Comeback kings!

Oldham Hulmeians 5, Blackrod Town 3
FOOTBALL: OLDHAM Hulmeians are clear favourites for the Lancashire Amateur League Division Two title following an amazing victory over Blackrod Town at Tate Street.

Three goals down inside the first 25 minutes, second-placed Hulmeians showed their promotion credentials against leaders Blackrod with a superb five-goal salvo. Hulmeians are now only six points behind Blackrod, with four games in hand.

Hulmeians manager Geoff Howard reckons promotion is well within his side’s grasp: “At 3-0 down I questioned the character of one or two of the players, but in the second half they proved what they are all about.”

Three individual errors gave lively Blackrod a dream start, but after Gareth Hill had a goal ruled out for offside in the 34th minute, the same player then responded by scoring twice in four minutes to pull Hulmeians back into the match.

The outstanding Tommy Bunn, son of Athletic legend Frankie, was hauled down inside the Blackrod box 10 minutes after the restart, Jordan Schofield scoring from the spot.

There was more woe for the visitors in the 66th minute when, under pressure from Danny Proffitt, a Blackrod defender put through his own goal.

Substitute Gary Sykes’ 18-yards volley put the seal on a vital win for Hulmeians. The team plays Bury GSOB at Tate Street tomorrow, (2pm).