Cass stars as Santos land spoils

AMATEUR FOOTBALL: SANTOS climbed out of the Lancashire and Cheshire League division two relegation zone with a 2-0 win over local rivals Oldham Victoria.

Steve Cass was inspired for Santos, and it was from the midfielder’s pass that Matthew Fitton was sent clear.

Fortunately for Vics, he missed the target and more chances went begging, with Jonathan Harrison seeing two efforts kicked off the line.

The breakthrough arrived when Paul Marsh’s corner was headed home by Jonathan Phillips.

Vics upped their game in the second half, but Santos held out and increased their lead when Phillips turned provider for Harrison to finish with aplomb.

Vics refused to throw in the towel and were awarded a penalty after a foul by John Mayall.

But ’keeper Robert Tagg was up to the task, first saving the spot-kick and then the follow-up.

Substitute James Stockton went close with a long-range effort as Santos looked to increase their advantage late on.

It was a disappointing day all-round for Vics as their reserve team were beaten 7-1 at Denton West in division ‘C’.

But the second team of AFC Oldham 2005 had much better luck in division ‘D’.

They turned the formbook on its head by sweeping aside title hopefuls Irlam Steel 5-1.

Peter Smith opened the scoring, Ross Elliott made it two from the edge of the penalty area and Chris Hudson added a third just before half-time.

Stuart Melling, after an error from the Irlam ’keeper, scored Oldham’s fourth, before Chris Regan headed home number five.

Results —

Division two: Oldham Victoria 0, Santos 2. Division ‘C’: Denton West 7, Oldham Victoria res 1 Division ‘D’: AFC Oldham 2005 res 5, Irlam Steel 1.

All other games involving local clubs were postponed


Dusty doomed after defeat

HARLEQUINS condemned Dusty Miller to relegation from the Rochdale On-line premier division after a 5-2 win at a soggy New Barn playing fields.

The result lifted the home side off bottom spot, but they are still doomed for the drop.

Quins struck twice in the space of 60 seconds through David Bates and Dave Wright, before Bates added a third.

Dusty Miller pulled a goal back on the stroke half-time and bagged a second soon after the restart.

But Quins were always dangerous on the break, and two goals from Michael Pearce sealed victory.


Cheshire and Manchester Women’s County League

ASHTON United Ladies were in seventh heaven in the Cheshire and Manchester Women’s County League.

They swept aside Delta Colts 7-1 thanks to goals from Lisa Jones (two), Rachel Cummins (two), Aimee Smith, Hayley Hardy and Holly Taylor.