Town out on top in goalfest

IN the Newbold Tyres Premier Division Middleton Town clinched an important away win against Elton and Walshaw which ended 5-4.

Town were the quickest out of the blocks but failed to make their chances count in the early minutes.

Elton proved themselves to be clinical, scoring on the ten minute mark with their first chance in on goal, after a clever break-away.

Town equalised not long after but couldn’t hold on till half-time as Elton took the lead for the second time just before the interval.

Following the break Town pulled back then took the lead through Jordan Burton, who scored two goals in quick succession.

Ste Delafield then put Town 4-2 ahead.

Elton were down but not out, scoring in the latter part of the second passage of play to put themselves within range of an equaliser.

Moments after Middleton broke to the other end and rewarded with a penalty for a foul on Burton, the same player stepped up to slot the ball home and claim the match ball.

With only five minutes left the match looked decided until Elton also won a penalty which was converted.

Despite this making for an enthralling dying stages – Middleton still ran out with all three points.

Middleton’s manager Chris Petcu said: “Hats off to both teams, as it was a good game of football on a poor pitch, I really enjoyed the game.”

In the Christine Robinson Memorial Trophy Final Free Trade will face Littleborough, after both sides won their respective semi-final legs.

Free Trade comprehensively beat Chadderton 5-1 in their leg whilst Littleborough progressed following a penalty shootout win against Wardle.

In the Sun Chemical Division One Carshaft moved a step closer to securing second place with a 3-2 win over Wardleworth.

Meanwhile in their competition for second place AFC Kearsley also sealed a valuable win over MPG.