Chaddy triumph in nine-goal thriller

Non-league football by Ryan Booth

Jack O’Leary struck in the final minute as Chadderton came from behind to secure a 5-4 midweek triumph over Bacup Borough in an enthralling contest at the ARK Fleetech Stadium.

Alongside O’Leary’s effort, Jack Ward claimed a brace, while Jack Snape and Aaron Scholes also got in on the act as Chaddy earned a crucial victory.

The hosts flew out of the blocks and quickly established a two goal lead as Ward claimed his first before Snape added a second soon after.

However, Bacup responded well and pulled one back less than 20 minutes later as debutant Jason Jarrett notched his maiden goal for the club.

Some good work from Matthew Bryan helped kickstart the move, before former Athletic man Jarrett fired past Jordan Latham.

The visitors’ hard-work was soon to be undone, though, when Bacup midfielder Charlie Collinge saw red for an off-the-ball incident.

After the break, Bacup took control and found themselves level when Bryan turned from provider to goalscorer - the forward nodded home from close range after Jarrett’s effort was parried by Latham.

Minutes later, Bryan grabbed his second - this time producing a clinical finish as Brent Peters’ side remarkably reversed the deficit.

Despite the turnaround, Chadderton weren’t to be denied and were finally rewarded for their patience when Scholes struck with just ten minutes left.

Jarrett pounced again to restore his side’s lead, but Chaddy responded once more as Ward struck for the second time, before O’Leary pounced in the final minute to complete a dramatic comeback.

The Reds now lie 17th in the Hallmark Security League First Division - 11 points clear of the drop zone.

Chaddy boss David Fish was delighted with his side’s work ethic and feels the win is a real statement of intent.

He said: “The spirit in the team now is such that we don’t know when we are beat and we are showing a real team spirit and togetherness.

“We demonstrated again that we are able to stand up to and compete against an older, more physical side.”

The Broadway-based side continue to produce an everlasting conveyor belt of homegrown talent - something Fish is immensely proud of.

“On Twitter it was noted that all of our scorers were aged 20 or younger,” added the manager.

“This made me look at the squad and of the starting 11 only three players were aged 21 or older and only one of the five subs.

“This is very much a team that is learning, while winning the game in the manner we did says a lot of about the tenacity and resilience of this group of players.”

Elsewhere, Danny Hall’s strike wasn’t enough as Mossley suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Clitheroe at Seel Park.

Two goals from Kurt Willoughby along with a further strike from skipper Danny Brady ensured the visitors left with maximum points.