League’s new lease of life

FOOTBALL:

TWELVE new teams have joined the D and J Builders (North West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League for the new 2010-11 season, which starts in full this weekend.

This comes as great news for the league, which has bucked the trend for Sunday football leagues across Greater Manchester which have generally experienced a reduction in numbers over the past decade or so.

Val Broadbent, now into her sixth season as the Oldham Sunday League secretary, said: "I can only assume that word has got around that we are a good league, but the increase in numbers this season means that we must be doing something right."

Newcomers to the league, which will operate with four divisions, are: Khartoum Northern 'B', Coppice United 'B', Anglers Arms, Legends Bar, Limeside 'B', Manor FC, Rifle Range Tangerines, Springhead Libs 'B', The Friendship Society FC, Kenyon Arms, Shaw Rovers and White Hart.

Dave Thomas takes up the role of respect-liaison officer in response to the FA's ‘Respect’ campaign, while replacing Thomas as the referees' secretary is Mick Rawes.

Jason Keast is the new results secretary and Steve Diggle becomes vice-chairman of the league.

Diggle will also carr out the duties of registration secretary.

Khartoum Northern 'A', the reigning Jack Abbott Premier Division champions, host FC Carsons on Sunday.

Meanwhile, it's derby day in the Huddersfield and District League as Uppermill entertain Diggle in a First Division fixture at Greenfield Paper Mill tomorrow (2.15pm).

Uppermill will be aiming for an improvement on last season's fifth-place finish under new manager Simon Tait, while Steve Southern's Diggle, who were runners-up last term, could well go one better this season.

Whatever happens, the intense rivalry between the two clubs will remain.

In the Third Division, newly-promoted Heyside entertain HV Academicals at Royton and Crompton 3G (2.30pm).


Barrow earns Chadds win
CHADDERTONIANS won 1-0 at Radcliffe Town in the Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division.

Steve Barrow scored 15 minutes from the end. Chadds followed up with a 2-2 draw at leaders Failsworth Dynamos, Rick Massey and Jack Barnes on target.

In Division Two, Chadds’ second team lost 3-1 at Bury GSOB, Mark Kearns getting the goal, before beating Chadderton FC seconds 2-0. Paul Jackson and Kearns scored.

Oldham Hulmeians beat Radcliffe Boys 3-2 in Division Two, Ryan Rafferty (two) and Gary Caldwell were the marksmen.

A 3-2 defeat followed at Bury GSOB reserves, where Michael Jones and Danny Proffitt got the goals, prior to a 4-0 loss at Rochdale St Clements reserves.

Proffitt and Aiden Derwent scored as Hulmeians' beat Chadderton 2-0 in the League Cup.

Division Three action saw Chadds ‘A’ draw 1-1 with Rossendale Amateurs ‘A’ and beat Mostonians reserves 3-2.

Goals start to flow again as Avro find their form

AVRO are definitely in full swing in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League Premier Division.

After a stuttering start to the season, which saw them fail to register a win in the first two games, Avro - jointly managed by Rob Fuller and Phil Brown - are finding their form.
They stormed to a 4-1 victory over Dukinfield Town. John Worsley bagged a brace, while Lee O’Brien and Kelvin White also got their names on the scoresheet.

It was promptly followed by a 6-0 thrashing of Royton Town, thanks to a Kelvin White hat-trick, two from O’Brien and a Daniel Grimshaw strike.

Royton also suffered a 4-1 defeat at Stockport Georgians.

Two sets of siblings have joined the ranks.

Forward Daniel Murray and brother Liam, a winger, followed Brown from Hollinwood, as did full back Anthony Cooke and sibling Ryan, who plays in central midfield.

Hollinwood lost 4-1 at home to Wythenshawe Amateurs, and Springhead beat Prestwich Heys 2-1. Richard Bennett scored a brace.