AFC Oldham ace lifts trophy

THE Lancashire and Cheshire League representative side hosted its Lancashire Amateur League counterpart in a game of historic significance. The fixture between the two was first played 100 years ago.

To follow the “Football Remembers” week, aimed at engaging football fans and players at every level, both teams commemorated one of the iconic First World War moments when soldiers from both sides crossed into No Man’s Land to share an impromptu ceasefire game.

With plenty of key players missing, L&C was caught cold and after five minutes conceded a close-range effort to Tottington United’s Chris Bushby. The side raised its game as James Moran (Old Ashtonians) and Gary Chadwick (AFC Oldham) took over the midfield to set up chances.

Asa Hallworth (Old Ashtonians and man of the match winner(, struck to level the score and Julian Patterson (Bedians) and Liam Bennion (Whalley Range) added two more before the break.

Hallworth struck again to make it 4-1, but LAL then took the fight back.

Darren Smith (Wardle) reduced the arrears and a penalty from Chris Bushby had L and C hearts pounding as he converted to make it 4-3 with 10 minutes to play.

Inspired by captain Nathan Mushtaq (AFC Oldham) L&C weathered the storm to take the trophy.