Royton Control Alts' Defeat !

And so to Crossford Bridge and a Gilgryst Cup clash between Old Altrinchamians and Royton Town in another hastily arranged Manchester League team cup competition - this one solely for Premier Division sides. Three leagues of five, home and away, with the tabletoppers and best second place team earning the right to play in the semi finals, and then the final at Hyde in June.

Old Altrinchamians FC was established in 1920, meaning their centenary year proved to be a huge disappointment. The club was set up for alumni of Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, which includes Paul Allott (the Lancashire and England cricketer), Ian Brown and John Squire (from the Stone Roses) and, er, me, my brother and my godson.... (the infamous Fred Talbot was also a teacher there).

Next to the Bridgewater Canal and Manchester University Boat Club, with the complex also supporting Sale Harriers Athletics Club, Alts originally played in the Altrincham and District Amateur League.

The side, after two FA Vase entries in the mid 1970s, moved up to the Manchester League and were promoted as runners up to the Premier League in 2004. Resignation, and expungement, followed in 2005 before Alts rejoined the league in Division One in 2007.

The club was promoted in 2008/09, again as runners up, and then relegated in 2014 but immediately bounced back as champions. The 2019/20 campaign saw them bottom (15th) at curtailment, but three wins and three losses left the Old Boys just below half way last time - 9th of 15.

Royton Town FC was established as the Scott Benham works side in the Rochdale Alliance League, the company incorporated in 1870 and latterly taken over by Thorn EMI and Electrolux. Changing their name to Royton Town FC in 1985, the team remained unbeaten for two and a half seasons, progressing to the Lancashire Amateur League in 1994.

The club, based at Oldham Academy North on Broadway, moved to the Manchester Football League in 1999 and was swiftly promoted to the Premier League in 2002, where they have remained ever since. Champions in 2004, and runners up in 2016, Town sat 13th at null and voidance in 2020, and exactly midway in 8th after those 11 minutes of madness prior to New Year at Manchester Gregorians, with ten points from nine matches.

Through De Quincey Park, and then down Washway Road from suburbia to Bohemia (hair salon), via Laserina (clinic) and then Utopia (Bodhi Tree Buddhas - really !). Beyond Eyebrow Cottage and right at Delicia into Dane Road, then left onto Danefield Road and Crossford Bridge appears after One Brand Magic - numberplates 1 OBE and B3D XX featuring today.

Alts are in black and white stripes, Royton in yellow and green resembling lemon and lime - the first team tree lined pitch up top with opposing dugouts and railings. The complex hosts three other full size pitches, the middle one featuring an Open Trophy tie between both sides' reserve teams (a Royton team member tells me this finishes 6-1 to Alts - but actually it ended up 7-1 !!), two mini pitches and Sale United FC's clubhouse.

In glorious sunshine the match kicks off at 1302; crucially the pitch and Sale Harriers' enclosed arena are bisected by a public footpath leading to the Bridgewater Canal, meaning spectators are allowed. 37, give or take a dogwalker or two, show up with a healthy away following.

The away supporters are rewarded with a first half utterly dominated by Royton. Eventually, on the quarter hour, a misplaced away pass sits up nicely for centre back Jack Worrall to hit a 30 yard worldy, arcing into the top left hand corner, and Town lead 1-0.

Five minutes on and Worrall's free kick is fumbled by the Alts' stopper; Joe Gidley slots home the rebound to make it 2-0. Liam Wood misses two great chances, one extraordinarily from a two on none having sidestepped the keeper. From the Old Boys nothing worthy of note bar a wild shot threatening to interfere with the match on an adjoining pitch.

2-0 at the break but the second period sees Alts score three minutes in from a double howler from Royton. Their dozing left back is dispossessed by the home side's right winger who shoots and his effort goes through diminutive keeper Harry Fleet's hands to halve the deficit. Alts are briefly in the ascendancy but it still takes an exceptional save at the opposite end to keep it at 2-1 to Royton.

Eventually the visitors regain control and with eight minutes to go Ethan Sutcliffe has a goal disallowed for offside. No matter, as a minute later the same player is tripped, winning and then scoring the penalty kick for 3-1...and that is pretty much that !!

Deer Deer: Hinds Hit For Six By Govaners

And so to the Murray Trophy, a hastily concocted Manchester League cup competition - 4 leagues of 5, home and away, with the 4 group winners going into the semi finals. So it's off to Platt Fields in Fallowfield for this afternoon's clash between Govan Athletic (clearly not from Glasgow - more of which anon...) of Division 1 and Hindsford Reserves of Division 2.

Govan Athletic was established in 2001 by Jack Norbury, who still manages the team. Apparently Jack was so inspired by Sir Alex Ferguson's autobiography that he set up a football club named after Fergie's birthplace, as you do....

Athletic competed in the Stockport Football League in 2001/02, finishing as runners up, and moving up to the Lancashire & Cheshire Amateur League as a consequence. Division 2 was won in 2007/08, with Govan champions of Division 1 the following season. 

Athletic joined the Manchester League in 2016, were relegated to Division 2 in their first season, but were promoted back to Division One the following year. 6th from 13 and 6th from 12 in the past two truncated seasons points to mid-table consistency.

Hindsford AFC, between Atherton and Tyldesley, was set up in 1926, joining the Westhoughton League. However there is evidence of another club, Hindsford Church House, dating back to 1911.

The Hinds, aka the Tonics, joined the Lancashire Combination in 1950, stopping for three seasons. Thereafter they took up a position in the First Division of the Manchester League for the 1998/99 campaign, earning promotion in 2005 to the Premier.

Hindsford have been crowned champions of the Premier League on four occasions - three consecutive years between 2012 and 2014, and then again in 2019.

A familiar, heavily potholed route, takes me past Arthur's Seat, Serendipitea (& Coffee !) and Hands of Buddha Beauty Therapy. Then Red Sky Yoga before I hit the council towers in Stretford, the former iconic Drum pub and the Essoldo, turning right towards Chorlton. 

Beyond Longford Park, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Lady Bountiful, Dooze Corner, King Bee Records and Gita Bhavan Hindu Temple brings me to TM Fortis, apparently 'Manchester's Leading Immigration Specialists'.... Right on to Yew Tree Lane and Platt Lane Sports Complex affords plenty of parking - today's registration plates are 12 ME and 411OY (wheels I think rather than scrap metal...)

The complex, part of MMU (Manchester Metropolitan University) 1824 hosts two main astroturf pitches, the far one with rugby posts and a sports hall - closed, meaning home players are requested to arrive at 1.10pm, wearing black shorts and socks, and with their own mask, sanitiser and drink. There is also a mini astroturf pitch next to the main building, a gym and another 3G surface adjoining Platt Lane.

In glorious sunshine a crowd of 7 congregates for the 2pm kick off, swelling to 8 at the death, including at least one away fan (!) - Holy Trinity church providing an impressive backdrop. Athletic in red and black, Hindsford in yellow and black, no linesmen and a very young referee informing us that it's RORO (Roll On Roll Off) substitutions.

Within 3 minutes a shocking defensive clearance allows Govan's right winger Nathan Hind to rifle the ball into the roof of the net, and five minutes on Hal Wood heads a free kick narrowly wide. The advantage is doubled on 18 minutes - Hind accelerating down the wing, given far too much space and steering into the far corner.

There follows a Hindsford goal line clearance and, with the away stopper flapping like a shirt on the washing line, a penalty box scramble. In response the Tonics create one real chance with their centre forward scuffing a shot onto the post.

2-0 at the break, which lasts just under 7 minutes. The away side's team talk is direct and earthy, whilst Govan's is all about 'game management' and a magnetic tactics board.....

Clearly too much for the home players as the Hinds start the second period much the better. However eight minutes in their adventure proves costly as from their corner they leave one man as defensive cover, and when the move breaks down sub Jordan Clarke is through on the Hinds' keeper. An inexplicable hand ball outside the box results in a red card and his expulsion as the visitors go down to ten.

With no replacement goalkeeper the Tonics put outfield player Jacko between the sticks, and he proceeds to pull off a string of outstanding saves. Not to be outdone home stopper Adam Clifford makes a tremendous double save to deny Hindsford's number nine.

Eventually numbers tell and on 69 minutes, after switching wings, Hind rams home a recycled ball to make it 3-0. Three minutes later it's Hind 4 Hinds 0 as Nathan makes it a foursome with a measured placed finish into the opposite corner. He is immediately substituted - presumably to let someone else have a chance !!

With a quarter of an hour to go Kristian Green heads in, unchallenged, Siyam Muhammad's free kick to make it five. Soman Muhammad's almost apologetic finish with four minutes left concludes matters at 6-0 and it's all over by twenty to four ☺