Screamer from Franklin caps convincing win

AMATEUR FOOTBALL: AFC OLDHAM 2005 put on a fine display of attacking football to beat Irlam Steel 2-0 in the Lancashire and Cheshire League division one.

Grant Marshall gave Oldham the lead they deserved in the 20th minute with a well-placed header.

The lead was soon doubled when Callum Franklin produced a fantastic finish from the edge of the box.

After the break Franklin missed a penalty but Oldham cruised to victory.

In division two Santos gave leaders Deans FC a run for their money but eventually lost 3-2.

Deans took the lead when the home side were unable to clear the ball and the striker rifled in from close range.

Santos suffered a setback when Adam McKinney’s spot-kick was saved.

But the equaliser did arrive before the break when John Mayall hit a free-kick from the half-way line which sailed over the on-rushing goalkeeper’s head.

After the interval Matthew Fitton latched on to a through ball, strongly holding off two defenders before calmly lobbing the ball home.

Santos tried to hold on but a lucky deflection from a speculative shot gave Deans the equaliser.

It looked destined to be a draw until a headed rebound from a free-kick gave the leaders the points at the death.

Santos reserves ruined Chorltonians’ chances of promotion from division ‘D’ with a second-half comeback.

They were 3-0 down at half-time but won 4-3.

Steve Cass got the ball rolling with a 30-yard drive, before Cass slotted home a penalty following a handball.

Substitute Anthony Curran levelled matters from an unlikely angle, and Dominic Rathmall put the icing on the cake a few minutes before the full-time whistle with a fantastic lob.

In division ‘E’ Oldham AFC thirds battled to a 4-4 draw with Hooley Bridge Celtic, despite trailing 1-0 at half-time.

After the break, Martyn Bacon finished off a fine move for AFC Oldham.

Defensive errors led to Celtic taking a 3-1 lead. But an own goal and a 35-yard scorcher from Bacon restored parity with five minutes remaining.

The visitors scored almost immediately.

But Stuart Melling beat the offside trap and chipped the ball into the net right at the end.

Division ‘F’ action saw AFC Oldham fourths hold Old Stoconians to a 0-0 draw.




Rocky hits two for Golden boys



GOLDEN Buck took another huge step towards the Ashton Sunday League premier division title with a 7-1 victory over Shaw Rovers.



Rocky Siddall continued to stake his claim to be the league’s leading goalscorer with a brace, while Meredith (two) Brookes, Savage and Chadderton completed the tally.

Charlestown continue to push Buck all the way after cruising to a 6-0 away win over Dog and Partridge.

Chris Lomas grabbed himself two goals to keep him in contention for the golden boot award. He was joined on the scoresheet by man of the match Joe Carroll (two), Lister and West.