Lomas upset by stalemate

Photo: Chris Sunderland

TUSSLE: Luke Mack (right), of Failsworth Dynamos, and High Crompton CC’s Carl Dean battle for the ball.

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Match of the Day

Failsworth Dynamos 2, High Crompton CC 2

HIGH Crompton CC manager Stuart Lomas was an angry man after his side were held to a 2-2 draw by Failsworth Dynamos in the D&J Builders (North West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League Jack Abbott premier division at Lord Lane.

Although High Crompton remain unbeaten this season in their quest for a third title success, Lomas reckoned it was very much a case of two points dropped for his high-flyers.

Lomas said: “We started brightly and dominated but then we went to sleep and let Dynamos back in.

“It was a case of ‘relax mode’ for us and, although I don’t want to take anything away from Dynamos, I’m disappointed that we could only draw.”

Like magnets, there is something about these two sides that seems to continually bring them together.

This was their fourth meeting this season and, on the previous three occasions, in league, Challenge Cup and President’s Trophy, it was High Crompton who prevailed.

What’s the betting that Dynamos and High Crompton will lock horns in the premier division Shield competition?

Dynamos manager Neil Blood said: “It was an even game but their big frontman caused us a few problems.

“High Crompton have a style that works for them and, with Paul Ashton playing off the main striker, they are always a threat.

“But after losing to them three times already this season it was good to get a point.”

Ashton, in fact, was the High Crompton saviour on a day when a bobbly pitch made playing conditions difficult.

James Blood almost lived up to his name when an accidental collision with an opponent led to him eventually leaving the pitch with slight concussion.

Shortly after that unfortunate incident, High Crompton took the lead when Ashton sprung the Dynamos offside trap before firing home from just inside the penalty area.

Dynamos responded with a similar goal from Matty McConnell five minutes before the break

Ashton restored High Crompton’s lead on the hour mark with a close-range drive.

But it was left to Dynamos substitute Luke Mack to restore parity with a 20-yard effort with 14 minutes to go.

FAILSWORTH DYNAMOS: Shenton, Ramsey, Lawson, Blood, McGrath, McConnell, Dillon, Ashton, Lees, Devine, Luty. Sub: Mack.

HIGH CROMPTON CC: Pearson, Schofield, Thompson, Dean, Smith, Ashton, Mulholland, Keating, Duffy, Trainer, Bryant. Subs: Wylie, Davis, Ryan, Grimshaw, McCabe.

Referee: G Schofield.