Brown proud of treble

FOOTBALL: AVRO boss Phil Brown lifted the Manchester FA Challenge Trophy for the third successive season — and has already set his sights on the fourth.


The Lancaster Club outfit retained the silverware courtesy of a 1-0 victory over East Manchester at Sportcity.

Striker James Hampson’s 21st minute penalty proved to be the difference between the two sides — the spot-kick was awarded after forward Anthony Robinson was fouled.

Brown also tasted success in the competition with Hollinwood in the 2009-10 campaign.

He said: “At the start of every season I tell the players there are several tournaments we can win and we should go for all of them. It is a great feeling to do well in this competition once again and naturally I want to hold onto it next term.

“The final wasn’t a classic by any means — East Manchester shaded the first half despite our goal, but I would say we dominated after the interval.

“We made it hard for ourselves because a lot of good opportunities went begging and 1-0 is always a dangerous scoreline. But I cannot honestly remember East Manchester creating a clear-cut chance in the second half so we definitely deserved to win.”


Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League Premier Division action saw Royton Town claim a 2-1 win at Heywood St James.
Springhead earned a 1-1 draw at West Didsbury & Chorlton. Adam Nuttall went close for the visitors early on but his powerful drive was palmed away, and Nuttall also headed wide with the goal at his mercy.

Josh Walker put Springhead in front after an hour when he converted Rick Massey’s cross.

But with 15 minutes remaining the hosts restored parity and it ended all-square.

In Division One, Hollinwood swept aside Breightmet United 5-0.


DIGGLE and Uppermill progressed to the Huddersfield and District League Barlow Cup quarter-finals after 3-1 victories over Moldgreen and Slaithwaite United respectively.
Uppermill did it the hard way, winning the tie after extra-time.

Elsewhere Heyside suffered a 4-2 home reverse at the hands of Meltham Athletic in Division Two.

The hosts fell behind after 10 minutes but soon equalised through Robert Flynn’s effort.

A Michael Ward strike handed Heyside a 2-1 lead going into the interval, but sloppy defending let them down after the restart and Meltham left with three points.

Heyside earned a 2-0 win at Westend in Reserves Division Two thanks to a brace from Matthew Nokey.