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Only six games but plenty of quality

21/11/2003

Amateur Football
ALLIANCE LGE ROUND-UP

SIX GAMES was all the Alliance League could muster on a filthy weekend weather-wise.

With the Premier Division all washed out due to Friday's persistent rain, Division One took the spotlight with two tight games.

None more so than between Fothergill and Whittles and Falcon, with both sides creating chances before Culshaw broke the deadlock with a fine volley. Flacon grabbed an equaliser with 10 minutes to go courtesy of Parker and either side could have won the game with a glut of missed opportunities in the dying minutes.

Tophams had a more comfortable ride at home to Asia 2nd, winning the match 4-2. They were 3-1 ahead by the interval, but were pegged back 10 minutes in the second half and had to move through the gears for a fourth goal. Smith was outstanding in defence for Tophams.

With fellow front-runners Golden Buck and Dicken Green postponed, Wardle 2nd failed to take advantage at the top of Division Two, losing 5-2 at home to Fothergills 2nd. March netted a brace for Wardle but goals from Law (2), Schofield, McLoughlin and Hollinshead were too much in the end.

Weavers 2nd did make the most of their game going ahead, however, and moved up to fourth with a 7-2 win against Milnrow. After an even first period, Weavers got the upper hand and a hat-trick from Butterworth, plus goals from Brophy, McArdle, Broom and Faulkner set them up nicely. Powell and Hutchinson grabbed consolations for Milnrow.

The Third Division also managed a couple of games, with AFC Royton hammering bottom side Fothergills 10-1. Elsewhere, Market Hotel and Waggon and Horses couldn't find the target in a quality game with defences on top.