SPORT 37
November 16, 2023
Historic clubhouse prove ideal hosts
UNITED VIEW
Ben McCarthy
Luton victory vital before the break
Manchester United earned another much-needed victory on Saturday ahead of the inter- national break. Their 1-0 win wasn’t entirely convincing but at the moment fans will take anything they can get. That win means United have picked up more points than anyone in the Premier League over the last five matches, win - ning four and losing one. The performances haven’t merited that although as things stand, they are the ‘in-form’ team. And with close rivals dropping points over the week- end, it leaves the Reds sixth in the league, five points behind Spurs in fourth spot. It was yet again a defender who got United over the line. Victor Lindelof’s second-half goal was enough on the day to claim all three points at Old Trafford. Luton did defend well but United were once again poor in front of goal. Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rash- ford all had big chances but were unable to convert. The last forward to score a Premier League goal at Old Trafford was Jadon Sancho in a 2-1 win over Fulham on the final day of last season. A lack of goals from the front line has been a running theme so far this season. As mentioned before, the Reds find themselves sixth in the league, however, they do have a goal difference of minus three, having scored 13 and conceding 16. Only Man- chester United in their current turmoil could pull off such a confusing feat. The win over Luton was desperately required follow- ing the Red’s collapse to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League. A terrific opening 40 minutes was undone by a ridiculous red card for Marcus Rashford and completely al- tered the course of the game. To stand any chance of qualification Ten Hag’s men need to win their final two group stage games away to Galatasaray and a home tie against Bayern Munich, not impossible but just adds more
Vale Royal Abbey GC have been the hosts for the County Mixed Foursomes Championships since the competition began a few years ago. Once more they provided a bright sunny day and a course in good condition considering the awful weather in the days prior to the event. As always the historic clubhouse provided excellent hospitality and a friendly service for officials and players. This year saw the entry format changed as other players were able to play as well as the desig- nated club champions and there was a big field of 90 players with handicaps ranging from scratch to 41, welcomed to the first tee as always by Roger Scowcroft. Cheshire President Tony Greg- ory and his wife Linda (Stock- port) were able to experience playing in the competition for the first time and they enjoyed the company of Didsbury GC’s new Lady Captain Tricia Allison and her able partner David Newell. It was a tense finish to the competition with the outcome of the championship going to a cpo on 41 points. It was won by Macclesfield GC’s Chris Massey and Greeba Jones who were winners of the competition in 2020. The big hitting from Chris combined superbly with Gree- ba’s deft touch around the greens to take them across the line from Lily and Ian Jones (Prenton GC). It also needed a cpo on 38 points to take Sarah Dee and Adam Morrey into third spot from Jo Akers and Dave Quinn (Stamford). Another great day for mixed golf in Cheshire and Tony Gregory gave deserving praise to all had contributed from Vale Royal Abbey, the CUGC and the players to make this a very sociable and competitive day for county golf. A Derby Day Greensome at Stamford was close with C Waine and S Fletcher winning with 47 from J Kershaw and D Hough 46 and T Caffrey and W Fielden 45. A singles Stableford at Sad-
dleworth saw Steve ‘Majestic’ Moores lead in division one after a cpo on 36 with Iain Cash and Andy Li. Tony McNamara topped division two with 40 from Roger Devy 39 and Andy Thornton 38. An Open Turkey Shoot BB Stableford at Saddleworth attracted a full house and taking the biggest birds were Andy Thornton and Colin Campbell (Saddleworth) after a cpo on 36 with Mark and Asa Gordon (Sad- dleworth) and J Harrison and P McGuire (Hart Common). A Pro’s BB Stableford at Sad- dleworth also needed a cpo on 50 to see Bernard Andrew and Ian Lees cross the line ahead of Iain Cash and Phil Shearin, two more than James and Adam Slack. A midweek Stableford at Brookdale had Michael Arnfield in charge of division one with 40 from Andrew Walsh 39 and Stuart Naismith 38. In division two it needed a cpo on 41 to take Thomas Barlow home from Paul O’Rourke. A Seniors Stableford at Ashton had division one in the White Tee section needing a cpo on 34 to see Graham Johnson home from Amin Kiami. Division two was won by Brian Robinson 33 from Bob Meeks 32. The Yellow Tee divisional winners were Koon-Ping Wan 38 and Dennis Denny 35. A Greensome Foursomes at Ashton had R Payne and L Glad- wyn on top with 43 from A Hey and C Cardwell 41 and N Kay and C Richardson 40. The Wednesday Stableford at Denton had Andrew Naismith on top with 38, five more than Anony McGuire, John Parker and Ian Lakin. A Seniors Winter Stableford at Denton was won by Steve Bracken24 from Frank Goodwin 23 and John Williams 22. The Closing Day medal at Denton for the Johnstone Trophy was won by club legend Jim Cox after a cpo on 69 with Adam Thomas and next in was Bradley Waterfall winning a cpo on 70 from three other players. A 9-hole Stableford for Den -
ton ladies had Sheila McDonald in form control with 19 from Wendy Pollit 15 and Pam Wise- ley 13. A Gents Invitation to Ladies Greensome at Dukinfield was won by C Clough and L Shea after a cpo on 64.0 with S McClure and S Warburton, well clear of G Beresford and C Peel and D Slattery and Sally Lester both 72.0. A 12-hole Stableford for Fair- field ladies had Sandra Kennedy easing home with 26 from Zoe Gerrard 22 and Carole Phillips 21. High Legh Park Golf Club provided some stunning greens and a course in very good condition despite the recent wet weather and as usual excellent service at the 19th hole. It proved to another tight and very competitive competition in all of the sections. Chris Bibby was given great support by his partner Ken Sar- gent (Leigh) as they set the early pace posting a very useful haul of 43 points before late starters Ian Ridgway and Joe Bradbury (Disley) maintained their hot form at Bramhall last week to overtake them with a great score of 45. Elliott Tickle (Blackley) and last year’s Lady Captain at Sale Sue Oldham also posted 43 but lost out in the cpo to Chris and Ken. Ian Ridgway was the winner of the individual pro prize with 40, one more than Scott Howarth (Davenport) with Scott Jackson (Disley) and Phil Archer and Alex Pritchard (Poulton Park) tied on 37. In the Am Am section it was again decided near the end with Paul Barlow (Stamford) and his ever-reliable partner Paul Ralph (Hazel Grove) who came in with another fine haul of 45 to win a cpo from Billy Newsome (Dunscar) and Steve McDermott (Turton). In third spot with a point less were Dan Crook and Joe Manfre- di (Leigh). The final prize for Nearest the Pin was taken by Andy Palmer (Chorley).
pressure onto the Reds. Qualification would be ideal, but it would take a huge resurgence and given their performances it would be hard to argue they fully deserve it. Although the defeat to Co- penhagen was one where the Reds were hard done by the ridiculous red card decision. The international break is another chance for Ten Hag to reassess how he and his team progress this season. And it edges closer to the return of Johnny Evans, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia from injury, Shaw’s absence has been felt in particular. Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen both sus- tained injuries on Saturday and have been withdrawn from the Denmark squad. It’s unlucky and United have been overwhelmed by injuries this campaign. Perhaps this will provide Mason Mount with a run of games in the starting line-up. The England international has yet to fully announce himself
at Old Trafford since his move from Chelsea, but this could be the break he’s been waiting for. Despite their inconsistent performances, it doesn’t appear that United are a team devoid of team spirit. The celebrations for Lindelof’s goal saw the players huddled and embracing one another. And despite the speculation around Ten Hag’s future, it doesn’t seem like he has ‘lost’ the dressing room. When United do return they’ll need to show the same resolute they had last season. If they can continue to grind out results it may reduce the scrutiny and potentially build confidence. And I may sound like a broken record, but they need to start scoring more goals. The Reds next take on Ever- ton at Goodison Park before a tough run of games against Galatasaray, Newcastle, and Chelsea. Not too much of a tall order for the most in-form team in the Premier League.
This week’s football and rugby fixtures Football Fixtures Saturday FA Trophy Second Round Curzon Ashton v Matlock Town Northern Premier Town, Chasetown v Newcastle Town, Clitheroe v Leek Town, Kidsgrove Athletic v Stalybridge Celtic, Prescot Cables v Trafford, Runcorn Linnets v 1874 Northwich, Vauxhall Motors v Hanley Town
Didsbury & Chorlton NWCFL First Division South Droylsden v Stockport Georgians, Winsford United v New Mills
Heaton Moor v Aldwinians, Widnes v West Park, Bolton v Wilmslow Counties 2 adm Lancashire & Cheshire De La Salle v Hoylake, Sefton v Fleetwood, Southport v Littlebor- ough, Trafford MV v Leigh, Liverpool Collegiate v Oldham, Tyldesley v New Brighton Counties 3 adm Lancashire & Cheshire Bury v Clitheroe, Dukinfield v Orm - skirk, Garstang v Burnley, Old Bedians v Wigan, Thornton Cleveleys v Orrell Counties 4 adm Lancashire & Cheshire Colne & Nelson v Blackpool, Elles- mere Port v Birchfield, Marple v Chorley
ter City v Peterborough Sports, Scarborough Athletic v King’s Lynn Town, Scunthorpe United v South- port, South Shields v Curzon Ashton, Tamworth v Brackley Town Northern Premier League Bamber Bridge v FC United of Manchester, Guiseley v Matlock Town, Ilkeston Town v Ashton United, Macclesfield v Atherton Collieries, Radcliffe v Whitby Town NWCFL Premier AFC Liverpool v Pilkington, Glossop North End v Longridge Town, Irlam v Charnock Richard, Ramsbottom United v Wythenshawe Town, Skelm- ersdale United v Colne, Squires Gate v Kendal Town, Wythenshawe v West
Rugby Fixtures Saturday Regional 2 North East
The Macron Cup Second Round Litherland REMYCA v Chadderton, New Mills v Route One Rovers Tuesday National League North Alfreton Town v Chester, Banbury United v Bishop’s Stortford, Blyth Spartans v Chorley, Boston United v Rushall Olympic, Buxton v Hereford, Darlington v Warrington Town, Farsley Celtic v Spennymoor Town, Glouces-
Atherton Collieries v Marine, Basford United v Workington, FC United of Manchester v Guiseley, Gainsborough Trinity v Bradford (Park Avenue), Mar- ske United v Lancaster City, Morpeth Town v Ilkeston Town, Warrington Rylands v Worksop Town, Whitby Town v Bamber Bridge NPL West Avro v Mossley, Bootle v Hednesford
Bridlington v Rochdale, Dronfield v Goole, Glossop v Scarborough, Malton and Norton v Old Crossleyans, Moortown v Morley, Old Brodleians v Selby Counties 1 adm Lancashire & Cheshire Aspull v Warrington, Broughton Park v Eccles, Didsbury Toc H v Tarleton,
IN SHOPS
MOBILE
ONLINE
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online