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Irlam excel

17/ 1/2008

IRLAM FC heaped yet more misery on rock bottom Whitworth Valley at the weekend to move within 10 points of table-topping Gregorians in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester Football League Premier Division.

Fourth-placed Irlam prevailed 6-1 with Scott Holt (2), Danny Butters, Ryan Hutchinson, Matty Williams and Chris Palmer firing in the goals. But they had to recover from the shock of falling behind to a Whitworth side which has lost 19 of their 21 league games this season.

The result and the impressive performance represented a positive response to having two players hit with lengthy bans.

Tommy Allen, aged 36, and Allan Houghton, aged 39, must serve bans of six and five months respectively after being charged with directing abusive and threatening words at match officials when they were sent off in Irlam’s shock Manchester FA Shield quarter-final defeat to Hamlet in November.

John Robinson, who was sent off in the same game after receiving two yellow cards, escaped with a one-week suspension from the Manchester FA.

Irlam manager Gary Fellows said: "I don’t think either Tommy or Allan’s actions warranted such hefty sentences.

"I wanted to contest the charges but both players said they preferred not to. I can’t see either coming back from this and, if that’s the case, it will be a sad way for them to finish."

Meanwhile, Monton Amateurs cemented top spot in the first division with a 5-2 win at 11th-placed Heywood St James on Saturday.

And Fives Athletic, who lie second from bottom, gave second-placed Old Alts an almighty scare.

They clawed back a 3-0 deficit thanks to a Keir Jones strike, a stunning James Fillingham 25-yarder and a cool finish from Rob Faiyaz only to be undone by a superb late Old Alts winner.

Mid-table Salford Victoria drew 2-2 at third-placed Elton Vale.

Fifth-placed Irlam reserves enjoyed a 7-2 victory at lowly Avro reserves in the second division.

And in the fourth division, Salford Victoria reserves humbled league leaders Hollinwood A. The 3-0 win kept Vics fifth in the table.