Persistent Town get their reward

AMATEUR FOTBALL: ROYTON Town did their bit for the Bridgewater Office Supplies Man-chester League premier division title race — but local rivals Avro were unable to take advantage.

The Glebe Street outfit inflicted only the third league defeat of the season on leaders Wythenshawe Amateurs courtesy of a late goal.

But Avro, in third place, could only manage a 3-3 draw at Springhead.

Mid-table Town had a real go at Wythenshawe, with Michael Moss hitting the bar and Fraser Hatton testing the defence with a teasing cross.

Chris Mackay went close with a header at the start of the second half and when Town goalkeeper Steve Birchenall was called upon just after the hour mark, he was up to the task.

Will Mellor was next to go close for Town, but a draw looked to be on the cards until the 87th minute.

Jason Titterington collected possession wide on the right of the penalty area and smashed a superb shot beyond the shell-shocked ’keeper .

Wythenshawe still had time to create one last chance, but Birchenall saved well from a free kick.

Meanwhile, Hollinwood are through to the last four of the Gilgryst Cup after a 3-1 win at Rochdale Sacred Heart.

Paul Bennett’s side were 2-0 up at the mid-way point thanks to Anthony Robinson and Gary Brooks (penalty).

Sacred Heart pulled a goal back, but Damian Blundell clinched victory with number three. They are away to Chapel Road in the semi-finals on March 6.

Three days earlier Hollinwood meet Beechfield United in the Manchester FA Challenge Cup final at the Cliff.

Results —

Gilgryst Cup: Rochdale Sacred Heart 1, Hollinwood 3; Hindsford 1, Chapel Town 3.

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

Division one: Fives Athletic 1, West Didsbury 1; Heywood St James 2, Bury Amateurs 3; Wilmslow Albion 0, Wythenshawe Town 5.

Murray Shield: Monton Amateurs 1, Beechfield United 0; Pennington 3, Salford Victoria 0.

Division two: Avro Res 1, Springhead Res 1.

Bridgewater League Cup: Chapel Town Res 4, Hollinwood Res 6; Hollinwood ‘A’ 3, Royton Town Res 4.


ANDEEL Mohamed, Andy Eastwood and Tom Dale (two) scored for Royton Town reserves, who recorded a 4-3 at Hollinwood ‘A’ in the League Cup.
Hollinwood reserves had much better luck in the League Cup as they overcame their Chapel Town counterparts 6-4.



ROYTON Town under-18s are through to the Bury and Radcliffe League’s Maher Cup semi-finals after a 6-0 defeat of Bury Juniors.

Josh Fish, Aaron Buczko, Jordan MacNamara, Danny Booth, Jamie Summers and Andy Hildrup got the goals.