Howard savours a dream title victory

Photo: PICTURE: CHRIS SUNDERLAND

CLOSE CONTACT . . . Hulmeians' Jordan Schofield (purple shirt) shields the ball from Littleborough's Ryan Healy. CLOSE CONTACT . . . Hulmeians' Jordan Schofield (purple shirt) shields the ball from Littleborough's Ryan Healy.

Oldham Hulmeians 1, Littleborough Juniors 0

HULMEIANS manager Geoff Howard has been saying all season how much he would like his side to win the Lancashire Amateur League Second Division title.

And they did just that when Chris Hadfield's first-half strike gave them a single-goal victory over Littleborough Juniors at Tate Street.

A jubilant Howard said: "This is the first title the club has won for many a year and it is definitely deserved.

"The aim for the club is to get back into the Premier Division and the emphasis for next season will be focused on another promotion.

The goal came after 26 minutes when a cross to the far post from Steven Delafield was headed down by Carl Dean for Hadfield to fire the ball home from 12 yards.

It could have been two for Hulmeians with 15 minutes remaining, but Jordan Schofield, who hadn't missed a penalty all season, saw his well-struck effort from the spot expertly saved by the Littleborough goalkeeper.