New kids on the block stun Athletic

HEAD MASTER: Failsworth Athletic’s Stewart Stockwell (right) climbs above Danny Hopwood, of Failsworth Dynamos. PICTURE by CHRIS SUNDERLAND

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SEVERAL local derbies have been featured already this season in ‘Match of the Day’ but this was the best so far.

It was the turn of the Failsworth derby, with the youngsters of Dynamos entertaining — and entertain they did — the more experienced Athletic at Clayton playing fields in round of the President’s Trophy.

The first Sunday in November was typified by a gloomy, damp and cold afternoon which made playing conditions difficult and reporting conditions thoroughly miserable!

But the football on show more than made up for the elements.

Dynamos are aptly named, for it was they who lit up a dark day with a display that belied their tender years.

Tender, that is, in comparison — and no disrespect intended here — to their Athletic counterparts who have been together for what seems like an eternity.

It is that togetherness that has yielded so many honours down the years, but a change could be on the cards.

Neil Blood, the Dynamos manager and secretary, said: “There is rivalry between the two clubs but it is not a bitter one.

“In fact, we have a good relationship as Athletic’s Steve Cain also coaches our under-sevens side.

“Athletic are like the old school whereas we are the new kids on the block — our oldest player is younger than their youngest player.”

The two teams had only met three times before in league and cup action, with Athletic holding a 2-1 advantage.

And it was the visitors who took the lead midway through the first half when David Simpson breezed through a Dynamos backline that had pushed up for offside before slotting the ball confidently beyond goalkeeper Ashley Shenton.

Dynamos were level five minutes before half time when the impressive Joe Dillon’s run across the face of goal distracted the attention of Athletic ’keeper Paul Fitton and allowed Adam Luty’s angled free-kick to sail into the net.

Lee Ashton’s 51st minute winner for Dynamos was a goal worthy of winning most matches.

He launched himself like a low flying missile to score with a diving header from Danny Hopwood’s centre.

It could have been 3-1 to Dynamos late on, but Lee Ashton’s spot kick was well saved by Fitton.

So, two wins apiece now and bragging rights just about even in Failsworth — until the next time . . .

FAILSWORTH DYNAMOS: A Shenton, Lees, Mendham, M Shenton, McGrath, D Ashton, Jackson, L Ashton, Hopwood, Dillon, Luty. Subs: Hallas, Mack, Devine.

FAILSWORTH ATHLETIC: Fitton, Robertson, Stockwell, Cain, Wildbore, Billington, Eyre, Simpson, Helme, Olive, Robinson. Subs: Cooper, Gibson.

Referee: D Heron.




Tommy rocks as Town go through

ROYTON Town moved into the last eight of the Manchester League’s Gilgryst Cup competition with a 2-0 win over a physical Atherton Town side.

A terrific display from Tommy Bogan was rewarded with two goals, the first coming in the 14th minute when he controlled a superb through ball from Ryan Hulme.

Atherton were reduced to 10 men soon after, and Bogan should have doubled Town’s lead with only the ’keeper to beat.

Paul Kirwan and Dave Yates also had chances, but Atherton did threaten and Town were grateful to ’keeper Steve Birchenall on a couple of occasions.

Bogan hit a post in the second half, before he stretched Town’s advantage just after the hour mark from Danny Taylor’s cross.

Taylor also struck the woodwork as Town continued to dominate.

The Glebe Street outfit have been joined in the quarter-finals by Hollinwood, who overcame local rivals Avro 2-1.

Mark Howard’s men were 2-1 behind at the break, but goals from Alan Beckett and Gary Brooks in the 65th and 88th minutes respectively sealed their passage.

Meanwhile, Springhead booked their place in round three of the West Riding Cup with a 3-0 defeat of Gildersome Spurs, from Wakefield.

Paul Stevenson scored twice in the first half, the second of which was from the penalty spot to take his tally to 10 for the season.

Springhead ’keeper Lee Milner was forced into a couple of decent saves in the second period, but result was put beyond doubt when Gareth Shaw headed home Dale Jackman’s corner.

Results are —

Gilgryst Cup: Atherton Town 0, Royton Town 2; Breightmet United 2, Stockport Georgians 3; Chapel Town 1, Leigh Athletic 2; East Manchester 1, Prestwich Heys 1 aet — Prestwich Heys won 5-4 on pens; Elton Vale 0, Walshaw Sports 3; Gregorians 4, Hindsford 3; Hollinwood 2, Avro 1.

Premier division: Wythenshawe Amateurs 0, Rochdale Sacred Heart 0.

Open Trophy: Prestwich Heys Res 3, Leigh Athletic Res 2; Rochdale Sacred Heart Res 1, Avro Res 3; Stockport Georgians Res 1, Elton Vale Res 2; Wythenshawe Amateurs Res 3, Bury Amateurs Res 4. Division two: Hindsford Res 4, Gregorians Res 1; Walshaw Sports Res 4, Monton Amateurs Res 5; West Didsbury & Chorlton Res 5, Dukinfield Town Res 1;

League Cup: West Disbury & Chorlton ‘A’ 3, Walshaw Sports ‘A’ 3.

Division three: Beechfield United Res 5, Hollinwood ‘A’ 1; Bury Amateurs ‘A’ 1, Atherton Town Res 2; Gregorians ‘A’ 2, Chapel Town Res 4; Old Alts Res 1, Wythenshawe Town Res 1; Royton Town Res 4, Breightmet United Res 2; Stockport Georgians ‘A’ 2, Stand Athletic Res 2.




ROYTON Town’s second string overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Breightmet United 4-2 in division three.

Carl Caffrey, Anthony Boyle, Jack Taylor and Andy Eastwood scored for Town.

Another derby duel takes centre stage in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League premier division on Saturday.

Leaders Springhead, who searching for their seventh straight win, entertain third-placed Hollinwood at Ashfield Crescent (kick-off 2pm).

Royton Town, in fifth place, travel to play East Manchester.




Victoria on the up after away joy

Lancashire and Cheshire League

OLDHAM Victoria are enjoying a fine season in the Lancashire and Cheshire League.

They recorded their third win of the campaign — they overcame second-bottom hosts Deans Youth 2-0 — to climb to seventh place in division two.

Vics are hot on the heels of AFC Oldham 2005, who were beaten 6-4 by Tintwistle Athletic.

Santos are down to 10th after they went down 4-2 at title hopefuls Milton.

A goal adrift at half-time — goalkeeper Robert Tagg restricted Milton to a single strike with a series of fine saves — they conceded twice more in the early stages of the second period.

A triple substitution provided Santos more attacking options, and Russell Clarke pulled two goals back.

The visitors had strong claims for a penalty turned down before, with 60 seconds left on the clock, Milton made the game safe with a fourth.

Santos reserves came from behind twice to defeat Chorltonians fourths 4-2 in division ‘C’.

Scott Watson, Dominic Rathmill, Adam Taylor and Mick Kelly (penalty) scored for the second string, who were recording their first win since the opening game of the season.

Elsewhere in the division, Vics reserves edged out Stoconians thirds 1-0, while AFC Oldham reserves held their hosts, Parrswood Celtic, to a 1-1 draw.

Results are —

Division two: Milton FC 4, Santos FC 2; AFC Oldham 2005 4, Tintwistle Athletic FC 6; Deans Youth 0, Oldham Victoria 2.

Division ‘C’: Parrswood Celtic Res 1, AFC Oldham 2005 Res 1; Santos FC Res 4, Chorltonians 4ths 2; Oldham Victoria Res 1, Stoconians 3rds 0.

Division ‘D’: AFC Oldham 2005 3rds 0, Old Stretfordians 4ths 5.






Six-hit Royton’s repeat show

Rochdale On-line Alliance

FC ROYTON made it back-to-back 6-1 wins when they swept aside Fothergill and Whittles in division two of the Rochdale On-line Alliance.

Simon Atkinson put the local outfit ahead, and Carl Sneyd preserved their slender lead when he saved a penalty.

Royton increased their advantage before half-time through Marc Sneyd, Barry King and an own goal.

Further goals for Sneyd and Atkinson capped Royton’s victory after the break.

Meanwhile, Harlequin suffered their second consecutive defeat when they went down 1-0 at home to Stonemasons in the premier division.

The only goal of the game arrived on the hour mark.

Mike Rothwell missed a golden opportunity to equalise in the final minute, but it would have been scant reward for the hosts who performed poorly throughout.




Rochdale and District Sunday League

BOUNDARY Park, top of division two in the Rochdale and District Sunday League, were too good for division three outfit Woolworths Sports reserves in the Alan Haughton Memorial Trophy.

Rick Sopel scored five goals — he has now netted 11 times in five games — Heschem Ariane grabbed a second-half hat-trick and Chris Foley got the other in the 9-0 romp.




Trophy sparks goals explosion

THERE were goals galore in the D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League’s President Cup competition.

Rose of Lancaster, with Darren Scanlon scoring six times, and Royton FC cruised into the second round after hitting double figures.

Chaddy End FC were comprehensive 7-2 winners over Rifle Range Royal Blues, while top-flight Hunt Lane edged a 12-goal thriller against a gutsy Limeside Athletic side from division two.

Jack Abbott premier division outfit Avro under-19s enjoyed a 6-2 win over Steven Caine FC, who hoping to cause an upset after reaching the summit of division two.

The only surprise saw Royton Athletic, fourth from bottom in David Giblin division one, beat the team who are second in the table, Fitton Hill, 2-1.

Coppice United, from the premier division, were given a fright by Oldham United.

They were pushed all the way by their hosts from division two before emerging 3-2 winners.

Also into the second round are Northside, Parkside and Failsworth Dynamos, who beat neighbours Failsworth Athletic 2-1 (see John Gilder’s Match of the Day).

With the President’s Trophy taking centre stage, only one game went ahead in the premier division.

Lowerhouse United played host to Shahjalal United, and they powered to the top of the table courtesy of a 10-2 win. Nathan Eastmond scored six times.

Results and scorers are —

Jack Abbott premier division: Lowerhouse United 10 (N Eastmond 6, I Burns, K Martin 2, D Higgins), Shahjalal Unity 2.

David Giblin division one: Westwood P Crompton & Royton P; Red Star 0, Khartoum Northern 5 (A Murdoch 3, L Bardsley, N Dickenson).

Division two: Old Grey Mare 4, Marvin Greenwood FC 6; Wellington ‘B’ 7 (S Edge, T Lloyd, A Glasgow 2, A Biggins 2, A Knight), Waggon & Horses 2 (Blackburn, Ransted).

President’s Trophy: Royton Cons FC 2, Northside FC 5; Royton Athletic 2 (D Wilkinson, A Fricker), Fitton Hill 1 (P Ashton); FC Broadgate 1 (R Street), Parkside 2 (J Stone 2); Oldham United 2, Coppice United 3; Rose of Lancaster 17 (D Schofield, R Cartwright 2, T Grahamslaw 2, L Ingham 2, D Scanlon 6, R Christie, A Williams, D Swan, L Scanlon), Coppice Rangers 0; Royton FC 11 (P Wells, P Leonard, S Conroy, D Dalton 2, D Townhill, L Grimes, L Ashforth, M Joyce, D Halliwell, own goal), North Star 1; Avro under-19s 6 (A Dudley 2, N White 2, A Parfitt, T Stuttard), Steven Caine FC 2; Hunt Lane 7 (W Moran 2, P Jackson 2, A Duxbury, S Weaver, R Massey), Limeside Athletic 5 (W Berry, S Renshaw 4); Chaddy End FC 7, Rifle Range Royal Blues 2; Failsworth Dynamos 2 (A Luty, L Ashton), Failsworth Athletic 1 (D Simpson).




Hulmeians in profit after late, late show

DANNY PROFFITT’S injury-time goal gave Oldham Hulmeians a 2-1 victory at leaders Ainsworth in division two of the Lancashire Amateur League.

Hulmeians were 1-0 down at the break but David Bradburn’s penalty got them back on level terms midway through the second half.

And the game was heading for a draw until Proffitt let fly from the edge of the box and his deflected shot looped over the ’keeper and into the corner of the net.

It was Hulmeians’ third win in a row — they are up to ninth in the table — and Ainsworth’s first league defeat of the season.

In the premier division, Chaddertonians wasted a two-goal lead as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Horwich RMI.

Chadds produced their best performance of the season so far, apart from the final five minutes when they conceded twice.

They went ahead through Neil Sissons and added a second when Rob Fielding curled a long-range effort into the top corner.

Chadds also hit a post and the crossbar, which made the result all the more difficult to stomach.

Failsworth Dynamos dropped to second in the table after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Rossendale Amateurs.

In division one, Chadds reserves, who had a goal disallowed after 20 minutes, scored a late consolation as they lost 3-1 at home to their Little Lever counterparts.

Hechem Ariane and Damian Hardman bagged a brace apiece as Chadds ‘A’ team overcame Old Blackburnians ‘B’ 4-0.

Meanwhile, Andy Alcock’s hat-trick steered Hulmeians reserves to a 3-2 home victory over Radcliffe Town ‘B’ in division six.

SCORESHEET

Hulmeians ‘A’ beat Rossendale Amateurs ‘D’ 4-2 in division seven, with Lee Kerwin, Matt Binns, Robbie Connor and Mike Greenhough getting on the scoresheet.

In the same division, Jonathan Hardisty was the scorer for Hulmeians ‘B’ in their 2-1 defeat at Rossendale Amateurs ‘C’, and Chadds ‘B’, with goals from Mark Flint (two) and Damian Green, saw off Bolton Wyresdale ‘B’ 3-2.

Results are —

Premier division: Chaddertonians 2, Horwich RMI 2; Rossendale Amateurs 1, Failsworth Dynamos 1. Division one: Chaddertonians Res 1, Little Lever SC Res 3; Thornleigh 2, Mostonians 4. Division two: Ainsworth 1, Oldham Hulmeians 2. Division three: Failsworth Dynamos Res 1, Mostonians Res 4. Division four: Old Blackburnians ‘B’ 0, Chaddertonians ‘A’ 4. Division five: Mostonians ‘A’ 0, Rochdale St Clements ‘B’ 2. Division six: Oldham Hulmeians Res 3, Radcliffe Town ‘B’ 2. Division seven: Chaddertonians ‘B’ 3, Bolton Wyresdale ‘B’ 2; Oldham Hulmeians ‘A’ 4, Rossendale Ams ‘D’ 2; Rossendale Amateurs ‘C’ 2, Oldham Hulmeians ‘B’ 1.




Matley on the mark to rescue point for Diggle

TOM MATLEY scored with the very last kick of the game as Diggle laboured to a 1-1 draw against Newsome WMC in division one of the Huddersfield and District League.

The home side never got to grips with their lively and, at times, skilful opponents, who went ahead with two minutes to go.

Diggle made one last push, and Matley stabbed the ball home after Newsome had failed to deal with a free-kick pumped into the penalty box area.

Uppermill were without a fixture, while Heyside suffered their sixth straight defeat in division three as they went down 5-4 to HV Academicals.

Poor defending saw them trail 3-1 at the interval, but they fought back valiantly to level at 4-4.

But hopes of a first point of the season were dashed when Academicals broke away to score their fifth with minutes to go.

D Sidlow (two), D Cashin and M Ward scored for Heyside.

In reserve division one, Leland Mayall scored twice for Diggle, who made it three wins out of three with a 5-3 triumph at Honley.

But goals from Mark Jackson, Jeff Grace and Ash Wilson were in vain as Uppermill’s second string lost their unbeaten record, succumbing 4-3 at home to Netherton.

In reserve division two, Heyside recorded a 4-3 win over a plucky Diggle ‘A’ outfit, who were reduced to nine men in the first half but still managed to lead 2-1 at the interval.

Heyside restored parity soon after the restart, but Diggle nosed ahead again with 15 minutes to remaining.

But the hosts, who had C Rogers (two), T Quinn and L Hancock on target, had the last say with two late goals.

Results are —

Division one: Diggle 1, Newsome WMC 1. Division three: HV Academicals 5, Heyside FC 4. Reserve division one: Honley Res 3, Diggle Res 5; Uppermill Res 3, Netherton Res 4. Reserve division two: Heyside FC Res 4, Diggle ‘A’ 3; Uppermill ‘A’ P HV Academicals Res P.

o IN division one of the Huddersfield Works League, John Lees scored the consolation goal as Uppermill thirds lost 3-1 to Bay Athletic and the fifths were beaten 4-0 by Aimbry in division two.




Front three forge clear in title race

IT’S a case of as you were at the top of the Ashton Sunday League premier division table after victories for Halfway House, Warwick United and Bridge.

House, the leaders, were emphatic 8-1 winners against Britannia — Gary Brooks and Rocky Siddall scored two goals apiece — and United overcame basement boys Moston Labour Club 3-0. Mick Bartholomew, Phil Simmons and Martin Chapman were on target.

Mike King and Andrew Cullenaine scored for third-placed Bridge, who defeated Springbank 2-1.

In division one, Charlestown have narrowed the gap on leaders Dog and Partridge, whose game with Anglers was postponed.

Charlestown drew 1-1 with Home Guard, while Wellington, who had Danny Hepburn, Colin Hill and Colin Barrett among their scorers, won 5-2 at Falconers to stay in touch.

Rob Brearley (two) replied for Falconers.


UPPERMILL and Diggle have avoided each other in Saturday’s first round of the Huddersfield and District League’s Barlow Cup competition.

Diggle are away to Heywood Irish Centre, while Uppermill make the short trip to play Meltham Athletic.