ROYAL OAK have, fittingly, maintained a "royal" connection with the Redwaters Coronation Cup.

They took first grip of the new trophy when they beat Leigh Eagles 2-1 in Monday's thrilling final.

Paul Cottrell gave them an early lead, Anthony Hamilton levelled with a super volley, Bryan Hill grabbed the winner.

Dave Calland (Royal Oak) was named MoM and Don Fitzsimmons of Redwaters Construction handed over the trophy.

It's a hectic time in the Leigh & District Football League.

Eagles look good for runners-up spot in Division One. They beat a depleted Rileys side (who had only 10 men) 2-0, Stuart Welsh and Hamilton on target. Home keeper Duncan Flynn brilliantly kept the score down.

Royal Oak beat Church Inn 2-1, Calland and Mark McHugh getting the double, Mike Haseldine the single.

The Division Two title could be decided this evening when Hag Fold WMC play Union Arms.

If Union grab a point the crown is theirs, if Hag Fold win a play-off is likely.

Union scored a 6-1 win against Leigh Victoria. Paul Valentine, Gary Howcroft, Paul Monaghan 2, Colin Neimiec and John Waterworth scored the six, John Kelly scored the one.

Butchers Arms won 3-0 at The Ellesmere (Matthew Pollard, Gary Renshaw and a Mark Royle og) and swamped Corbett Brewery 9-1 with goals from Gary Newby 2, Wayne Thompson 2, Mark Brennan 2, Billy Killeen, Dave and Gary Renshaw. Shane Brennan replied.

Hag Fold WMC beat Leigh Phoenix B 5-3 (John Hall, Brian Hupton 2, Phil Green 2 for WMC, Scott Mulcrow after 15 seconds, Sean Keating and Paul Lythgoe for Phoenix) and then beat Sir Charles Napier 7-1, Hupton 2, Stuart Higgins 2, Alan Hall 2 and Green on top target, Kenny Williams grabbing the consolation.

In the Carl Brown Memorial Trophy (Group A) Royal Oak drew 1-1 with Atherton C&N (Calland for Oak, Pete Jackson for C&N). Oak need one point from their final game, against Rileys, to qualify for the semi-finals; if Rileys win, C&N qualify.

In Group B Eagles swamped Atherton Tigers 8-0 to move a step closer to their third semi of the season. Clinton Andrews 4, Steve Kettley 3 and Hamilton on target.

New teams are now being accepted for next season. The league is also looking for a secretary. Write to 7 Birchfield Avenue, Atherton M46 0HR for details.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.