Ace Owen helps Fold to tough victory

ELTON Fold's playing surface passed the weather test yet again last weekend as their home game against Monton Amateurs was one of only two matches to go ahead in the entire four divisions of the Air Miles Manchester League.

It paid off for Guy Mallinson's side as they notched up their first win in seven, although the manager was far from happy with his teams showing in a 4-2 victory. "We missed a bagful and gave away a really sloppy goal," he fumed.

Against ring-rusty visitors who'd only played one fixture since mid December, he saw his side take the lead after only 90 seconds, when Paul Owen fired into the roof of the net. On ten minutes John Armstrong volleyed the second home from the edge of the box but glorious chances to increase that lead were missed before the visitors hit back on the half hour mark.

Three minutes after the interval Damien Keegan did well to win possession and crossed for Owen to head the third in off the crossbar.

Yet again opportunities were wasted before Monton got their second, Fold losing possession easily in midfield and 'keeper Chris Brady incurring the wrath of his manager for a total misjudgement in coming out for a ball he never stood a chance of getting.

John Price curled a free kick into the top corner for the fourth with Owen later wasting a great chance for his hat-trick, and Mattie Wright denied a goal of the season contender with a scissors-kick effort which was superbly saved by the visitors goalkeeper. But two goal midfielder Owen got the man of the match nomination.