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Cannon-ball rounds off the scoring

13/12/2002

JUNIOR FOOTBALL: LEFT fullback Shaun Cannon scored his first goal of the season with a ferocious penalty in the last minute to extend Middleton Boy's under 11's lead at the top of the table to eight points. Boys beat Dean Sports 4-0 The top of the table clash with Deans Sport lived up to its expectations, with Deans playing some excellent football.

On 15 minutes, after some pinball football in the Deans' area, Boy's took the lead when midfielder Niall Hogan slotted in his ninth goal of the season. Middleton's lead was extended by Kieran McCarthy. With Deans trying to get an equaliser, Alex Walker's breakaway led to McCarthy stroking the ball home in the 37th minute.

Deans then went into top gear and applied pressure on the Middleton defence, but the defensive pairing of Jamie Hesketh and James Chapman were in outstanding form and cleared most of the trouble. On 42 minutes Deans were awarded a penalty for handball, but Callum Jackson saved the spot kick superbly. On 45 minutes Deans were awarded another penalty. This time the ball hit a post.

Middleton began to settle again, with Anthony Hoolickin taking charge of midfield. Neat play between Hoolickin and Urquhart released Walker to smash the ball home from five yards. In the last minute Middleton were awarded a penalty and up stepped Shaun Cannon to blast home. Men of the match were Anthony Hoolickin and the dominant James Chapman.

EAST Manchester 3 Middleton Colts 2: THIS under 12s game was highly competitive and very entertaining. Colts opened the scoring when Mike Rusk fed Michael Tilby who coolly slotted home past the advancing keeper. East Manchester equalised, but Colts took the lead once more when Vinny Taylor stabbed the ball home from a corner, only for the home side to level just before the break. Colts' Matthew Scraggs was player of the match, closely followed by Alex Purvis who looked like he'd scored the winner only to see his 30-yards lob sail over the keeper and the bar. A draw was looking a fair result when, in the final minute, and with the Colts' defence appealing for offside, an East Manchester forward broke to hit a cross shot into the roof of the net.

MIDDLETON Colts under 11s went into their cup tie against Walshaw Sports with a bare 11 players, due to injuries. But they gave a magnificent performance to win 10-2. Colts were three up inside 10 minutes, thanks to Liam Jenkins (2) and Lewis Ellis. Jenkins completed his hat-trick in the second half, to make it 4-0, before Walshaw pulled one back. Colts soon found their feet again, and centre back Ellis claimed his second. Walshaw were determined not to give up without a fight, and they scored a second goal, but it proved little more than a consolation. Colts took the game to another level, and Connor Milne headed in at his near post to make it 6-2. Lewis Ellis completed his hat-trick with a well-taken goal, then Alex Campbell volleyed home. Connor Milne claimed his second of the day after dancing past defenders, and Grant Jones rounded off the scoring with a powerful low strike.

MIDDLETON Juniors 3 Pearson Strikers 0: MIDDLETON under 9s made it four wins out of four to go top of the Bowlee Mini League. The cold weather and the competitive performance of the opposition seemed to knock Middleton out of their stride. But a good passing move led to Adam Harkin making it 1-0 to Middleton. Middleton continued to pass and put the Pearsons' defence under pressure. After a poor clearance Adam Harkin rifled a hard and accurate shot into the roof of the net. Jordan Andrews was again excellent for Middleton in goal. Two great saves kept the score at 2-0, then against the run of play Middleton broke to win a corner. Pearsons failed to clear, and Connell Eveleigh pounced on the loose ball in the box to place it in a corner of the net and seal a 3-0 victory for Middleton. Adam Harkin was named player of the match for his two superbly finished goals.

HOPWOOD Girls' under 12s returned to league action with an emphatic 10-1 win over second-placed Morecambe. Sophie Lynch turned in a cross from Andriana Bagshaw to open the scoring. Further goals from Francesca Toniolo and Keeliegh Savage gave Hopwood a comfortable lead, although they relaxed to allow Morecambe to reduce the deficit. Hopwood then moved up a gear, with Robyn Finc driving the ball home to restore their three-goal cushion, and Selina Flanagan added a fifth before half time. Lynch claimed her second after good work by Rachel Green, and Savage hit a stunning volley which almost broke the net. Toniolo fired in her second, Finc scored again, direct from a corner, and , debutant Emma Pye coolly stroked the ball home to cap a brilliant team display.