Town must avoid stage fright

MANAGER Tony Mills insists Oldham Town are up for the challenge as they prepare for their biggest game of the season.

Town travel to big guns AFC Liverpool tomorrow in the first division of the Vodkat North-West Counties League.

And Mills said: “The worry is that some of our young lads won’t have played in front of such a big crowd before.

“It will be great for them and they will only benefit from the experience.”

There has been a big turnover of playing staff at Town, who have lost a lot of key players to a higher level.

“We are doing all right and the pleasing thing is that we are competitive, which is all I can ask for,” said Mills.

Town had seven regulars missing for last Saturday’s 4-2 win at AFC Blackpool in the FA Vase and Mills reckons it will be another month before he will be able to field his strongest side.

Darren Scanlan, Damian Blundell and Nick Murphy – all absent last weekend – could return, but Chris Ward, who strained a hamstring in the same match, is a non-starter.

AFC Liverpool are the division’s highest scorers, having found the net 22 times in six league matches.

However, they have lost twice and are currently in sixth place.



CHADDERTON will be looking for a pick-me-up following their FA Vase exit when they host high-flying Irlam in the first division of the Vodkat NWCL.

A run of five matches without defeat came to an end on Wednesday when they lost 3-0 at premier division Padiham in a second-qualifying round replay.

Chadderton had a number of key players absent and manager Paul Buckley hopes to have some back to reinforce his side.

Irlam are third in the table, only one point off top spot, but Chadderton beat them 3-0 away last month.

Chadderton reserves are away to Ashton Town.


MOSSLEY, badly in need of points in UniBond League first division north, head for Harrogate Railway Athletic.

The Lilywhites have not won for eight league games and currently languish in 18th place.

Their only league victory was on the opening day of the season at Garforth Town.

Mossley’s spirits were lifted by their 1-0 midweek win against Radcliffe Borough in the first round of the UniBond League Challenge Cup.

They will be without right-sided Ben Richardson, who damaged knee ligaments against Radcliffe.

Fortunately, the injury is not believed to be as serious as first feared when Richardson was carried from the pitch on a stretcher.