Chadderton facing away-day test

Oldham Town’s Matty Blair is presented with his Safe Hands award by Ian Williams of the Vodkat North West Counties Football League after being named top first division goalkeeper for December.

CHADDERTON have been forced to surrender home advantage as they head to Bootle tonight for their quarter-final tie in the Vodkat North West Counties League’s First Division Trophy.

After two failed attempts to stage the game at Chadderton’s Broadway ground, Bootle won the right to stage the match.

Manager Paul Buckley admitted it is a blow losing home advantage, though he is simply looking forward to playing again.

Chadderton have managed to play only one game since Boxing Day, a 1-0 defeat at Wigan Robin Park.

Saturday’s postponement of Chadderton’s league game at Ashton Athletic means they are still without suspended midfield man Ian Knapman.

Chadderton reserves were involved in an entertaining 2-2 draw against AFC Fylde on Saturday, Carl Taylor and Micky Green their scorers.

It was a point earned without a recognised goalkeeper for the final half-hour when Ben Aspinall was went off with strained knee ligaments with the score at 1-1. Central defender Gary Hartley was forced to go between the posts.

OLDHAM TOWN’S push for promotion from the first division of the Vodkat NWCL continues tonight at home to lowly Darwen.

Manager Tony Mills’ squad is down to the bare bones after picking up two new injuries in Saturday’s 4-3 defeat after extra time at Stone Dominoes in the Vodkat League Challenge Cup.

Midfield men James Curley and Jake Cotterell both picked up thigh strains to join goalkeeper Matty Blair and midfielder Tom Hughes on the sidelines.

The only cheer will be the return of striker Darren Scanlan who was ruled out on Saturday due to work commitments.