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Castle set chasing pack pace

16/12/2005

Rochdale Online Alliance League

THE big clash of the day in last weekend's BKC Trophies Premier Division saw Richmond Hall, who started the day in second place, draw 3-3 with fourth-placed Hare and Hounds.

With both sides looking to make up ground on leaders Weavers Arms, this was not a contest for the faint-hearted with several bookings and a sending off handed out. Richmond Hall's goals came from N Hodson, A Garner and N Dowsing, while N Hand (2) and M Kearney were on target for the visitors.

Castle Hotel enjoyed a 4-1 away win at Italia, a result which took them up to second spot, three points behind table-topping Weavers, who were without a game. An evenly-fought match went Castle's way after Italia had G Mason sent off for a second bookable offence. J O'Neill, L Mathews, M Whiteside and D Latham scored for Castle, P Buchanan firing Italia's goal.

Scoobys are still without a win after losing out 4-1 at Castleton.

The game between Wardle and Middleton was marred by a double sending off after just five minutes - Lee Lord for Wardle and Gavin Lynsey of Middleton - both for violent conduct.

Once the game settled down, both sides produced some excellent football with Wardle taking a two-goal lead through C Porter and K Platt before R Siddall pulled one back for Middleton. Wardle made it 4-1 with strikes from Porter and C Wood and although Middleton scored again through R Bradley's penalty, goal of the day came from A Hurn to see Wardle home.

Tophams Tavern, leading the way in the Asia Restaurant Division One, edged a 15-goal thriller against Tanners Arms to maintain the pace at the top of the table. Goals from J Nolan (4), L Healey (3) and A Hankinson paved the way to an 8-7 victory, Tanners goals coming from C Ainley (3), L Thompson, N Lishman, D McLoughlin and S Smith.

At the bottom of the table, Asia 2nd relieved the pressure on themselves with a 3-1 win over Fothergill and Whittles 2nd. Y Khan, W Morris and A Ishah scored for Asia, J Hibbert for the visitors.

Joiners beat Wardle 2nd 3-2 with goals from A Mullins and D Gregory (2). A Greenwood and T Walsh were on target for Wardle.

Hargreaves and Golden Buck shared 10 goals in an entertaining 5-5 draw. The visitors were two goals up after 10 minutes through M McDonald and G Makin, but Hargreaves were level by the break after goals from A Sharratt and A Spensley. Buck edged ahead through J Bland in the second half only for A Cowan to level from the spot for Hargreaves. The visitors took the lead again through R Thomas but once again Hargreaves hit back, J Graham making it 4-4. S Carey looked to have settled the issue in Hargreaves' favour until a last-minute strike from Makin earned Buck a point.

PSG kept up the chase on leaders Dog and Partridge in the Matthew Montgomery Division Two, beating Azzurri 3-1 through a Williams hat-trick. Paul Edgar replied for Azurri.

Waggon and Horses, in third place, enjoyed a comfortable 12-0 win over Fothergills and Whittles 3rd with hat-tricks for M Carter and D Brookes among their goals. There was also a brace for J Mullarkey and strikes from P Brown, D Jackson and B Long, plus an own goal.

The mid-table clash between Dicken Green and Rope and Anchor ended 1-1, A Prince grabbing a second-half equaliser for the home team, M Bonny having handed Rope the lead after 20 minutes.

Brickcroft and AFC Royton drew 2-2, N Worswick and W Howarth netting for Brickcroft, C Day scoring both Royton goals.