A YOUNG and skillful St Helens Combination squad had their hopes of glory in the North West Inter Leagues Alliance Competition dashed at the semi-final stage by a gritty and determined Rochdale Alliance League outfit.
Although way behind the local lads in passing footballing ability, Rochdale made better use of the bumpy, hard, end-of-season pitch conditions at Atherton Collieries FC ground on Saturday to go through 2-1.
Leading after three minutes courtesy of a somewhat harsh hand-ball penalty decision, Rochdale scored a second when a long ball caught defenders napping and despite Paul Forrester's dash out of goal, centre forward Smith cracked in the goal.
St Helens went close on several occasions before finally finding the net five minutes from time when great football from midfield allowed Steve Kenny to float over a centre which Steve Abbott headed home.
But despite increased pressure in the final minutes they were unable to grab an equaliser.
The final league games of the season took place last Tuesday when Earlestown came back from 0-3 down to beat Sportsmans 5-3 and Cowley Hill Park Reserves finished with a flourish thrashing a Grosvenor Park outfit 8-0.
League honours, thus sorted at last, are Star Premiership Champions are College St Helens with Billinge FC runners-up.
Division One Champions are Clock Face Miners Welfare, with Rifle FC in second spot, while Pilkingtons A have emerged as Division Two Champions, with Grosvenor Park Rangers runners-up.
The Sunday Division championship, decided a couple of weeks ago, went to East Sutton Labour, but the runners-up spot was only settled at the last game, Penlake clinching it with a 4-2 beating of Owens Corning.
Commenting on the season, chairman Eric Bond said that it had been an extraordinary difficult task practically all the season. The bad weather had really tested the ability and patience of not only fixture and league officials, but the dedication of players, officials and referees who had sometimes had to make decisions and venue changes at the last miniute.
He thanked who had contributed towards achieving a complete programme which at one stage had looked in jeopardy.
RESULTS
May 13
Sunday Division: Penlake 4 Owens Corning 2.
Monday, May 14
Semi-Final North West Alliance Championship: St Helens Combination 1 Rochdale District League 2
Tuesday, May 15
Division One: Sportsmans Athletic 3 Earlestown 5
Division Two: Cowley Hill Park Reserves 8 Grosvenor Park Reserves 0.
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