Beamish shoots down Rifle lads

ON THE SLIDE... Ashley Young (right), of Rifle Rangers, hurdles Red Star's Kane Duffy.

Rifle Range ‘A’ 3, Red Star CCBC 4
CARL Beamish bagged a late winner as Red Star CCBC became the first side this season to beat Rifle Range ‘A’ in the Midas Plumbing Oldham Sunday League Jack Abbott Premier Division.

But it was substitute Adam Hinchcliffe, who came on in the game's final quarter, which swung the result in Star's favour.

Hinchcliffe's was more than a cameo appearance for Star and the player affectionately known to his team-mates as 'Tank Lampard' took the game by the scruff of the neck as he steered his side to victory.

Beamish struck in the 84th minute of an absorbing contest, the result of which blows the top flight title race wide open and sets up what could well be an absorbing climax to the campaign. The only saving grace for leaders Range came with nearest challengers Coppice United 'A' and Limeside King George both dropping points on an afternoon of unexpected results.

This wasn't the start to a game that Range manager Leon McGuirk desired. Frost meant a change of venue to Clayton playing fields, then influential captain Andrew Walker pulled a thigh muscle in the warm-up - resulting in a start in the back-line for Joe Francis, who emerged his side's most impressive player.

Star were quick to take advantage and it was Beamish who gave his side a third minute lead when he converted a Ryan Hobin cross from close range.

Range bounced back and after Ashley Young's leveller midway through the first half, led 2-1 at the break.

Jonny Munson made it 3-1 after 66 minutes — but Hinchcliffe then arrived and rarely can a game have changed so dramatically.

Hobin scored from a penalty with 20 minutes to go, before bringing the game level after 82 minutes to set up a thrilling climax.

With Hinchcliffe in control for Star, there was only ever going to be one winner.

And it was Beamish who grabbed the glory as he lofted the ball over Umar Junaid in the Range goal following an astute Hinchcliffe pass.

Star player-manager Chris McDonald said: "We wanted it more than they did, especially in the second half.”