Title delight for emphatic firsts

HOCKEY:

OLDHAM firsts sealed the Greater Manchester League Division One title with an emphatic 5-1 win at Manto of Bolton.

The hosts were the only side to deny Oldham victory so far this season, but they were no match on this occasion.

After a bright start, Karen Rowley broke the deadlock when she converted a textbook corner from Louise Howard.

Rowley added a second Oldham goal moments later, but a lapse in concentration allowed Manto to pull a goal back.

Captain Rachael Johnson gave Oldham some breathing space before the break when she smashed home a penalty corner.

The visitors emerged with all guns blazing the second half.

Oona Cassidy made it 4-1 before the player-of-the-match Rowley completed a hat-trick to wrap up victory.

With the Division One title and Division One Knock-out tournament in the bag, Oldham are now setting their sights on the treble.

They play Manchester University in the All Divisions Knock-out Cup final at the Armitage Centre, Fallowfield, on Saturday, April 2 (kick-off 2pm).

Meanwhile, Oldham’s second team are facing a fight to avoid relegation from Division One after losing 3-1 to Manchester University.

Oldham, who produced one of their best displays of the season, were disappointed to be 1-0 down at the break.

Goalkeeper Jen Green was in great form, denying Manchester time and again, but she was unable to prevent a second goal from a corner.

Oldham were handed a lifeline courtesy of a Rachel Geraghty effort after good work by Laura Rice, but the equaliser proved

elusive and Manchester clinched victory from a controversial penalty corner.

Karen Lord scored a consolation goal for the club’s third team, who lost 2-1 at Division Three high-flyers Didsbury.

Katie Sullivan stood out for Oldham, who are in sixth place in the standings.