Smith at the double as Boro clinch Vase victory

FOOTBALL: TWO long-range strikes from Andy Smith inspired Oldham Boro to a 3-2 win at home to Wigan Robin Park in the second qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Vase.

The centre-half struck in the 18th minute, firing home a free-kick to cancel out an early goal by Chris McNally for their Vodkat North-West Counties League Division One rivals.

Jake Shannon, with a chip from the edge of the penalty area, put Boro in front just after the half-hour mark.

And Smith applied the finishing touch to a training ground corner routine to increase the home side’s advantage two minutes before the break.

The second half was equally as open but only Wigan, one of the early-season frontrunners in the division, managed to score through McNally.

Boro’s reward is another home tie in the first round proper against Premier Division outfit Padiham on Saturday, October 2.


Meanwhile, Chadderton’s hopes of progressing were sunk at Formby.
Paul Buckley’s men suffered a 4-2 reverse against their NWCL Division One counterparts.

Matthew Chadwick, from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time, and James Curley were Chadderton’s marksmen.


MOSSLEY stretched their unbeaten run to four matches with a much-deserved 1-1 draw against Wakefield in Evo-Stik League Division One.
The Lilywhites, who were targeting a fourth win on the spin, left it late to earn a share of the spoils at Ossett Town’s Ingfield ground.

Gareth McClelland’s young side found themselves behind in the second minute, Brandon Kane hooking the ball home.

Cameron Darkwah was twice denied by the Wakefield ’keeper and Joe Heap struck a post as Mossley poured forward.

The visitors eventually found a way through with a minute of normal time remaining. Danny Queeley, who came on as a second-half substitute, was fouled inside the penalty area and Lee Rick stepped up to send the ’keeper the wrong way.