table Atherton Town.

Defeat was hard to swallow for Avro, who went ahead in the second half courtesy of a James Hampson penalty after a foul on Paul Armstrong.

They were pegged back with 10 minutes to go when Atherton were awarded a spot-kick of their own — Avro were upset by the decision — and they were also aggrieved when the hosts went in front from a disputed free-kick.

Boss Fuller must now pick up his side for the game against leaders Wythenshawe Amateurs tomorrow.

Hollinwood are hot on the heels of the top three after an exciting 4-3 defeat of Old Alts.

It was a comeback show from Paul Bennett’s side, who trailed 3-1 early in the second half.

Damian Blundell equalised for Hollinwood from 35 yards, before another screamer, this time from Chris Jepson, clinched victory. Scott Yates and Anthony Robinson were also on target.

Meanwhile, Royton Town recorded their seventh draw of the season when they were held by lowly Elton Vale — but it was all they deserved.

Wayne Dean wasted a good chance for the hosts, before Vale nosed ahead after 20 minutes when a through ball split the Town defence in two, and they had opportunities to increase their lead either side of half-time.

Town rang the changes on the hour mark in a bid to get back in the game, and the third substitution paid off.

Anthony Duffy, who had been on the pitch for a matter of minutes, lobbed the ’keeper for the equaliser.

Town, now on top, felt they should have had a penalty when Will Mellor was upended, but the referee adjudged the incident took place outside the 18-yard area.

Springhead also had to settle for a share of the spoils after a goalless at home to East Manchester.

The game had little in the way of quality, although a first clean sheet in 13 games was one positive that the home side could take from it.

East hit a post late on, while Springhead’s Richard Bennett was denied by a wonder save.

Results are —

Premier division: Atherton Town 2 Avro 1; Leigh Athletic 0, Walshaw Sports 6; Old Alts 3, Hollinwood 4; Prestwich Heys 1, Hindsford 2; Rochdale Sacred Heart 1, Manchester Gregorians 1; Royton Town 1, Elton Vale 1; Springhead 0, East Manchester 0; Stockport Georgians 1, Dukinfield Town 2; Wythenshawe Amateurs 5 Chapel Town 0.

Division one: Beechfield United 1, Breightmet United 2; Fives Athletic 2, Wilmslow Albion 2; Monton Amateurs P Bury Amateurs P Pennington 1, Salford Victoria 1; Wythenshawe Town 5, Heywood St James 0.

County Cup: Bay Athletic 6, Springhead Res 4; Abacus Media 5, Avro Res 1.

Division three: Breightmet United Res 1, Royton Town Res 1;

Division four: Prestwich Heys ‘A’ 2, Hollinwood ‘A’ 1.




Famous victory



CHADDY End FC, the reigning D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League Jack Abbott premier division champions, suffered a shock exit in the President’s Trophy.



Danny Dorward’s side, who are in the last four of the Manchester FA Sunday Shield final, were beaten 6-4 by division two promotion-hopefuls Famous King George.

Premier division title contenders Khartoum Northern were also cast aside after they lost 5-4 on penalties at Rose of Lancaster, who are third from bottom in David Giblin division one.

It was some game at Cathedral Road, ending 5-5 before Rose emerged victorious in the spot-kick shoot-out.

Westwood, bottom of division one, went down 3-0 at division two outfit Lark, but last season’s beaten finalists Coppice United moved into the quarter-finals after a 2-1 victory at high-flying High Crompton CC.

Limeside Athletic ‘A’ had little trouble in overcoming Wellington — they won 8-2 — but Limeside Athletic ‘B’ lost 5-4 on penalties to Royton Athletic.

In the other two ties, FC Royton defeated Failsworth Athletic 4-0 and Red Star overcame Royal Oak 3-0.

Meanwhile, Oddies are up to fifth place in the premier division after a 2-0 win at Failsworth Dynamos.

With games in hand, Highfield United are targeting top-spot of division one.

They were four goals too good for second-bottom Parkside, and are now five points adrift of Fitton Hill Rangers, who were held to a 4-4 draw by Bridge FC.

Rife Range Royal Blues have strengthened their grip on division two.

They recorded an emphatic 6-1 success at Springhead Libs, while nearest rivals Northside could only draw 2-2 at home to lowly Old Grey Mare.

In the battle of the basement teams, North Star Athletic beat Oldham United 4-3.