Duo limp off during defeat

FOOTBALL: SPRINGHEAD limped to a 3-1 defeat at Dukinfield Town in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League Premier Division.

Although results have not been forthcoming of late there have been some excellent performances — however, this cannot be applied to the latest loss.

The first 20 minutes were bright enough from the visitors, with Rick Massey and Dave Ashworth both going close. But their cause was not helped by the departure of key duo Richard Bennett and Mark Hopwood due to injury.

The home outfit took the lead after half-an-hour when their striker was afforded far too much time and space and drilled his shot past goalkeeper Lee Milner.

A fast and furious start to the second period saw two goals fly in within as many minutes after the restart.

Frankie Byrne gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box and the resultant set piece was deflected into the net, extending Town’s lead to 2-0.

Massey nodded home his third goal of the campaign to give Springhead hope, but it was all over as a contest with 10 minutes remaining when the Dukinfield side made it 3-1 with a breakaway goal.

Elsewhere Avro slumped to a 4-0 reverse at East Manchester, and Division One action saw out-of-sorts Hollinwood lose 5-0 away to Pennington.