County Cup glory for North Chadderton

North Chadderton U 19's Captain Andrew Bainbridge with the trophy and his teammates.

NORTH Chadderton under-18s are celebrating after their stunning 4-1 defeat of Southport in the final of the Lancashire County FA under-18s Cup at Leyland.

Goals from Matthew Pownall, Robert Barber, Karl Valentine and Jake Coe saw off the opposition which is the under-18s team of Conference Premier club Southport.

Currently on course for glory in the older Tameside Sunday League under-19s division thanks to 12 wins from 12 matches so far, this is only North Chadderton's second season as a team.

They are managed by former Hollinwood FC manager Mark Howard, who recently took the reins for a day at Royton Town in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League Premier Division due to the absence of Phil Haigh.

Of his North Chadderton charges, Howard said: “These are a great set of lads who will go a long way in the game.

“We have another season in the Tameside league under-19s and the long-term plan is to move into open-age football.”

North Chadderton’s next big game is a divisional cup final on Thursday night, but the showpiece Tameside Sunday League fixture is on May 5 when they will play in the Challenge Cup final at Ashton United's Hurst Cross ground.