Manchester League (From The Bolton News)

Manchester League

6:36pm Monday 16th November 2009

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LIAM Devlin was the Hindsford hero with a spectacular last-gasp equaliser in a 3-3 thriller at home to Leigh Athletic.

It was a dramatic end to an eventful Premier Division derby and no more than Hindsford deserved on a day when their summer investment in a major pitch overhaul paid dividends.

The Squires Lane club laid new drains and re-seeded their famous sloping pitch during the close season and their efforts were rewarded when their game beat the weather that put paid to many local fixtures.

Latics had opportunities to impose themselves in the first half but Kieron Halliwell twice failed from the penalty spot. Dane Grimes put Hindsford in front but the visitors equalised through Danny Wrigley to make it 1-1 at the interval.

Grimes restored Hindsford’s lead on the hour from a quickly-taken free kick but Latics hit back strongly. Andy Miller equalised with a header from Matt Wilkinson’s cross, and when Carl Shepherd’s speculative shot found its way in 10 minutes from time, they looked to be heading for a fourth win of the season.

But Hindsford refused to accept defeat and Devlin rounded off a sweeping move with a stunning strike at the death.

Beechfield United put in a gutsy performance before going down 1-0 at Wilmslow Albion in Division One.

United’s best chance of victory came in the second half but Walsh, E Carroll and Dennis all failed to beat the keeper and Albion grabbed a 73rd-minute winner.

Callum Smith (2), Craig Redshaw, Steve Binn and Danny Walker were on target as Fives Athletic reserves won 5-1 at Manchester Rovers in the Manchester Amateur Cup. Atherton Town reserves went down 9-1 away to Heyside.

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