Safety secured
Boro through to Plate semis
BORO travelled to Ormskirk on Saturday to play the quarter final of the Lancs Plate.
After missing an early penalty conversion, Boro opened up the game with the first try, scored by Liam Lloyd and converted by George Roberts.
Ormskirk replied with their first try of the day but Roberts was quickly in for his second to restore the visitors’ advantage.
Ormskirk hit back again with a score of their own and after a period of pressure, the home team secured a penalty to edge head.
Boro came back and scored another try via Liam Lloyd plus conversion by Roberts, but Ormskirk refused to buckle and scored once more, make the scoreline 20-21 at the interval.
Boro pulled clear after the break, Roberts racing in for two quickfire tries, both converted.
With momentum in their favour, Boro crossed again, Tom Mayoh waltzing over the tryline from the 22 metres.
Sub Andy Walton came on and immediately scored another try before Mayoh crossed the line for his second.
Ormskirk were not completely out of it and ran in for their fourth try only but Boro were flowing now and crossed again through Chris Roberts converted by G Roberts.
Murphy Holt followed suit with a try converted by Mayoh to finish the scoring.
Boro now look forward to the Cup Semi Final after his fantastic result.
EOGHAN O’connell netted a stoppage time winner, as Rochdale came from behind to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory – and ultimately their immediate future in the Football League – on Easter Monday.
The skipper rattled home a powerful shot from 25-yards at the death to win the contest against Hartlepool which, like so many Dale games this season. saw a sharp contrast in performance levels either side of half time.
On this occasion it was a poor first half – so poor that even the drama of a 94th minute winner couldn’t erase it from manager Robbie Stockdale’s mind. In his postmatch analysis he admitted any joy at securing the three points and target of League Two football for another season was tempered by his disappointment at what unfolded in the opening 45 minutes.
In the end, Jimmy Keohane’s 61st minute goal had cancelled out Bryn Morris’ first half volley and, after Dale had a goal ruled out midway through the second period, it look like game was heading for draw until O’connell fired home in the 95th minute to win it. By that stage, the home side were worthy winners, their performance in the second half more impressive than
Hartlepool had been in the first half of the game.
In fact, it wasn’t so much Hartlepool being impressive at the start of the game as Dale just not turning up.
There were two changes to the side that had lined up n the 1-0 defeat against Stevenage on Good Friday, with Jim Mcnulty and Matty Done coming into the eleven for Jeriel Dorsett – who twisted his ankle in training and looks set to miss the rest of the season – and Danny Cashman.
Paul Downing and Done tested the visiting defence early on, following a Dale corner. Done’s initial corner was won by Downing at the near post but his flick on was defended behind for another.
That was then cleared out as far as Done who put the ball back in, only to see it defended away again. He was first to it and drove a low powerful effort on goal, seeing it held by Ben Killip at his near post.
But Pools took the lead from their first foray forward, Joe White whipping a delicious cross to the back post where Morris sent a cushioned volley across Jay Lynch and into the far corner of the net.
Rochdale responded positively and Luke Charman fired an effort over 20-yards, as Dale went in search of the equaliser.
Up the other end, David Ferguson saw an effort deflected narrowly wide of the upright.
Shortly before the half hour, Rochdale had their best opportunity of the half but were agonisingly denied by the woodwork. Charman played in Done who clipped the goalkeeper from the edge of the area, only to see his shot come crashing off the bar. The rebound fell for Charman but a lastditch challenge by Jake Hull stopped him at source.
Omar Bogle scuffed shot from range into the hands of Lynch, before Charman was in on goal again. He stretched to meet a ball in from the left but he couldn’t get
DE LA Salle Reds are the new L and C champions after a decisive 5-0 win over Abacus Media in their final game of the season.
They went into the game knowing that only victory would see them overtake Moston Brook who had a massive goal difference advantage and they did it in style.
They now face Moston Brook in the Rhodes Cup final looking for a double.
It promises to be a great cup final at Hyde United on Saturday May 7 kick off at 2.30 pm – the first time that the Rhodes Cup has been on a Saturday afternoon for many years.
Action in division one was concentrated on the Harry Jack Cup and Didsbury moved into the semi-final after winning their tie with Old Stretfordians on a 4-4 aggregate.
The first leg had seen Didsbury enjoy a 3-1 win and in a great game Strets put in a great effort to win 3-2 with strikes from Kyle O’glesby and Simon O’connor (two) but just ran out of steam as Didsbury hung with great defending and they will meet Signol Athletic in the semi-final.
The other game saw Bury Ams take the first step to the semi final,where Chadderton Cott await the winner, as they beat Shaw Athletic 3-2 in another tense tie.
Plenty of action in division two where midweek games saw Irlam Tiger Rangers win their local derby with Eccles United 2-1 and Sale Amateurs and Baguley Athletic drew 1-1.
Baguley and Sale played the return fixture three days later at the excellent Manchester Health Academy facility and it proved to be a real thriller..
Sale had the bare bones of 11 players and were soon reduced to ten by another injury.
Baguley took advantage with goals from Boyne and Hendley having them set for victory at 2-0.
But Sale showed terrific spirit as strikes from Asha Brady and Casim Waite-jackson (two)took them into a remarkable 3-2 lead.
Baguley mounted the pressure as Sale tired and grabbed a point with a late equaliser.
The other games saw Irlam Tiger Rangers move clear at the top with tight 2-1 win over Stretford Paddock reserves and
Newton battled hard for a point in a 1-1 deadlock with Eccles United.
There were no games in division three but the title race hotted up in division A.
Kartel Sports showed their intent as they followed up a 3-1 win over AFC Oldham Reserves with a 4-1 win over Santos, who were on a hot winning streak.
There were no goals at the break but Kartel took the lead on 46 minutes and added two more before Alex Taylor netted the Santos consolation with Kartel adding a late fourth.
Kartel are now three points behind leaders Salford Storm with a game in hand a a better goal difference.
There were goals galore in the other game with Salford Vics reserves beating Trafford United reserves 5-3.
With the title race done and dusted in division B there was some mid-table action with plenty of goals.
Spurley Hey had two games and in midweek they lost out 4-3 to Flixton JFC and this was followed by a spectacular 6-5 win over AFC Oldham thirds.
The other game was a relatively quiet affair with
Hillgate beating Flixton JFC 3-1.
It’s still all to play for in divison C as the top two were in action and both failed to win.
Long-time leaders Dukinfield Athletic lost out 2-1 hosting Eccles United reserves in their final game but secondplaced Mellor reserves failed to take full advantage as they shared six goals with Salford Storm reserves.
Mellor are now seven points adrift of Dukinfield with three games in hand.
In midweek Mellor enjoyed a 3-1 win over Bury Ams reserves.
More midweek action saw Govan Athletic Development beat Eccles United reserves 7-2 and Altrincham Hale beat Stoconians reserves 5-1
The other game in the division was a topsy turvy thriller as Bury Ams reserves won 6-5 at Village Manchester reserves.
In division D the main game was the Hellawell Shield semi-final between
Moston Brook fourths and Altrincham Hale reserves.
Brook emerged with a 3-1 win with goals from Ross, Mills and Roberts topping the strike from Altrincham Hale from Mark Turnbull to book their final slot against Govan Athletic Development at West Didsbury and Chorlton on Thursday May 12.
League action saw Milltown beat AFC Oldham fourths 5-4 to lift themselves into fourth spot.