Non-League round up

OLDHAM Town added the name of Congleton Town to their growing list of cup giantkilling acts.

The latest triumph came in the FA Vase against the Cheshire club which is one division higher in the Vodkat North West Counties League.

Darren Scanlan was Town’s 47th minute matchwinner as he scored a superb individual goal worthy of winning any game.

The striker striker picked up the ball on the far edge of the penalty area, nutmegged full-back Andy Bostock and beat Steve Millington before rifling the ball home from eight yards.

And it was a victory which was achieved in adversity after Town lost central defender and captain Tim Buxton after only seven minutes with a broken nose.

Town at times rode their luck in the opening half when Congleton could have built a commanding advantage but for the heroics of keeper Matty Blair who made a number of important saves. However, after Scanlan broke the deadlock, Town dug in and defended resolutely.




MOSSLEY were unable to replicate their FA Cup success as they crashed to a dramatic 5-1 home defeat by Stocksbridge Park Steels in the preliminary round of the FA Trophy.



It was a victory which flattered the visitors, who scored an amazing four goals in the final seven minutes - James Vardy netting a hat-trick in the space of four minutes.

At half-time Mossley could never have envisaged what was in store as they were 1-0 ahead through a Lee Blackshaw header.

In fact they might have had doubled that advantage but for Graham Kay’s header rattling the crossbar.

Steels drew level within four minutes of the restart when Andy Ring scored from close range.

And a triple substitution from Mossley manager Chris Willcock had a negative effect as Steels gained control, finally taking the lead in the 83rd minute when Carl Fothergill broke clear.

And then it was Vardy’s late cameo which left Mossley reeling as they suffered their heaviest defeat of the season.




CHADDERTON were undone by two late goals as they lost 3-1 at Padiham in division one of the Vodkat NWCL.



The Broadway side might could have scored three times before Nick Ridhalgh put Padiham ahead midway through the opening half with a tap-in from close range after a free kick went under the defensive wall.

Chadderton dominated the early stages of the second period and deservedly drew level through a spectacular free kick from Ian Knapman.

Daniel Shaw, Chris Carruthers, Chris Pauley and Bobby Fulham all went close as Chadderton looked the likeliest to claim all three points.

But their defence was asleep when Ridhalgh was presented with a free header to restore Padiham’s lead in the 75th minute.

And though Paul Fildes was credited with Padiham’s third goal after 83 minutes, it was probably a Lee Swanson own goal as he saved Fildes’ shot but as the ball ran free as he lay on the ground he unluckily punched it into his own net as he tried to clear the danger.