Cup success dilemma for Town

OLDHAM Town and Chadderton play their second cup ties of the week tomorrow when they are in First Division Trophy action in the Vodkat North-West Counties League.

Both appeared in the Manchester Premier Cup in midweek and, in the case of Oldham, tomorrow’s match at home to Ashton Town will be their eighth knock-out game of the season as opposed to six league fixtures.

Manager Tony Mills admits Town’s cup success is causing the club problems and could mean they will need to play four or more games per week at the end of the season.

Mills was delighted with his team’s 3-1 win at premier division side Abbey Hey in midweek.

He said: “It was our best performance of the season and we played at a high tempo for the full 90 minutes.

“I told the players afterwards if we apply ourselves like that in every game, I have no doubt we will have a successful season.

“It is all about consistency, but our failing is that at times we tend to switch off for spells.”

Goalkeeper Matty Blair is on holiday tomorrow so Danny Pearson takes over between the sticks.

Stuart McGill is available after completing a three-match ban.



CHADDERTON have a first-round tie at Daisy Hill where they lost 5-1 in the league earlier this season.

“We will be looking to rectify that defeat and I was pleased with our display at Mossley in midweek, even though we lost 3-0,” said manager Paul Buckley.

The scoreline did not do justice to Chadderton, who missed a hatful of chances and were punished for defensive lapses.

“If we had put away the chances we had early on, it might have been a different story,” declared Buckley.

Central defender Mark Egerton, who had stitches in a cut above his eye, will be fit to play, while Gareth Morris and John Cregan are expected to return after injury and Tony Hanlon should also be available.

Chadderton are at home to Wigan Robin Park tomorrow in the Reserve Division Cup.



MOSSLEY will be bidding to maintain their promotion bid in UniBond League, first division north tomorrow when they go to Chorley.

Manager Chris Willcock is hoping to recruit a striker on loan from a professional club to replace Danny Dignan, who could be out for a month after cracking a rib against Rossendale United last weekend.

Willcock has signed 18-year-old midfield player Rhys Kelly from Leigh Genesis and he will come into the squad.

Mossley have had their playing squad badly affected by a virus.

Ten players missed their midweek match against Chadderton through illness or injury and the club could field only two of their five substitutes.

Meanwhile, Curzon Ashton have put in seven days’ notice of approach to talk to Lilywhites striker Danny Egan.