Officials must share blame

CHADDERTON manager Paul Buckley believes Vodkat North West Counties League officials have to take some of the blame for the trouble at Saturday’s game against Irlam.

The Broadway club ended with nine players and Irlam ten as tempers frayed following a fiery clash.

Buckley believes the fact the two teams were playing one another for the second time in little over a month inflamed the situation.

He said: “We won 3-0 at Irlam and you could sense they were up for revenge.

“When teams play each other twice so quickly things can simmer whereas if there is a lengthy break between matches what has happened previously isn’t so fresh in the mind.”

Buckley pointed out that Irlam officials were also unhappy at the prospect of having to play Chadderton so quickly.

League chairman Dave Tomlinson said the difficulty is trying to arrange a fixture list which suits everybody.

He said: “John Deal, out fixtures secretary, has probably the most horrendous job of anybody on our management committee.

“We are continually trying to juggle things around. When you throw in the FA Cup and FA Vase into the mix so early in the season that also complicates matters further.

“We have a lot of things to contend with but I would argue we get more things right than wrong.”

MOSSLEY bid to extend their winning run tonight at home to Trafford in UniBond League first division north.

The mid-table Lilywhites, who previously went nine league and cup games without a win, are chasing a third successive victory against opponents who are on the fringe of the play-off places.

Mossley have been lifted by the return of winger Lee Blackshaw who left in the summer to join Glossop North End.

Manager Chris Willcock is still keen to bring in an experienced striker to help put away more of the chances they are creating and he has put in seven days notice for permission to approach two players.

OLDHAM TOWN have re-signed James Curley who has returned to the Whitebank Stadium after a short spell at Glossop.

Curley’s stay at the Vodkat NWCL premier division side did not work out and he was released by the Hillmen.

This is the second time the striker/midfield player has returned as he left once before for a stint at Curzon Ashton.

CHADDERTON have signed Mike Summerbee, the former Manchester City and England winger.

Summerbee is the speaker at the sportsmen’s dinner they are holding on Thursday, October 22 at the Eight Bells, Alder Road, Failsworth, at which X-Factor singer January will also be performing.

Tickets priced £20 are available from club sponsors PC Paramedics 0161 626 4698/07886 779889.