Title race heats up
Gymnasts showcase their skills in competition
ROCHDALIAN’S suffered defeat at the hands of Stretford Paddock at the weekend.
THE league resumed with a full programme of divisional action and the race at the top of the Premier division is red hot as leaders De La Salle Reds were without a fixture.
Stretford Paddock drew level with them on points after a comfortable 4-0 win at Rochdalians, but De La Salle still have a game in hand.
Moston Brook are also well in the race after a 4-2 win at Mellor preserved their unbeaten record and they are two points behind the leaders on the same number of games. On the heels of the top three are Milton after a thrilling 4-3 win over Salford Vics and Manchester Polonia who were too hot for AFC Oldham to handle in a 6-2 cruise.
The other games showed the tight nature of the division as Abacus Media shared six goals with North Walkden.
No change at the top of division one as the leading pair both posted victories. Top team Chadderton Cott were on easy street after a 5-2 win at Signol OB.
But Signol Athletic had to rely on a last-minute winner for a 3-2 win at Trafford United.
United gave as good as they got after opening the scoring on 10 minutes through George Bell but Athletic were quickly back on terms to set up a great contest efficiently managed by referee John Melia.
There was another terrific contest at Didsbury who were in control against Bury Ams leading 3-1 and 4-2 before a spot kick from Steve Murphy got Bury firing on all cylinders.
Anthony O’brien drew them level at 4-4 to add to earlier strikes from Nick Smith and Ollie Dunn before grabbing a late winner for a dramatic 5-4 win.
Hadfield Athletic had their best result of the season with a 5-0 win over high-flying Shaw Athletic and Irlam Tigers were also on fire as they disposed of Old Stretfordians 6-3.
Hattersley are also flying high in division two as they lead by six points after an 8-2 demolition of Milltown.
Eccles United drew level with second-placed and non-playing Baguley Athletic but they were taken all the way by Mellor reserves before edging home by the odd goal in nine. A close game between Sale Ams and Wythenshawe Wanderers was settled by two firsthalf strikes for Sale to keep them in touch with the leading pack with games in hand.
The other two games in the division saw Irlam Tiger Rangers roar to a comfortable 5-1 win at Bedians with Karl Cassell (two) and Lewis Cartwright providing some of the Tigers goals.
Stretford Paddock Reserves and South Manchester enjoyed another close encounter with Paddock winning 3-2.
Chadderton Park are the only unbeaten team in division three but being in county cup action saw their lead reduced as Radclyffe moved to within three points after an exciting 5-3 win over Abacus Media reserves and AFC Stockport cruised to a 5-2 win over Hooley Bridge Celtic.
In the other two games Elton Lib Hargreaves won 5-3 at Aldermere and Stoconians battled hard for a 2-1 at Salford Albion.
Just a point separates the top three in division A and new boys Woodsend Athletic moved into the pole position after a comfortable 7-1 win at Greater Manchester FC.
North Walkden reserves lost top spot after being held to an entertaining 4-4 deadlock with Milnrow Firgovia after leading 3-1 at the break and Salford Vics are level on points with them after a thrilling 4-3 win over Stretford Paddock Development.
It was six-hitters in two of the other games in the division as Salford Storm beat AFC Oldham reserves 6-0 and Milton reserves won their local derby at Santos by 6-2 with Liam Churchill and Lewis Toppin providing the Santos consolations..
Kartel moved into midtable with a close 2-1 win over Trafford United reserves.
Aldermere reserves have the best record in the league and they showed why as a 7-0 victory at Moston Brook reserves takes them a massive 11 points clear at the top of division B.
No joy for their main rivals as AFC Oldham thirds were beaten 5-3 by Old Strets reserves and Greater Manchester seconds were narrowly beaten 2-1 at Heaton Mersey.
Oldham Saints enjoyed their second win of the season by 3-1 over Spurley Hey a feat matched by Flixton JFC in a classic 5-4 victory over Hillgate.
It’s hot at the top of division C with just a point between the top four teams. Early pacesetters Dukinfield Athletic dropped points as they were held 3-3 by Mellor thirds allowing Altrincham Hale to join them on points as they beat Deans 4-2.
Govan Athletic Development also lost ground as they could only fire blanks in a 3-0 defeat by Salford Storm reserves.
Staly Lions kept on roaring after a 7-0 demolition of Eccles United reserves and there were also wins for Village Manchester Reserves by 2-1 at
AFC Stockport Warriors, Urmston Town Vale by 3-0 at Stoconians thirds and Chadderton Park reserves by 3-2 at Bury Ams reserves.
All change at the top of division D as Bury Ams thirds kept an immaculate clean sheet in a 3-0 win over second-placed
Moston Brook fourths to move a point clear and end the unbeaten record of Brook.
Whalley Range are in close contact with the top two after a 5-2 win at Milltown reserves.
The other games saw AFC Oldham fourths beat Altrincham Hale reserves 3-1 and Irlam Tigers A shared six goals with Didsbury Reserves.
Catch-up Manchester County Cup games brought no joy as Chadderton Park lost out 5-3 to AFC Middleton.
Two of their goals came from Ryan Trelfa and James Gregory – and their Man of the Match on the day was Corey Pearson.
Moston Brook reserves went down 5-1 at Failsworth Dynamoes.
MANCHESTER FOOTBALL LEAGUE RESULTS
PREMIER DIVISION
Bolton County L-L Heywood St James Royton Town 2-5 Walshaw Sports Dukinfield Town 2-1 Pennington Heyside 2-2 Manchester Gregorians Hindsford 6-0 Beechfield United Old Alts 0-2 Springhead Stockport Georgians 3-1 Chadderton Reserves
DIVISION ONE
MORE than 40 very excited gymnasts from Heywood Sparks Gymnastics Academy travelled to The City Of Newcastle Gymnastics Club last weekend to compete in the Spooky Spectacular competition. Because of COVID restrictions, this was their first Voluntary Competition in two years and the girls ranged in age from 8-15, with several participating in their first competition.
The club returned to Heywood with a huge haul of individual Apparatus and AllAround medals and ribbons – many of the girls performed new skills and routines for the first time, including impressive double back somersaults from 12-year-old Zara Tonye and 13-year-old Abigail Lord.
In the Regional Level 6 competition, the less experienced gymnasts performed with confidence. Holly Townsend began the All-around success, placing 3rd in age 14 and over. She was followed by Renae De
Silva (4th), Ella Burgess (2nd) and Sparks’ first All-around champion, Stephanie Akhigbe in the 11 and Under category. The impressive results at Level 6 continued with the youngest competitors - the Age 8 girls.
Ella Gowers became Sparks’ second AllAround champion with Ava-mae Claxton close behind in 3rd.
Moving up to Regional
Level 5 and the medal tally continued to grow. In the Age 9 competition Heidi Hodkinson took silver and Freya Sutton bronze. In the 11 and under age group Danila Tavares-desiderio, followed her success in the North West National Grades last month by winning her second All-around championship since restrictions eased.
She was joined on the podium by Isabel Irvine Yates and Olivia Southworth in joint 6th place. The Level 5 All-around success was completed by Jacinta Loran, who took bronze in the age 12 and above competition.
Moving up again to the more experienced Regional Level 4 gymnasts who also shone, leading the way was Savanna Pennington taking the silver medal in age 11 and under with Emily Malpas 6th. Megan Powell equalled team mate Savanna’s success by taking 2nd place in age 12 and over, with Ava Leong close behind her in 3rd.
Moving up again to the British Classic Challenge Silver category where Sparks was represented by three gymnasts – Molly Griffiths, Amelia
Maynard and Abigail Lord. All three girls rose to the challenge of competing in this difficult level, showing some impressive routines and Abigail finishing in a superb 5th place All-around.
Sparks completed their weekend with Zara Tonye and Annabel Carling representing the club in the FIG competition. This is the highest level that gymnasts can compete at. Again both girls showed superb attitudes and Zara absolutely dazzled, taking the silver All-around medal.
Special mention should also be made to these gymnasts who performed beam and floor routines with exceptional elegance and sparkle to earn themselves special artistry awards: Jessica Ridy, Nell Naylor, Jacinta Loran, Danila Tavares-desiderio, Renae De Silva and Amelia Maynard.
Head coach Steve Halliwell said: “We have enjoyed a wonderful weekend away and all our gymnasts were a credit to themselves and the club. It is hard to believe that they have endured 18 months of disrupted training and been unable to compete for two years.
“We received many compliments from other clubs about their routines and sportsmanship and they certainly led the way on the dance floor at the party! We are very proud of them all and are now looking forward to more success and individual achievement.”