Rathbone cracks the case

Photo: Paul Sterritt

running game . . . Avro’s Mike Stockdale (left) and his AFC Monton rival race for the ball.

Avro 1, AFC Monton 1

AVRO picked up a point against high-flying AFC Monton in the Premier Division of the FBT Manchester League on a wind-affected afternoon at Ten Acre Lane, Newton Heath.


Reece Lyndon levelled matters 10 minutes into the second period after Monton had edged into a 21st-minute lead. With struggling Uppermill, eighth-placed Avro have played the fewest number of games — 14 — in the top flight this season.

And manager Rob Fuller is optimistic his side, who have up to five games in hand on the teams above them, can finish the campaign in a lofty position.

“I am sure we can achieve a top-four finish,” he said. “Three points would have been handy against Monton, but a draw was a fair result in the end.”

Sam Rathbone’s defensive qualities stood out against a well-equipped Monton attack, with the wind accentuating the pace of balls played towards the Avro back line.

But this was a battling all-round display from Fuller’s energetic side, who deservedly got the goal which earned them a share of the spoils.

It wasn’t the classiest of goals you will ever see, but nonetheless Lyndon was on hand five yards out to turn home a Ben Hulme corner.



ROYTON Town remain joint-top of the FBT Manchester League Premier Division thanks to a dominant 4-1 victory at mid-table Stockport Georgians. Carl Caffrey, Joe Jacombs, Jordan Schofield and Nick Alexander were on target for Mark Howard’s men in Stockport.

Springhead are in fifth place in the table following an action-packed 7-4 home victory against Rochdale Sacred Heart.

Rock-bottom Uppermill picked up a useful point thanks to a goalless draw at Wythenshawe Ams.

It was derby day in Division Two, with Springhead’s second string winning 3-1 at Hollinwood.