Underdogs earn surprise draw

FOOTBALL: RIFLE Range Royal Blues earned a credible 1-1 draw against Royton FC in the D & J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League’s Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

In-form Royton, who are top of the Jack Abbott Premier Division, went into the tie as hot favourites against their David Giblin Division One opponents.

But the game goes to a replay after Daniel Knagg scored for Rifle and Carl Caffrey netted for Royton.

Other last-eight showdowns saw Chaddy End roar to a comprehensive 6-0 win at Springhead Libs ‘B’.

Ryan Baldwin, who produced a hat-trick, was joined on the scoresheet by Kyle Harrop, Matthew Whittingham and Nick Murphy.

James Curley’s brace put Rifle Range Reds on their way to a 3-1 win against Lark Inn.

Joe Jacombs also got in on the act for Rifle. Daniel Jackson replied for Lark Inn but it proved to be a mere consolation effort.

Nick Campbell’s treble did the job for High Crompton, who beat Weavers Arms 3-0.

In top-flight league action, Oddies Athletic won 2-0 at Failsworth Athletic courtesy of Andrew Cropper and Chris Taylor strikes.

Carl Beamish bagged three goals in Red Star’s 5-1 defeat of Khartoum Northern. A Ryan Hobin double completed the rout.


Chadds lose out in derby
CHADDERTONIANS lost 2-1 at home to neighbours Failsworth Dynamos in the Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division.

Garry Pickup netted for the hosts, but two late goals won it for Dynamos.

Chadds also scored twice during injury-time to seal a 4-3 win at Chew Moor Brook.

With Jordan Scholes netting in each half for Chadds, the game appeared to be heading for a 2-2 draw until the hosts took the lead in the 90th minute. But Rick Massey and Dave Jackson strikes won it.

In Division Two, Chadds reserves lost 5-4 to Rochdale St Clements.

On the mark for the hosts were Adam Duxbury with a brace, Ashem Arriane and Wayne Radcliffe.

The ‘A’ team defeated Rossendale Amateurs on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Third XI Cup, with Warren Griffith on target. Chadds won the shoot-out 4-2.

But the ‘B’ side lost 3-2 at Old Mancunians ‘B’ in Division Six South, despite two John Addlington strikes.


Santos in fightback
SANTOS came from behind to beat Droylsden 4-1 at home in the Lancashire and Cheshire League Division Two.

The visitors took the lead early on from a quickly-taken free-kick.

Roufaye Diliwar restored parity with a powerful drive, before Jonny Phillips curled in a free-kick.

Phillips struck again from close range after good work from Diliwar.

Nial Sultan completed the scoring.

Division ‘C’ action saw Santos reserves suffer a 3-0 defeat to Bedians.

Two early goals made it an uphill struggle for Santos, who failed to gain a foothold in the encounter despite the best efforts of influential defender Aiden Allott.