Victory leaves Avro waiting in the wings

AVRO are within touching distance of Walshaw Sports in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League premier division.

Rob Fuller’s side continued their pursuit of top spot with a thrilling 3-2 win over neighbours Royton Town.

The local derby, which was littered with chances, came alive in the 11th minute when Avro were awarded a penalty, which Lee O’Brien duly despatched.

Town were back on level terms when Wayne Dean, breaking from midfield, placed the ball beyond Jake Edwards.

Fraser Hatton was then denied by the Avro ’keeper, and Edwards saved comfortably from Danny Trainer, who should have done better.

Avro made the most of their good fortune as O’Brien restored his side’s lead, before Patrick Garmory’s strike from a free-kick made it three.

But Jamie Peers gave Town hope with his team’s second goal.

Trainer then saw an effort blocked by a packed Avro defence and Michael Moss shot wide.

Town, who are now down to 10th, thought they had equalised late on, but the effort was chalked off.

Hollinwood slipped six points adrift of top spot after they were held to a 1-1 draw at reigning champions Manchester Gregorians.

Despite missing several key players, Paul Bennett’s side went ahead through Gary Brooks’ 55th effort.

But Gregorians, who have been struggling of late, equalised 10 minutes later.

Springhead wasted several chances in a 2-0 defeat at top-of-the-table Walshaw Sports.

Richard Bennett and Charlie Lees had opportunities to break the deadlock, but it was Walshaw who went ahead following an audacious chip which ’keeper Lee Milner could only palm into the net.

The Walshaw ’keeper saved brilliantly from Bennett, and other openings went begging in the second half as Springhead searched for an equaliser.

Walshaw were always a threat on the break and they added a second with 10 minutes to go.

Results —

Premier division: Avro 3, Royton Town 2; Chapel Town 2, Rochdale Sacred Heart 0; Dukinfield Town 4, Prestwich Heys 1; East Manchester 0, Old Alts 1; Elton Vale 2, Leigh Athletic 2; Manchester Gregorians 1, Hollinwood 1; Walshaw Sports 2, Springhead 0; Wythenshawe Ams 1, Hindsford 1.

Gilgryst Cup: Stockport Georgians 1, Atherton Town 0.

Division one: Beechfield United 1, Monton Amateurs 1; Breightmet United 3, Pennington 1; Bury Amateurs 1, Salford Victoria 1; Fives Athletic 2, Heywood St James 1; Wythenshawe Town 0, West Didsbury 1.

Division two: Rochdale SH Res 2, Avro Res 3; Springhead Res 2, Walshaw SC Res 2.

Division three: Royton Town Res 6, Stockport Georgians ‘A’ 2.

County Cup: Hollinwood Res 5, Wythenshawe Town Res 2.

Division four: Hollinwood ‘A’ 2, Leigh Athletic ‘A’ 3.