Chadderton bow out

CHADDERTON gave a gutsy display in last night’s 3-2 defeat at Atherton Collieries in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase.

Despite Collieries being from one division higher in the Vodkat North West Counties League, there was little to separate the two teams.

The Broadway club was punished for two defensive mistakes as Alex Dunn and Chadderton old boy Troy Hayder gave Collieries a 2-0 half-time lead.

Chadderton halved the deficit early in the second half through a Marvin Walters header as they staged a spirited recovery.

Louis Maynard hit an upright and Bobby Fulham struck the crossbar while James Mooney had two shots well saved and Chris Carruthers also went close.

Chadderton’s hopes of victory were dealt a blow when Micky Green was sent off for a second bookable offence.

They were caught out again when Dunn restored Collieries’ two-goal advantage but Keith Melvin struck a second goal for Chadderton with a long-range shot to set up an exciting final 11 minutes.