Hilton on a high

CLOSE . . . a Church corner-kick is cleared by the Britannia goalkeeper

Church FC 5, Britannia 4

BIRTHDAY-boy Keiran Hilton celebrated with an early goal to set Church FC on their way to victory against Britannia in David Giblin Division One of the Oldham Sunday League at Clayton playing fields.

Eighteen-year-old Hilton's seventh-minute strike had a touch of class about it as he ran onto a loose ball to lift the ball with delicacy and accuracy over advancing Britannia goalkeeper Ash Bagshaw.

And while Hilton's excellent finish opened the floodgates - Church were 4-0 up at half time - there were scares towards the end of an ultimately riveting game as Britannia (formerly Limeside Athletic) staged quite a comeback.

Church manager Michael Pine said: "When we got the fifth goal I knew that would be enough, but our goalkeeper had to pull off two or three top class saves near the end to keep us ahead.

"We are a new team and still finding our feet but I think we will be in a position next season to have a good go at it."

Britannia player-manager Graham Asplin was upbeat despite his side's defeat. He said: "It was good to come back like we did, but slow starts have cost us and that was the case here."

Asplin's words were never more true. The transformation from such a demoralising scoreline at the break was quite dramatic, which proves that here is a side with the potential to go on to better things.

But it was not to be, and while Church deserved their win, 'keeper Martin Meggison impressed hugely.