Alexander double a tonic for Boro

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL; NICK ALEXANDER scored twice as Oldham Boro came from behind to draw 2-2 at Eccleshall in division one of the Vodkat North-West Counties League.

It was a welcome point for Tony Mills’ side, who were smarting after successive defeats to Cheadle Town and Wigan Robin Park.

Alexander put Boro ahead in the 19th minute — he finished off a move involving Lee Deakin, Lee Scanlan and Will Buckley — but it was all-square by half-time after ’keeper Danny Pearson’s poor goal-kick picked out the grateful Richard Leech, who slotted the ball home.

Slack marking allowed Eccleshall to go in front soon after the restart — Leech again applied the finishing touch — but Boro were soon back on level terms.

Darren Scanlan volleyed the ball across the face of goal and Alexander was on hand to head home.

As rain fell, conditions underfoot deteriorated and both teams had chances to clinch a match-winner, with Boro creating two or three good opportunities.


CHADDERTON were beaten 3-2 by Holker Old Boys in Vodkat NWCL division one — but they could so easily have claimed all three points after producing a grandstand finish in their first match for a month.

The visitors from Cumbria broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when defender Ben Greenidge’s scuffed clearance fell to the feet of Bradley Hubbold, who made no mistake. Greenidge hurt his ankle in the process of kicking the ball and the surface at the same time and took no further part.

Chadderton equalised through Martin Love just after the half-hour mark — he finished off a flowing move — and the forward should have put the hosts in front, but fired wide when clear.

Andy Pheby also wasted a good chance, but two goals in the space of 12 minutes from the towering Chris Squirrell - both were free headers — put Holker in command.

Chadderton responded when Chris Pauley’s cross from the right was converted by Darren Shaw eight minutes from time.

Ian Hulme went on to hit the underside of the bar — the home side believed the ball had bounced over the line — and he had a goal-bound effort cleared away.

John Jones blazed over and Gaz Morris struck a post as Chadderton piled on the pressure.


MOSSLEY’S fixture at Bamber Bridge in UniBond League division one north was postponed because of an unfit pitch.