Glad Coppice beat the freeze

ONLY one game survived the weather last weekend.

Two games went ahead in the FBT Manchester League — Walshaw Sports beat Elton Vale 5-1 in the Premier Division and Heywood St James edged out Chadderton Reserves 2-1 in Division One.

There was no local involvement in the Lancashire and Cheshire League, while Failsworth Dynamos’ 2-1 Manchester Challenge Cup win at Newton Heath was just one of a handful of fixtures given the green light in the Lancashire Amateur League.

Chaddertonians lost 2-1 at Blackrod Town in the LAL Division One.

All Huddersfield and District League matches were postponed, including Heyside’s home encounter with Cumberworth at the Crompton House 4G.

The only match to survive in the Midas Plumbing and Heating Oldham Sunday League came on the Chapel Road 3G, where Oldham GPO and Coppice United met for a Jack Abbott Premier Division clash after the

original venue at Cathedral Road was frozen.

And it was bottom-of-the-table Coppice, who had previously lost all nine of their league matches, who romped to a 4-1 success against second-from-bottom GPO.

Coppice were dominant in the first half and when Suliyman Baroot scored from close range after 15

minutes, the floodgates opened.

Waqas Young converted a spot-kick five minutes later, before Muzzaffer Ali rubbed more salt into GPO’s wounds by capitalising on a mix-up in defence to net from eight yards.

Mike King’s goal three minutes before half-time gave hope to GPO and they dominated much of the

second period, but man-of-the-match Azuka Otutu sealed a welcome three points for Coppice with a well-taken goal with five minutes remaining.

Weather permitting, there are some attractive-looking games to look forward to this weekend.

In the Manchester League, Premier Division Royton Town’s recent resurgence will be put to the test when third-placed Prestwich Heys visit the Oldham Academy North (3.15pm).

Mid-table Springhead entertain Manchester Gregorians at Ashfield Crescent (2pm) and would leapfrog the visitors with a win.

In the Lancashire and Cheshire League, AFC Oldham 2005 will be looking to move into the top half of the Premier Division table when they host lowly Chorltonians at the Tameside Stadium (2.30pm).

Top-of-the-table Heyside entertain KKS Spartans at the Crompton House 4G in Division Two of the Huddersfield and District League (2.15pm).

The top match in the Midas Plumbing and Heating Oldham Sunday League sees Limeside King George and Rifle ‘A’ go head-to-head in the semi-final of the Manchester County FA Invitation Shield at Mable Road, Failsworth (2pm).