Chadderton braced for more misery

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: CHADDERTON are facing yet another blank weekend in the Vodkat North-West Counties League.

The Broadway outfit are at home to division one table-toppers Stone Dominoes on Saturday (kick-off 3pm), but prospects for the club’s first match of the New Year are grim.

Unless there is a significant and unexpected improvement in the weather — that seems unlikely given the forecast of sub-zero temperatures for the next few days — the fixture looks set to be called off.

Chadderton manager Paul Buckley said: “It doesn’t look good. We’ve had snow, ice and rain, and now it’s going to freeze.

“We’ve played two games in eight weeks and it’s really frustrating for the players. All they can do is train to try to keep in shape, but that doesn’t compare to match fitness.

“James Curley is still waiting to finish his three-match ban, which started way back in October. At this rate, it will be another month before he can play again.”

The long list of postponements has at least given Buckley time to get some of his squad back to fitness without players missing games.

Defender Ben Greenidge and midfielder Liam Radcliffe, who have been sidelined with ankle injuries, could be in contention for the trip to AFC Blackpool on Saturday week.

But Andy Pheby is unavailable as he starts a 35-day ban after being sent off in local Sunday football.


MOSSLEY boss Chris Willcock will also be praying for a break in the weather for tomorrow’s UniBond League division one north fixture at Chorley (kick-off 3pm).
The Lilywhites were thwarted on two occasions trying to play Curzon Ashton at Seel Park. The Boxing Day clash fell foul of snow and ice, while frozen patches and waterlogging put paid to Monday’s attempt to play the local derby.

Mossley sit 15th in the table, three places and six points below their New Year’s Day hosts.