Chadderton’s breakdown recovery

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: DESPITE delaying kick-off by an hour after the team coach broke down, Chadderton enjoyed a 2-1 win at Holker Old Boys in Vodkat North-West Counties League Division One.

The players were stranded in Lancaster until the necessary repairs were made, with the start of the game postponed until 4pm.

It was the worst possible start to proceedings for Paul Buckley's men, who found themselves a goal down inside four minutes when Steve Kewley's hopeful punt bounced over goalkeeper Lee Swanson and into the empty net.

However, the visitors gained a foothold in the game and got themselves back on level terms after 23 minutes, when Troy Hayder smashed the ball home from 20 yards after Jack Fitzgerald's free-kick was headed into the air.

It was a bad day at the office for Chadderton's top scorer, James Curley.

After missing three clear-cut opportunities, he was sent off for two bookable offences in the second half. The first yellow card was for a foul, while the second was issued when, stood less than 10 yards away, he blocked a free-kick.

But despite the numerical disadvantage, the away side notched what proved to be the winner just after the hour mark.

Fitzgerald's free-kick was headed in by a Holker player.

Despite pressure from the hosts, Chadderton held on for three points.

Boss Buckley said: "We are delighted with the result, particularly after going down to 10 men. The first yellow for Curley was fair enough, but the second was very harsh.

"We played well and deserved the victory."


MOSSLEY suffered a 2-0 defeat at Witton Albion in Evo-Stik League Division One North.
The introduction of former Athletic striker Chris Hall saw boss Shaun Higgins revert to a 4-3-3 formation, with Hall joining Kristian Dennis and Mike Fish up front for the Lilywhites.

The hosts enjoyed the majority of the possession early on, with goalkeeper Peter Collinge making two important blocks to keep Mossley on level terms.

There were chances at both ends in the second half before Witton broke the deadlock in the 55th minute.

Jamie Harrison's long-range effort looked harmless enough and was heading well wide of the post until the ball deflected into the net off Andy Watson.

And Watson was in the thick of it again when the home team doubled their advantage nine minutes later.

The defender was adjudged to have held back Harrison in the box, and a penalty was given. Matt Doughty converted the spot-kick to put Witton firmly in control of the game.

Higgins switched back to the more familiar 4-4-2 formation when Cavell Coo and Michael Thomas replaced Hall and Danny Warner.

Thomas did put the ball in the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.


OLDHAM Boro’s home game against AFC Liverpool was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.