MATT Downes scored an early contender for goal of the season on Saturday as Urmston Hockey Club men’s seconds ran out convincing 4-1 winners against Horwich men’s firsts.

Downes' brother Jonathon, Chris Martin junior and Nick Wilson also netted in a comprehensive team display to seal three points despite a late consolation for the home side.

Rick Clarke’s impressive return continued as he picked up the man-of-the-match award among strong competition.

Elsewhere, it was less of a success story as all other teams fell to defeats despite strong performances.

The ladies’ seconds' unbeaten start came to an end against fellow league pace-setters and free-scoring Rochdale firsts as they lost 1-0.

Despite Rochdale’s recent high-scoring run, Urmston’s defence held firm until a late goal despite the valiant performance of the defence, particularly players’ player and oppositions’ player, goalkeeper Tamsin Gray.

A threadbare ladies’ firsts lost 4-1 to second-placed Deeside Ramblers firsts despite Danielle Harvey’s goal.

Coming up against strong opposition and with no substitute for the final 20 minutes, the Greens could not keep the rampant Ramblers at bay despite Emma Brady’s tireless work as players’ player.

Octogenarian Harry Greenhalgh continued to roll back the years as he won man of the match in the men’s thirds' 10-5 loss to Bury men’s seconds.

Greenhalgh performed heroically as he stepped between the sticks, with Oliver Cooper and James Wright netting braces and Chris Seed doubling his tally for the season.

The ladies’ thirds were undone 3-1 by a strong Prescot thirds with Gemma Booth stepping in goal for the side.

Despite defensive heroics from Booth, Grace Gauntlett-Hessing, Lusy Buckley and players’ player Gabrielle Weaver, they could only hold Prescot’s forward line so far.

Debutants Rachel Reynolds, Ellen Shaw and Megan Whitley made their senior bows in some style as they performed admirably in a strong team performance.

Stefan Wasilewski helped himself to another goal and man-of-the-match award as he saw the men’s firsts go down 2-1 to a well-drilled Keswick men’s firsts.

Despite dominating play for large patches, the Greens could not unlock a resolute Keswick defence and impressive goalkeeping display with the Cumbrian strikers taking their chances.