Broadgate take over at the top

AMATEUR FOOTBALL: FC BROADGATE seized the chance to go top of the D&J Builders (North West) Oldham Sunday League premier division despite being held to a 3–3 home draw by Failsworth Dynamos while their main title rivals were in cup action.

Liam Stuttard scored twice and Mark Ireson once for Broadgate, who are a point clear but have played more games than the other contenders.

FC Royton battled to a 5–4 win over Coppice United with goals from Simon Davis (2), Wayne Dean (2) and Jordan Howarth.

In the first division, Fitton Hill Rangers suffered a rare defeat, going down 1-0 at home to third-placed Wellington, for whom S Eyre got the goal.

Rifle Range Royal Blues continued their march towards the second division title with a 5-0 win at Old Grey Mare. Oakes (2), Holmes (2) and Knagg were on target.

Bottom club Oldham United slipped to their seventh defeat of the season, going down 7-4 to Crompton and Royton, while two goals from M Hearne were not enough to save Limeside Athletic B from a 4-2 defeat at Lowerhouse United B, for whom the marksmen were M Megginson, J Knapman, D Browne and A Bowskill.

President’s Trophy action saw Rose of Lancaster beat division one rivals Bridge Inn 3-2.

In the weather-hit Challenge Cup, premier division title hopefuls Khartoum Northern saw off Red Star 4-0 in their second-round tie, while Lark Inn just got the better of Famous King George 5-4.

Third-round ties saw premier league High Crompton CC maintain their double challenge with a 2-1 success, but not without a fight against division one high-flyers Highfield United.

Springhead Libs, of division two, also put up a battle before losing 3-2 to Limeside Athletic A from the division above, but struggling North Star Athletic succumbed 7-1 to top-flight Lowerhouse United A.

Royton Athletic made life difficult for Oddies Athletic before losing 3-1 to the premier outfit, but Failsworth Athletic set aside their league problems by beating Royal Oak 7-2.Late goal denies Springhead


Manchester League

SPRINGHEAD were made to work hard for a point in their 1-1 draw with Old Alts in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League premier division.

In a highly entertaining game at Ashfield Crescent, both sides tried to produce good football and it was Springhead who had the better of the opening exchanges without really threatening the visitors’ goal.

Old Alts got on top for 20 minutes either side of the interval, but the efforts of Cunningham, Needham and Stevenson held them at bay and goalkeeper Lee Milner made a vital save to deny the visitors.

Springhead gradually regained a foothold in the game and began to look dangerous on the break. They finally broke the deadlock when fine work from Ryan Shaughnessy ended up with a great cross that Mark Hopwood missed but new signing Carl Taylor finished at the back post.

It could have been 2-0 moments later when a great move ended up with substitute Rick Headon’s shot crashing against the crossbar.

Head were made to pay as, with only two minutes remaining, the Old Alts skipper, who was outstanding all afternoon, found himself in room from a corner to smash home the equaliser.

Springhead still had time to nearly nick the game when Taylor’s shot was cleared off the line, but it was a good point against a useful visiting side.


ROYTON Town continued their recent run of form - now six games unbeaten - when claiming all three points against a poor Prestwich Heys side by winning 2-0.

Michael Moss and Jamie Peers went close before Town took the lead in rather fortunate circumstances just before the interval.

Chris Mackay swung a corner into the six-yard box that caused panic in the visitors’ defence before ending up in the back of the net.

Prestwich showed very little in attack but were solid in defence until Mackay extended Town’s advantage with a 25-yard free kick which rattled the bar before bouncing down over the line.

Town were unlucky not to grab a third when Adam Ruddock had the ball in the net only to be pulled back for offside. And, after Prestwich had squandered a golden opportunity after 77 minutes, Moss wasted an opening for the home side.

As Prestwich became more and more frustrated they finished the game with nine men after two dismissals for dissent.

Town’s second team rattled up another win with a 4-0 demolition of Wythenshawe Town thanks to Andy Eastwood (2), Tom Dale and Jack Taylor.


HOME GUARD romped to a 6-2 win at Shaw Rovers in the Ashton Sunday League with goals from Anthony Wolfe (2), Jason Jefferey, Andy Taylor, Sam Cooke and Scott Percival. Lee Grimes scored twice for Shaw.

Golden Buck had Rocky Siddall, Steve Savage and D Stewart on target in a 3-0 win at Dog and Partridge, while Charlestown beat Moston Labour Club 2-1 in a friendly match after the referee failed to turn up.


Diggle fail to impress in cup success

Huddersfield League

IF there was honour in Diggle’s narrow defeat last week to current league champions Lepton Highlanders, there was much criticism in this week’s 2-1 victory over Division 2 strugglers Slaithwaite as they limped over the winning line to claim a place in the Barlow Cup quarter-finals.

The local side produced an insipid display as they fumbled their way through what should have been a routine victory over their lower division opponents.

At 2-0 up after only 20 minutes, Diggle looked on course for a comprehensive success with some fast, enterprising football.

Goals from Jeff Whittaker and Mark Jackson (penalty) put them in the driving seat but they took their foot off the gas.

Diggle were offered further assistance in the 55th minute when Slaithwaite were reduced to ten men - a striker sent off for diving. But, instead of spurring Diggle on, their play became ever more sloppy, which only served to encourage the home side.

Slaithwaite grabbed an unlikely goal with five minutes to play and Diggle were left to hang on.

The reserves were 3-0 winners away at West End in the Richardson Cup quarter-finals, but Diggle ‘A’ suffered their first defeat of the season, 4-3 at home, to Netherton Reserves in the Richardson Cup round two.


HEYSIDE returned to league action for the first time since early December and recorded a 7-3 win at Fenay Bridge in the fourth division.

Goals from Ben Holt and James Davis gave Heyside an interval lead and there followed a flurry in the second period as Davis completed his hat-trick, Holt made it a double and Scott Bloor added two of his own.

Some indecisive defending allowed Fenay Bridge to reduce the arrears three times from set plays, but Heyside always had the edge.

The reserves continued their recent improvement with a 4-2 win over Mount reserves.

Leading 2-0 with goals from Tom O’Rourke and Nick Dempsey in the opening half-hour, Heyside were pegged back early in the second period. However, a double strike from Chris Taylor secured the points in the final 20 minutes.