Browse Sections

• Salford City Reds
• Local football
• Local cricket

Ammies take short cut

12/12/2003

Air Miles Manchester League

A DEPLETED Monton Amateurs side took a well-deserved three points after their 2-1 victory at Breightmet United in the premier division.

The home side set off at a tremendous pace for the first 15 minutes, but were restricted to long range efforts.

After weathering the early storm Monton gradually took control of the game, with the pace of Colin Bonfield causing problems for the Bolton side. Monton passed up three good opportunities before they finally opened the scoring when, from an Andy Barlow free-kick, Neil Suggitt out-jumped everyone to plant a header into the corner of the goal.

The visitors went two up a minute before half-time when the keeper Adam Smith launched a huge kick into the Breightmet half.

With defenders back-peddling Monton's Steve Kennedy latched on to the bouncing ball and coolly slotted home.

Monton repeatedly got behind the home defence and only some desperate defending prevented them from going further ahead.

With 20 minutes left Breightmet did manage to breach an otherwise solid defence, Simon O'Dowd poking home a consolation goal.
Smith had to be at his best to tip over a curling 25 yard free-kick from Breightmet but, that apart, they never really threatened Ammies, who moved up to joint sixth with the win.

Monton travel to New Mills on Saturday, kick-off 2.30 pm.

• Swinton Town's good run of results came to an end after they went down 2-1 at home to lowly Heywood St James in division one.

The visitors took the lead early in the first half with Town equalising almost immediately through Mark Platt.

Heywood then took the lead again midway through the half as Swinton struggled defensively.

A tactical switch after the interval saw the home side dominate but they found it difficult to break down Heywood's resolute defending.

With ten minutes to go, Town's Steve Wrigley hit the underside of the bar and Steve Smith latched on to the rebound only for the keeper to make a great save and deny Swinton a share of the spoils.

• Irlam MS first team had no game with a number of their players being involved with the county under-18s side.

The seconds enjoyed a good day at the office with a resounding 5-0 victory at Atherton Town. A brace from Gary Prescott and goals from Chris Doyle, Paul Dyke and Lee Cahoon secured the three points.

The firsts are back in action on Saturday when they entertain Leigh Athletic, kick-off 2pm.