Points, not pride, the key to derby

BATTLING the elements: The snow-covered pitch at Oldham Boro.

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: OLDHAM Boro and Chadderton go head to head in Vodkat North-West Counties League on Boxing Day.

But rather than the kudos of claiming local bragging rights, three points is all that matters in the derby-day duel at the Whitebank Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

With the protagonists struggling in the lower reaches of division one, a win is seen vital to the sides’ quest for a comfortable berth in mid-table.

Boro boss Tony Mills said: “We’re under no pressure, which may work in our favour, whereas Chadderton had great expectations at the start of the season.

“But we’re also a young side and we’re very much building towards next season, while Chadderton have the advantage of a few older heads.

“Everybody is looking forward to the game. The players had a meeting the other night and we’re focused on what is required.”

Mills will blood new boys Charlie Clarke, a defender, and midfielder Vinnie Howells on Saturday, while former Boro striker Leon Melia is expected to make his Chadderton debut.

But fellow frontman and another ex-Boro player, James Curley, is still suspended

Chadderton manager Paul Buckley, who won the old NWCL division two title when Boro where known as Oldham Town, said: “I treat all derbies as just another game, because it’s three points at the end of the day.

“It will do us a world of good to get a win and if we’ve can get everyone back fit and firing, I’m sure we’ll start to climb the table soon.”

Buckley’s problems are in defence as Marvin Walters (knee) and Ben Greenidge (ankle) are injured and Mark Edgerton is banned.

MOSSLEY manager Chris Willcock is calling on his players to recapture the form that saw them go on a fantastic 14-match unbeaten run.

The Lilywhites, who are at home to Curzon Ashton in UniBond League division one north on Boxing Day (3pm), have tasted defeat in five of their last seven matches.

Willcock said: “Curzon Ashton is a massive game for us. They are missing several key players because of injury and suspension, so it’s an ideal time to play them.

“A win would kick-start our season, because we seem to be heading back to where we were in August and early September before we went on our long unbeaten run.

“I’m looking for three wins on the trot to get us up the table. We went 14 games unbeaten and had some fantastic days out in cup competitions, but I would swap that for a consistent run in the league.”

Ben Richardson (ankle) and Jordan Goodeve (knee) are the only absentees for Mossley on Saturday.


AN OFFER of free frames of snooker and pool enticed a group of people to help start clearing the pitch in a bid to save Saturday’s local derby between Oldham Boro and Chadderton.

But the working party’s efforts could be in vain as the Whitebank Stadium surface remains under several inches of snow.

An inspection is set to take place on the morning of the match, but prospects look bleak.

Boro manager Tony Mills said: “We had about 15 people come down from the Limeside Estate.

“They brought their own equipment and worked really hard — we also gave them free drinks and crisps — but Saturday could still be a non-starter. I’ve never seen so much snow on the pitch.”