Town put on a show

OLDHAM TOWN produced an illuminating display at AFC Blackpool where they triumphed 4-2 in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase.

It proved an entertaining tie, one in which Town didn’t seal victory until the dying minutes through Nick Alexandra’s goal.

Town fell behind to a seventh-minute goal from Mark Ashall, but hit back to establish a 3-1 interval lead.

Tom Hughes equalised with a shot from outside the penalty area, went ahead when Arnold Nsimbe outpaced the home defence, chipped the keeper and followed up to score and added a third when Hughes curled home a delightful free kick.

Ben Waddington reduced the deficit to 3-2 just short of the hour when goalkeeper Danny Pearson’s moment of madness proved costly as he threw the ball out to Waddington who fired it back over his head into the roof of the net.

Town had to wait until the 88th minute before sealing victory with a delightful free kick from Alexandra.


CHADDERTON were involved in a dramatic FA Vase tie as they held Vodkat North West Counties League premier division club Padiham to a 2-2 draw after extra time at Broadway.

It was a terrific result for first division Chadderton who were unlucky not to win despite having 10 men for almost 90 minutes after Chris Pauley’s first-half sending off.

Chadderton had three early chances even before Louis Maynard fired them ahead in the seventh minute.

Goalkeeper Lee Swanson’s mistake led to Martin Parkes equalising for Padiham, but Chadderton regained the lead when Andy Pheby headed home a cross from Pauley.

Swanson was at fault again for Padiham’s second equaliser shortly before half time when he failed to take a simple catch. And that resulted in Pauley being sent off for handling a subsequent shot on the goalline ,with Lee Morris scoring from the spot.

Chadderton’s 10 men had a go in the second half when the Greenidge brothers and Danny Bell all had clear-cut chances, though Swanson redeemed himself with two great saves.


MOSSLEY’S miserable start to the season continued as they were beaten 1-0 at home by bottom-club Salford City in the UniBond League first division north.

And it was former Lilywhites player Rhodri Giggs who inflicted the defeat on his return to Seel Park with his 18th minute goal.

It was the second successive season in which City had secured their first win of the campagin at Mossley.

Mossley were lucky not to be 2-0 down at the break after Carl Ruffer’s shot struck a post.

Danny Egan had a couple of good chances in the second half to put Mossley back on level terms, but they lacked a cutting edge as, for the second time in four days, they lost against opponents who hadn’t previously won.