Flanagan seeks first win

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL:

AFTER three successive draws, John Flanagan continues his search for a first win as manager of Mossley at Hurst Cross tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Lilywhites are up against Warrington Town, who sit seventh in UniBond League division one north, two places and 12 points outside of the play-off places.

Flanagan, who replaced Chris Willcock last month, has presided over a 3-3 draw with title hopefuls FC Halifax Town and consecutive goalless encounters against Prescot Cables.

Mossley are looking for their first win since December 12 when they overcame Bamber Bridge 1-0, although eight of their next 13 games were postponed because of bad weather.


CHADDERTON manager Paul Buckley is expected to make several changes for Thursday night’s Manchester Premier Cup quarter-final tie at Radcliffe Borough (kick-off 7.45pm).

After two wins and a draw in division one of the Vodkat North-West Counties League - the latest victory was against Rochdale Town thanks to goals from strikers Leon Melia (two) and James Curley, plus a James Mooney effort - confidence is high at Broadway.

Buckley is keen to maintain the momentum built up at Borough, who are 14th in the UniBond League division one north, but he is also wary of the fact that Chadderton face Eccleshall in the league this weekend.

“For some reason, we tend to struggle on the Saturday if we have a midweek game,” said Buckley.

“With that in mind, I’ll take the opportunity to look at a few players. I’ll probably start with a completely different frontline in Troy Hader, Mickey Green and Joe Jacobs.

“I will also give Chris Ventriss a run in goal and play Shaun Nolan and Jimmy Huet in midfield.

“Mickey Green, along with Andy Pheby and Ian Hulme, came on against Rochdale Town, and all three had an influence on the game and showed a positive attitude.”


OLDHAM Boro boss Tony Mills is hopeful that Darren Scanlan can overcome a thigh muscle problem for Saturday’s visit of improving AFC Blackpool in division one of the NWCL.

The striker sustained the injury during last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home to Ashton Town.
It’s the first of two big games in four days for Boro, who play host to local rivals Chadderton the following Tuesday.