Derby tonic for delighted boss Howard

FOOTBALL: HEYSIDE roared to a well-deserved 4-0 victory at local rivals Diggle in Division One of the Huddersfield League.

Gutsy Diggle initially kept the visitors at bay, with James Leonard, Mark Hopwood and Michael Ward all seeing efforts blocked. The second half saw Heyside take control early and Leonard put the visitors ahead in the 50th minute. A Johnny Pauley corner-kick found last season’s top scorer, who flicked the ball into the top corner.

Ten minutes later Heyside increased their lead when Hopwood raced away from a Diggle defender before sliding home past goalkeeper Steven Nuttall.

The home side, now tiring and missing a number of regulars, struggled to contain a rampant Heyside and the third goal came in the 70th minute. Leonard fed Pauley, who raced in to strike home from close range.

The fourth goal came when Leonard chased a lost cause down the right-hand side and as he struck the ball back across goal, it deflected into the roof of the net.

Hopwood won the player-of-the-match award after an energetic display and a deserved goal.

It was a miserable weekend for our Division Three sides. Moorside lost 6-1 at home to Slaithwaite, while Uppermill were crushed 4-0 by visiting Scissett.