Buckley’s boys in early start

IT’S an earlier start than normal for Chadderton tomorrow when they host AFC Blackpool in division one of the Vodkat North West Counties League.

Because of on-going problems with the floodlights at their Broadway ground — they are still in need of repair — league officials have sanctioned a 2pm kick-off so the game can finish before darkness falls.

AFC Blackpool are returning to the town for the second successive Saturday after losing 2-0 to Oldham Town last weekend.

Chadderton had no match so manager Paul Buckley went on a spying mission to the Whitebank Stadium and was impressed.

He said: “They did not look like a side struggling near the foot of the table. They appear in a false position.

“Had they taken their chances against Oldham Town they could have caused an upset as they were a good, well-organised side.”

Chadderton welcome back experienced midfielder Gareth Morris, who has completed a three-match ban.

The return of Paul Ashton, who will be playing his second match after overcoming a knee injury, will also boost fifth-placed Chadderton.



OLDHAM TOWN manager Tony Mills is looking for his team to continue its promotion push in division one of the Vodkat North West Counties League at Irlam tomorrow.



Town are in sixth place but have played fewer matches than four of the five teams above them and are are only five points off top spot.

He said: “We have won our last two league matches and we need to kick on and put a run together, something we are capable of doing. I have told the players I want to stay unbeaten for the rest of this month.

“We have some hard fixtures coming up against Irlam, Norton and Chadderton in the league. Irlam won’t be easy as they recently won at leaders AFC Liverpool and drew with Bootle.”

Striker Darren Scanlan will make a quick dash from work in Trafford Park — he doesn’t clock off until 2pm — while Town are still waiting to hear if midfield man Leon Melia is available.




MOSSLEY hope to maintain their promotion challenge in UniBond League, division one north when they welcome Wakefield FC to Seel Park tomorrow.



The Lilywhites would have climbed into the play-off places had last Saturday’s game at unbeaten Durham not been controversially abandoned in the 35th-minute when they were leading 4-0.

Manager Chris Willcock’s side is currently eighth in the table. However, they are only one point adrift of Newcastle Blue Star, who are fifth and occupy the final play-off place.