Diggle dealt blow in title race

AMATEUR FOOTBALL: TITLE-CHASERS Diggle slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Netherton in the Huddersfield and District League Division One.

Diggle are still in second place, level on points with leaders Hepworth United, but have played two more games.

The result took fourth-placed Netherton to within two points of the leading pack.

In Division Three, Heyside maintained pressure on leaders Shelley courtesy of a 6-0 triumph at Paddock Rangers.

The visitors dominated the first half and led 4-0 at the interval.

A combination of resolute defending on the home side’s part and a deterioration of the playing surface limited Heyside to two more goals after the break.

James Leonard scored four times, with James Taylor and Leon Perry completing the job.

Uppermill swept aside Lower Hopton 5-1 in the West Riding FA Challenge Cup (see John Gilder’s Match of the Day).



ODDIES raced to a 6-1 home victory over High Crompton in the D & J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League Jack Abbott Premier League.
C Taylor, D Cruthers, D Williams, P Covo, L Terry and L Savlin did the damage, with S Rowbottom recording a consolation strike for the visitors.

The victory places Oddies firmly in mid-table, level on points with High Crompton and Coppice United ‘A’.

T Hughes scored two for second-placed Chaddy End but they were held to a 2-2 draw at Red Star.

Failsworth Athletic slumped to a 5-1 defeat at home to Rifle Range Reds.

J Jacimbs pounced twice for the away side, and was joined on the scoresheet by N Eastmond and D Browne. Both sides scored an own goal each.


CHADDERTONIANS edged out title hopefuls Old Boltonians with a 1-0 home victory in the Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division.
The hosts were on the front foot from the start, and took the lead after 10 minutes.

Dave Ashworth ran from his own half and fed Martin Kitson, who found the net.

Despite great pressure from the away side late on, Chadds held on to clinch three points.

Division Two action saw Chaddertonians reserves lose 8-1 at Old Boltonians reserves.


SANTOS crashed out of the Lancashire and Cheshire League’s Rhodes Cup courtesy of an agonising penalties defeat at the hands of Spurley Hey, after a 3-3 draw.
Jonny Philips, Steve Cass and Matt Fitton handed Santos a 3-0 lead, but they gave away three goals in the last 10 minutes of normal time.

Extra-time brought no further goals, and Spurley Hey won the shoot-out 4-3.

Division Two action saw Oldham Victoria slump to a 7-3 home defeat against VIP FC.

Santos reserves earned a 5-2 win at Droylsden Amateurs in Division ‘C’.