Pennington early joy shortlived

BOTTOM of the Premier table Pennington took an early lead at home to Elton Fold but precious little is going right for Micky Hardman's team at the moment.

Paul Bowers was the scorer but Fold levelled before the break through John Armstrong and went on to seal a 3-1 victory with second half goals from Paul Owen and Mark Isherwood.

The disappointed Pennington boss said: "At 1-1 I felt we were just getting on top. Sam Heenan took a beauty of a free kick, the keeper somehow got to it and finger-tipped it onto the crossbar, straight down the other end and we give a penalty away.

"That's how it is going for us at the moment. I was proud of the lads but the breaks are going against us."

Centre back Phil Richardson was named man of the match. Pennington Reserves, who have been transformed since Jason Tyldesley took over as manager, suffered a shock 4-1 defeat at Whitworth Valley, whilst Fold's 2nds drew 2-2 at Stockport Georgians and Atherton Town Reserves beat Old Alts 5-1 at home, Anthony Lavery (2), Phil Sheehan, Tommy Stokes and Gary Fitzmartin the scorers.

Leigh Athletic moved above Atherton Town in the Premier Division table into second place as two goals from Danny Wilson and one from Gordon Walker earned a 3-1 home win over current leaders Stockport Georgians. Latics 2nds won 8-4 at Whalley Range.

In Division One a goal two minutes into injury time saw Breightmet United denied all three points in a 3-3 home draw with Whitworth Valley.

. Paul Gallagher bagged all three for United, the first from the penalty spot after Damien Harper had been fouled, the second a solo effort after the visitors had taken a 2-1 lead and a volleyed third on 85 minutes. Breightmet Reserves drew 1-1 at Wythenshawe Town.

LFA AMATEUR CHALLENGE SHIELD

It needed extra time for Atherton Town but they eventually overcame Lucas Sports 3-1 to seal an Amateur Shield last thirty two away tie at Lancaster outfit Slyne-With-Hest to be played on Saturday October 27. Saturday's Liverpool opponents, Shield semi finals last term, took the lead on ten minutes and although Town had the better of play the visitors' keeper was in inspired form. The vital breakthough came on 80 minutes when a storming run from Baz Atkins was finished off by Phil Hornby. In extra time Dave Brookes crossed and Leighton Packaging man of the match Sean Taylor soared to head into the top corner. The tie was killed of when Neil Lewis set Daniel Christie through to fire into the top angle.