Mills predicts feisty derby

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL:

OLDHAM Boro boss Tony Mills admits his recent acquisition of striker James Curley from Chadderton adds spice to the derby clash between the two sides at Broadway on Boxing Day.

The 28-year-old rejoined Boro at the start of December following two highly productive seasons with their neighbours, for whom he plundered 23 goals last term.

He wasted no time in making an impression following the switch, rescuing a point with a last-gasp equaliser on his second debut for the club — a 2-2 draw with Northwich Villa in the Vodkat North-West Counties League Division One.

Mills expects a feisty away encounter with Paul Buckley’s side and said: “I am looking

forward to it, bring them on. The derby games against Chadderton are always interesting spectacles, there seems to be a flashpoint every time we meet.

“This time it is all about Curley. The fact he switched clubs just a few weeks ago adds a bit of spice to the occasion.”

Centre half Steven Shields misses out for Boro — he is short of match fitness. But 17-year-old forward Ryan Fagan, Curley’s nephew, is pushing for his first start.

For Chadderton, it is a chance to pull away from their closest rivals. Buckley’s men occupy ninth position in the table, one point and a solitary place above Boro, with a game in hand.

A positive outcome in the derby could lift Chadderton as high as sixth if other results go in their favour. They also have the advantage of being fresher than their opponents. Last weekend their home clash with Northwich Villa was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, whereas Boro played and beat Eccleshall 4-1.




MOSSLEY host basement boys Cammell Laird on Boxing Day in the Evo-Stik League Division One North.

The visitors have won just three times this term, so the Lilywhites will be confident of claiming three points in their bid to rise from mid-table.

Boss Gareth McClelland is likely to ring the changes after a bitterly disappointing 4-1 loss at Salford City last time out. Striker Osebi Abadaki limped off with an ankle injury in the dying minutes, making him a major doubt to partner Tom Denton up front against Cammell Laird.

Wing-back Cavell Coo has been suffering with a virus but is expected to be fit enough to at least claim a place on the substitutes’ bench.