Non-League round up

CHADDERTON tonight reach a notable landmark when they play their 1,000th match in the Vodkat North West Counties League.

And league officials will be out in force at Broadway for the first division fixture against Leek CSOB.

Chadderton were founder members of the NWCL in 1982 following the merger of the Lancashire Combination and Cheshire County League.

Manager Paul Buckley’s team will kick off tonight’s match in fine spirits after Saturday’s 1-0 victory at league new-boys Barnoldswick Town as they made a winning start to their league campaign.

Ian Hulme and Andy Pheby had clear-cut chances for Chadderton in the goalless opening half.

Barnoldswick began the second half brightly and only a couple of good saves from Lee Swanson kept out the home side.

Hulme was unlucky not to break the deadlock when he had an effort ruled out for offside and then saw a chip-shot hit the crossbar.

Swanson made a couple of further good stops and it was amazing that the game remained goalless until the final quarter.

Chadderton finally made a breakthrough when Danny Shaw was tripped as he cut in from the right and Martin Love scored from the spot.

Though Barnoldswick pressed hard for an equaliser in the latter stages, Chadderton’s defence held firm.


OLDHAM TOWN made a flying start to their first division campaign in the Vodkat North West Counties League, registering a 1-0 victory at Atherton Collieries.

It was a deserved win, achieved thanks to a 21st minute goal from Nicholas Alexandra who deflected a long-range shot past the Collieries keeper.

Collieries, relegated from the premier division, came close to equalising when a header flashed wide, but Town almost doubled their advantage through an effort from James Tindall.

Damien Blundell and Alexandra both went close while a free kick from Tom Hughes brought the save of the match from the keeper.

Town are in derby action tomorrow when they play hosts to Rochdale Town (7.45).


MOSSLEY lost 3-1 at Kidsgrove Athletic in their final friendly before their UniBond League campaign kicks off on Saturday. Their goal came from a Matty Kay penalty.