Keeper turned striker hits three as United cop it

Muzzar Ali of Coppice United, goes shoulder to shoulder with his Rifle FC opposite number

Rifle 5, Coppice United 3

OSMAN Bushara made his return to the Rifle line-up after a four-month absence to bag a hat-trick at the expense of Coppice United at Lime Lane, Hollinwood.

But this was no ordinary hat-trick. Bushara is usually a goalkeeper, but Rifle manager Paddy McGuirk named him as a striker for the first time. Bushara took his chance to show he could be just as good at the far end of the pitch.

This was a crucial match in the Jack Abbott Premier Division of the Oldham Sunday League, with both sides looking for maximum points at opposite ends of the table.

Rifle’s win maintains the hope of retaining the top-flight crown — a key game against arch rivals Limeside King George on Wednesday will ultimately decide things.

It is hard to explain why Coppice are struggling near the foot of the table. Twice they took the lead against an often hesitant Rifle side depleted by injuries.

Coppice, too, had absentees. But this was a game of blood and thunder between two sides eager for points.

Referee Andrew Lorimer almost brought the game to a temporary halt when a combination of thunder, lightning and sharp hailstones 10 minutes before half-time made conditions tricky. But both sides weathered the storm and Rifle’s extra finesse in front of goal made the points theirs.

McGuirk said: “Lee Mullen has been playing well for us in goal and when Osman returned I needed some added punch up front and he gave us that. He took his goals well.”