Non-league round-up

Local football

CHADDERTON came of their derby clash with Oldham Town with a moral victory - even though they were held to a goalless draw at Broadway on Boxing Day.

Town will be disappointed not to have made their extra man pay after Chadderton’s Ian Knapman was sent off for a second booking early in the second half.

Chadderton also displayed great character as they hit back following a 5-0 defeat at Irlam in their previous match.

Yet it was a game in which Town almost snatched victory in the dying minutes when Chadderton keeper Lee Swanson made a brilliant save to keep out Lee Neville’s goalbound header.

It was by no means a classic match and, on reflection, one point apiece was probably a fair result after a feisty affair.

Neither side looked like scoring in a dour opening period, though there were chances for both teams in the second half.

Darren Scanlan had a couple of decent attempts at goal for Town while Swanson made important saves to deny Matt Landregan and Neville.

Chadderton also had a couple of chances, but Gareth Morris headed wide and Paul Ashton failed to capitalise on another opening.


MOSSLEY maintained their promotion push in UniBond League first division north with a 1-0 Boxing Day derby win at Curzon Ashton.

The match-winning goal came from Christian Hirst, who is on loan from Macclesfield Town, shortly after the hour mark.

Hirst was released by Danny Self’s through pass and he cooly lifted the ball over advancing keeper Dave Carnell to earn the Lilywhites their fourth straight victory in league and cup.

In the opening period, Mossley’s Danny Dignan saw a shot clip a post and also had another decent attempt at goal, while Curzon sharpshooter Mike Norton went close on a couple of occasions.

Mossley defender Graham Kay headed against the Curzon crossbar in the second half, but Curzon also had their moments, with keeper Andy Robertson twice saving superbly to deny Norton an equaliser and Adam Jones heading over from six yards when it looked as though he could not miss.


DROYLSDEN could be thrown out of the FA Cup today if the Football Association rule they fielded an ineligible player in last week’s 2-1 second-round replay win against League Two club Chesterfield.

It is claimed that defender Sean Newton, who scored both of the goals for the Bloods, ought to have been suspended for the game having picked up five bookings.