Hollinwood in five-star show

AMATEUR FOOTBALL:

ANTHONY ROBINSON scored a superb hat-trick as Hollinwood cruised to Manchester FA Challenge Trophy glory last night.

The Manchester League premier division title hopefuls swept aside Beechfield United 5-0 in the final at Salford City FC.

Robinson and Daniel Murray scored two each before half-time to set Paul Bennett’s side on their way,

Meanwhile, it was a day of missed opportuinities for local sides in the premier division last weekend.

With Springhead holding leaders Wythenshawe Amateurs to a 2-2 draw, Avro and Hollinwood had the chance to make up ground in the title race.

However, both teams were left kicking themselves by Saturday tea-time.

Rob Fuller’s Avro had to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw at home to Old Alts, while Hollinwood, with probably one eye on last night’s Challenge Trophy final, were unable to dispose of basement boys Rochdale Sacred Heart, the game finishing all-square at 1-1.

Springhead were indebted to a last-gasp equaliser from right-back Liam Boden at Wythenshawe.

Lee McAllister’s side went in front just before the half-hour mark when Carl Taylor’s volley came back off the crossbar and Rick Headon tapped home.

Headon missed a great chance to double Springhead’s lead —he just failed to get on the end of a cross — before experienced defender Paul Needham had to be substituted because of injury.

The loss of Needham knocked Springhead out of their stride in the second half.

Wythenshawe equalised on the hour mark and nosed ahead with just two minutes to go but, deep into added time, Boden volleyed home to earn a richly-deserved point.

A superb late goal ruined Royton Town’s hope of victory at Stockport Georgians.

The Glebe Street outfit started strongly and took the lead after nine minutes when Fraser Hatton’s cross was turned into his own net by a Georgians defender.

Chances were at a premium but the quality of play was enjoyable to watch.

The hosts produced some flowing football in the second half and continually stretched Town down each flank .

But it took a fine goal with two minutes to go to deny Town, who are now unbeaten in 10 games, maximum points.

Results are —

Premier division: Atherton Town 0, Prestwich Heys 4; Avro 1, Old Alts 1; Chapel Town 1, Leigh Athletic 3; Rochdale Sacred Heart 1, Hollinwood 1; Stockport Georgians 1, Royton Town 1; Walshaw Sports 1, Dukinfield Town 2; Wythenshawe Amateurs 2, Springhead 2; East Manchester 2, Hindsford 0.

Division one: Salford Victoria 0, Fives Athletic 0.

Murray Shield: Monton Amateurs 2, Bury Amateurs 0; Pennington 1, West Didsbury 4.

Division two: Elton Vale Res 1, Avro Res 6; Springhead Res 2, Monton Amateurs Res 2.

Division three: Hollinwood Res 4, Atherton Town Res 2;

League Cup: Royton Town Res 1, Fives Athletic Res 3.

Division four: Hollinwood ‘A’ 5, Salford Victoria Res 3.


ROYTON Town’s second team lost 3-1 to Fives Athletic in the last eight of the League Cup. Andrew Westphal scored the consolation goal.


United exact their revenge in cup replay

REVENGE was sweet for Coppice United in the D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League Challenge Cup replay against Chaddy End.

The two teams went head to head in last season’s final, with Chaddy emerging 2-0 winners.

But it was a different story this time as United, who are bottom of the Jack Abbott premier division, recorded an excellent 2-1 win in the second-round reply.

Meanwhile, Khartoum Northern enhanced their premier division title hopes with a 2-0 win over FC Broadgate.

The result lifted Northern to top spot above Broadgate and High Crompton, who were beaten 2-1 by FC Royton.

Lowerhouse United ‘A’ overcame lowly Failsworth Athletic 2-0, but Failsworth Dynamos were unable to raise a team against Oddies Athletic, who claimed a 1-0 win.

Highfield United missed the chance to narrow the gap on David Giblin division one pacesetters Fitton Hill Rangers.

They were held to a 1-1 draw at basement boys Royton Athletic.

Limeside Athletic ‘A’ are going great guns in third place. The overpowered Parkside 7-1 and, with games in hand, are ideally positioned to stake a claim for the title.

Westwood are on the up after a 4-1 win over Bridge Inn, and Red Star defeated promotion hopefuls Wellington by an identical scoreline.

Rifle Range Royal Blues, clear leaders of division two, suffered only their second league defeat of the season when they went down 3-2 at Famous King George.

But nearest rivals Northside were unable to take advantage as they lost 4-1 at Lark Inn. See John Gilder’s Match of the Day.

Meanwhile, bottom-of-the-table Oldham United have Old Grey Mare in their sights.

They are now two points adrift of the team directly above them a fine 4-2 win at Royal Oak.


Owen injury mars victory

AN injury to Scott Owen soured Chaddertonians’ 3-0 defeat of lowly Radcliffe Town in a scrappy Lancashire Amateur League premier division clash.

The local outfit were already three goals to the good when Owen went down under a challenge. Unfortunately, he is out for the rest of the season.

Chadds went in front through Gary Pickup’s fine drive and Dave Ashworth weighed in with a second before half-time.

The points were secured when Steve Barrow stroked home a penalty.

Jonny Shaw’s second-half double helped Oldham Hulmeians to a 3-1 win at basement boys Astley Bridge in division two.

Hulmeians struggled against the blustery conditions in the first half and went 1-0 down after failing to clear a corner.

But with the wind behind them, the visitors dominated the second period and Simon Toms equalised from the penalty spot before two close-range efforts from Shaw clinched victory.

All-square at 2-2 after 45 minutes, Chadds reserves took control of the second half to defeat their Mostonians counterparts 5-2.

Adam and Chris Duxbury scored twice each and Damian Hardman got the other.

Title hopefuls Chadds ‘A’ made it nine straight victories with a 2-0 defeat of Horwich Victoria reserves in division four. Mark Hendstock and Liam Wilson were on target.

Meanwhile, Hulmeians reserves lost 4-1 to division five pacesetters Old Boltonians ‘B’ at Tate Street. The local side held their own in the first-half and went in 1-1 at the interval courtesy of Gareth Sykes’s strike, but the visitors proved the more clinical after the break.

A 4-2 defeat of previously unbeaten Broughton Amateurs ‘A’ lifted Chadds ‘B’ to top spot in division six.

In division seven, Hulmeians ‘A’ came away from bottom-of-the-table Radcliffe Town ‘B’ with a 5-3 victory, but the ‘B’ team were edged out 1-0 at Bolton Wyresdale ‘B’.