Springhead held to draw

IT was a case of two points dropped for Springhead as they were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Prestwich Heys at Ashfield Crescent in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League Premier Division.

The hosts only had themselves to blame after spurning a string of chances over the course of 90 minutes.

They will need to find a more ruthless streak if they are to finish off teams this term.

Springhead flew out of the blocks and could have found themselves three goals to the good after 20 minutes.

Jack Barnes was unfortunate to see his shot come back off the post before Dave Ashworth missed the target despite rounding the goalkeeper, and Mark Hopwood snatched at his shot when well-placed.

The home outfit were punished for their wasteful finishing after 40 minutes when a lapse in concentration from Colin O’Neil saw him gift a Prestwich Heys forward a goal.

However, O’Neil was relieved to see his team back on level terms before the interval when Richard Bennett nodded home Dale Jackman’s cross.

The second period continued in a similar fashion and the visitors were reduced to 10 men following an off-the-ball incident — only for Hopwood to blaze the resultant penalty over the bar.

The last 20 minutes saw Springhead camped in the opposition half trying to make the numerical advantage count.

But Bennett summed up their afternoon when, with the last kick of the game, he smashed the ball over from 10 yards.

Elsewhere Avro thumped Hindsford 6-3 and Royton Town beat Rochdale Sacred Heart 2-1 in the LFA Amateur Shield (see John Gilder’s Match of the Day).

Results —

LFA Amateur Shield: Royton Town 2, Rochdale Sacred Heart 1. Premier Division: Hindsford 3, Avro 6; Springhead 1, Prestwich Heys 1. Division One: Hollinwood 2, Chapel Town 2. Division Two: Avro reserves 4, East Manchester reserves 0. Division Three: Beechfield United reserves 4, Springhead reserves 4; Pennington reserves 1, Hollinwood reserves 3. Division Four: Royton Town ‘A’ 5, Leigh Athletic ‘A’ 1; Walshaw Sports ‘A’ 1, Springhead ‘A’ 3.