Murphy takes command

AMATEUR FOOTBALL:

BRENDAN MURPHY, the 43-year-old manager AFC Oldham 2005 fourths, showed his side how it’s done by recording a hat-trick of headers in the 5-5 draw against Burnage Metro in division ‘F’ of the Lancashire and Cheshire League.

The boss, who had just returned from long-term injury, inspired a stunning recovery after Burnage had opened up a 4-0 lead inside 15 minutes.

Ryan Higginson also bagged a brace — one from the penalty spot and the other a lob — to secure a share of the spoils.

AFC Oldham’s first team came from behind to beat Milton 8-1 in division one.

Trailing to a 20th-minute penalty, the local side were back on level terms by half-time thanks to Aaron Murdoch.

It was one-way traffic in the final third of the match as the Milton defence crumbled.

Ryan Gibson completed a stunning 15-minute hat-trick, Michael Shepherd scored twice, while Grant Marshall and Murdoch also got in on the act.

In division two, Oldham Victoria picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at VIP FC, but a depleted Santos were left licking their wounds after they succumbed 8-0 at second-placed North Reddish.

Santos, who could only name a squad of 12 players, were on level terms until five minutes before the break.

Vics reserves produced a rousing fightback to defeat Abacus Media 3-2 in division ‘C’.

The visitors capitalised on two errors to lead 2-0 with half-an-hour to go.

But Vics dug deep and, thanks to Jimmy Humphreys, Aaron Leigh — it was the full-back’s first goal for the club — and substitute Robin Garside’s 20-yard curler, clinched an unexpected win.

AFC Oldham reserves went down 1-0 at Irlam Steel, but their display merited a point in the division ‘D’ clash.

And Santos’ second string earned a share of the spoils in a 4-4 draw against Stoconians.

AFC Oldham’s third team, who struck the crossbar on two occasions, lost 3-0 at home to Old Stoconians in division ‘E’.


Bates hat-trick heroics in vain

HARLEQUINS’ hopes of avoiding the drop from the Rochdale On-line Alliance premier division were extinguished with a 4-3 defeat at Roca Juniors.

It started so well for Quins, who raced into a two-goal lead thanks to leading marksman David Bates.

But Juniors were level before the break and soon made it 4-2.

Bates completed a fine hat-trick with four minutes to go and Quins went close to scoring a last-gasp leveller when Michael Pearce’s effort came back off the crossbar.


Appeal for players

CHADDERTON Park FC are looking to recruit new players for their Tameside Sunday League team.

Email steve@chaddypark.co.uk  for more details.


Goal-den double for Parkinson
GOLDEN Buck are on a roll in the Ashton Sunday League.

They are up to third in the table and within touching distance of top-spot after making it six wins out of six.

Parkinson bagged a brace in the 2-1 defeat of pacesetters Warwick United, for whom Loftus replied.

Charlestown also narrowed the gap on United after they brushed aside Moston Labour Club 7-2.

Chris Lomas was the star of the show, scoring four of the goals, while Lister, Buckley and West did the rest of the damage. Charlestown scored nine times in total on the day, but two were in their own net.

Steve Johnson and Daniel Roach were on target for Kippax in a 2-2 draw against Home Guard, who secured a point thanks to Wolfenden and Baines.

Dog and Partridge went nap against basement boys Shaw Rovers.

Chris Large put Rovers in front, but Dog hit back to win 5-1 with goals from Gareth Cardwell (two), Gyorgy Lovas, Mick Jones and veteran Steve Martin.

Results —

Golden Buck 2, Warwick United 1; Kippax 2, Home Guard 2; Dog and Partridge 5, Shaw Rovers 1; Moston Labour Club 2, Charlestown 7.


Weekend fixtures
Bridgewater Office Supplies, Manchester League premier division: Chapel Town v Old Alts; Elton Vale v Springhead; Rochdale Sacred Heart v Dukinfield Town; Royton Town v Manchester Gregorians; Walshaw Sports v East Manchester; Wythenshawe Amateurs v Avro; Hollinwood v Prestwich Heys. Division one: Bury Amateurs v West Didsbury; Heywood St James v Pennington; Monton Amateurs v Fives Athletic; Wilmslow Albion v Breightmet United Division two: Avro Res v Elton Vale Res; Springhead Res v East Manchester Res. Division three: Stockport Georgians ‘A’ v Hollinwood Res; West Didsbury & Chorlton Res v Royton Town Res. Division four: Hollinwood ‘A’ v Bury Amateurs ‘B’.

Lancashire and Cheshire League, division one: AFC Oldham 2005 v Eagle. Division two: Oldham Victoria v Santos FC. Division ‘C’: Denton West v Oldham Victoria Res. Division ‘D’: AFC Oldham 2005 Res v Irlam Steel thirds; Santos FC Res v Govan Athletic Res. Division ‘E’: Burnage Metro fourths v AFC Oldham 2005 thirds.

Huddersfield and District League, FA Junior Cup, quarter-finals: Shepley Res v Diggle Res; Netherton ‘B’ v Uppermill Res. Division one: Diggle v Britannia Sports; Uppermill v Heywood Irish Centre FC. Division four: Heyside FC v Cartworth Moor. Reserve division two: Diggle ‘A’ v Honley Res; Westend Res v Uppermill ‘A’.

Ashton Sunday League: Golden Buck v Kippax; Shaw Rovers v Moston Labour Club. Premier division cup: Charlestown v Dog and Partridge.

D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League, Challenge Cup, round two: Lark Inn v Royton FC (C Coleman); Westwood v Khartoum Northern. President’s Trophy, round three: Coppice United v Famous King George (S Leech). Premier division shield, round two: High Crompton CC v Lowerhouse ‘A’ (S Roberts). Division one shield: Limeside Athletic ‘A’ v Red Star (Z Eko); Royton Athletic v Highfield United (K Kelly). Division two shield: Old Grey Mare v North Star (B Schofield). Jack Abbott premier division: Oddies v Failsworth Athletic (P Ryan). David Giblin division one: Parkside v Rose of Lancaster (M Heywood). Division two: Lowerhouse ‘B’ v Springhead Libs (D Hewitt); Northside v Rifle Range Royle Blues (G Schofield); Oldham Utd v Limeside Athletic ‘B’ (D Thomas); Royal Oak v Crompton and Royton (C Baldwin).