Barrow is treble tops

AMATEUR FOOTBALL: CHADDERTONIANS, inspired by Steve Barrow’s hat-trick, are up to second place in Lancashire Amateur League premier division after coming from behind to beat Old Boltonians 3-2.

A goal down inside five minutes, Bolts kept up the pressure and extended the lead midway through the half.

Chadds reduced the arrears shortly before the break when Barrow profited from Chris Duxbury’s fine work.

Chances went begging until Barrow equalised from the penalty spot after Duxbury was brought down by the ’keeper. And to complete a superb comeback, Gary Pickup played a great through ball for Barrow to score his third of the afternoon.

Oldham Hulmeians were beaten 4-0 at leaders Prestwich CC in division two.

An early penalty put Hulmeians on the back foot and their task got even harder when the home side doubled their advantage before half time.

Some good goalkeeping denied Danny Tate and Simon Toms before Prestwich extended their lead with two second-half strikes.

Jack Barnes scored all four goals for Chadds reserves, who won 4-0 at their Old Mancunians counterparts.

Chadds ‘A’ avenged the previous week’s reverse by beating Old Blackburnians ‘A’ 2-0 in division four. Jordan Scholes and Mark Hendstock were the scorers.

Meanwhile, in division five, Hulmeians reserves lost to Roach Dynamos reserves by the odd goal in seven. Chris Hope, Danny Smith and Gary Melia scored in the 4-3 home defeat.

Hulmeians ‘A’ continued their good run by beating division-seven pacesetters Broughton Amateurs ‘B’ 4-2. Elsewhere, Hulmeians ‘B’ lost 6-1 at Rossendale Amateurs ‘C’.


Never-say-die Santos

SANTOS left it late to complete a come-from-behind 3-2 win over VIP FC in division two of the Lancashire and Cheshire League.

A goal down at half-time — VIP struck from the penalty spot — they conceded a second after the break.

But Santos, who had earlier missed a spot-kick of their own, refused to throw in the towel and clinched victory thanks to goals from Paul Marsh, Matthew Fitton and Jamie Taylor.

Despite an improved performance from the previous week, Oldham Victoria were beaten 3-1 by high-flying Moorside Rangers.

Midfielder Nathan Wrigley scored the consolation goal.

Meanwhile, a sloppy goal three minutes from time condemned AFC Oldham 2005 to a 1-0 defeat at home to Cheadle Hulme Villa in division one.

In division ‘C’, Tremain Blair scored the equaliser for Victoria reserves — his second of the game — in a 2-2 draw against their Moorside Rangers counterparts.

Santos reserves posted an emphatic 5-0 win over Mellor in division ‘D’.

A hat-trick from Steve Cass — he opened the scoring from penalty spot — and further goals from Tim Buxton and Wayne Hamilton clinched a stylish victory.

AFC Oldham thirds wasted a two-goal lead — Stuart Melling and Craig Finigan were on target — as they were beaten 3-2 by Spurley Hey thirds in division ‘E’.

And the club’s fourth team showed their inexperience in a 4-2 home defeat by Chorltonians sevenths in division ‘F’.

Ryan Higginson and an own goal made up AFC Oldham’s tally.


Rafferty’s first-half clincher

STRIKER Ryan Rafferty scored the only goal of the game as Dog and Partridge booked their place in the Ashton Sunday League premier division cup final at the expense if Moston Labour Club.

Chances were at a premium, and Rafferty’s first-half effort was enough to send the Dog through to their third final in two seasons.

They will play Warwick United or Golden Buck in the final on Wednesday, April 28, at Curzon Ashton.

In the premier division, Shaw Rovers were reduced to 10 men in the first half but managed to push Home Guard all the way before eventually succumbing 4-3.

Mark Baines (two), Nathan Cooke and Sam Cooke were on target for Home Guard, while John Kelly (two) and Lee Grimes replied.

Meanwhile, Golden Buck conceded a last-minute goal as they lost 2-1 to Cale Green in the quarter-finals North-West Champion of Champions Cup.