Late stunner for stand-in Howard

Royton Town 1, Old Alts 2
FOOTBALL: A STOPPAGE-TIME goal from Old Alts condemned Royton Town to a worrying third consecutive defeat in the Premier Division of the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League at muddy Glebe Street.

With Town manager Phil Haigh away on holiday, former Hollinwood boss Mark Howard agreed to step in.

Howard said: "It was a difficult game and the pitch certainly didn't help.

"They just over-ran us in the last 15 or 20 minutes and hit us on the break right at the death, but I feel a draw would have been a much fairer result.

"It wasn't a spectacle but the lads responded well and I couldn't have asked for more from them."

Howard was forced to make changes to an already depleted squad, but a somewhat new-look side started efficiently and went ahead in the 11th minute.

When the impressive Anthony Dawson swung over an inviting cross, Carl Caffrey was positioned perfectly to strike the ball home from 14 yards.

Despite the conditions, flowing football followed from Town and, whenever Alts threatened, Johnny Harrison and Luke Blackman were solid at the back.

Caffrey ought to have nudged his side 2-0 ahead soon after the restart but, when through on goal, the normally reliable front man ballooned the ball over from a good position.

That miss was to prove costly, with Alts equalising with just 20 minutes remaining.

Alts visibly began to grow in confidence, and it took a fine save from Graham Hicks (son of former Latics defender Keith) to maintain parity.

With Town looking for a winner and, indeed, looking the more likely of the two sides, it was a controversial goal that secured the points in Alts' favour.