League has vacancies in all divisions

THE Rochdale and District Sunday Football League has vacancies in all divisions for new teams for season 2017/18.

Any clubs interested in joining the league can contact League Secretary, Andy Palombo as soon as possible either via email rdsfl@hotmail. com or 07540 884796.

The league is also keen to start up an under-19s division for the 2017/18 season, as it is commonly known that there is no local leagues for this age bracket in the area.

Any team wishing to move into an under 18/19 league is having to travel across Manchester to continue against players of the same age.

It is hoped this division would be an intermediary league that bridges the gap between youth football and the open age league.

Many teams are struggling to maintain a position in amateur football with players drifting away due to the physical demands of open-age football.

An intermediary division would therefore give youth footballers a chance to develop physically over the next couple of years before joining an open-age league.

There has been a steady decline in the number of people participating in amateur grassroots football over the last few years. It is hoped that this division would keep the younger players in the area interested in football, while giving them the experience to continue enjoying the game.

The league have now pencilled in a meeting on the 16th March at Firgrove WMC for all youth teams interested in forming an under 19s division and anyone interested in joining should attend.

For full details please contact the league Secretary on the number above.

Avenue were in fine fettle beating Middleton Colts Second XI 4-0 away from home, in their Sun Chemical Division One encounter.

The teams are both battling to become league runners-up, after Wardle were crowned champions last weekend, with Middleton sitting four points clear despite having played two more fixtures than Avenue.

Middleton Colts began sharply, but after 10 minutes their grip on the fixture began to slip, as Avenue stepped into their stride.

Avenue’s gradual increase in dominance was soon rewarded with a goal, when Liam Nicholson’s driven free-kick whistled into the net.

After the interval Avenue doubled their tally, when Elliot Whalley hooked the ball over the goalkeeper following a period of impressive interplay from Avenue’s midfield trio.

Avenue were now in control; before long the score-line had been extended further, when Stuart Mercer found himself in a position to finish following a shot which was parried out by the goalkeeper.

The result was sealed after Avenue’s longest spell of ball retention was finished off by Whalley who found the back of the net with a pin-point diving header.

Avenue manager Adam Thomas said: “We were excellent today.

“The boys showed real character in what was a difficult game against a much improved Middleton Colts side.

“I have been asking for a performance like that for many weeks from my boys and today they delivered.

“That was probably our best performance of the season, each player to a man was superb.

“We are in a crucial part of the season now but I’m confident we can achieve our targets if we continue to play that way.”