HINDSFORD had an extra reason to celebrate the Bank Holiday weekend by retaining the Premier Division for the third successive time with a 3-0 victory against Stockport Gregorians.

Lee Bennett’s side were 2-0 up at half time with two goals by Luke Sylvester and with 10 minutes left David Moreno won a penalty which was despatched by Tom Valentine.

Boss Bennett said: “It was a top performance and I am so proud of the players. “We knew we needed to win our last five games to stand a chance. By winning four and drawing one it was enough.

“It was a fantastic effort by all the players to win the title especially after all the disruption we had at the start of the season.

“The manager left and a few players left and then we had some injuries.

“We came in with the nucleus of the side and combined well to win.

“We have not been out of the top two all season and the players deserved it.”

Meanwhile, Division One side Atherton Town lost 3-1 to Elton Vale at Hyde FC in the Murray Trophy on Thursday.

Elton Vale went 2-0 up with Gareth Gardiner scoring in the sixth and 21st minutes before Hensley Mills pulled one goal back on the half-hour Gardiner wrapped up the win in the 84th minute.

Elsewhere, Old Boltonians were denied the league trophy in the Premier Division of the Lancashire Amateur League after Prestwich recorded a 2-1 win against Tottington United to win the title by two points.

For the second successive year Prestwich brought home the silverware after going on a six-game winning run in the league.