Chadderton back in top form

CHADDERTON ended their three-match losing streak in style, registering an emphatic 4-0 home victory against Leek CSOB in Vodkat North West Counties League, division one.

It is a win which keeps the Broadway club in fourth place in the division and, despite their off-the-field troubles, they remain focused on the pitch.

Indeed, they might have triumphed by an even wider margin after creating some glorious chances.

Ian Knapman gave Chadderton the lead midway through the opening half and John Cregan doubled it shortly before half time, both with headers.

But they could have finished with a bigger advantage after Mark Egerton missed a penalty and Knapman headed against the crossbar.

Cregan added a second goal with a diving header as Chadderton established a three-goal advantage by the 48th minute.

Gareth Morris completed the scoring midway through the second period as he headed a fourth goal while Egerton was later denied a fifth when his header was turned on to a post by the Leek keeper.

The only disappointment for manager Paul Buckley was how Chadderton switched off late in the game when keeper Lee Swanson pulled off three fine saves to preserve a clean sheet.


OLDHAM TOWN were punished for a mad two minutes as they lost 2-1 at Bootle in the VNWCL first division.
It was only Town’s second league loss and their cause was not helped as they were delayed en route by an accident on the M60.

They did not arrive at their destination until 2.45pm and were forced to kick off without a warm-up.

Town found themselves 2-0 down after only six minutes, even though Tom Hughes hit the crossbar in the second minute with a long-range drive.

Paul Hopkins fired Bootle ahead in the fifth minute after keeper Matty Blair failed to gather a free kick.

And worse followed barely a minute later when Town’s defence failed to deal with a long ball and Kevin Black ran through to slot the ball past Blair.

Jake Cottrell and Matt Landregan both had clear-cut chances for Town in the second half before they finally made a breakthrough after Darren Scanlan was fouled in the penalty area and Hughes fired home the spot kick.

Twice in the dying minutes unlucky Town were denied an equaliser when home keeper Mark Mawdsley made fine saves to deny Cottrell and Ryan Baldwin.


MOSSLEY were rarely troubled as they defeated Rossendale United 3-0 at home to climb to fourth place in the UniBond League first division.

Danny Self opened the scoring with his first goal for the Lilywhites in the 18th minute after being set up by Lee Blackshaw and Mike Fish.

Self had only been on the field a couple of minutes as a replacement for the injured Leon Henry.

Mossley had a host of chances to increase their advantage before Fish doubled it shortly before half time as he headed home Danny Dignan’s cross for his 15th goal of the season.
The Lilywhites were in such command that keeper Andy Robertson did not have to make a save until the 80th minute when he made two super stops in the space of seconds to deny Phil Eastwood and James Heywood.

Rossendale were forced to take risks as they chased the game and Mossley punished them on the break as Self set up substitute Danny Egan who tapped in the third goal after 83 minutes.