Lethal Laird is a muddy marvel

JACK Laird hit two goals as Athletic's under-18s saw off local rivals Rochdale 2-1 in the North-West Conference of the Football League Youth Alliance.

Kyle Riley set up the first in a game played at Ashton United's Hurst Cross ground and, after a Dale equaliser, more good approach play again paid off for Laird.

Athletic goalkeeper Shaun Routledge was forced into a pair of late saves, but Tony Philliskirk's side hung on in a scrappy clash played in heavy conditions.


DANIEL Philliskirk, son of Tony and a former youth prospect at Boundary Park, has signed for Sheffield United on a one-month loan from Chelsea.
The 19-year-old is a former captain of the Premier League club's youth team and spent a period earlier this season on loan at Oxford United.

Philliskirk joined Chelsea from Athletic in 2007 for an initial six-figure fee.