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Relegation battle comes to the boil

24/ 4/2008

PREMIER Division survival has suddenly become a case of perm one from four after an intensive round of midweek matches, failed fixtures, and goals galore.

VASA, who could not field a team against Blackley Alliance on Sunday, are down, but the second relegation spot will now be filled by one of the four teams currently on 12 points.

Cardinal Villa took all three points when Carters Rhodes failed to fulfil their home fixture at Parkfield on Sunday, and they are still awaiting the result of the investigation into their abandoned fixture against Langley Rangers – a game they were drawing when it ended prematurely .

If that result stands it will give Gary Rowbotham’s side a realistic chance of staying up.

Rangers all but ended Blackley Alliance’s slim title hopes last Thursday when goals from Tom Ward and Jamie Cannon steered them to a 2-1 win at Bowlee. But the wheels came off in spectacular fashion when they crashed 10-0 against champions-elect Langley Celtic on Sunday.

Rangers struggled to put a side together, and manager Chris Roach was among those forced to lace his boots again. And if there is one team you do not want to meet without a full squad it is Steve Horan’s all-conquering side.

Kevin Beattie scored four times, and there was a hat-trick for David Neville and two from Matt Landrigan. Rangers’ nightmare was completed by an own goal.

Celtic now need a maximum of a point from their remaining four games – and even that relies on Radclyffe Arms continuing their winning run-in.

Cook netted three and Burn the other two as Arms beat Alliance 5-2, a result which pushed Alliance into the relegation mix, albeit with games in hand on their rivals. Duffy and Appleton scored their goals.

Having waited 11 games for their first league win, Middleton Boys made it two in a row. Goals from Steve Walsh, Gareth Lilley and Antony Rowe were enough to see off Charlestown in a midweek encounter. Bates and Buckley netted for the visitors.

Lord (2), Gannon and Lewis netted as Middleton Colts beat Old David’s in a Subsiduary Cup match. Donoghue replied.