Faizel leaves it late for leaders

Ryan O’Shaughnessy is chased down by Shabir Ali

Coppice United 'A' 2,Famous King George 'A' 1

FAIZEL Khaliq netted a late, late goal to secure maximum points for Coppice United 'A' in the Midas Plumbing Oldham Sunday League Jack Abbott Premier Division at Crossley Playing Fields.

Khaliq scored with a solid, far post header from a Danny O'Connell flag kick to maintain United's lead at the top of the table.

United manager Amjad Ali hailed his goalscoring hero and said: "Faizel got a second burst of wind in the last 30 minutes and that helped him to get the winner.

"On another day it could have been six or seven to us but it was one of those days when it looked like we wouldn't score in a month of Sundays.

"They (George) made a fist of it, credit to them."

Ali now has his sights set on a first-ever top flight title success for his side.

He said: "This is the one we want and we are really hoping (to win the title).

"We are in a good position but we'll just have to wait and see."

Ali's side recovered from going a goal behind on the half hour mark to a Danny Jackson effort - a neat finish after good work from Ryan Shaughnessy and Dave Roberts.

But it took them 20 second half minutes to do it, O'Connell's 18-yard drive somehow eluding the grasp of George goalkeeper Dave Taylor before the ball squirmed over the goal line.

George's Ian Kearns said: "We were in control up until they equalised but fitness told in the end."

It hasn't been the best of starts to the season for George, whose only win in the league - against Royton FC -was wiped from the records due to that team folding.

As for United, Ali and his team could well claim that first title.

COPPICE UNITED 'A': Johnson, Rashid, Farooq, Younis, Mustafa Ali, Daud, S Ali, Mehdi Ali, Khaliq, O'Connell, Butt. Subs: Ahmed, Miah, Jawaid.

FAMOUS KING GEORGE 'A': Taylor, P Jackson, Wild, Hindley, Charleson, Clarke, Schofield, Kennedy, D Jackson, Roberts, Shaughnessy. Subs: Kearns, Smith, Leach.

Referee: G Schofield.