Hatton weighs in with vital penalty

AMATEUR FOOTBALL:

ROYTON Town returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win at Old Alts in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League Premier Division.

The visitors found themselves under pressure in a fast-flowing game on a large pitch at Crossford Bridge.

Three first half saves from Lee Mullen and a superb last-ditch tackle from Carl Dean kept Town in the game.

However, Christian Fraser was unlucky with an effort while Michael Moss and Alan Beckett were creating chances for the away side.

And Moss was instrumental in helping them claim the lead just before half-time.

He ripped the Old Alts defence apart with a stunning run before being brought down in the area. Fraser Hatton slammed home the penalty.

The lead was doubled almost immediately when prolific forward Alan Beckett got on the end of Christian Fraser’s pass, following a Carl Dean free-kick.

Jonny Harrison was unlucky not to restore the two-goal cushion when he hit the bar with time running out.

Avro earned the local bragging rights thanks to a 3-1 win over neighbours Springhead (see John Gilder’s Match of the Day). It keeps Phil Brown’s men firmly in the title race.


Five for hot-shot Simon

SIMON Dewar smashed five goals in Santos reserves’ 6-1 triumph over Milton in the Lancashire and Cheshire League Division ‘C’.

The victory lifted them to fifth in the table.

Dewar opened the scoring with a fine lob after 20 minutes, and doubled his tally from close range before the break.

Milton pulled a goal back after the restart but Jo Royle’s header restored a two-goal cushion for the hosts.

Dewar then ran the show, adding three more goals, the pick of which was a 30-yard piledriver.

Santos reserves travel to leaders Parrswood Celtic at the weekend.


Heyside march on

AN impressive all-round performance saw Heyside enhance their promotion credentials with a 3-0 defeat of Huddersfield and District League Division Three leaders Shelley.

The hosts were a goal to the good after just 20 seconds, courtesy of a Ryan Rafferty strike.

The visitors failed to gain a foothold in the game, and two Carl Winstanley efforts handed Heyside a three-goal cushion at the interval. Resolute defending from Shelley prevented further scoring.

Second-placed Heyside are now level on points with the pacesetters, whom they trail on goal difference.