By Ron Hodkin
FBT Manchester League Premier Division
AFC Monton 2 Boothstown FC 1
AFC Monton hosted local rivals and newly promoted side, Boothstown FC and after an entertaining game emerged with three more valuable early season points courtesy of goals scored by Matty Campbell and Aaron Swift.
The visitors started the game brightly and Monton keeper Phil Pole was forced into action after fifteen minutes with a good save. Five minutes later Monton’s Lee McNally almost opened the scoring as his cross cum shot rebounded off the Boothstown woodwork with their keeper beaten.
On twenty five minutes the livewire Matty Campbell came close for Monton as his low drive hit the side netting but then twenty minutes later he found the back of the Town net with a close range finish after their keeper failed to hold a strike by Monton’s Reece Hardy.
With Monton leading at half time the re-start saw them in a more confident mood and they increased their lead on fifty five minutes after some very slick passing saw Aaron Swift sweep the ball past the Town keeper.
To their credit the visitors kept battling and gained some reward just after the hour mark with a powerful twenty yard shot which took a deflection to beat Monton keeper Pole and gave them some hope of a late comeback but Monton stuck to their task and comfortably saw out the remainder of the game to secure the points.
FBT Manchester League Division 2
Elton Vale reserves 0 AFC Monton reserves 1
AFC Monton reserves travelled to Elton Vale for this second division fixture and came away with all three points thanks to a Ryan Pollard goal and a much improved team performance.
Manager Phil Meadows had a more experienced squad to work with for this game and it showed as the Ammies quickly settled and played with confidence and passion.
The decisive goal was well finished by Ryan and proved enough on the day to achieve their first win of the season.
