Rivals limber up for derby showdown

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: HIGH-FLYING Chadderton make the short trip to neighbours Oldham Boro tonight (7.45) in the Vodkat North-West Counties League Division One.

Paul Buckley’s side occupy third position in the table following an impressive 3-2 victory over fellow title-chasers AFC Blackpool at the weekend.

David Glynn returns from suspension for Chadderton, who will be without Leon Melia (work commitments) and Lewis Maynard (broken metatarsal).

Buckley said: “There is nothing quite like a derby. We are looking forward to the challenge, they are always tough games. Hopefully we can keep our good run going.”

Boro manager Tony Mills will not be able to call on striker Paul Brown, who misses the derby clash due to work commitments.

He has challenged his team to bounce back from the 6-0 defeat they suffered at Runcorn Town last time out.

“It is about how much my players want it,” he said. “Runcorn are a good side, but it was a dreadful performance from our point of view.

“However, I must say they had played four matches in three weeks, whereas we had only played two matches since the end of November — no wonder we were dead on our feet.

“A derby match is the perfect opportunity to bounce back by getting a positive result.

“They are always good games. Everyone enjoys a derby and we are no different.”

Mills feels his side have a chance of springing a surprise, despite being stuck at the wrong end of the table.

He added: “Apart from Paul Brown and possibly one or two others who might have to work, we will have a full squad, so hopefully we can get the win.”


MOSSLEY host Leigh Genesis tonight in Evo-Stik League Division One North (7.45pm).
The game gives the Lilywhites a swift opportunity to recover from their 4-0 loss at Skelmersdale United at the weekend.

Forwards Mike Fish and Michael Oates, who were both confined to the substitutes’ bench at United, are pushing for starting places.

They are pressing fellow strikers Chris Hall and Kristian Dennis for places in Shaun Higgins’ side.

Meanwhile, midfielder Aaron Chalmers has signed an extension to his contract, tying him to the Lilywhites until the end of the 2011-12 season.