Local sides hit the trophy trail

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: A PLACE in round three of the Vodkat First Division Trophy is at stake for Oldham Boro and Chadderton tomorrow.

They can put the pursuit of much-needed points on the back burner and instead concentrate on the search for silverware.

OLDHAM BORO, who are 14th in the table, are up against it at home to seventh-placed Cheadle Town.

Tony Mills could blood two new players in the second-round clash at the Whitebank Stadium.

If the Boro boss decides to sign the players — the defender and midfielder attended training last night after recently being released by their academies at Manchester City and Bury — they will make their debuts against Town.

Mills said: “It’s a perfect opportunity for them as we can see what they are about.

“We play Cheadle again in a couple of weeks’ time in the league, so it’s a chance to see them close up as well.

“I saw them against Chadderton earlier in the season and they looked a good, hard-working side.”


CHADDERTON suffered a body blow in the build-up to their home tie against Rochdale Town.

William Radcliffe, who has impressed this season playing wide on the right, broke an ankle in a Sunday football match last weekend and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Although Town sit four places below Chadderton in the table, manager Paul Buckley has warned against complacency.

“It’s a derby, so anything can happen,” said Buckley, who has so far been thwarted in his bid to bring in an extra body before the clash at Broadway.

“They beat us 2-1 earlier in the season. We should have got something out of that game, but they worked very hard and deserved their win.”

Chadderton haven’t played since October 31 and there is no guarantee tomorrow’s game will go ahead as mid-morning pitch inspection is planned.


MOSSLEY are on a recovery mission when they play host to Ossett Albion in UniBond League division one north tomorrow.

Chris Willcock’s side were beaten 2-0 by Ilkeston Town in a Carlsberg FA Vase third qualifying round replay on Tuesday night.

But the Lilywhites will have high hopes of a swift return to form — they have only lost two of their last 16 league and cup games — against a side who are 17th in the table.