Sunday League Round Up - Plough must sweat on title!

Following their recent slip up against Littleborough, a slip that could yet cost them the Newbold Tyres Premier Division title, Success to the Plough faced Littleborough again in their last league match of the season in what was a must win game if they were to have any realistic hope of winning the title.

Plough started well and quickly took the lead through Burg, scoring his 30th goal of the season, and shortly after Plough doubled their lead through Littleborough based Astley.

Dominating the midfield and in complete control Plough had three or four clear chances to wrap the game up but paid the price for their prolificacy when, very much against the run of play, a poor Littleborough side pulled one back just before half time.

The second half began as the first with Plough well on top, however, they continued with their wayward shooting having carved good openings and paid an even heavier price with a bizarre own goal. Jackson under little pressure chose to pass back to stand in keeper Howarth from outside the penalty area and watched stunned as Howarth miskicked and the ball bobbled over his foot and trickled into the net. Two apiece and Littleborough could hardly believe their luck!

Give due credit to the Plough players, some teams would have let their heads drop but Plough came out fighting and within minutes Jackson had made amends by scoring with a rocket of a shot from 25 yards out.

Plough pushed for more and put the game beyond doubt when Kershaw scored from the spot and Danny Holmes made it five for Plough with a glancing header.

The game was marred by Littleborough players persistently and aggressively abusing referee Ryan Bromfield and Ben Fielding was sent off for abusing Bromfield, the only surprise was that an incredibly patient Bromfield did not sent off a number of ill-disciplined Littleborough players.

However, the day belonged to Plough and they did all they could do by taking the three points. Now they must wait and watch to see how Copperpot fare in their remaining three games – Copperpot having beat Bamford H&H need to win their three remaining games to take the title.

Copperpot are hitting peak form just at the right time and though Bamford proved to be tricky opposition, Copperpot prevailed despite Bamford taking the lead - a through ball saw Ingham round the keeper -and retaining the lead at half time.

Barker replaced Jepson in the second half for Copperpot, a chnage that instantly paid off when Barker equalised by tapping in from five yards.
 
Barker soon added his second latching on to a loose shot and completed his hat-trick with a far post header.

Harrington wrapped up the points when he slotted home from what appeared to be an offside position following a Luker through ball.

Catholic Club demolished already relegated Roetan racking up a double figure score without reply to go within two points of top of the Keystone First division with a game in hand on leaders Broadway Celtic.

Casserley hit two of Italia’s three in their victory against Highfield. Grula bagged the other Italia goal and Jones and Wood were on target for Highfield in a game of end-to-end football that Italia were fortunate to have taken all three points.

FC Dale completed their league programme in the Dog amp; Partridge Second Division with a comfortable home win over DC United - a win that consolidates their second place - Taylor hit four of their five goals; they must now await Turks Heads results in their remaining games to see if they retain the second spot and win promotion.

Results in the Lambourne Images Third Division went the way of leaders Rochdale Nomads. Nomads won by the odd goal in nine against Woolworth’s whilst second and third placed Norden and Boundary Park shared a goalless draw.

Turks Head progressed easily to the quarter finals of the Rochdale Online League Cup thumping Whitworth Valley 8-1.

Turks started slow and although on top of most of the first half failed to take their chances and went in at half time 1-0 down.

The second half was a completely different story and Turks were in front within five minutes of the restart with well taken goals from Eastwood and Wood.

Henceforth the floodgates opened as Turks midfield began to dominate creating chance after chance - a 30 yard lob was the highlight from Ormerod.

Eastwood and Wood went on to complete impressive hat-tricks and a rare goal from Canadian Mark Jones completed the rout.

Turks Dave Hall was Man of the Match.