Town chief pins faith in new-look strike force

OLDHAM TOWN travel to Wigan Robin Park tomorrow with a new-look frontline for their Vodkat North West Counties League, first division fixture.

Manager Tony Mills has captured Dave Brooke on loan from Mossley and he joins Gareth Chew, who was recently signed from the Lilywhites on a permanent basis.

Mills is hoping the fresh face will provide a lift for the push for end-of-season honours.

Although seventh in the table, Town have games in hand on most of the teams above them and Mills describes the visit to second-placed Park as a “must-win game”.

It is just two weeks since Park won 1-0 at the Whitebank Stadium to end Town’s 22-month unbeaten home league record.

“There is no way we should have lost that game on the balance of play,” admitted Mills, whose side are full of confidence after last Saturday’s 5-0 home success against Stone Dominoes in the quarter-finals of the First Division Trophy.

Mills could have goalkeeper Matty Blair and central defender Damian Schofield back after injury.


Injury problems for Chadderton

INJURY-HIT Chadderton head to Staffordshire tomorrow for a Vodkat NWCL division one clash against Eccleshall.

Martin Booth, Nathan Eastmond and Gareth Morris were hurt in Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat at leaders AFC Liverpool in the last eight of the First Division Trophy and none of the trio will have recovered.

Defender Keith Melvin will again be absent as he has had to return to Scotland for family reasons, and manager Paul Buckley admits his squad will be stretched to the limit.

Chadderton are at home to Glossop North End in the reserve division tomorrow.


Mossley target victory treble

MOSSLEY play host to Harrogate Railway Athletic as they attempt for a third consecutive win in UniBond League, division one north.

The Lilywhites have beaten Clitheroe and Warrington Town by 1-0 scorelines in the last week and they will be hoping to derail tomorrow’s lowly opponents at Seel Park.

Mossley sit 10th in the table, but they have not given up hope of reaching the play-offs — they are 10 points adrift of the final place — especially if they can continue their fine run of form.

They are in the throes of a six-game spell in the space of 13 days which could define their season.