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Dusty Miller 1 - 4 Stonemasons

30/ 4/2008

STONEMASONS were crowned Rochdale Alliance Asia Division One champions on Saturday in stunning style away to Bury outfit Dusty Miller, who hadn’t been beaten in their last six outings.

The visitors turned on the style and passion they have shown all season to dominate the game. They were in full flow from the kick-off, spreading the ball around with confidence.

Kirk Orman was on fire, tormenting the Miller defence with his surging runs, earning two freekicks in the first five minutes of the match, only to see the hosts’ goalkeeper pull off two good saves from Carl Orman efforts.

Stonemasons were soon rewarded for their bright start when Kirk Orman played a slick pass to the left side of the penalty area, where Martyn Smith coolly laid the ball into the path of John McHale on the penalty spot and he slammed home.

Minutes later, McHale burst past the Miller centre half before drilling the ball under the hapless keeper.

In rampant mood, Masons continued to press and, but for the woodwork and good saves from the Miller keeper, they could have scored several more. Carl Orman, Stephen Penrose, Danny Doran and Smith all went close.

The third goal came from Andrew Carr’s corner to the near post, Mark Hughes nipping in front of his marker to produce a scissor-kick which foxed the defender and goalkeeper.

Dusty Miller pulled a goal back 15 minutes into the second half, but the result was sealed when a flowing move, involving David Flanagan, Carr, Danny Doran and Karl Orman ended with McHale feeding Smith, who volleyed home from 10 yards.

Stonemasons’ goalkeeper Taylor saved a penalty in the closing stages.

Man of the match was Karl Orman.

The Heywood outfit have two league games left, before taking on Santos in the E Lythgoe Cup final on 29 May at Castleton Gabriels ground. Hopefully they can round off a successful season in style and complete a league and cup double.