Trophy triumph delights Kearns

HEADS UP . . . Jonny Dooley (right), of Lark FC, jumps with Rifle Range Royle Blues’ Sam Lee.

AMATEUR FOOTBALL:

Lark FC 2 , Rifle Range Royle Blues 1

Lark FC player-boss Ian Kearns was overjoyed as his side reached the final of the D and J Builders (North West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League President’s Trophy after a thrilling encounter with Rifle Range Royle Blues at Snipe Clough.

Kearns said: “This is only our second season in the Oldham Sunday League and it is great to reach the final of the President’s Trophy.

“It is great for me as well as it’s the first time I have managed a team to a final.

Celebrations took place in the beer garden of the King George, the nearest public house to the Lark, which has now closed.

Lark will face Jack Abbott Premier Division title hopefuls Royton FC when they battle it out in the final on Thursday, May 5 at Chadderton FC (7pm kick-off).

There was some comfort for Range — they earned a shock win over Royton in the Challenge Cup quarter-final replay.

This was a tie of the highest quality from the David Giblin Division One rivals, with the bonus of some excellent players showcasing their skills.

Maybe those who argue Division One is the most competitive in the league are not too wide of the mark.

Lark and Range — the ‘Royle’ in their title used as a nod to former Latics’ boss Joe Royle — have been close rivals for some time.

Both teams gained promotion last season and, in two encounters this term, a 3-3 draw has been the outcome.

Lark were first to rise to the occasion that a semi-final often brings when, in the 34th minute, an exquisite Ryan Shaughnessy cross was nodded home at the far post by Jonny Dooley.

But Lark could be accused of larking about in defence 10 minutes after the break when Range substitute Mark Hopwood capitalised on defensive hesitancy to rifle the ball home in style from 16 yards.

Maybe that was down to nerves, but it didn’t matter when the winner came after 72 minutes.

Lark substitute Daryl Lawrence had only been on the field for seven minutes when a long ball out of defence from Danny Smith got the better of the Range goalkeeper — albeit with the aid of a bad bounce — allowing Lawrence to volley the ball into an empty net.

Range manager Andy Livesey said: “It was a fair result and all credit to Lark.

“It was a great game but our lads can play better and they know that.”