Last-four place is at stake

AMATEUR FOOTBALL: A CRACKING match is in prospect tomorrow when Royton Town entertain Avro at Glebe Street, in the quarter-final of the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League Gilgryst Cup (1.30pm).

An eagerly awaited tie, Avro’s lofty league status suggests they will start as favourites to reach the last four of the prestigious competition.

But Town are often at their best when they are cast in the role of underdogs and, with a full-strength squad at manager Phil Haigh’s disposal, they could spring a surprise.

If the tie is level after 90 minutes, there will be a period of extra-time and, if necessary, a penalty shoot-out to determine the winners.

Town were winners of the Gilgryst Cup in the 2003-04 season when they were also crowned premier division champions.

Squads are —

Royton Town (from): Birchenall, Hulme, C Dean, Frazer, Simmons, McKay, Brookes, Caffrey, Yates, Peers, Hatton, Moss, Titterington, Bogan, Ruddock, Duffy, W Dean.

Avro (from): Thornton, Grimshaw, Gavin, Hoskins, Hall, Garmory, Hampson, Harris, Morris, Gregson, Jones, M Barnesgott, S Barnesgott, Edwards, Duffin, Jackson.


TWO games went ahead in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League, premier division.

Manchester Gregorians overcame Stockport Georgians 2-0 and Walshaw Sports defeated Elton Vale 2-1.


CHADDERTON Grasshoppers FC are holding a sportsman’s dinner on February 12 at North Chadderton Social and Bowling Club.

The guest speaker is former Manchester City and Wolves midfielder Steve Daley, while Ven Tracey is the comedian.

Tickets, at a cost of £25, are available from Paul on 07590 598342 or Kelly on 07825 126260.


Weekend fixtures

Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League, premier division: Chapel Town v Dukinfield Town; Hindsford v Elton Vale; Leigh Athletic v Manchester Gregorians; Rochdale Sacred Heart v Old Alts; Springhead v Atherton Town; Wythenshawe Amateurs v Prestwich Heys. MCFA Challenge Trophy: Hollinwood v East Manchester. Gilgryst Cup: Royton Town v Avro; Walshaw Sports v Stockport Georgians. Murray Shield: West Didsbury v Heywood St James. Division one: Breightmet United v Monton Amateurs; Bury Amateurs v Fives Athletic; Wilmslow Albion v Pennington; Wythenshawe Town v Salford Victoria. Open Trophy: Prestwich Heys Res v Wythenshawe Amateurs Res; Stockport Georgians Res v Avro Res. Division two: Beechfield United Res v Springhead Res. MCFA Amateur Cup: Old Stretfordians v Hollinwood Res. Division four: Supplementary Cup, group ‘B’: Hollinwood ‘A’ v Walshaw Sports ‘A’.

Lancashire and Cheshire League, division one: Alkrington Dynamos v AFC Oldham 2005. Division two: Norris Villa v Santos AFC; Oldham Victoria v Standians. Division ‘C’: Chorltonians fourths v Oldham Victoria Res. Division ‘D’: AFC Oldham 2005 Res v Staly FC; Santos AFC v Stoconians thirds.

Huddersfield and District League, Groom Cup, round one: Holmbridge v Heyside FC. Richardson Cup, round two: Shepley Res v Diggle Res; Diggle ‘A’ v Netherton Res. Division one: Diggle v Lepton Highlanders; Uppermill v Wooldale Wanderers. Reserve division one: Lepton Highlanders Res v Uppermill Res. Reserve division two: Heyside FC Res v Slaithwaite Utd Res.

D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League, Jack Abbott premier division: Failsworth Athletic v Coppice United (Z Eko); Failsworth Dynamos v Royton FC (C Coleman); FC Broadgate v Oddies (K Kelly); High Crompton v Chaddy End FC (M Schofield); Khartoum Northern v Lowerhouse ‘A’ (G Schofield). David Giblin division one: Bridge Inn v Fitton Hill (A Hibbert); Red Star v Wellington (S Leech); Royton Athletic v Parkside (D Partington); Westwood v Highfield United (D Wardle). Division two: Famous King George v Lark Inn (D Thomas); Lowerhouse ‘B’ v Crompton & Royton (P Hartley); North Star v Northside (M Roberts); Old Grey Mare v Limeside Athletic ‘B’ (TBC); Springhead v Oldham United (C Baldwin).