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Last day disaster

15/ 5/2008

MONTON Amateurs suffered final day heartbreak in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester Football League first division as their title dream was destroyed by a 2-1 defeat.

They lost their winner takes all game at Chapel Town and, due to results elsewhere, ended up finishing the season in fourth spot and missing out on an immediate return to the Premier Division.

Monton came into Saturday’s title decider level on points with new champions Chapel Town.

They bossed the first half, which ended 0-0, but they could not turn their superiority into goals.

Chapel Town improved after the break and their long ball game was rewarded with a 60th minute strike and a winner with just three minutes left on the clock.

Sandwiched in between those goals, Tommy Walsh netted with a stunning header for Monton.

Adam Smith made three excellent saves for Monton, who produced a great all round team effort on the day and will be hoping for more luck in the Murray Trophy final against West Didsbury at Manchester City’s Platt Lane complex on Friday, May 23, kick-off 7.30pm. The original date for the final was tonight, Thursday, May 15.

Monton also have the Hinds-ford Cup final to look forward to after an Andy Brown penalty gave them a 1-0 semi-final win against North West Counties League side Ashton Athletic.

They will meet either Fives Athletic or Howe Bridge Mills in the final at Hindsford on Monday, May 19, kick-off 6.45pm.

Meanwhile, Salford Victoria finished the Manchester Football League season seven places below Monton in 11th place after beating second from bottom Fives 4-3.

Fives’ derby day goal scorers were Keir Jones, Scott Jones and Ben Power.

Irlam FC ended the Premier Division campaign in eighth spot.

Irlam’s reserve team came fifth in Division Two following a 1-1 draw with sixth-placed Walshaw reserves.

Monton’s reserve side beat Avro reserves 1-0 and drew 1-1 at another lowly side in Spring-head reserves to secure an eighth-placed finish.

In the fourth division, a well taken Danny Wallace goal and a man of the match display from Scott Hogan ensured that Irlam’s A team drew 1-1 at fifth-placed Wilmslow Albion reserves to end their first season of open age football third from bottom.

Salford Victoria A and Fives A finished sixth and seventh respectively.