Town fail to break through

OLDHAM TOWN failed in their bid to win through to the final of the Vodkat North West Counties League’s First Division Trophy.

They lost 3-1 at Padiham in the second leg of their semi-final for a 4-2 aggregate defeat.

It was a disappointing display from Town with a number of players giving below-par performances.

Town carved out a number of decent chances in the opening period, but were 1-0 down at half time to a Paul Barratt goal.

Darren Scanlan fired Town level five minutes after the restart but

Padiham regained the lead midway through the second period through a Rob Smith penalty after a foul by Tim Buxton.

Central-defender Buxton was pushed up front as Town searched in vain for an equaliser.

Padiham caught Town on the break as Smith sealed victory and a place in the final with seven minutes left.


CHADDERTON were involved in a goalless draw against Irlam at Broadway in the first division of the Vodkat NWCL.

The depleted Broadway side gave a gritty display and, with better finishing, could well have picked up all three points.

John Jones, Donovan Greenidge, Paul Ashton and Paul Socha all had clear-cut chances in the opening period.

Chadderton keeper Lee Swanson came to his side’s rescue making two great saves early in the second period.

It was then the turn of the Irlam keeper to save his side with a brilliant stop to deny Carl Taylor.

Ashton and Jones also had openings but it was one of those days when they lacked a cutting edge.


MOSSLEY’S third defeat in five days, a 1-0 home loss against Chorley, has all but ended their bid for a play-off place in division one north of the UniBond League.

The Lilywhites lacked any sparkle as they were playing their fifth match in 10 days.

They only created to clear-cut chances in a dour opening half as Danny Toronczak and Danny Egan both glanced headers narrowly wide.

Mossley had a let off early in the second period when keeper James Mann made a brilliant save to keep out a penalty from Chris Ward.

There was another escape late on when Roger Sharrock burst through on goal only see his weak shot easily saved by Mann.

Just when Mossley thought they would pick up a point came Chorley’s injury-time winner when James Mullineux rose unchallenged to head home a corner.

And it was a victory which Chorley deserved as they had the edge in a disappointing display.