Alan at it again as Chaddy warm up for shield clash

Match of the Day D&J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League

Chaddy End FC 3, Failsworth Athletic 1

CHADDY End FC go into this weekend’s Manchester County FA Invitation Shield clash against Moston Labour Club in fine fettle.

They warmed up for Sunday’s showdown with a comfortable win over Failsworth Athletic in the D&J Builders (North West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League.

It promises to be a busy campaign for Chaddy End, who were runners-up in the Jack Abbott premier division last season.

Not only are they expected to challenge for local league honours, but Danny Dorward’s young side are also in the North-West Champion of Champions Cup, where they have been drawn away to the strangely-fancied Oyster Martyrs from Liverpool.

Chaddy are in the Champions’ Cup because Legends of Lees — who won the title — have disbanded.

But immediately on the horizon is the first round tie in the Invitation Shield at Mabel Road on Sunday (2pm).

And it promises to be a cracking contest as Moston Labour Club are from the Ashton Sunday League.

Chaddy are in the competition courtesy of their excellent run in the MCFA Sunday Cup last season.

Dorward had to sit out last weekend’s victory over Athletic because of other commitments, leaving Rob Fielding to take charge of team selection and tactics.

Alan Beckett, a new addition to the Chaddy squad this season, scored two of the goals on the back of his nine for Hollinwood 24 hours earlier. Dave Philbin got the other.

Dave Cain converted an Andy Callaghan cross for Athletic’s reply.

Fielding said: “We scored against the run of play and we probably didn’t deserve to be in front at half time.

“Chris (Cogger) made some good saves but we were generally on top in the second half.”

CHADDY END FC: Cogger, Childs, Pickup, Fielding, Deakin, Greaves, Whittaker, Philbin, Beckett, Minnock, Alexander. Sub: Frost.

FAILSWORTH ATHLETIC: Fitton, Wildbore, Stockwell, Robertson, Helme, Billington, Eyre, Simpson, Cain, Olive, Callaghan. Subs: Greenaway, Gibson, Lees, Maidment.

Referee: D Heron.