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Beechfield secure maiden crown

3/ 4/2008

BEECHFIELD United clinched their first Lancashire and Cheshire League Premier Division title after 11 years in the league with a 3-1 win at Old Trafford.

Old Trafford gave themselves hope of denying United the title as they took the lead on 50 minutes when Paul Leech fired home.

However, United showed their quality five minutes later when Anthony Weall volleyed home from veteran skipper Richard Jackson’s cross.

Although Old Trafford piled on the pressure, they were denied by some rugged defending and some wayward shooting before they were opened up again by the Jackson-Weall combination.

A last-minute goal from the outstanding Danny Rowcroft sealed the title for United who now have the Manchester Challenge Cup in their sights.

Bottom club South Manchester went down 2-1 against a Hazel Grove side who look to have kept their top-flight slot.

Josh Taylor and Paul Whalley put them 2-0 up at half-time, and although South pulled a goal back through Hector Samuels, it was too little, too late.

Hooley Bridge Celtic are now looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone after losing 4-1 against Rochdalians.

The main focus in division one was the battle to avoid relegation as Irlam Steel and Parrs Wood Celtic had much-needed wins, beating Eagle 5-2 and Newton Heath 5-3 respectively.

Basement club Chorltonians looked to be continuing their good run of form when they led Spurley Hey 3-0, only for the match to be abandoned because of torrential rain.

Chorlts’ seconds were beaten 2-1 at Eagle, Bobby Brown with their consolation goal.

In division two, VIP FC kept in touch with the top two as Anthony Wickens (two) and Nathan McCrohan saw them come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Heaton Mersey.

Whitehead Cup action saw Burnage Metro A defeat Old Ashtonians 3-2 after extra time, Craig Worthington (two) and Chris McGreavey finding the net.

Bedians A cruised into the quarter finals with a 7-2 win over Irlam Steeel, while the seconds were 2-0 winners over Beechfield.

Joining them in the next round were Stoconians who won 3-0 at Whalley Range with Rob Morris (two) and Paul Haughton on target.

Metro’s seconds drew 2-2 against Rochdalians, Phil Birchall and Tom Silson earning a point.

Chorltonians’ A team lost their cup game 3-0 against Moston Brook while Paul Piper (two) and Anthony Hardy gave the B team a 3-2 victory over Bedians.

Whalley Range B bowed out of the Hellawell Shield, going down 4-2 to Old Stretfordians with their goals coming from Ron Williams and an own goal.