Title still on after heroic comeback

FOOTBALL:

AVRO are one victory away from winning the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League premier division.

They will pip Wythenshawe Amateurs to the post by a single point if they beat Leigh Athletic at the weekend.

Their fate is in their own hands because Wythenshawe have completed their fixtures.

In an astonishing game at Elton Vale, Avro found themselves 2-0 down and one man short with 15 minutes remaining. Steven Gavin had been dismissed in the first half.

But a Kelvin White equaliser after 77 minutes was followed by a family affair, as Mike Barnsgott and his brother Martin both scored at the death to keep the dream alive.

Avro boss Rob Fuller said: “I think it says it all when our captain Mike Flynn, who has played in Wembley finals, described it as one of the most exciting games of football he’s ever played in.

“We have played with nerves in the last few games but I suppose that’s inevitable.

“We’ve won cups but the league is the biggy - it’s everything we’ve been working towards over the years.

“Leigh are physical and workmanlike so it will be tough, but if we play the football we’re capable of, I am quietly confident we can do it.”

Leading scorer James Hampson is a major doubt for the crunch encounter due to a hamstring injury picked up in the first 10 minutes of the Elton Vale match.

Hollinwood suffered midweek heartache after losing on penalties to Walshaw Sports in the Gilgryst Cup final.

The match finished 2-2 after extra-time, but Hollinwood lost 3-1 in the dreaded shoot-out.

In the league, Hollinwood travelled to Hindsford but came home empty-handed after a 3-0 defeat.

Springhead did manage to get on the scoresheet in their match but still ended up on the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline at Leigh Athletic.

Royton Town gave their high-flying hosts Old Alts a run for their money, but despite a spirited performance they lost the game 4-2.

In division two Springhead reserves were beaten 5-1 by Wythenshawe Amateurs reserves on home soil, while Beechfield United reserves won 10-0 at Avro reserves.

Results from the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League

Premier division: Chapel Town 4, Atherton Town 1; Dukinfield Town 2, Manchester Gregorians 4; East Manchester 6, Rochdale Sacred Heart 2; Elton Vale 2, Avro 3; Hindsford 3, Hollinwood 0; Leigh Athletic 3, Springhead 1; Old Alts 4, Royton Town 2; Prestwich Heys 2, Walshaw Sports 1.

Division one: Pennington 5, Wilmslow Albion 1.

Division two: Springhead reserves 1, Wythenshawe Amateurs reserves 5; Avro reserves 0, Beechfield United reserves 10.

Midweek results-

Gilgryst Cup final: Hollinwood 2, Walshaw Sports 2 AET (Walshaw won 3-1 on penalties).

Premier division: Chapel Town 2, Springhead 2.

Division two: Springhead reserves 7, Avro reserves 1; Old Alts 3, Hindsford 1.

Division three: Hollinwood reserves 4, Fives Athletic reserves 3.


Fifth is still in sight

UPPERMILL are limping over the finishing line in the Huddersfield and District League division one.

They were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Cumberworth, which was followed by a 3-1 reverse against Moldgreen.

Uppermill host Hepworth United, when a win would guarentee them fifth place.

Diggle’s drew 0-0 with Hepworth as they bid for second - see John Gilder’s Match of the Day.

In reserves division two, Diggle ‘A’ saw off Scholes reserves 3-2.

Lancashire and Cheshire League

Santos AFC finished their division two campaign with a 2-1 home win against Aldermere.
Despite going behind early on, Jonathan Harrison equalised for Santos. Martin Green knocked in the winner after the break.

In division ‘D’ Santos reserves beat Mellor 4-1.

They broke the deadlock with goals from Steve Cass and Dominic Rathmill although Mellor scored before half time to put them back into the match.

Two further goals from Cass and Rathmill finished the job.