Elements take their toll as Ali’s strike earns vital point

Failsworth Athletic’s Niall Sultan (left) holds off a Coppice opponent. PICTURE: TIM BRADLEY

Failsworth Athletic 1, Coppice United 1

COPPICE United edged closer to safety in the Midas Plumbing and Heating Jack Abbott Premier Division after picking up a hard-earned point against Failsworth Athletic.

Yet it wasn’t so much the opposition that made things hard for Coppice, rather the elements — in this case the wind — on the lush 4G Oasis Academy surface.

The ball kept moving on free-kicks and corner kicks, attempted passes fell short — or were too long — and the end result was a match ruined in the most part by the weather.

Coppice manager Yasser Farooq said: “Like Failsworth, we like to play good football on the ground, but the wind made it very difficult for both teams.”

Following a nondescript and goalless first half, Coppice opened the scoring on the hour when Muzzafar Ali netted from close range following a slick move.

Athletic equalised with 10 minutes remaining when Jamie Marsland hooked the ball home at the far post following a pinpoint Ben Turnbull cross.



On a poignant note, two of the Athletic stalwarts have decided to call time after a combined total of 57 years of staunch and excellent service to the club and to the league.

Mike Gibson has been with the club 37 years as both player and manager, while Speakman's sterling work as secretary has encompasses two decades.



ONLY three matches went ahead in the Midas Plumbing and Heating Oldham Sunday League because of the wet weather.

Heyside FC enjoyed a 3-0 victory at Oldham GPO. Rick Overton, Chris Overton and Danny O’Connell did the damage. Heyside are now third in the table.

Not a ball was kicked in anger in David Giblin Division One, while three of the four games in Martin Buckley Division Two were postponed.

Blue Club’s clash against Manchester Swift did survive, with the latter emerging comfortable 6-1 winners.