25/05/08

*    Burnage Metro Look to Expand

Didsbury based, Burnage Metro Football Club, are looking to expand it Managerial Team, for next season.

This season they recently received the F.A. Charter Standard mark, and are looking to expand its current Team structure.  This includes five Open aged team, an Under 18’s team and a Veterans team.

The Club now in its 75 year, prides itself on being a pivotal part of the South Manchester community.  If you are interested in being part of the management team, please contact Club Chairman, Maurice Perkins, (tel. 0161 480 5578 or 07954 586915) , or by email chairman@burnagemetro.co.uk.

On the playing side, if you are interested in joining the Club, Pre Season Training starts Saturday 5 July at its Simon Field base and all potential players are welcome.

[Details courtesy of Webmaster, Burnage Metro F.C.]

19/05/08

*    League Dinner

The Annual League Dinner took place at Edgley Park, home of Stockport County F.C.  Photographs of the award winners is available courtesy of Geoff Garnett.  [League Dinner 2008]

[Details provided by Russell Hoyte, Webmaster]

10/05/08

*    Great Show by Cheadle not Enough

CHEADLE Hulme Villa put up a great show in the Stockport Senior Cup final against Cheshire Leaguer's Cheadle Heath Nomads with the game played at Woodley SC.

Both teams held the lead before Nomads won 5-3 with Villa's Wayne Bromley having an outstanding game.

[Match report courtesy of Geoff Garnett]

*    Defiant Last Stand by South

SOUTH Manchester may have finished their season at the foot of the Premier division but they signed off with a defiant 3-2 win at former champions Denton Town. Netting for South were Azuku Atutu, Ian Rothwell and Badoo Drameh as South were made to regret many odd-goal defeats during the season.

But there was great reason for South to celebrate as their fine second team clinched the division A title from main rivals Whalley Range. They concluded their season with a 2-2 draw at Newton Heath with Nicky McCartan and Mark Wright on target while Range suffered a rare defeat going down 3-2 at Mellor.

[Match report courtesy of Geoff Garnett]

*    Media Confirmed as Runners Up in Division One

Despite a 3-0 defeat at Abacus Media Old Trafford confirmed their runners-up status in their first season in the top flight with the winners finishing their season on a high rising into fourth slot. Whalley Range were able to go on tour to Antwerp with the knowledge that they had won promotion to the Premier division alongside champions Moston Brook.

The main drama came at the other end of the table where a 2-1 win for Irlam Steel lifted them out of the bottom two to leave Chorltonians and Parrs Wood Celtic in the basement positions. With their place secure Burnage Metro were able to relax as they crashed to a 9-2 defeat against Hollingworth OB with their consolations coming from Chris McGreavey and Trevor Kelly.

[Match report courtesy of Geoff Garnett]

*    Thrilling Cup Drama

The destiny of four cup competitions was decided in some close and thrilling finals.

Alkrington Dynamoes seconds looked to be on their way to winning the Wray Cup at Trafford FC as they led Denton Town 2-0 going into the last ten minutes. But a late rally by Denton forced extra-time and in a tense finale Denton came through 4-3.

It was also close in the Whitehead Cup final before Beechfield United B eased home 2-1 against Stoconians.

Hollingworth OB completed a cup double as their u18's became the first holders of the Gordon Sutton Cup with a hard-earned 1-0 win over local rivals Tintwistle Villa.

A cute lob from Scott Flanagan gave Hollingworth an interval lead and although Villa were reduced to ten men for most of the second half they came back strongly and missed several chances to take the tie into overtime.

Hollingworth held on to add the trophy to the Rhodes Cup won by their senior team.  [Junior Glory for Hollingworth Old Boys]

[Match report courtesy of Geoff Garnett]

*    Late Penalty Robs Metro

Burnage Metro had three teams in action with the A team sharing the spoils in a 2-2 deadlock with Old Standians as Steve Garvey and Joe McGurk netted for Metro.

Metro C had two-goal star Colin Finch to thank for a 3-1 win over Irlam Steel with Matty Ford adding the other. Metro C shared ten goals with AFC Oldham as Andy Ross and Nick Turnbull bagged braces and Jeff Barnes completed the nap-hand.

Oldham grabbed a late point with a dubious penalty, that was not even a free kick, let alone a penalty.

Midweek action for the Metro teams saw all the games lost. Metro seconds lost 2-3 to Old Ashtonians with Chris Skeffington and Andy Speed scoring and Craig Worthington supplied the consolation for the A team in a 2-1 defeat by Newton. Jordan Taylor was the lone score in a 1-3 defeat by Beechfield United B and the C team could only fire blanks in a 0-2 defeat by AFC Oldham.

[Match report courtesy of Geoff Garnett]

07/05/08

*    Chorlts have a Full Diary

Chorltonians recent request for friendly fixtures met with an overwhelming success, and a very fully diary.  Unfortunately, they can’t play any more games but will be on the look out for games at the start of next season.

[Details courtesy of Tony McNicholls, Chorltonians F.C.]

03/05/08

*    Rhodes Joy for Hollingworth

Hollingworth Old Boys from Division One clinched the Rhodes Cup in dramatic fashion in Thursday night final at Curzon against Premier Division Runners-up Old Trafford.

Hollingworth took the lead through Robert Hatsthorne only to see O.T move into a 2-1 lead with goals from Ozabain and Williams. With little to choose between the two side the Hollingworth substitutions produced more pace up front causing the O.T. defence to make mistakes finally resulting in a last minute equaliser scored by Jamie Cross sending the match into extra time.

A goal apiece in extra time with Hollingworths substitute Damien Healey and a superb sole effort by O.T.'s Pete McGuire looked to be sending the final into the dramas of the penalty shoot out to decide the winner of what had been a superb cup final which also had the sting in the tail as Hollingworths Robert Hartsthorne grabbed a last minute winner and take the Rhodes Cup back to Hollingworth for the first time in the clubs history.

[Match report courtesy of Alan Simmons]

*    Woodward Gifts Strets Trophy

OLD Stretfordians picked up their first L and C trophy of the season as their B team overcame their Burnage Metro counterparts in the Hellawell Shield final on the fine artificial surface of Unibond club Woodley Athletic.

The game was a credit to both teams producing some excellent soccer from both teams, which demonstrates the high levels of performance and ability at this level in the league.

Strets always had the edge after the unfortunate Metro skipper Wayne Jones scored an unlucky own goal after two minutes.

Colin Finch levelled after eight minutes before Will Hobson restored the Strets lead before the break. Richard Woodward increased the Strets lead on 50 minutes but Simon Cash soon had Metro back in the game at 3-2 with a clinical finish when came a defining moment as Metro missed a penalty taken by Wayne Jones and well saved by Strets keeper Mike Kutianjk. Woodward went on to complete a fine hat-trick before Metro added a late consolation from Jordon Taylor.

[Match report courtesy of Alan Simmons]

*    Old Trafford Back to Winning Ways

Old Trafford overcame their disappointment in the Rhodes Cup Final returning to winning ways against Hooley Bridge Celtic with Pete McGuire scoring a brace in the 6-3 win.

[Match report courtesy of Alan Simmons]

*    Promotion in Range for Whalley

Whalley Range took a massive step towards promotion to the Premier Division with a 5-1 win at home to their closest rivals Old Strets. After looking comfortable at 3-1 with goals from Wes Stafford and a brace from Rob Kinsella they nearly paid the price for some sloppy defending which almost gifted the visitors a way back into the match which prompted manager Colin Glendon into changes which resulted in a goal scored by the hard working Caldwell to ease the nerves both on and off the pitch.

The final goal coming from the penalty spot neatly slotted home by Paul Farrell which now leaves them requiring a point from the final match to clinch promotion.

Div ision D action at Whalley Range where Hutchinson, Thompson and Franklin scored for the home side in a 3-3 draw with visitor's Ashtonians.

[Match report courtesy of Alan Simmons]

*    Gatley beat tired Hollingworth

Gatley took advantage of Rhodes Cup Final winners Hollingworth who after winning the cup on Thursday night could not match Gatley on the day as the visitor's ran out 7-2 winners.

[Match report courtesy of Alan Simmons]

*    Impressive Hulme

Stocs went down 5-2 at home to an impressive Cheadle Hulme Villa side who now finish the campaign in fourth spot scorers for Stocs were Matt Chilton and Stefan Wild.

[Match report courtesy of Alan Simmons]

*    Sorry Display by Metro

Not such good news for Burnage Metro as all four teams in action this weekend failed to register a point. Metro Firstst team going down 4-2 at home to mid table Newton Heath with Loz McHugh and Paul Scholes scoring for Metro.

The 2nd team at home to Hollingworth missed out going down 3-2 with Chris McGreavey and Craig Worthington getting the goals.

A depleted Metro fourth team suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Chorltonians.

Metro Division E side completed the set going down 3-2 to Newton goals from Matt Gittens and Russell Hoyte for Metro were not enough to bring any points home.

[Match report courtesy of Alan Simmons]

*    Merry Dozen for Chorlts

Chorltonians reserves took on Stoconians and came away with a creditable 2-0 success.

Chorlts' 3rd team took on Burnage Metro at Ford Lane and won by a comfortable 12-1 margin. Amongst the goals were Andrew Pearce with a hat-trick, Aaron St Louis with 2, Darrell Hadfield, Goalkeeper Terry McNicholls, Craig McKay and Richard Turner.

Chorltonians' struggling Fourth team couldn't keep the winning run going as they crashed 7-3 at home to Mellor. Jim Bradley was the Chorlts hero with his first hat-trick for 43 years.

[Details courtesy of Tony McNicholls, Chorltonians F.C.]

29/04/08

*    Strets Win in Great Final

OLD Stretfordians picked up their first L and C trophy of the season as their B team overcame their Burnage Metro counterparts in the Hellawell Shield final on the fine artificial surface of Unibond club Woodley Athletic.

The game was a credit to both teams producing some excellent soccer from both teams, which demonstrates the high levels of performance and ability at this level in the league.

Strets always had the edge after the unfortunate Metro skipper Wayne Jones scored an unlucky own goal after two minutes.

Colin Finch levelled after eight minutes before Will Hobson restored the Strets lead before the break.

Richard Woodward increased the Strets lead on 50 minutes but Simon Cash soon had Metro back in the game at 3-2 with a clinical finish when came a defining moment as Metro missed a penalty taken by Wayne Jones and well saved by Strets keeper Mike Kutianjk.