Colts triumph after shoot-out

IN dramatic circumstances, the MCFA Champions Sunday Shield was raised by the RDSFL’s Middleton Colts last Sunday, at Eden Fields.

The game went to a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw with Moss Side after extra time, but Colts held their nerve to ensure a 4-3 from the spot.

The final started with both sides having even amount of the ball, however Middleton’s gradual grasp on proceedings became more evident as the half progressed.

Jonny Munson soon found the Middleton opener, cutting in from the left and hitting a low drive into the bottom corner.

However Moss Side soon scored from a whipped corner kick, to pull the sides back level just before the interval.

The second half saw Colts on the defensive as Moss side pushed hard.

Colts won the penalty shoot-out thanks to two superb penalty saves.

Middleton’s manager Paul Hindley said: “We had our sights on the MCFA Sunday Shield and we wanted very much to win it. The lads give the club everything and always keep up very high standards to keep being one of the best teams in Manchester week in and week out.

“I would like to thank the lads from the bottom of my heart for our continued success.”

In the FJ Williams Trophy quarter-finals Avenue progressed after a 4-0 win over Chadderton FC.

Avenue’s resolve was tested early on, but after a nervy ten minutes they began to find their rhythm and started to find cracks in the Chadderton defence, but were without any real end product.

Kacy Samuels soon found the Avenue opener, dispatching a half volley from 25 yards into the bottom corner of the Chadderton goal.

Later in the half, striker Lee Weatherhilt was introduced and within minutes doubled Avenue’s lead.

Avenue continued to keep Chadderton at bay due to some solid work from defensive-midfielder Aaron Wade who was mopping up everything that came his way. The score at the break 2-0.

In the second half it was Avenue again who started as they finished the first half and15 minutes in added another thanks to Weatherhilt’s second.

Another through ball, Weatherhilt beat the offside trap and lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper for his second of the game.

In the latter stages of the second half Avenue sealed their place in the semifinals after Shaun Gleave won the ball in midfield and found Kacy Samuels on the right wing, one touch took him beyond the Chadderton defence and he coolly placed the ball into the far corner of the goal.

Avenue manager Adam Thomas said: “It was a great display from my lads from start to finish.

“Last time we came here we were 2-0 up and ended up losing the game. Today we were determined to see it out. We knew how Chadderton were going to play, and we executed our game plan perfectly.

“Credit to the lads. They showed passion and determination and a great togetherness on the pitch today. It’s nice to book our place in the semi-final and hopefully we can go on and put in another performance and reach the final”

Littleborough CCFC won 2-0 against Heywood Town in their Sun Chemical Division two encounter.

Heywood’s complacent start meant that Borough were able to take an early lead.

Jamie Halliday was the man to get the opener, when he slotted the ball pas the goalkeeper into the bottom left of the goal.

Heywood’s defensive line was pressed high up the field by Littleborough and this tactic deemed to be extremely beneficial as a defensive mistake left Heywood open at the back, which was capitalised upon, 2-0.

Heywood’s game plan had been undone, by a very tactical first-half display by Borough.

In the second half Heywood played with a lot more control and despite both sides making the affair tense and end-toend, no further goals were added.

Littleborough manager Sam Jenkins said: “Couldn’t be happier with my lads and the way they’ve managed to get a good run of form together”.