Town book semi spot

Non-league football

OLDHAM TOWN blitzed Stone Dominoes 5-0 at home on Saturday to claim a semi-final place in the Vodkat North West Counties League’s First Division Trophy.

After losing 4-3 after extra time at Dominoes four weeks earlier in the League Challenge Cup and surrendering their 22-month unbeaten home league record seven days earlier, Town were certainly fired up.

They established a commanding half-time lead with four goals scored in an eight-minute spell.

James Curley broke the deadlock with a sweetly-struck volley, midfield man Tom Hughes doubled the advantage and the third from Darren Scanlan was a thunderbolt.

Stuart McGill then nipped between two defenders to slip the ball past Dominoes keeper Richard Stone who prevented an ever larger scoreline thanks to some excellent saves.

Town saved their best until last as their fifth goal was a gem, Curley beating the offside trap from within his own half and scoring with a shot from 40 yards.

CHADDERTON recorded their first league victory in eight games in the first division of the Vodkat North West Counties League after defeating Holker Old Boys 3-1.

After beating high-flying Bootle in the First Division Trophy five days earlier, Chadderton recorded back-to-back victories for the first time since November.

All the goals came in a lively second half in which Chadderton took control from the restart as Ian Knapman fired them ahead in the 47th minute.

The in-form Paul Socha doubled their advantage midway through the second period before Jon Bamber halved the deficit with a 78th minute penalty.

Chadderton quickly restored a two-goal advantage when Nathan Eastmond scored their third goal with nine minutes left.

IT WAS a case of the late show as Mossley snatched a 1-0 home victory against Clitheroe in UniBond League division one north thanks to a 90th minute goal from Lee Blackshaw.

It was a moment of magic in an otherwise disappointing game which appeared to be heading towards stalemate.

A neat build-up ended with Blackshaw receiving the ball on the edge of the box with his back to goal. He flicked the ball up over his shoulder, turned and struck an unstoppable volley into the top corner of the net.