Boro battle to surprise success

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL:

OLDHAM Boro warmed up for tomorrow night’s derby duel against Chadderton with a confidence-boosting 2-1 win at home to in-form AFC Blackpool in Vodkat North-West Counties League division one.

Tony Mills’ side, who were recording their first success of the year, did it the hard way.

Behind in the 17th minute to a Joel Cowell effort, Boro bounced back to lead at the break against Blackpool who had won eight of their 12 previous league and cup games.

Tom Hughes equalised on the half-hour mark with a fine individual goal. The midfielder, who has been a revelation since his return to the Whitebank Stadium, cut in from the by-line, before neatly clipping the ’keeper.

And Boro were ahead five minutes later after they were awarded a penalty. Shaun Roscoe was pulled back as he advanced into the penalty area, and Damian Schofield placed the spot-kick in the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

The hosts dominated until late on when Blackpool were denied a share of the spoils by Danny Pearson’s point-blank save.




IT was a different story at Broadway, where Chadderton were beaten 2-1 by Eccleshall in NWCL division one.



Paul Buckley’s troops didn’t manage a shot on target in the entire first half at which stage the visitors were a goal to the good courtesy of Sam Lovatt’s tap-in.

Chadderton, looking to extend their unbeaten run in the league to four matches, conceded again 12 minutes into the second period, and it was only after the introduction of substitutes Jimmy Huet, Gaz Morris and Mickey Green that they began to pose a threat.

And it was Huet, who won the penalty which James Curley converted with 13 minutes to go.

Green had two good chances to equalise, but a second Chadderton goal would have been rough justice on Eccleshall.




UNDERSTRENGTH Mossley were always second best at FC Halifax, who recorded a comfortable 4-2 success in UniBond League division one north.



Title favourites Town, who are unbeaten at the Shay this season, went ahead in the 24th minute through Ryan Crossley but Chris McDonaugh levelled only for the impressive Richard Marshall to restore the home advantage.

Nick Gray and Harry Winter extended Halifax’s lead in the second period, but the Lilywhites refused to throw in the towel and scored a second when Andy Watson headed home late on.