Have a go Avro

Avro 3, East Manchester 1
AMATEUR FOOTBALL: AVRO recorded a crucial victory over East Manchester to maintain their title hopes in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League premier division at the Lancaster Club.

Second-placed Avro, who were then held to a 2-2 draw by Springhead in midweek, have a couple of games in hand on leaders Wythenshawe Amateurs, who have completed their fixtures.

Avro need to win their remaining two matches - both away games- to land the title.

They face Elton Vale, before travelling to Leigh Athletic a week later.

Rob Fuller, the Avro manager, said: “The title is in our own hands but on any given day funny things can happen.

“This was a professional-like performance and I am happy with that.

“We just have to win our remaining games and we have won the league.

“From the outset of the season we expected to be challenging for honours on all fronts but now the league is all we have left.

“Winning the league is the biggest prize but I am disappointed that we are not in with a shout for anything else.

“We finished fifth in the league last season so you can say that we have improved a lot this time round.”

Daniel Grimshaw gave Avro the perfect start against East Manchester after 16 minutes when he sprung the offside trap before finishing neatly when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Steve Gavin made it 2-0 to Avro just past the half-hour mark with a simple tap-in, before Mike Barnes-Gott completed the scoring with a blistering 25-yard drive in the 63rd minute.

Avro's title challenge has been boosted in recent weeks by the arrival in the centre of defence of former Latics pivot Mike Flynn.

Playing in Avro’s last 10 games, the vastly experienced Flynn has been one of the catalysts for the side's late surge towards the top of the table.

East Manchester's 79th minute goal was nothing more than a consolation effort.

Avro are already planning for next season and are looking to attract sponsors for the club's two open-age sides and 10 junior teams.

The club would also like to hear from anyone interested in the position of club secretary. In both cases, contact Dave Moxon on 07920 779382.

AVRO: Ubarno, Edge, Flynn, Armstrong, Thornton, King, Mike Barnes-Gott, Grimshaw, White, Gavin, O'Brien. Subs: Martin Barnes-Gott, Howell.




Underdogs Athletic pull off shock to reach final



LIMESIDE Athletic ‘A’ upset the odds to beat FC Royton 2-1 in the President’s Trophy semi-final.



Athletic, of the David Giblin division one, edged out their Jack Abbott premier division opponents to make it through to the final.

W Berry and D Hendry were on target for the winners, with Hunt replying for FC Royton.

In the other semi-final, Rose of Lancaster beat Famous King George 4-2.

Honours were even in the premier division, as Coppice United drew 2-2 with Failsworth Athletic.

Just three points separate the teams sitting between fifth and ninth place.

Failsworth Athletic are currently only one place above the bottom, but have played less matches than several of the teams they trail, as it shapes up to be an interesting end to the league campaign.

FC Broadgate were swept aside 5-1 by Oddies Athletic.

A mid-table clash in the David Giblin division one saw Red Star smash six past Westwood FC, who only recorded a solitary goal in reply.

Bridge Inn FC hosted Wellington and won the match 2-1.

In division two, Lark Inn blasted eight goals past Crompton and Royton, who did manage a consolation strike.

L Ashton helped himself to a hat-trick for Springhead Libs FC, who beat Limeside Athletic ‘B’ 4-2 away from home.

D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League

In the divisional shield semi-finals Khartoum Northern FC boasted six different goalscorers in their 6-0 demolition of High Crompton CC in the premier division competition.

Failsworth Dynamos lost an entertaining encounter with Chaddy End 5-3.

Highfield United beat Fitton Hill Rangers 5-2 in a lively division one clash.

Rifle Range Royal Blues continued their fantastic form by beating Royal Oak 4-1 in division two.

Strugglers Old Grey Mare travelled to Lowerhouse United ‘B’ and surprised their opponents with an impressive 3-2 triumph.

Results and scorers-

Jack Abbott premier division: Coppice United 2, Failsworth Athletic 2; Oddies Athletic 5 (P Dolmor three, R Cropper two), FC Broadgate 1 (D Hughes).

David Giblin division one: Bridge Inn FC 2, Wellington 1; Red Star 6 (R Hobin three, M Booth, C McDonald, D Gordon), Westwood FC 1 (S Uddin).

Division two: Crompton and Royton 1, Lark Inn 8 (W Clarke two, D Schofield two, J Tindall, R Shaughnessy, S Kennedy, S Rusby); Limeside Athletic ‘B’ 2 (S Lowther, L Street), Springhead Libs FC 4 (L Ashton three, S Ashton).

President’s Trophy semi-finals: Rose of Lancaster 4, Famous King George 2 (OG, Hopwood); Limeside Athletic ‘A’ 2 (W Berry, D Hendry), FC Royton 1 (Hunt).

Divisional Shield semi-finals: Khartoum Northern FC 6 (C Franklin, C Hewitt, K Radcliffe, R Radcliffe, A Stafford, L Robinson), High Crompton CC 0; Failsworth Dynamos 3 (M McConnell two, Z Lees, Chaddy End 5 (S Barrow two, D Philbin, A Beckett, J Payne); Highfield United 5 (J Steele two, Kurpas two, N Hardman), Fitton Hill Rangers 2 (S Grimshaw, P Badby); Rifle Range Royal Blues 4 (Oakes two, Leigh, Noicely), Royal Oak 1; Lowerhouse United ‘B’ 2, Old Grey Mare 3.