Glodwick’s stock rising

CRICKET: MISSION accomplished. That was reaction of captain Nigel Stock after Glodwick qualified for next season’s LCB Cup.

The Warren Lane outfit just missed out last season — they were denied by virtue of having one less outright win than Heyside after both sides finished level on points in fifth place — but they made no mistake this time round.

Victory over Saddleworth in the penultimate match of the season secured fourth spot, and they could end up third if the results go their way on Sunday.

Although a top-five finish looked unlikely after a shaky start to the season — Glodwick won only one of their opening five games — Stock was sure they would achieve their goal.

He said: “Qualifying for the LCB Cup was the aim and even after we had a bad start, we were always confident of doing it with the players we had.

“Certain quarters in the league reckon we are where we are because we’ve got a good pro in Imran Aslam, but we’ve got some very good amateurs, as well as younger players.

“Imran Asghar and Stuart Fitton have come in this season and done a good job, while Mark Whitehead has made runs to back up his wickets.”

Glodwick have improved year-on-year since their switch to the Saddleworth League from the North Manchester League.

Second-bottom at the end of their inaugural campaign in 2007, they have gone on to finish seventh and sixth.

The junior set up at Glodwick is strong, with teams at under-17s, 15s, 13s, 11s, 10s and nines.

The under-nines is bursting at the seams with 60 children in the section thanks to the club’s link up with Alt and Christ Church primary schools.