Rampant Rifle find their range

IT’S A STRETCH: James David (left), of High Crompton, challenges Rifle Range RB’s Sam Leigh.

High Crompton CC 2, Rifle Range Royle Blues 4

FOOTBALL: DESPITE a disappointing home defeat in the D & J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League Jack Abbott Premier Division, High Crompton CC manager Stuart Lomas heaped praise on his Rifle Range Royle Blues counterpart Andy Livesey.

With the issue of respect high on the agenda of league officials this season, Lomas’ positive words ensured that the campaign got off to an encouraging start.

Lomas, who was in charge of the Harlequin FC team of the early-nineties which included Livesey as a player, said: “Andy is a great prospect as a manager and he’s got the right attitude to become a success.

“He has got his side playing the right way and they are a good set of lads who do all the right things.”

But when asked if he saw Livesey’s side as genuine title contenders this season, Lomas responded: “They are a good side who are well organised in all areas, but if I was a betting man I would probably go for Red Star.”

How Lomas must wish for a return to the glory days for his own side.

Premier Division champions for two years running in the mid-2000s, High Crompton have paid something of a price for that success with many of the key players from that era departing to clubs in higher grades of football.

Lomas added: “We may struggle this season, but that is no detriment to the players.

“They have got to get to know me and vice-versa.”

The season might be in its infancy, but on the evidence of this latest victory, Range have already posted a warning to the rest of the top flight that they are serious contenders for the crown.

Livesey said: " We had the better of the first half but for a large part of the second we were hanging on.

"In the end, I thought it was a fair result."

Paul McClelland's neat glancing header set Range on their way at a windy New Barn playing fields after only six minutes, but High Crompton were level less than ten minutes later when James Davis sprung the offside trap before finishing smartly.

Mark Hopwood's well-judged lob from an Andrew Oakes pass put Range back in the ascendancy midway through the half and it was 3-1 shortly afterwards as Sam Lee connected with Junior Noicely's free-kick to score.

High Crompton reduced the deficit five minutes after the restart when Nigel Wiley's crisply-struck free-kick was deflected into his own net by McClelland, who at least had the distinction of scoring for both sides.

Despite sustained pressure, High Crompton couldn't force an equaliser and it was left to Noicely to secure the points for Range with a cool finish from another astute Oakes delivery.

Lomas reflected: "We gave away a couple of sloppy goals and I thought we had the opportunity to get a draw."