Match Reports

1st Team Match Reports

|Chadderton |Daisy Hill| Stone Dom Wigan Atherton Rochdale Blackpool Norton Leek Ashton Town
AFCLiverpool Holker Cheadle Oldham Eccleshall Brighouse Rochdale AFCBlackpool Stone Dom Irlam
Yorkshire Am Wigan Stone CUP Eccleshall2 ChaddertonA AshtonA CheadleH Guiseley NortonA HolkerH
OldhamA Garforth Eccleshallh IrlamA AFCLiverpoolA Daisy HillA LeekCSOB AthertonCol

2nd Team Match Reports

Ashton Town Glossop Ashton ATH DaisyHill Wigan AthertonLRAFCLiverpool Bentham Padiham Glossopcup
Chadderton

Barnoldswick Town 0 v Chadderton 1

The first ever game in the north West Counties League was blessed with fine sunny weather with a gentle breeze. Town were without last years Skipper Stewart Airdrie who was best man at a wedding and Manager Ben Hall who had a previously booked holiday from earlier last year. The game was marred in the 8th minute when Kevin Richardson went down injured and had to come off, the extent of his injury is still not known, it is possibly knee ligament trouble, he was replaced by Lee Kershaw. Both defence's seemed to be on top in the early stages of the game, the best chance fell to David Gray in the 14th minute when he cut into the penalty area down the left and his shot was saved via the goalkeepers feet. minutes later he cut in again to the byline but this time his cross met with the side netting. Chaddertons first attempt at goal came in the 20th minute when a shot from the edge of the area went wide of the Town goal. Town then had another promising move when Shaun Clough went down the left and crossed, Gray dummied the ball and it went across the penalty area towards Neil Chapman just inside the 6 yard box, he was just unable under close marking to turn the ball home. Liam Blades had to be quick off the mark as Chadderton mounted an attack down the Town right, his timely tackle stopped the cross being made at the expense of a corner, which was cleared. Town then won another corner and as the ball was played in to the near post there was a claim for handball from the Town players, but the referee instead gave another corner. Billy Carrington had to be on his toes as the half drew to a close, tipping the ball round the post as it was destined for the top corner. On the stroke of halftime Gray again got in down the Chadderton right but his left foot shot was sent wide of the far post.
Town started the 2nd half on the front foot forcing 4 corners on the trot but unable to capitalise on any of them. the the first half was a fairly even contest then the 2nd definitely belonged to Town, who consistently swarmed forward in search of a goal. Neil Chapman shot just wide but the Chadderton defence to be fair to them kept it tight at the back giving the Town forwards very little chance of a goal, and not letting any shots in that troubled their keeper. Town brought on Wayne Morrison in the 72nd minute to replace Chris Clark. Three minutes later Town were a goal down, a very rare forage into the Town penalty area saw a Chadderton forward brought down, a stone wall penalty which Martin Love converted easily past Carrington who had been mostly redundant in the 2nd half. As much as Town tried they could not breakdown the Chadderton defence, and in the last minute Town were lucky not to concede another penalty when a Chadderton forward was brought down just inside the area in the last minute, but by then the game was won for Chadderton. Result wise not the best start for Town in the new league but I suspect the Managers will be pleased with the way the team performed, they certainly did not deserve to lose.

Barnoldswick Town 2 v Daisy Hill 0

With the morning rain the pitch had a little zip in it which made the prospect of an eventful match a good one. Town were forced to make two changes from last weeks line up, Kevin Richardson is still waiting for a scan on his damage knee and Ashley Alderson is away on holiday, Stewart Airdrie coming back into the team.
For the first 10 minutes of this game the defence's were on top of the attacking players. Neil Chapman had the first shot on goal but the Daisy Hill goalkeeper Marks Simms saved comfortably low down on the 6 yard line. Town nearly took the lead when a freekick was floated into the far post and Bill Williams coming in was a stride away from converting it. Daisy Hill then laid siege to the Town goal forcing four corners in as many minutes, the ball bouncing around in the Town penalty area like a ping pong ball. Town Keeper Billy Carrington saving the day at the near post at the expense of a corner. Town weathered a tricky 10 minute spell and counter attacked through James Coonan who was fouled on the edge of the penalty area, Shaun Clough took the free kick (27 minutes) and curled a delightful shot into the far top corner of the net to put Town 1-0 up. Daisy Hill immediately went after an equaliser and Carrington in the Town goal again saved the day at the near post. The game was beginning to open up a bit and David Gray just failed to get onto a deep cross into the box which eluded all the defenders and skipped wide of the far post.
For the remainder of the first half Town were on the offensive and shots by Chapman, Coonan & Gray brought saves from the Daisy Hill keeper Simms.
At half time Town were forced to substitute Coonan for 19 year old Spencer Jordan due to a groin strain. This substitution was to bring about Town's 2nd goal, Jordan picked the ball up just inside the left corner of the penalty area touched the ball forward and then smashed a shot across the keeper into the far top corner, a brilliant goal. Gray then had a good chance to extend Town's lead further when he broke clear on the left, the keeper came out but Gray's chip over him only found the side netting. Gray again had another chance, a Chapman cross eluded all the defence but he could only side foot it into the keepers arms. Town substituted Gray (71mins) and brought on Lewis Jordan. Although Town were on top for much of the 2nd half Carrington still had an important save to make with 6 minutes left, turning the ball round the post with his feet from a close range shot. A good and deserved first win for Town who again finished the stronger of the two teams which means all the pre-season training was worth it.

Ashton Town Res 3 v Barnoldswick Town Res 2

An under par performance for the first game,conceding 3 sloppy first half goals. Elliot Bywater came closest on 10mins with a deft 20 yard lob that just went over the bar barnoldswick best chance of the half. The second half saw a better performance from the team. Play was end to end with Scott Reid making several good saves. Eventually  Barnoldswick through Johnny Hayhurst scored with an unstoppable 25 yard drive. Within 10mins of the restart Barlick gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Stephen chew popped up on the box to smash home a second goal from 4 yards. Although finishing on top,time ran out, and it ended 3-2 to  Ashton town. There were solid performances from Reid,Chew,Howarth,Benfield,Bywater,Morton and man of the match Ashley Smith. Room for improvement... Yes. Saturday at home will tell.

Stone Dominoes 1 v Barnoldswick Town 1

Town were still players short, Ashley Alderson, Wayne Morrison & David Gray all away on holiday. This was to be the sternest test yet as Stone had gone 17 wins out of their last 18 competitive games. The game was played in warm sunshine and it was Town who showed first, Stweart Airdrie was played in down the Stone left his cross into the box was a good one but Neil Chapman was just unable to take advantage of it and the danger was cleared. Town did take the lead after 10 minutes when Airdrie chasing a ball into the penalty area challenged for the ball at the same time as the keeper, when they both stood up the Stone keeper Daniel Roberts lost his head and with what could have been described as a forearm smash if they were in the wrestling ring floored Airdrie. The Referee however saw it differently and after awarding a penalty gave the lucky keeper a yellow card. Chris Clark duly stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to put Town into the lead.
Play was end to end and David Shaw the Stone centre forward should have equalised when a cross from the Stone right eluded the Town defence and he had a free header at the far post, fortunately for Town he headed wide. A let off for Stone when Chapman played a great ball over the Stone defence for Airdrie to run onto but the Linesman flagged for offside, Airdrie was in his own half of the field and so was onside but the Referee took the linesman's view. Town nearly increased their lead in the 27th minute,Chapman again played a great ball to Airdrie down the Stone left, he pulled it back from the byline to Clark near the edge of the Stone penalty area, he shot but didn't hit it cleanly and it drifted just the wrong side of the upright with the keeper beaten. Chapman then had a chance but his shot on goal was easily cleared, Airdrie was perhaps in a better position to have had the shot on goal? Town had another penalty appeal when Airdrie was flattened in the penalty area with a challenge in the back but the Referee waived the claims away. Town had to survive two close calls right on halftime, Billy Carrington making two good saves from Daniel Brown Stone's top goal scorer and Shaw. Town went into the break a goal up and probably just about deserving it.
At the start of the second half Carrington was called into making a save straight away, he then fed the ball to Airdrie who crossed to Chapman, he swivelled just inside the box but was unable to keep the ball down and it sailed harmlessly aver the bar. Stone then equalised in their next attack, Town conceded a corner, when it came over into the penalty area no Town defender attacked the ball, it fell to Shaw the Stone centre forward who was unmarked and he stabbed it past Carrington for an easy goal. This invigorated Stone and they would have taken the lead a minute later but for a great save from Carrington, tipping the ball over the bar from a close in header from Shaw. It took Town a good 20 minutes of the second half to reorganise themselves and Liam Blades put a good cross over to Chapman but is header was comfortably saved by the keeper. Town substituted the hard working Spencer Jordan in the 69th minute, bringing on Adam Hayton. It was end to end play again and Lee Talbot the Stone left winger jinked his way past three Town players in the penalty area but his final shot was way over the bar, a let off for Town. Hayton who was beginning to make his presence felt straight away put Airdrie through down the Stone right, with the Stone defence nowhere he crossed the ball to Chapman who was on his own on the edge of the Stone penalty area, he brought it under control but his final shot went wide of the far post, a lucky let off for Stone. Craig Bradshaw was then brought on as a replacement for the industrious Airdrie (79 minutes). With two minutes left Town could have sneaked it, Hayton again played a great ball down the Stone right to Bradshaw who had Chapman to his right and only the Stone centre half to go past, but the Referee instead of allowing advantage ( Hayton was badly fouled by Chris Rowley the Stone right back) he pulled play back booking the Stone fullback and the chance was gone. The back four of Liam Blades, Russell Clarke, Bill Williams & Shaun Clough held a very good line, working hard and giving the Stone forwards very few opportunities, James Coonan and the Stone man of the match Daniel Caton again worked tirelessly in midfield in support of the Town forward line. A good result against one of the fancied teams.

Barnoldswick Town 2 v Wigan Robin Park 0

For the second week in a row Town took on one of the fancied teams for promotion into the Premier league. The first real action came after 8 minutes when Spencer Jordan burst through into the Wigan penalty area but a great last ditch tackle by James Deane for Wigan saved the day. But it was Jordan who created Town's opening goal, again he accelerated past the Wigan central defender into the box, but this time he slipped the ball across the Wigan 6 yard area to Stewart Airdrie who crashed it home. Airdrie continued to trouble the Wigan defence with his crosses, one of these crosses just eluded Jordan when it looked like he may score. A freekick taken by Shaun Clough found Bill Williams in the Wigan penalty area, but his header was directed straight to Dale Newbrook in the Wigan goal who comfortably saved it.
The first danger from Wigan came in the 21st minute when James Coonan gave a freekick away just outside the Town penalty area, Billy Carrington in the Town goal easily dealt with the incoming shot on goal. Town went straight down on the attack and with the Wigan defence looking pedestrian Neil Chapman managed to get his foot to the ball, unfortunately for Town it drifted just past the far upright with the Wigan keeper looking on. Airdrie then tried his luck with a shot from just outside the box which was only just too high, going over the crossbar. A let off for Town on the half hour mark when Ryan Small for Wigan found himself unmarked on the Town penalty spot but he completely miskicked the ball and Town managed to clear the danger. Again Town swept straight down to the Wigan penalty area and Jordan slipped the ball across the Wigan 6 yard line but Chapman sliding in could only watch as the ball just passed him by, missing it by inches.
Wigan were by no means out of the game at 1-0 and a wake up call came after 32 minutes, Russell Clarke made a timely tackle putting the ball out for a corner, and when it came over a Wigan player came in unmarked at the near post and headed against the top of the Town post before it was cleared. In the next Wigan attack Clarke cleared again for another corner which was defended more easily then the last one and eventually cleared. Airdrie and Clough combined well down the Wigan left, Clough putting in a tremendous cross across the face of the Wigan goal but Chapman was just unable to turn it in.
1-0 at halftime, and Wigan came out for the second half in determined mood, two shots on goal in as many minutes at the start of the half were blocked by Clarke at the heart of the Town defence. A long ball over the Town defence found Christopher McNally the Wigan No. 11 at the far post, but his eventual shot on goal was well over the bar when he really should have tested Carrington. Town had a chance to extend their lead when Chris Clark crossed towards the unmarked Airdrie but the ball went just behind him and was cleared.
Airdrie again tormented the Wigan defence as he raced through the middle but Chris Williams was there to rescue the situation for the visitors. A good chance for McNally to equalise when a cross came in but he put it the wrong side of the post, a let off again for Town.
A minute later McNally tried his luck from 35 yards but it was too high, never troubling Carrington in the Town goal. Town's first corner came in the 63rd minute after a Clark cross was cleared. Town made three substitutions in five minutes, David Gray on for Airdrie (65), Adam Hayton on for Clark (67) and Ashley Alderson on for James Coonan (70). Wigan were now giving the Town defence a stern test, Small cracking a 35 yard shot against the Town bar. Carrington had to dive to save a shot that spilled out of his grasp before it was cleared, then Wigan won two corners in succession which the Town defence cleared. Town conceded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, Carrington saved the day as the ball dipped wickedly, he somehow flicked the ball onto the bar and over for another corner. With Wigan throwing everything at Town Chapman made the game safe with four minutes left. David Gray picked a cross up at the far side of the penalty area near the touch line, he moved back towards the 18 yard line before cutting in and having a shot on goal, the ball then went across the Wigan 6 yard line where Hayton dummied the ball and it ended up at the feet of Chapman who hammered it home. Wigan still came hard at Town winning three corners on the bounce eventually the ball was headed clear by Jordan. Town will not have a more testing game than this, the back four of Liam Blades, Russell Clarke, Bill Williams and Shaun Clough holding firm when under pressure.

Barnoldswick Town 2 v Atherton Collieries 0

It was hard to know if this was going to be a difficult match for Barnoldswick as Atherton had been relegated last season and were languishing near the foot of the table. They had also appointed a new Manager and signed 7 players during the week, four of these players starting the game. Town had David Gray missing with tendon trouble in his shoulder and Ashley Alderson suspended for one game.
The match started in heavy drizzle making control of the ball difficult. The early pressure came from Barnoldswick without troubling Josh Harris in the Atherton goal. The first strike on goal came from Paul Atherton one of the new signings who shot from 30 yards inches over the Town crossbar. Town's first effort on goal came from fullback Shaun Clough who thundered a shot from 25 yards out that Harris just managed to tip over the bar as it looked destined for the far top corner.
Christopher Clark then tried a left foot shot from the edge of the Atherton penalty area, Harris again went full length to keep it out, the ball squirming out of his grasp on the wet turf, James Coonan following up could only turn the ball the wrong side of the post from a difficult angle.
Stewart Airdrie then tried his look when he chipped the keeper from just inside the penalty area, the ball hitting the post and re-bounding to safety, all this action in the first 10 minutes.
Atherton's fullback Dan Tootell picked the ball up down the Town left and hoisted a cross/shot to the far post, Billy Carrington was sent scrambling to the back post but the ball dropped over his outstretched hands hit the outside of the post and went for a throwin on the far side.
Town again attacked with plenty of vigour, Airdrie losing the ball then winning it just outside the Atherton box, he slipped the ball to Clark who curled a shot just wide of the far post. Daniel Caton moved up from his midfield position and blasted a shot that Harris saved pushing the ball round the post for a corner. As the ball came over Bill Williams met it on the edge of the 6 yard area central to goal and powered a header towards goal, it looked all aver a goal but Harris again denied Town beating the ball out at point blank range, the fullback finally clearing the ball out of danger.
Town did manage to take the lead after 36 minutes when Neil Chapman inside the left hand side of the Atherton penalty area somehow jinked past two Atherton defenders and put over a peach of a cross to Spencer Jordan on the edge of the Atherton 6 yard box, his glancing header inside the far post gave Harris in the Atherton goal no chance. The last piece of the action in the first half was a shot from Caton that whistled just wide of the post.
The second half started with Clark trying to chip Harris in goal but he easily collected it, Airdrie then went close with a shot that Harris again tipped for a corner. Harris at 19 was playing a blinder in the Atherton goal keeping his team in with a shout at 1-0. The first Atherton threat of the half came after 52 minutes when an Atherton forward was allowed to get in behind the town defence and make it to the byline, Carrington again came to Town's rescue cutting out the cross before it got to goal. Town increased their lead on 59 minutes, a corner on the Atherton left was only cleared just outside the penalty area, and when a shot from Clark came back in Airdrie stooped low to head past the keeper 6 yards from goal. Atherton then started to push for a goal that would get them back into the match, Carrington saved a header from a freekick just outside the box, and Paul Atherton managed to get onto a long ball to the back post and get a good header in, Carrington again was equal to it as it looked destined for the top corner he flicked it somehow over the bar. Williams again put in a magnificent tackle to rob Atherton of the ball as he was looking to pull the trigger. Town substituted Airdrie (70) with Adam Hayton. Hayton was soon in the thick of the action slipping the ball into the path of Liam Blades down the Atherton left, his cross to the far post just eluded the outstretched foot of Clark. Craig Bradshaw Came on for Neil Chapman (82), and Wayne Morrison on for Clarke (84). The new pair were also quick to get amongst the action, Bradshaw moving down the Atherton right and crossing the ball but it was just too strong for Morrison and the chance was lost. Town should have wrapped the game up two minutes into injury time, Clough took a freekick, Harris again dived full length and pushed it to oneside, Coonan with the goal at his mercy 3 yards out inexplicably sent it against the bar and over for a goalkick. There was still time for Morrison to hit a screamer that flew just past the post. The last piece of action fell to Atherton, as an Atherton forward went through Carrington came out and again denied them a goal clearing the ball with his feet.
Another good performance, the team looking stronger as the matches go by. Although Atherton have not won a game yet their new signings will on this performance win more than they will lose given time.

Rochdale Town 1 v Barnoldswick Town 3

On a gloriously sunny Saturday afternoon, things didn't go to plan to begin with. Firstly the wrong kit was picked up during the morning and secondly when the coach carrying the supporters arrived at 2:40 Rochdale officials were running round frantically as only four Town players had managed to navigate themselves to the ground (it has to be said in defence of the players that the coach also went in the wrong direction twice). Eventually all the players turned up but the kick off was delayed approx 15 minutes.
Rochdale were the first to have a shot on goal, Bill Williams was adjudged to have committed a foul just outside the box but the Rochdale players shot was sent tamely wide of Billy Carrington's goal. Two minutes later and another free kick given away just outside the penalty area saw Carrington diving to save at the foot of the post. Town went straight on the attack down the Rochdale right, Shaun Clough crossed the ball into the penalty area, it beat the keeper at the near post and Stewart Airdrie was the first to react sending a left foot shot into the net from the edge of the six yard area. Town were rampant at this stage with fast attacking moves down both flanks Liam Blades and Clough prominent. Town went two up after 13 minutes when Airdrie picked up the ball halfway inside the Rochdale half in acres of space, he looked up saw the keeper of his line and chipped the ball over him into the net for a delightful goal. Blades again tormented the Rochdale defence, skipping past the fullback and sending a dangerous cross into the box which was cleared under pressure from Neil Chapman lurking around the penalty spot. Rochdale then had a chance when Carrington came for a high ball but was impeded by a Town defender and failed to collect it, fortunately the ball was headed wide from a good position.
Chapman had a good chance taking on and beating the fullback but his shot was always going over the bar. Town continued to put the Rochdale defence under extreme pressure and shots from Chris Clark, Daniel Caton and Spencer Jordan were only just wide of the mark. Clark and Clough combined well down the Rochdale right and when the cross came in Chapman blazed wildly over from a good position in the penalty area. Russell Clarke at the other end had to make a timely tackle at the expense of a corner to stop a promising Rochdale attack. Right at the end of the first half Clarke was booked for a foul, and from the resulting freekick a Rochdale forward headed narrowly wide.
Town started the second half as they had finished the first, Chapman weaving across the Rochdale defence beating three players along the way, but his shot was blocked at the last second with a good tackle. Town brought on Adam Hayton (60) for James Coonan. Blades then picked up the ball and put in a superb cross along the six yard area, Chapman came in and headed the ball down , it looked all over a goal but the keeper somehow managed to clear the ball from point blank range with his feet, a brilliant save. More Town pressure saw the Rochdale Keeper make another good save from a Caton shot from outside the area. Town then scored their third goal after 72 minutes, Chapman picked up a through ball on the edge of the penalty area, side stepped the keeper and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Straight from the re-start Carrington had to be on his toes saving a fierce shot, the ball squirmed from his grasp but the Rochdale forward following up sent his shot wide. Town then took Airdrie off (74) replacing him with Wayne Morrison. Clark the took a freekick just outside the Rochdale penalty area, his cross was flicked on by a Rochdale defender and ended up hitting the bar and going over for what should have been a corner, the Referee thought otherwise and awarded a goalkick.
Another Town substitution saw Ashley Alderson (79) come on for Spencer Jordan. A brilliant move by Town saw Morrison cross to Clark who in one movement pulled the ball back to Hayton who hit the ball sweetly but it was just too high and went over the bar. The Rochdale keeper was again called into action when Alderson powered a header in from close range which he brilliantly saved. In the last minute of the game Carrington pulled off a breathtaking save when the ball looked destined for the top corner, he leaped up and flicked it over the bar. Rochdale's goal came in injury time, Clough thought the ball was going out, the Rochdale forward thought otherwise and managed to stop it, He was taking the ball in towards the Town goal along the goal line and was adjudged to have been brought down by Clough from behind. The Referee awarded a penalty that although Carrington went the right way was ticked neatly into his bottom right corner. Another good win which has elevated them up to 3rd in the table.

Barnoldswick Town 7 v AFC Blackpool 1

This was Town's first league game under lights, and with a crowd in excess of 100 an exciting game was in prospect. Town began well Stewart Aurdrie finding space down the Blackpool left, but his cross along the six yard box was cut out at the near post for a corner, which was cleared. Airdrie again showed when Shaun Clough played a ball over the Blackpool defence, his first touch was brilliant but his final shot from the edge of the penalty area was weak and David Stevenson in the Blackpool goal easily gathered the ball. A mistake in the Town defence nearly cost them a goal when the ball came across Mark Ashall for Blackpool had a clear shot on goal from the edge of the six yard area, but his weak shot was saved low down by Billy Carrington in the Town goal. Town were attacking well down both flanks with the two fullbacks Shaun Clough and Liam Blades prominent. Chances were coming with quick interchanges and both Airdrie and Neil Chapman had shots on goal which went wide or Stevenson in the Blackpool goal saved comfortably. In fact Airdrie managed to get through one on one with the keeper but Stevenson narrowed the angle and managed to push the ball away to safety with a timely save. Blackpool had a short spell of pressure around the 20 minute mark which resulted in a shot from the edge of the penalty area which went wide of Carrington's goal. Town immediately counter attacked and Airdrie laid the ball back into the path of James Coonan on the edge of the penalty area but he blasted the ball high and wide from a good chance. Town did however take the lead on 26 minutes, the ball was played in to Coonan inside the penalty area who hit the post, the ball re-bounded to the left of the Blackpool goal, the ball was then played back to Chris Clark inside the box, he went through 3 tackles and shot towards goal, the ball went through a ruck of players before finding Coonan again just inside the six yard box, this time he made no mistake firing home from close range. Blackpool were playing neat football but the Town defence were in a mean mood, giving them nothing but the odd corner and long range shot to trouble Carrington in the Town goal.
Town nearly stretched their lead right on half time when Blades was played in down the Blackpool left, his cross caused all sorts of trouble in the Blackpool six yard area, and was cleared under pressure at the third attempt. There was a scare at the start of the second half for Town when Carrington spilled a shot into the path of a Blackpool forward, he was quickly onto his feet forcing the forward to shoot wide of the near post. Town went two up on 51 minutes, Airdrie played Clough in down the Blackpool right, just as he reached the ball in the Blackpool area a great tackle came in from a defender giving away a corner. Clough took the corner placing it towards the edge of the Blackpool penalty area where Airdrie was waiting, he took the ball on the volley and crashed a shot against the foot of the post before it cannoned of the fullback who was stood on the post into the net before he could move, a fabulous strike worthy of goal of the month in the Premiership. Blackpool tried to get back into the match and Liam Hill tried his luck with a free kick but the ball was just a little too high and went over the bar. Town made it three after 64 minutes, if Airdrie's first goal was a good one this matched it. The ball was played over the Blackpool defence to Airdrie, he flicked it on with his head to Chapman who had two defenders between himself and goal, he brought it under under control and played a pass through them to Airdrie along the edge of the penalty area, he struck it first time and thundered a shot that hit the underside of the Blackpool bar and into the net before the keeper could move, fantastic. Town then brought on Adam Hayton (65) for Spencer Jordan. The next minute brought Blackpool a goal, a long ball from the Town left to the far post found a Blackpool forward unmarked, he headed the ball goalwards and although Carrington made a good save he couldn't hold onto the ball and Scott Harries managed to stab it past him. Ben Waddington the Blackpool number 10 was then sent off for violent conduct, which didn't help Blackpool's cause.
Town made another substitution after 75 minutes taking off Chris Clark and bringing on Ashley Alderson. Two minutes later and it was 4-1, Chapman driving on into the penalty area, twisting and turning until he got past the fullback, just as he seemed primed to pull the trigger he had his legs taken from behind. Airdrie stepped up to take the spot kick tucking it calmly into the bottom corner for his hat trick, and six goals in the last three games. Town immediately brought Airdrie off putting David Gray on in his place. Blackpool to their credit were still trying to play good football, and with 10 minutes left a dangerous cross from the Town right saw a shot that just went over the bar from the edge of the Town box. Perhaps the goal of the game came with 7 minutes left, Town played breathtaking football across the pitch just outside the Blackpool penalty area, Hayton who had been involved earlier in the move managed to get onto a brilliant Blades cross to head home at the far post. 5 minutes later and Hayton became the provider when he slid the ball across the six yard area where Chapman scored to make it 6-1from the edge of the six yard area. Hayton nearly grabbed his 2nd goal when he beat two defenders inside the box but his shot was saved at full stretch by Stevenson in the Blackpool goal. Gray then had a goal ruled out as he was ruled marginally offside right on full time. But 2 minutes into added time Chapman picked the ball up inside the penalty area quickly turned and rifled a shot into the top corner to make it 7-1. A fantastic performance which shoots Town up to 2nd place in the league table, one point behind Stone Dominoes.

Barnoldswick Town 0 v Norton United 0

On the back of the excellent 7-1 win over AFC Blackpool last Tuesday Town were looking to consolidate their 2nd in the league position. The first chance of the game came after 2 minutes when a cleverly flighted freekick wide on the Town left was curling towards the far post to an unmarked Norton forward, the ball fortunately for Town drifted just out of his reach for a goalkick.
Town then had a chance, a through ball to Neil Chapman into the Norton penalty area saw him stretch for the ball but he couldn't get enough purchase onto the shot and it was easily picked up by debutant Lee Miller in the Norton goal. Both defence's were dominant for most of this match, shielding the keepers so well that neither had hardly a difficult shot to save. Bill Williams for Town made an exceptional tackle to thwart a Norton attack when it looked like the forward was clear through on goal. Stewart Airdrie thought he had beaten the offside trap when he was put clean through but the linesman thought otherwise and flagged for offside. This was the first of 4 offside incidents in the first half, certainly two of them were the wrong decisions as the Town players were clearly onside. Norton were troubling the Town defence with their freekick's, curling to the far post, the Town defence having to work hard to combat them. Simon Everall for Norton did manage to weave his way through the Town defence after half an hour but Billy Carrington came out to make a fine save.
In the second half Town upped their work rate, Both fullbacks Liam Blades & Shaun Clough both doubtful before the game through injury & the flu, started to get more into the game raiding down both flanks. Clough it was that came nearest to scoring after 59 minutes when his free kick wide on the Norton left curled into the far post hit the top of the upright cannoning back into the penalty area where a scramble for the ball was won by the Norton defence and cleared to safety. In the end this was probably the right result with both defence's winning the day, with very few chances created at either end. This draw still keeps Town in 2nd place in the league, 3 points behind Stone Dominoes.

Leek CSOB 2 v Barnoldswick Town 1

Possibly Town's most difficult game to date, Leek at the start of the game were lying 1 point behind Town in the league and were also unbeaten. Town travelled with four players from the squad missing for various reasons Liam Blades, James Coonan, Adam Hayton and Stewart Airdrie who's appearance as a sub was because of a self inflicted head injury sustained the previous day.
The weather at the start of the game was shocking, strong winds and rain made it uncomfortable for Barnoldswick as they were playing against it. Town made a promising start and the Leek keeper had to be quick witted to cut a Stephen Chew cross out at the near post. Town again looked dangerous after 7 minutes when David Gray and Chris Clark combined well but Clark's shot was blasted over the bar from outside the penalty area. Town then seemed to press the self destruct button and were caught deep in their own penalty area the ball bobbing about all over the place, Ashley Alderson eventually managing to clear it up field.
Two minutes later (16 minutes) and poor defending let in the Leek winger who waltzed past two Town defenders before easily slipping the ball past Billy Carrington in the Town goal. Carrington had to have his wits about him 3 minutes later when a Leek free kick curled dramatically in the wind at the last minute, Carrington scrambling to tip it round the post for a corner. 21 minutes and Town found themselves 2-0 down, again poor defending as a cross ball found the Town defence out of position and again Carrington had no chance of saving the Leek forwards Shot.
It took Town until just before the half hour mark to re-group and put some pressure on the Leek defence. A prolonged spate of Town pressure which saw Chew cross the ball from the byline, the ball was cleared to the other side of the penalty area where Shaun Clough picked it up and crossed back across the Leek area, once again it eluded everyone in the area and ended up back at the feet of Chew, his cross was parried away by the Leek keeper straight to Spencer Jordan on the 6 yard line who was the first to react and he scored to put Town back in the match.
Town now started to play a bit and a move involving Jordan and Clough saw the ball threaded to Clark on the edge of the box but his shot whistled past the post. In the last minute of the first half Gray and Clough combined down the Leek right and as Clough moved to the edge of the Leek box he hit a fierce shot which just went wide of the far upright.
Clark had to be substituted after 51 minutes, twisting his knee. He was replaced by Keiron Lee who was making his debut for the first team. Leek were coming under intense pressure as Town searched for the equaliser but Town were unable to find that last telling pass through their defence. Leeks only moment going forward in the second half was when Carrington picked the ball up and the referee adjudged it to be a pass back. The indirect free kick was taken on the edge of the six yard box by the goal line, Town survived this but it was at the expense of a corner. Which led to a further 3 corners in quick succession. This was the only time in the second half that the Town defence came under pressure. Chew was substituted for Ian Gregory on 75 minutes as Town threw bodies forward, Neil Chapman tried his luck from the edge of the area but it went just the wrong side of the post. Airdrie came on for the last 5 minutes Daniel Caton being replaced. Airdrie seemed to inject a little more pace into the Town play and a fierce shot from the edge of the box by him was headed to safety by a Leek defender when it looked likely to trouble the Keeper. Town forced 4 corners on the trot deep into injury time but couldn't find a way past the Leek defence. It must be said that the Leek defence played well,shielding their keeper so that he really didn't have a shot to save.

Vodkat Challenge Cup 1st Round

Ashton Town 1 v Barnoldswick Town 0

Town travelled to Ashton again bereft of the services of Liam Blades, James Coonan and Chris Clark. Stewart Airdrie again confined himself to the subs bench along with Neil Chapman. Kieron Lee making his first start for the club.
Ashton themselves had parted company with their Manager midweek, and also signed three new players. The match started 12 minutes late due to one of the linesmen not turning up. An Ashton Town official taking over his duties, no excuses for the defeat on that appointment.
The game started off with both team sparring with each other and it was not until the 10 minute mark when Ashton won a corner that any goal was threatened. The first real shot at goal came after 16 minutes when an Ashton shot inside the Town area was beaten away by Billy Carrington and fell to another Ashton forward, his shot went across the Town keeper hitting the far post and rebounding back across the goal for him to collect it, a lucky let off?
Town's first shot at goal came after 21 minutes when Shaun Clough tried his luck from 25 yards but it was struck without any conviction and the Ashton keeper easily saved. Bill Williams was then called upon to make a timely challenge to thwart an Ashton striker getting in on goal at the expense of a corner which was cleared.
A good run down the Ashton right by David Gray saw his cross just elude Spencer Jordan at the far post when he was totally unmarked. In the next Town attack Adam Hayton put in a brilliant cross to the far post where Gray was, but he somehow allowed the ball to go past when it looked all over that he would score with his head. Hayton then slipped the ball through the Ashton defence for Gray to run onto but his run was deemed to be just offside. Right on half time for some unknown reason centre half Williams suddenly found himself on the edge of the Ashton penalty area with the ball at his feet, he side stepped a defender and hit a left foot shot that beat the keeper but unfortunately hit the post and re-bounded to safety.
Town came under pressure straight after half time when Clough brought down an Ashton forward right on the edge of then penalty area, the free kick was a good one making Carrington tip the ball over the bar for a corner. Town went straight down to the other end and a cross was headed by Hayton goalwards but the Ashton keeper dived to his right to tip the ball round the post for a corner. A Gray cross then cannoned of an Ashton defender and ballooned towards the far post, the keeper was scrambling for the ball but it dropped just over the bar for a corner with the keeper struggling. Town were at last applying some pressure and an Ashley Alderson cross was side footed just over the bar from 6 yards out by Gray. Another Alderson cross was flicked just over the bar from Kieron Lee. Ashton then won a corner and from it Carrington somehow parried a point blank header to safety when it looked all over the opening goal. Town then made the first of 3 substitutions, bringing on Chapman for Daniel Caton (66 minutes).
Chapman was straight into the thick of things slipping Jordan clean through on goal but the keeper came quickly off his line to save block his shot just inside the penalty area. Clough was then taken off (75 minutes) being replaced by Craig Bradshaw who went to right back Stephen Chew moving to the left. It was Ashton who broke the deadlock on 79 minutes, a great ball over the Town defence put their forward in on Carrington's goal, he made no mistake. A minute later it could have been two goals down, a great block by Russell Clarke rebounded to an Ashton forward who shot against the post, a lucky let off. Gray was then taken off (81 minutes) Stewart Airdrie coming on to try to get a goal back. The nearest Town came to an equaliser was when a Bradshaw free kick fell to Airdrie but his shot was parried away by the Ashton keeper.
Was it a Town mistake not to play their best team from the start? You cannot hope in most cases to retrieve a game in the last 10 minutes by putting your best players on, win the game then make adjustments later? A very disappointing game with a few of the players well below par on the day, perhaps the ploy of playing a lone centre forward without support needs looking at? The midfield was congested with players getting in each others way and no outlet wide on the wings.

Barnoldswick Town 2 v AFC Liverpool 1

Town back to a full squad after being depleted of 3 or 4 players for the past three weeks. Liam Blades back on the bench after missing the last two games through work commitments. Chris Clark drafted straight back in after recovering from an injury, and Stewart Airdrie starting the game after being substitute in the last two matches. After failing to win in their last three games this was a match Town could not afford to lose as Liverpool were two places above Town in 3rd place a point in front. There was a large crowd on for what was hopefully going to be an enjoyable game.
It was Liverpool who showed first with a shot coming in on Billy Carrington's goal in the first minute, just going over the bar from the edge of the penalty area. Town seemed a little jittery and it was Liverpool who made all the early running. Poor concentration after a short corner caught the Town defence stargazing as the ball was crossed along the 6 yard box, Carrington eventually saving at the foot of the post. Again after 9 minutes Luke Powell the Liverpool centre forward shot across the Town goal from a good position when he should really have tested Carrington in the Town goal.
Town began to impose themselves on the game a little and their first chance came after 11 minutes when Neil Chapman got clear down the Liverpool left and crossed along the 6 yards line, a Liverpool defender just getting his foot to the ball and clearing it over the bar as Spencer Jordan thought he was going to get a tap in at the near post. Liverpool then sent on the attack winning two corner in a row which Town eventually cleared. Another promising Town attack saw River Humphryes clearing the ball away for a corner as Jordan again looked like getting a strike in on goal.
Town were now beginning to put more pressure on the Liverpool defence after a first 15 minutes when Liverpool were probably just edging the proceedings. Shaun Clough had a shot charged down and a low shot from Chapman from the edge of the box was picked up by Paul Willis in the Liverpool at the foot of the post. Russell Clarke then made a timely tackle on the edge of the Town box to block a shot from Liverpool's Powell. Clarke and Bill Williams playing particularly well in the centre of the Town defence.
Stewart Airdrie tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the box that troubled Willis in the Liverpool goal as it bobbled just in front of him. It was Town who took the lead after 30 minutes when Humphryes brought Airdrie down from behind, just outside the penalty area on the Liverpool right. Adam Hayton took a the free kick striking the ball towards the far post, Willis spilled the ball into the ever alert Jordan who scored from close in. Two minutes later and Tod Bamber for Liverpool found himself on the Town right clear on goal, Carrington came out and blocked his shot just inside the penalty area with his legs, a let off for Town. Town thought they had increased their lead after 38 minutes, a low shot from Airdrie caused confusion in the Liverpool defence, the ball bobbing around and partially cleared to the Liverpool right, when it was played back in there were four Town players in a row and the ball was glanced into the Liverpool net, only for the Referee to disallow it due to a Liverpool defender lying prone on the floor from the previous attack.
Airdrie was becoming a thorn in the Liverpool defence, and on 40 minutes he crashed a fierce shot against the upright from just inside the penalty area with Willis watching on unable to do anything about it. Just before halftime Carrington had to move smartly to cut out a threatening Liverpool attack. On the stork of halftime Adam Hayton created an opening for himself, but his shot from the edge of the Penalty area was easily saved by Willis in the Liverpool goal.
Town started the second half still in the ascendancy, Ashley Alderson played a great ball over the defence to Chapman on the edge of the 6 yard box, he swivelled round but his shot was just over the bar. Williams in the Town defence then made a good challenge to get the ball away from Powell the Liverpool No. 9. Town again should have increased their lead after 55 minutes when Alderson played a great ball to Airdrie down the wing, he in turn played the ball across the Liverpool defence but with the goal at his mercy two yards out Jordan missed the target. Town did increase their lead after 59 minutes when Airdrie scored from close in after good work from Chapman.
Carrington was then called into action making two good saves in as many minutes to keep Liverpool out. A brilliant run by Hayton into the penalty area saw Lee Mullins a Liverpool substitute have to make a timely challenge as Airdrie closed in on the ball. Liverpool brought a few jittery moments back on the Town defence as Town conceded a corner after 88 minutes when under no pressure the ball slicing of Alderson's boot. When the corner came in it was headed over the goal line from close in by the Liverpool skipper Mark Bloxham. Town then withstood 5 minutes of injury time but closed the game out well for a well deserved victory.

Holker Old Boys 2 v Barnoldswick Town 1

This was a real let down after the Euphoric win against promotion fancied AFC Liverpool last Saturday. The rain that had fallen all afternoon ceased just before kick off, but the strong wind persisted with it at Town’s backs in the first half, Town also playing up the slope on the ground.
                Town started the better of the two teams, Adam Hayton played a great ball down the Holker left to Stewart Airdrie, his cross to the edge of the box was a good one but Chris Clark took too long to bring it under control and the chance of a shot was lost. Town won a succession of free kicks midway in the Holker half but although the delivery was into good areas of the box the wind tended to take the ball at great pace through to safety.
                Holkers first pot at goal came after 10 minutes when Dave Swarbrick tried an overhead kick which Billy Carrington watched carefully past his near post.
                Town were pressing hard for a goal but the strong wind at their backs was making it difficult to judge the pace on the ball and most passes were over hit taking any pressure off the Holker defence. Bill Williams came up for a corner after 23 minutes, his header was directed to the far post but Neil Chapman  was just to late to turn it into the net as it zipped past on the wet turf. A great header a minute later by Airdrie on the halfway line released Chapman down the Holker left, his ball into the near post was a good one but Spencer Jordan under pressure could only turn it wide of the post for a goal kick.
                Holker took the lead after 32 minutes, the Town defence was stretched as a ball came in leaving Swarbrick a clear run in on goal, Carrington although he got a hand to the shot could only push the fierce shot against the underside of the bar and into the net. Town seemed to be condensing their play into midfield with no outlets on the flanks, which made it easy for the Holker defence to pick them off. The first shot on goal that Town had was after 35 minutes when Hayton tried his luck from just outside the penalty area, Morsby in the Holker goal diving to his left to make the save.
Things after halftime would see Town play better with the wind against them which would cause the ball to hold up rather than run away. But it was Holker who looked the better side with goalscorer Swarbrick looking dangerous. Town conceded another goal after 56 minutes when the left side of Town’s defence was caught out with no cover at all, although Carrington got a hand to the ball it ended up in the back of the net. Swarbrick should have made it three ten minutes later but shot over.
                Town made a double substitution after 70 minutes, Danny Caton & Chris Clark being replaced by Liam Blades 7 Lewis Jordan. Things immediately looked better for Town as Blades made good telling runs around the back of the Holker defence, giving for the first time in the match width to Town’s forward line. A great combination of passes by Blades, Airdrie and back to Blades saw him put a good cross in to the near post at pace, the ball ran free and Spencer Jordan was the first to react hitting home from 3 yards out. Although Town looked more threatening in the last 15 minutes they were unable to get the elusive equaliser. A very disappointing result after Saturday and plenty for the Town management to think about.

Cheadle Town 1 v Barnoldswick Town 1

Town travelled to Cheadle hoping to achieve only their 2nd away win of the season against a team that are draw experts, Cheadle having drawn 6 of their 10 games so far. Town were missing Skipper Russell Clarke (suspended), and goalkeeper Billy Carrington (due to work commitments) Alex Woodstock coming in as a late replacement.
Town started brightly putting pressure on the Cheadle defence, it took 3 minutes before Daniel Caton put a shot on target after excellent work down the Cheadle right, O'Keefe in the Cheadle goal comfortably saving it. Town quickly won a corner which was cleared but only to Adam hayton who played a great ball down the Cheadle left to Liam Blades on the overlap but his cross was too strong and it went behind for a goal kick. Two minutes later and another good build up saw Chris Clark on the overlap this time, he drilled his cross along the 6 yard line but no Town forward was able to take advantage and the ball skipped away for a throw in.The best move so far saw a quick passing movement down the Cheadle right, and when the cross came in Bill Williams found himself on his own at the far post, he brought the ball down but could not get enough power in his left foot shot the ball cannoning off the keepers knees to safety. Town were in the ascendancy and Clark had a shot tipped round the post by the keeper. Cheadle's first attempt on goal came after 20 minutes when a freekick from 35 yards out was ushered past the post by the Town defence.
Town took the lead after 26 minutes when a Shaun Clough cross wasn't cleared and Spencer Jordan was on hand to turn in Neil Chapman's shot from close in, this made it three goals in three games for Jordan. Two minutes later and a corner by Blades saw a Williams header played into the path of Chapman but he was unable to keep it down and it went over the bar. 1-0 at halftime and Cheadle hadn't troubled Woodstock in the Town goal at all.
Straight from the kick off in the 2nd half Cheadle put themselves under pressure, a back pass to the keeper looked innocuous but Jordan never gave up the chase and the keeper decided to dribble his way out of trouble, he ended up with Jordan getting a tackle in but in the end the ball broke the way of the keeper as he luckily got away with it.
It was Jordan again in the thick of the action 10 minutes into the 2nd half, firing in a left foot shot that had the keeper at full stretch palming the ball away with one hand to safety.
Town were still looking the more likely side to score, but seemed to be hanging onto the ball for too long and getting tackled rather than having a shot at goal when the opening presented itself.
Cheadle's first shot on target came after 58 minutes when Woodcock in the Town goal had to dive full length to keep a shot out, tipping it round the post for a corner, Williams clearing the danger from the corner. Town went straight on the attack and Chapman tried one of his mazy runs which took him inside the Cheadle penalty area but his final shot was weak and the Cheadle keeper easily saved. Town then took Chris Clark off replacing him with Lewis Jordan Spencer's brother (70). After this Town had only one more meaningful attack, Spencer Jordan getting a cross inside the 6 yard box across goal, but Lewis Jordan was inches away from turning it in. Town substituted Chapman in the 90th minute bringing on top scorer Stewart Airdrie. Airdrie immediately showed his class holding the ball up in the Cheadle half running time down. However a ball that should have been cleared by the Town defence was allowed to go into the Town penalty area where Stephen Chew was adjudged to have handled the ball, Phil Clorley easily scoring from the resultant penalty. There was just enough time to take the kick off before the Referee blew for time.
A very disappointing result away from home again, Town really need to look at themselves and come up with a solution to this away form, which is in complete contrast to their home form.

Barnoldswick Town Res 4 v Glossop North End Res 4

What a classic game served up in this Reserve team fixture, Glossop coming to the Silentnight Stadium with a 100% record so far this season. The game was played at a very high tempo throughout, Town going behind in the 3rd minute with a good strike across Jamie Oldfield in the Town goal into the far corner. It didn’t take Town long to get back on equal terms as Danny Russell scored a minute later. Russell tried his luck with two shots from outside the penalty area which the Glossop keeper was relieved to see go inches past his post. The play was from end to end with goalmouth incidents in both penalty areas. It was Glossop who went ahead again in the 34th minute, a corner was not defended particularly well and the Glossop forward easily headed home from close in. Down 2-1 at the interval Town equalised through a David Gray header 5 minutes into the 2nd half, and then went into the lead 10 minutes later for the first time when Gray hit a left foot shot from outside the Glossop penalty area into the near bottom corner. This lead didn’t last long as 3 minutes later Glossop equalised. Then possibly the best goal of the match, 5 minutes later Craig Bradshaw played a wonderful ball into the penalty area, Matthew Coates who had just come on as a substitute placed it just inside the post giving the keeper no chance with his first touch of the game.
Glossop who could see their 100% record slipping away then upped their game. They equalised after 77 minutes following another corner that the Town defence failed to deal with. From that moment on there looked to be only one team that was going to win as Glossop poured forward in search of the winner. In one particular move no less than 4 close range attempts on goal were thwarted by desperate blocks on the Town goal line, as the Town defenders hurled their bodies in the way of the ball. However it was Town who should have pinched the 3 points as they won two corners deep into injury time. The 2nd of these corners was side footed into the side netting from 4 yards out by Anthony Young when he should really have scored.
But what an advert for Reserve team football, a draw was probably the best outcome of a pulsating game.

Barnoldswick Town 4 v Oldham Boro 0

Town went into this game after a two week lay off, Daniel Caton and Spencer Jordan both failing late fitness checks, Lewis Jordan's brother and Ashley Alderson coming into the midfield. Two new signings were on the bench in Liam Britton (signed from Colne) and Joseph Shelmerdine (signed from Hyde United).
Great work from head groundsman Stephen Naylor ably assisted by Alverley Ashworth, Chris Whale and Maurice Oldfield during the morning allowed the game to go ahead after heavy overnight rain had threatened to have the game called off.
Town's first attack produced a corner which was quickly cleared upfield where Oldham in their turn also won a corner. From the corner the ball was cleared just outside the penalty area where Oldham won a free kick. The ball was delivered to the far post and cleared for another corner. From this corner the ball was played to the edge of the Town penalty area but Chris Clark made a great tackle to win the ball, he ran at the Oldham defence down the centre of the park but with Stewart Airdrie completely unmarked screaming for the ball on the right he dallied on the ball and was dispossessed and the chance was gone.
The first shot at goal came after 12 minutes when Clark shot wide from a good position just on the edge of the Oldham penalty area. Town exerted some pressure on the Oldham defence, Liam Blades getting a shot away which was headed for a corner, This was cleared at the far post for another corner. Neil Chapman picked up a loose ball from the corner and crossed along the 6 yards box, Clark coming in at the far post was just beaten to the ball by Danny Pearson in the Oldham goal.
Town won a free kick just outside the Oldham penalty area, Airdrie rolling the ball to one side where Adam Hayton tried his luck with a shot which was headed for a corner, again Oldham were at 6s' and 7's as the ball came deep into their penalty area from the corner and was cleared under pressure.
Shaun Clough was then put clear down the Oldham right his cross into the Oldham penalty area was met by Blades but he was unable to keep the ball down as his header sailed over the bar
Up to the half hour mark the Town defence superbly marshalled by the two centre backs Russell Clarke and Bill Williams had kept Billy Carrington in the Town goal well protected, but this changed when Oldham won a fee kick just outside the Town penalty area, the free kick was delivered along the ground where Carrington made a good save but the wet conditions caused the ball to come out of his hands and he was called upon to make another crucial save to keep the Town goal intact. Two minutes later and Arnold Nsimbe the Oldham centre forward got clear on the Town right, Carrington again denying Oldham as he went full length to palm the ball away.
Town then upped their game a little putting sustained pressure on the Oldham defence, this paid off in the 41st minute when Chapman played a ball through the Oldham defence towards the far post, Ashley Alderson coming onto the ball to drive it low into the opposite corner giving Pearson in the Oldham goal no chance. Oldham fought back right on the stroke of half time when a forward shot wide from the edge of the penalty area after Town had conceded a corner.
Town went two up in the 47th minute, Airdrie was played in on the Oldham right, he took the ball on and was brought down as he cut across Damien Schofield deep inside the Oldham penalty area, Clark stepped up and sent pearson the wrong way from the resulting spot kick.
This appeared to fire Oldham up as two minutes later Duncan Philbin headed just over the Town bar from a good position. Oldham were in search for a goal that would bring them back into the game and they nearly got it after 55 minutes, a good free kick was delivered into the Town penalty area, where Nicholas Murphy was first to the ball but his brilliant header hit the Town cross bar and went to safety with Carrington well beaten. Town at this point (58 minutes) took Airdrie off and brought Joe Shelmerdine on for his debut.
Oldham for all their endeavour were held at bay by the Town defence, the only real trouble they caused was from free kicks which were well delivered into the Town penalty area. Shelmerdine's first pot at goal came after 73 minutes when he got a left foot shot away just inside the Oldham box but it was straight at Pearson in the Oldham goal. Town then took the hard working Clark off (74 Minutes) replacing him with the other debutant Liam Britton. Town again begun to put pressure on the Oldham defence, Chapman went past 3 defenders slipping the ball to Blades wide right but his cross was cut out at the near post. A great ball by Britton into the Oldham box saw Shelmerdine heading over. Chapman again turning provider slipped the ball to Alderson who put Hayton in on the edge of the box but his shot was just too high and sailed over the bar. Shelmerdine was proving a handfull for the Oldham defence as he dribbled to create himself an opening this time shooting wide of the post. Town increased their lead after 88 minutes when Shelmerdine played the ball to Chapman who tucked the ball away from the edge of the 6 yard box low into the corner of the net. A deserved goal for Chapman who had toiled up front all the match. Just into injury time and Clough crossed deep into the Oldham box where Shelmerdine again got onto the end of it heading just over the bar. Shelmerdine did get his reward in the 93rd minute when Chapman looked up and chipped the ball to the far post, his pinpoint cross found him at the far post and he headed the ball down and into the bottom corner giving Pearson no chance.
A good result for Town and selection headaches for the Managers, The two players coming in at the last minute (Lewis Jordan & Alderson) replacing the players who failed fitness checks(Spencer Jordan & Caton), and the two debutant's (Shelmerdine & Britton) who showed up well bode well for the rest of the campaign as Town now appear to have strength in depth.

NWCFL Division One Trophy 2nd Round

Eccleshall 1 v Barnoldswick Town 2

For this 2nd round cup tie Barnoldswick kept Dan Caton & Spencer Jordan on the substitutes bench as they were still not fully recovered from injury, choosing to give Liam Britton & Joe Shelmerdine their full debuts. Chris Clark was also on the subs bench along with Paul Barrett himself just recovered from injury. Due to Billy Carrington being unavailable Rob Batty was brought into goal as his replacement, and Liam Blades unavailable due to work commitments.
The pitch although a little on the heavy side was in good order after the recent heavy rain, so a fast sort of game was expected on the wet surface.
Eccleshall started the brighter confining Town to their own half for the first 7 minutes and could have had a penalty in the 2nd minute when a forward appeared to be brought down in the penalty area, fortunately the Referee thought otherwise. Town's first venture into the Eccleshall half came in the 7th minute when Stewart Airdrie got away down the eccleshall left, he swung over a tempting cross to Shelmerdine who although he managed to chest it down was robbed of the ball before he could bring it under control.
The first real save of the afternoon fell to Batty when he dived full length to tip the ball round the post from a fierce shot by the Eccleshall fullback Gavin Wood. Town began to force themselves more and more onto the Eccleshall defence, Neil Chapman had a shot charged down on the 6 yard line, picked up the rebound and cut to the byline, his cross was cleared to just outside the penalty area where Adam Hayton put in a shot that Scott Wiggins in the Eccleshall goal did well to keep out. Three minutes later (17) after an Eccleshall corner Town attacked through Airdrie who picked the ball up wide right cut in and shot just over the bar from the edge of the box. Two minutes later and a flowing move down the Eccleshall right by Chapman, Shelmerdine and Shaun Clough saw Clough deliver the ball across field to Airdrie, his cross to the far post was a good one, Shelmerdine met it with his head and it looked all over a goal until Richard Leech in the Eccleshall defence produced a magnificent over head clearance to clear it off the goal line, the best chance of the match so far.
Town however fell a goal behind after 23 minutes when a cross on the Town left found two Eccleshall players free at the far post, Lasanga Sidibe scoring with a good header.
The play continued to flow from end to end with neither side troubling the goalkeepers. Town's best chance of an equaliser fell to Shelmerdine after 35 minutes when he was played through one on one with Wiggins in the Eccleshall goal but he dragged his shot across the keeper and wide of the far post from just inside the box. Eccleshall nearly went two up when Leech found himself unmarked in the Town box but his header fortunately for Town went wide of the post. Town not to be outdone broke quickly Shelmerdine picking the ball up down the Eccleshall right and getting a good cross in, the ball was half cleared to Airdrie on the other flank but his cross was picked out of the air by Wiggins with Chapman in close attendance looking for any slip ups.
Right on the stroke of Halftime a quick passing movement by the Town attack saw Hayton put through clear on goal but as with Shelmerdine earlier his shot also went past the far post. Deep into injury time a Town attack was broken up and Eccleshall swiftly moved up field with Alex Barnfather eventually shooting wide of Batty's far post.
Town started the second half well swarming all over Eccleshall in search of an early equaliser, slick passing inside the penalty area saw Shelmerdine's shot knocked across goal towards Britton at the far post to what looked like a tap in, but the ball somehow drifted wide of the post and by the time he gained control of it the chance was gone. Town continued to press for the equaliser which gave opportunities to the Eccleshall attack, a mistake after 55 minutes saw Tom Laraso latch onto the ball just outside the box but he blazed his shot well over, a warning to Town. Town then took Briton off (58) bringing on Chris Clark.
Town started to turn the screw and a lot of pressure on the Eccleshall defence reaped the reward of a lot of corners, but desperate defending continued to keep Town out. A cross from Clough who was beginning to cause Eccleshall some trouble as he attacked cannoned in? Town did equalise in the 66th minute, a corner kick was played back and then crossed deep into the Eccleshall defence where Russell Clarke leapt with the defence, the ball was played down to just outside the 6 yard line where Bill Williams struck it well with his left foot into the net (his first goal for the club), a deserved equaliser.
It was all Town now with Batty not having any great saves to make as the Town defence stood firm. Airdrie took a corner short to Clark, he played it back to Alderson unmarked on the corner of the penalty area but his shot was blocked by a defender.
The Town defence was protecting Batty well, any sort of danger was quickly snuffed out by Clarke & Williams at the heart of the Town defence. Barrett replaced Shelmerdine on 77 minutes.
Town eventually won the game in the 86th minute, Clough again doing well down the flank put in a brilliant pinpoint cross to the far post where Hayton came in and forced a powerful header past Wiggins in the Eccleshall goal for a deserved winner.
A pleasing result, the team worked well together with some of the attacking play breathtaking to watch with slick passing and good positional play.

West Riding County Cup 2nd Round

Brighouse Town 1 v Barnoldswick Town 3

After the good win away at Eccleshall on Saturday Town changed their lineup, Liam Blades came back into the team along with a welcome return from injury of Spencer Jordan & Daniel Caton. Stewart Airdrie and Adam Hayton who had picked up a slight calf strain at Eccleshall dropping to the bench with Paul Barrett & Liam Britton.
Just before kick off the rain which had been absent all day started to come down again, Town kicking off into a stiff breeze.
Unlike Saturday when it took Town over 5 minutes to get out of their own half they took the game to Brighouse looking particularly dangerous down both flanks. However the opening goal scored by Joe Shelmerdine after 6 minutes came from a glorious defence splitting pass from Captain Russell Clarke, his pass split the defence and Shelmerdine crashed it in from the edge of the penalty area.
Brighouse started to play a bit and it was a little worrying that Alex Hallam left back & Matthew Howgate on the left wing were showing up well down the Town right. This in fact did lead to the equaliser, Howgate teased the Town defence with his dribbling skills having one cross charged down he quickly recovered the ball sending in another telling cross that was headed in off the far post after 30 minutes. It only took Town 5 minutes to take the lead again, Chris Clark slipped a great ball through the defence into the penalty area releasing Neil Chapman, he took the ball nearly to the byline and whipped a cross in. The ball travelled through the penalty area to Spencer Jordan on the far post 6 yards out. He swivelled and shot into the far corner through a ruck of players.Four minutes later and it was nearly 3-1, Reece Richardson in the Brighouse goal dropped the slippery ball into the path of Shelmerdine but he was too close to the goal line turning the ball into the side netting.
Billy Carrington was his usual dependent self having to only deal with shots from outside the penalty area, the defence once again playing well. 2-1 at half time it was now Town's turn to play with the wind at their backs. The threat of Hallam and Howgate was somewhat stifled as Blades made some great runs down their left which meant as an attacking duo they had to do more defending. Both Town's fullbacks had great games, defending well and also attacking with great vigour. Clark himself put through down the Brighouse right by Clough, took the ball into the penalty area and unleashed a fierce shot that floored the defender as it looked to be bang on target.
Town brought 3 substitutes on, Adam Hayton for Spencer Jordan (62), Stewart Airdrie for Joe Shelmerdine & finally Paul Barrett for Neil Chapman (81). Airdrie was quickly into his stride, being played in down the left he just reached the ball before the Brighouse keeper but his lob over him into the goal just wasn't high enough and the keeper got his finger tips to it, enough to keep it out of goal. Hayton then had a couple of shots that whistled just wide, Brighouse now opening up at the back as they searched for the equaliser. But it was not to be, 4 minutes after coming on Barrett found himself on the 6 yard line unmarked, he easily went round the keeper and tapped the ball in, game over as they say.
All in all once again a very good advert for local football, both teams contributing to a splendid game. The depth of the Town squad is very pleasing, when you can have 4 substitutes with the calibre of last night you must be on the right track.
We can now look forward to a Quarter Final tie with some relish.

Barnoldswick Town 6 v Rochdale Town 0

Town were fortunate with the weather, the overnight rain stopped in the early hours leaving the pitch very heavy in places but playable.
The Town management again rang the changes to the starting lineup, 3 players from the midweek win over Brighouse Town were consigned to the substitutes bench. Liam Britton, Daniel Caton & Spencer Jordan still carrying slight injuries and Joe Shelmerdine were on the bench along with Paul Barrett, coincidentally the latter 3 all scored at Brighouse which shows the strength in depth at the club.
Town began brightly forcing Rochdale back deep into their own territory without being able to get a clear shot on goal. It was not until the 12th minute that Rochdale posed a threat to the Town defence when they forced two corners in succession which the Town defence easily cleared. Town went ahead in the 16th minute, a Rochdale attack was broken up by Liam Blades on the edge of his own penalty area with a timely tackle, Billy Carrington picked the ball up and cleared it upfield, it fell into the path of Neil Chapman who took it on just inside the penalty area and crashed his shot into the far corner giving Mark Canning in the Rochdale goal no chance. Chris Clark who seemed to be everywhere was the next to try his luck, he picked the ball up wide right, cut in towards the penalty area and shot along the ground, Canning again was called upon to make a save. Town were now pressing very hard for the 2nd goal and it came after 26 minutes, Ashley Alderson slipping the ball to Stewart Airdrie inside the penalty area where he turned and shot into the far corner.
Town were rampant hardly giving Rochdale a kick, and a sweeping move which went from one side of the field to the other and back again saw Shaun Clough shoot from 30 yards along the ground, Canning again making a diving save to keep the score at two. The nearest Rochdale came to a goal in the first half was when the ball fell to a forward on the 6 yard line, Bill Williams blocking the ensuing shot to safety. Chapman was having a field day producing a delicate Cruyff turn on the goal line at the edge of the Rochdale penalty area, then skinning a further two defenders on the goal line before getting his cross in, unfortunately his efforts were un rewarded as there was no Town players to take advantage.
Blades then put over a brilliant cross to the near post, Chapman getting in there first but his header just cleared the bar.
Town continued with their assault on the Rochdale goal straight after halftime, Clark playing the ball to Clough who struck it first time but the ball was deflected for a corner. Blades then sliced a cross which was destined for the near top corner until Canning again saved the day for Rochdale. Interchanged passes between Clark and Chapman saw Clarks shot saved by the keeper at the expense of a corner. The pressure on the Rochdale goal finally yielded a third Town goal, Adam Hayton playing Alderson in, his shot to good for the keeper as he smashed it home. Town then took Airdrie off bringing on Shelmerdine (62), it took Shelmerdine 4 minutes to stamp his mark on the game being fouled in the penalty area for a penalty. Clark stepping up and easily scoring.
Town made another change (68) bringing on Paul Barrett and Chapman going off. This change nearly brought a goal 4 minutes later, Blades crossing to the near post where Barrett's header flashed just wide of the post. Town's final substitution came in the 75th minute when Liam Britton came on with Hayton making way for him. A minute later (76) and Town made it 5-0, Blades playing the ball down the Rochdale left flank to Shelmerdine who crossed with plenty of pace on the ball, Barrett heading home from the edge of the 6 yard line. Town's defence again shielded Carrington well, Rochdale's only threat coming in a 5 minute spell around the 80 minute mark, but Skipper Russell Clarke and Bill Williams in the centre held the line together well.
With 3 minutes left Shelmerdine himself scored from just inside the penalty area to make it six. Another good result, Town winning their last four games. It is also a bit unusual to score six goals and have all the goals scorers different.

AFC Blackpool 3 v Barnoldswick Town 4

Town still had Spencer Jordan missing with a niggling injury, Joe Shelmerdine, Daniel Caton & Stephen Chew on the Substitutes bench. The pitch looked in perfect condition, the weather bright and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. Blackpool would be looking to avenge the 7-1 defeat they suffered earlier on in the season, so town needed to start the game well.
Blackpool did go on the offensive straight from the start, the Town defence having a lot of work to do to keep them at bay. However it was Town who created the first chance after 6 minutes, a ball played from deep in the Town half found Stewart Airdrie down the left hand side half way inside the Blackpool half, as he brought the ball under control he saw Daniel Allen in the Blackpool goal off his line, he quickly sent a left foot shot over the keeper towards goal but at the last minute it drifted the wrong side of the post, a real let off for Blackpool.
Blackpool were the next team to pose a threat, poor defending just outside the Town penalty area saw Bill Williams make a desperate last ditch tackle, forcing the ball away for a corner. The corner was played in along the Town 6 yard line, fortunately no one was able to take advantage the ball missing everyone as it went to safety on the other side of the box.
Town took the lead a minute later on 13 minutes, Town won a corner, the ball was played in where Williams brought it down and took a shot at goal, the shot went across the penalty area where Airdrie comfortably scored at the far post.
Town were now beginning to exert pressure on the Blackpool defence, Airdrie won a corner, Chris Clark won the ball from the corner and played it back to Airdrie who fired in a good shot just over the Blackpool goal. Good defending by Shaun Clough denied Grant Dell a shooting chance inside the Town penalty area. Ex footballing Pro Cieran Donnelly tried his luck from the edge of the Town penalty area, firing just wide of Billy Carrington's left hand post after 22 minutes.
This was to be more or less the last attempt on the Town goal of the first half, as Town run the Blackpool defence ragged. Town's second goal came after 34 minutes, Adam Hayton won a corner on the Blackpool right, Liam Blades took it and the ball skimmed off the head of a Blackpool defender at the near post straight to Bill Williams at the far post whose powerful header found the back of the Blackpool net. Two minutes later and Airdrie picked the ball up on the penalty spot but scuffed his shot straight at Allen in the Blackpool goal. Town's slick movement were cutting the Blackpool defence to shreds, Neil Chapman running at the defence turning them inside out but his shot was just wide of the post. A Hayton cross found Airdrie at the far post but his header again drifted the wrong side of the post. Clark who was beginning to stamp some authority on the game crossed to Chapman, his first time volley was saved at the foot of the post by Allen. The Town defence was keeping the Blackpool attack under wraps, the nearest they came to a goal came after 43 minutes when Martin Baird tried his luck from outside the penalty area but he shot over the bar. Town extended their lead 4 minutes into injury time, there must have been 15 passes outside the Blackpool penalty area which ended with Hayton going past three tackles and slipping the ball to one side where Lewis Jordan was waiting on the edge of the 6 yard box, he easily beat Allen in the Blackpool goal.
Town started the 2nd half as they finished the 1st well on top. Ashley Alderson headed the ball back across the Blackpool penalty area towards goal, the ball drifted wide of the far post where Hayton picked it up turned and crossed more or less along the goal line, it was hacked away by a desperate Blackpool defender. ALderson then managed to get to the Blackpool goal line but his cross was blocked for a corner, from the corner Chapman rose above the Blackpool defence but his header was inches over the bar. Blackpool then made a telling substitution, taking left back Steven Betteridge off and bringing on Kieran Rimmington (60 minutes). Marc Beattie had a good shot just wide of the Town post, as Blackpool looked to get back into the game. Town took Airdrie off (63 minutes) bringing on Joe Shelmerdine. for the next 12 minutes it was still Town who looked the more likely to score,a quick passing movement between Alderson and Clark saw the ball slipped inside the Blackpool defence to Hayton but his final shot again went the wrong side of the post. Hayton and Clark again interchanged passes this time the ball ended up with Blades, he side stepped a defender and shot just over the bar. Blades again tried his luck when Clark picked him out with a pass, but again he shot wide from the edge of the box.Town then took Hayton off (75 minutes) replacing him with Daniel Caton. Within a minute Blackpool scored, Donnelly shot from outside the Town penalty area, this seemed to catch Billy Carrington flatfooted as his despairing dive wasn't good enough and the ball sneaked in at the foot of his right hand post. This bucked Blackpool up, and Rimmington began to impose himself with some purposeful runs at the Town defence, culminating in him getting a shot away that Carrington had to watch carefully but safely gathered. Blackpool scored again after 80 minutes, a free kick given away near the goal line but just outside the Town penalty area saw the ball played over the Town wall to near post where Marc Beattie scored with a powerful header. It was game on now as Blackpool attacked with new vigour, however it was Town who scored next (83 minutes), Allen in the Blackpool goal under no pressure weakly cleared the ball straight to Clark just inside the Blackpool penalty area, he quickly brought the ball under control and fired across the keepers vain dive into the far corner. That should have killed the game off but right on full time Blackpool's Matthew Muscroft thundered a left foot shot from the corner of the Town penalty area that probably no one saw until it hit the back of the Town net, a quite outstanding goal. Fortunately for Town they saw the remaining 4 minutes of injury time out for another good win.

Barnoldswick Town 0 v Stone Dominoes 0

This was a long awaited game to gauge just how far the team had come since the start of the season. The pitch would be a little on the heavy side after overnight rain on Thursday left pools of water all over the pitch. The day started with frost on the ground followed by fog swirling round the ground, this was to disappear before kick off leaving it overcast with a gentle breeze but otherwise perfect for this encounter.
Town attacked straight from the kick off but this was quickly repelled by the Stone defence who countered down the Town left, as the ball was played across the Town penalty area Lewis Jordan slipped letting the ball go past him to Stone striker Simon Eldershaw but his shot on goal was weak and Billy Carrington in the Town goal gathered safely. Town's first attempt on goal came in the 2nd minute when Adam Hayton took a freekick wide left of the Stone goal, Bill Williams managed to get his head to the ball heading it down towards the goal but it went straight to Daniel Roberts in the Stone goal for an easy save. Town were beginning to attack down the flanks and Liam Blades crossed to the far post where it was cleared for a corner. From the corner the ball again went towards Williams on the edge of the 6 yard line who tried an overhead kick which went over the Stone crossbar. Play was going from end to end and Carrington had to make a save when Stone's Daniel Brown headed the ball down but straight into the keepers arms.
It was Stone who created the next chance in the 13th when the ball was threaded through the Town defence across the penalty area where Brown had a good opening but his shot was again very weak and Carrington saved easily. Town immediately replied when Shaun Clough passed the ball to Neil Chapman down the Stone right, he squeezed the ball through two defenders and across the penalty area, Stewart Airdrie was just unable to latch onto the ball in front of goal, he did however retrieve it on the byline adjacent to the six yard line. His cross back across goal bounced on top of the Stone crossbar and over for a goal kick.
Town continued to press and another Blades cross to the far post saw Steven Brunt the Stone fullback concede a corner when under intense pressure from Hayton at the far post. Blades himself tried his luck from 30 yards but again the shot was straight at the Roberts in the Stone goal. Williams again made his presence felt when he played a great ball down the Stone left to Airdrie he crossed towards the Stone goal towards Ashley Alderson on the corner of the 6 yard box but he was tackled as he was going to shoot home, the ball squirting away for a throwin. Eldershaw for Stone had the next attempt on goal on 34 minutes but his header was wide from a good position. Town had a great chance to take the lead on the stroke of half time, a corner on the Stone left was sent to the far post where Skipper Russell Clarke rose well to meet the ball but his header was sent back across the goal when one directed towards goal would have surely opened the scoring.
After 50 minutes Town failed to clear their lines and Stone won a corner on the Town left, the corner was driven in towards the near post where Adam Soane unmarked met the ball but fortunately for Town his powerful header was a yard wide of the near post, a let off for Town. At this point Town temporarily lost their way a little giving freekick's away around the halfway line putting themselves under needless pressure.
Town's best move so far came after 55 minutes when Hayton played a great ball through the Stone defence to Chapman just outside the Stone penalty area wide left, his cross towards looked destined to reach Airdrie on the 6 yard line but Soane in the Stone defence thought otherwise and a last ditch header saw the ball taken off Airdrie's head to safety.
Six minutes later and an innocuous clearance down field saw the ball beat the Stone defence and Chapman latched onto the ball lifting it over Roberts in the Stone goal, unfortunately the ball hit bar rebounding back into play where Airdrie just couldn't get near enough to it to turn it into goal. Play was moving from end to end and Carrington had to save from a Michael Marren shot. Another cross down the Town left looked like it may reap dividends for Stone but Eldershaw headed wide at the far post. Stone then made a substitution Anthony Marshall coming on (72 minutes), his first touch on the ball was to shoot from 30 yards causing Carrington to scramble across his goal to make the save. A quick break by Town saw Airdrie on the edge of the penalty area pull the ball down brilliantly before laying it back to Hayton but again his shot was straight at the keeper. Town then took Chris Clark off replacing him with Craig Bradshaw (80 minutes), then replaced Airdrie with Paul Barrett (85 minutes). With two minutes left Town won a freekick just outside the Stone penalty area wide right, Hayton took the kick swinging the ball towards the far post, Roberts in the Stone goal plucked the ball out of the air but momentarily dropped it a couple of yards away, luckily he was able to regain possession of the ball before a Town forward could pounce on it. The game ended with Stone pressing on the Town goal, Karl Charlton Stone's man of the match won the ball just inside the Town penalty area on the goal line crossing deep to the far post, fortunately it was cleared for a corner that came to nothing.
In the end a highly entertaining game played at a good tempo throughout and was a credit to both teams.

Barnoldswick Town 1 v Irlam 1

Another exciting encounter at the Silentnight Stadium saw Town & Irlam share the spoils.Before the kick off Town’s three Managers, Ben Hall, Stewart Airdrie & Kevin Richardson were presented with the Vodkat manager of the month award for December. A late presentation due to the inclement weather suffered in recent weeks.
It was Irlam who started the better with the Town defence failing to clear the ball in the first minute Chris Palmer found himself unmarked on the edge of the penalty area, fortunately his shot sailed over Billy Carrington's goal. Town's first foray into the Irlam penalty area came after 6 minutes when Stewart Airdrie played a neat ball through the defence to Neil Chapman but his cross was well blocked by a defender, the ball squirting away for a corner. Town then put pressure on the Irlam defence winning a series of throwin's near the corner flag, which were eventually cleared to safety.
Airdrie again broke away down the Irlam left but his cross towards Chris Clark at the far post was calmly cut out by Steve Mills who brought it under control and cleared. Irlam not to be out done went upfield and Paul Jones fired a fierce shot from the corner of the penalty area into the side netting. There was a bit of a scare for Town when Carrington miskicked the ball, it went to an Irlam forward but the Town defence quickly recovered the situation and the chance was gone. Chris Clark was causing Irlam trouble with his running across the middle of the park, and he broke clear again down the Irlam left, his cross was half cleared but it fell to Adam Hayton who was upended on the byline just outside the penalty area. The resulting freekick was easily cleared by the Irlam defence.
Town had another scare when an attack broke down and Irlam found themselves with two attackers to one defender but they squandered the opening eventually winning a corner. Town had to make an enforced substitution when Neal Chapman twisted his knee, Joe Shelmerdine coming on (27 minutes). Hayton was stroking the ball around and found Shaun Clough on the Irlam right, he cut in and tried his luck from outside the penalty area, but his shot although it had plenty of pace on it whistled past the far post.
Irlam then won a corner and as it came across everyone missed the ball as it went across the 6 yard area where a Town defender headed clear at the far post. Liam Blades was making telling runs down the Irlam left and from one of these the ball looked to be going straight to Clark but just as he leapt to head the ball he lost his footing and the ball skidded away on the far side of the penalty area. Some neat play by the Irlam forward line saw Ryan Hutchinson waste a good opportunity shooting well wide from a good position on the edge of the Town penalty area. From a corner in the 38th minute Alderson got in a good header, Lambert in the Irlam goal had to stretch up into the top corner of his goal to palm the ball away to safety. 0-0 at halftime which was a fair score line on the balance of play, with possibly Irlam just showing up as the team quicker on the ball.
After the break it was Town who started on attack, Blades again making a good run down the Irlam left, his cross along the 6 yards area left Shelmerdine just unable to turn it in as he stretched for the ball. Town won a freekick on the edge of the Irlam penalty area when Shelmerdine ran at the Irlam defence beating three defenders before he was brought down, Hayton's freekick was well over the bar. Irlam themselves went straight down to the Town penalty area and won themselves a freekick on the corner of the penalty area, Hutchinson took the kick placing it over the Town goal and passed the despairing dive of Carrington's into the net for the opening goal (54 minutes). Town had to wait until the 64th minute to equalise, Blades took a freekick out wide on the Irlam right flank, his cross went just beyond the penalty spot and was met by Alderson who placed a great header towards the Irlam goal, Shelmerdine lurking on the 6 yard line turned and shot goalwards, the ball looped up from Lambert the Irlam goalkeeper and nestled in the far corner with the fullback on the line unable to keep it out.
Town then suffered a blow when Alderson was sent off (75 minutes) for making a rash challenge on Hutchinson the Irlam goal scorer, although he didn't make contact with the Irlam player the Referee deemed it a sending off offence. Play was swinging from end to end with both side looking for the winner. Both defence's held firm with periods of pressure around both penalty areas. Carrington had to tip a shot from Aaron Swift over the bar, and at the other end Lambert had move swiftly off his line to pluck a dangerous Blades cross out of the air. The last five minutes saw Town on top but they were unable to break down a resolute Irlam defence. In the end a fair result, and another good football match to watch. A credit to both teams.

West Riding County Cup Quarter Final

Barnoldswick Town 3 v Yorkshire Amateur 0

Town did well to get the match on, although the pitch was soft a blizzard in the middle of the afternoon caused a 1" deep covering of snow. To the rescue again came groundsman Ces Naylor, chain harrowing the pitch and then re-marking with blue line marker. The pitch played very well, perhaps becoming a little harder towards the end of the match but that was to be expected.
Town had to leave out Neil Chapman who had picked up an injury last Saturday, and Joe Shelmerdine who couldn't make it due to work commitments.
Town started well and in the 2nd minute Spencer Jordan starting a first team game for several weeks due to injury broke through the Amateur defence, his shot beat the advancing Brendan Hazlett in goal but fullback Ewan Rolfe made a great stop, the ball being cleared for a corner. Town kept up the pressure and Ashley Alderson had a fierce shot stopped again by Rolfe the ball rebounding to Stewart Airdrie whose shot was just wide of the post.
Amateur's first attempt at goal came after 12 minutes when Ange Blehiri their centre forward fired wide from the edge of the penalty area. Town swept back to the Amateur end and an Alderson cross from the Amateur left saw Paul Barrett launch himself at the near post, but under pressure from the Amateur defence his header flew just over the bar.
Town did take the lead after 18 minutes when Airdrie put in a cross from the Amateur's right, Spencer Jordan picked the ball up on the corner of the six yard box, turned and sent a shot wide of Hazlett in the Amateur goal into the far corner.
Town were now on the charge with Liam Blades prominent with his raiding down the Amateur left flank. Alderson headed wide from a Blades cross, another Blades cross beat the Amateur defence but Airdrie was just unable to get onto the end of it, Hazlett making the save.
Not to be outdone Blehiri tried his luck on the Town goal with a shot from the edge of the penalty area but it was volleyed over the bar.
Alderson had a cross hacked away for a corner, and from the corner he had a shot which went all along the ground but straight at Hazlett who comfortably saved. Two more Blades crosses were cut out by Hazlett in the Amateur goal at the expense of a corner, both of which came to nothing. The half ended with the Amateur's on attack deep into injury time, when Richard Britten shot just over the bar following a corner.
The second half started with a role reversal of the first half with the Amateur's on top. A free kick taken just outside the box by Kyle Collins went over the bar, two minutes later he tried his luck again, this time the ball just drifted wide of the post. The Amateur's top scorer Fernando Moke then fired a shot from outside the box straight at Billy Carrington, who was having to work hard after an fairly easy first half. A mistake by the Town defence after 62 minutes let in Dempsey Smith but once again the shot was fired straight at Carrington who saved easily. Town were being put under pressure by some slick Amateur passing, they were in possession of the ball for long periods unable to take control of the play. To this end Town did a double substitution after 65 minutes, bringing on Chris Clark and Craig Bradshaw for Adam Hayton and Paul Barrett.
Within 6 minutes Town got their 2nd goal, another great run by Blades over half the length of the pitch saw a brilliant cross over the Amateur defence to Bradshaw who scored with virtuously his first touch since coming on.
Town made another substitution after 75 minutes when Lewis Jordan replaced Stewart Airdrie. Town were now looking much more in control of the game, a great ball from Bradshaw to Shaun Clough saw the fullback take the ball to the byline and pull the ball back towards the penalty spot, however there was no one to take advantage and the ball was cleared.
Skipper Russell Clarke then tried his luck, great movement and passing skills from the Town central defender saw him break unmarked into the Amateur's penalty area, as it looked like he would break his Town duck of not scoring by tapping in at the near post his defensive qualities must have taken over, he seemed to be caught in two minds whether to shoot or cross, in the end his cross cum shot hit the outstretched foot of Hazell bouncing clear and the chance was lost.
Bradshaw should have scored his 2nd goal when another Blades cross reached him unmarked on the 6 yards line but he dragged his shot wide of goal. He did however get his 2nd goal after 86 minutes when Blades crossed to the far post and he managed to get onto the end of it to easily score. The final chance fell to Adam Smith in the 88th Minute, the Amateur's forward should really have scored from close in, but by then Town had made the game safe.
Another good Town performance, although they were under pressure for the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half the defence kept any Amateur shots at goal outside the penalty area which Carrington dealt with competently.
The Semi Final will be against Unibond Premier team Guisley ay Guisley on the 23rd February ko 7:45.

Wigan Robin Park 0 v Barnoldswick Town 3

This was expected to be one of the toughest games of the season for Town after the Wigan performance earlier in the season when Town triumphed 2-0 at home, Wigan giving a good account of themselves.
Neil Chapman returned to the subs bench after missing the West Riding Cup game through injury, and Joe Shelmerdine started the game after also missing the Cup game. Billy Carrington unable to play due to work commitments saw the 1st team debut of Chris Brennan.
The kick off was postponed 25 minutes when one of the officials failed to turn up on time.
Town started well creating their first chance in the 2nd minute, Shaun Clough played the ball down the Wigan right to Stewart Airdrie who turned and crossed into the Wigan penalty area, the ball was headed clear to the corner of the box where Ashley Alderson picked up the ball moved forward two paces and curled a shot that looked destined for the far top corner. However Jason Foulds in the Wigan goal thought otherwise and produced a stunning save, tipping the ball over the bar for a corner.
Town continued to press forward and a quick break out of defence saw a neat one two between Shelmerdine & Clough which saw the latter run on and shoot from the edge of the penalty area, producing another fine diving save from Foulds. A Town free kick saw Bill Williams get his head to the ball, it fell to Russell Clarke on the edge of the 6 yard box who was just unable to bring it under control quickly enough and it was cleared for a corner.
It was all Town with Brennan in the Town goal hardly having to touch the ball. After 27 minutes Spencer Jordan tried a shot from the edge of the penalty area, Foulds saving at the foot of his right hand post.
Town took the lead after 33 minutes, great play down the Wigan left saw Airdrie play a delightful ball into the path of Spencer Jordan who skirted past Foulds and tucked it away into the far corner. Town went two up when Alderson dribbled past two or three Wigan defenders on the right hand corner of the Wigan penalty area and crossed to Shelmerdine who easily beat Foulds from close in. Town had two further attempts on the Wigan goal in the 1st half, a Lewis Jordan shot well saved by the keeper, and a chance when Foulds miss kicked the ball into the path of Airdrie but the Wigan defence managed to cut the ball out as it looked to be destined for the boot of Shelmerdine on the 6 yard line.
Wigan's first shot at goal came in the 50th minute when Brennan had to save a shot from the edge of the Town penalty area. Town raced straight down to the Wigan end and a Shelmerdine cross looked to be curling into the far top corner, Foulds again managing to palm the ball over for a corner. It wasn't long before Town made the game safe. In the 59th minute, Shelmerdine played the ball across the 6 yard line of the Wigan goal, it eluded everyone and ended up at the far side of the penalty area, when it was played back into the box it was half cleared to Airdrie who shot at goal, the ball was handled the referee giving a penalty. Chris Clark stepped up placing the ball into the top corner, the perfect penalty.
Town then should have gone on to record a big score, Spencer Jordan put clean through on goal by Clark but he spooned the ball high and wide with only the keeper to beat, a minute later and Airdrie played Shelmerdine in but he was was unlucky from 3 yards out the ball hitting the keepers legs and rebounding to safety.
Town made a substitution after 73 minutes, Alderson being replaced by Daniel Caton, and on 79 minutes when Craig Bradshaw replaced Clark.
Bradshaw had only been on two minutes when he was played in with a great ball from Airdrie but his final shot sailed over the bar. Shelmerdine was then replaced by Paul Barrett for the last 10 minutes. Bradshaw was again in the thick of the action, winning the ball on the right hand corner of the box, he took the ball on and tried to curl the ball into the top right hand corner, Foulds in the Wigan goal diving to his left to push the ball round the far post. Deep into injury time Lewis Jordan released his brother Spencer in again one on one, Foulds in the Wigan goal managing to get his legs in the way again a Jordan tried to place the ball past him, the ball ending up a corner.
A good result for Town, with the defence again being in a miserly mood, and the forwards always looking dangerous.

North West Counties Division 1 Cup Quarter Final

Stone Dominoes 2 v Barnoldswick Town 0

Town had to make changes to their starting lineup before the start. Stewart Airdrie took a place on the subs bench with a heavily bruised thigh, Neil Chapman was also on the bench still not fully recovered from an injury picked up two weeks ago. Lewis Craig was thrust into the melting pot for his first game with the 1st team when Shaun Clough pulled out with work commitments. I cannot give an in depth report as I was away for the game, but after an even first half where Spencer Jordan could have nipped in to open the scoring, Town fell away after the interval. Stone scoring two goals in the final quarter of the game to deservedly win the tie. Town will now have to pick themselves up for the West Riding Cup Semi-Final game on Tuesday at Guiseley.

Eccleshall 0 v Barnoldswick Town 1

This on paper was always going to be a tough game for Town, when beating them in the cup earlier on in the season Town had to raise their game to overcome a strong fit team. It was made harder for Town as they had key players missing, Chris Clarke (injury), Ashley Alderson & Shaun Clough both (suspended). Neil Chapman came back into the starting lineup Joe Shelmerdine returning to the bench, Lewis Craig kept his place at left back for the suspended Clough. One bit of good fortune for Town was that Adam Hayton made himself available and took his place in midfield. The pitch was in fairly good order down the flanks after all the snow and rain, but a bit of a glue pot through the middle.
The game started at a lively pace with Town on the back foot, not really getting out of their own half for the first 6 minutes. The first attempt on goal came from Sam Lovatt the Eccleshall No. 9 who tried his luck from just outside the Town penalty area, fortunately he had left his shooting boots at home and the chance flew well wide of Billy Carrington's far post.
Town settled after 10 minutes Stewart Airdrie slipping the ball through the centre of the Eccleshall defence into the path of Neil Chapman, the pass was just too strong and Gavin Deaville in the Eccleshall goal just beat him to the ball on the edge of the penalty area.The first corner of the game fell to Town, Liam Blades took it and it was half cleared to just inside the far side of the penalty area where it fell to Bill Williams, his first time shot was on target but blocked by a desperate defender on the 6 yard line and cleared to safety.
Town had a lucky escape in the 15th minute, the defence failed to clear their line at the back, the ball fell to Lovatt who had his initial shot saved by Carrington who palmed the ball away from goal, but only into the path of Lascana Sidibe who snatched at the chance and blazed his shot well over the bar.
Eccleshall's first corner came after 20 minutes on the Town left, it was taken short but Chapman was aware of what was going on and managed to block the impending cross for another corner which was easily picked up by Carrington as it came across. Town then worked the ball well, Hayton going past 3 tackles and worked the ball out to Craig who was pushing on down the Eccleshall right, he swung a dangerous cross into the penalty area and was cleared by the defence, Town's best attacking move so far.
Eccleshall went straight down to the Town goal and Danny Hughes who was a terrier all afternoon in the Eccleshall midfield had a fierce shot from outside the penalty area screaming over just over Carrington's goal. Eccleshall were forced to make a substitution in the 29th minute when Karl Williams took an elbow in his eye, this brought on Dwayne Spence who was top scorer previously with the club, and had just returned for his first game since trying his luck elsewhere.
Town won another corner again taken by Blades, this came in to the front post where Chapman managed to get in first on the corner of the 6 yard box, but he was unable to keep the ball down hooking it just over the bar. With 5 minutes to go to halftime Williams the Eccleshall No. 8 had a fierce shot tipped over the bar by Carrington for a corner. Town were coming under intense pressure at this point of the game, not really helping themselves by failing to clear their lines at the back. Town conceded two free kicks in quick succession in dangerous positions, just outside their penalty area, Gavin Wood and Sidibe firing over the Town bar. Town ended the first half on the attack, Airdrie was fouled by Hughes just into the Eccleshall half, he appeared to move his head towards Airdrie's but after a lecture by the referee no action was taken. The free kick was taken by Blades, Deaville in the Eccleshall goal dropped the ball but the Eccleshall defence was first to react and the ball was cleared.
The 2nd half started with Eccleshall again on top and 7 minutes into it Carrington had to save with his legs from Tom Laraso, the ball going for a corner. From the corner Blades had to head of his goal line after an Eccleshall forward won the ball in the air as it looked to be sneaking in at the far post. Hughes the terrier like Eccleshall midfielder was booked after 56 minutes following a series of rash challenges. Airdrie took the ball on after the free kick but his shot from the edge of the penalty area curled wide of the near post.
Town were now playing a little bit better and on the hour mark Airdrie slipped a delightful ball through the heart of the Eccleshall defence to Spencer Jordan, Eccleshall's man of the match Alex Hutchinson was just to quick for him and played the ball out of the danger area.Town then substituted Chapman (67 minutes) bringing on Joe Shelmerdine. Carrington in the very next minute had to make a one handed save from Spence 10 yards out, who should probably have done better. Carrington had to save at the foot of his post two minutes later from the same player who was beginning to be a real threat to the Town defence. Down at the other end Hayton took a free kick crossing it deep into the Eccleshall penalty area, Russell Clarke half volleyed it back across the penalty area where Lewis Jordan managed to get a shot away, but it sailed over the bar. The Town back line of Blades, Clarke, Williams & Craig were having to work overtime to keep Eccleshall at bay. Town took Lewis Jordan off (73minutes) bringing on Keiron Lee.
A further substitution saw Spencer Jordan taken off (81 minutes) being replaced by Craig Bradshaw. This substitution came when Town had a corner, the ball was swung over where Williams got his head to the ball, the ball went down and Hayton just inside the 6 yards line managed to get a shot away but it ricotta to safety in a packed penalty area. Eccleshall were not to be outdone, and Carrington had to make another good save as play swung from end to end. Perhaps a turning point in the game came after 85 minutes when Eccleshall midfielder Hughes was sent off for another infringement. A minute slater and Town were in front. Craig took a free kick just outside the penalty area, Deaville pushing the ball wide of his post for a corner. The corner came in to the near post and Clarke the Town Captain who has been threatening a goal for the last 5 matches or so got his head onto the ball, heading through a ruck of players into the net. This seemed to relax Town and Shelmerdine from just inside the penalty area saw a shot just curl away from goal. In the last minute Bradshaw who had shown some neat touches after coming on won a corner in injury to play time out. A good win for Town with players out due to suspension and injury, Alderson has two more matches to sit out, but Clough should be back for Monday's trip to Chadderton. One can feel a little sympathy for Eccleshall but it's goals that count.

Chadderton 1 v Barnoldswick Town 2

For this match Town had Shaun Clough returning at left back after a one match suspension, Adam Hayton also in the side for his last game before going to play in Perth Australia for Sorrento FC. Town had a really strong subs bench, Chris Clark back after missing the Eccleshall game, Lewis Craig, Joe Shelmerdine, Craig Bradshaw & Paul Barrett making up the bench. The pitch looked like a quagmire at first glance and a difficult game was envisaged against a strong Chadderton side.
The pitch as it happened played better than it looked, but for the first 10 minutes it was a stalemate with both defence's on top. The first attempt at goal came after 11 minutes when Andrew Pheby the Chadderton No.9 tried his luck from outside the Town penalty area but it flew high & wide not troubling Billy Carrington in the Town goal. Town's first shot at goal came two minutes later, when from a corner the ball was half cleared to the edge of the penalty area, Spencer Jordan half volleying over the bar. There was not much goalmouth action after that until the half hour mark when Stewart Airdrie had a good header tipped over the bar by Kristian Ventress in the Chadderton goal. From the corner Ventress again managed to clear the ball which fell at Liam Blades feet out wide on the goal line, he drove a fierce cross back along the goalmouth Ventress having to save low down at the near post. Hayton halfway inside the Chadderton half tried to release Spence Jordan through the middle with a deft pass, Ventress seeing the danger raced out of his goal and just got to the ball before Jordan to snuff out the danger. Both defence's were keeping most attempts on goal to long shots from outside the penalty area.
As halftime approached Town started to play with more authority and with 5 minutes to go to halftime Airdrie got in down the Chadderton left and got a great cross in, Ventress again came out and plucked the ball out of the air before a Town attacker could profit from it. But the respite didn't stop, with two minutes to halftime Town won a free kick on the Chadderton right midway inside their half, Shaun Clough played a great ball across field to the unmarked AIrdrie on the left hand corner of the penalty area, he hit the ball first time with the outside of his right boot, Ventress was rooted to the spot as the ball swerved inside his far post. Worse wa to follow for Chadderton a minute later, Spencer Jordan was brought down on the edge of the penalty area central to the goal, Neil Chapman took the free kick stroking the ball wide of the defensive wall into the bottom left hand corner of the Chadderton goal, Ventress again a spectator as the ball flew past him.
Town started the second half off well, Hayton played a great ball down the Chadderton left to Chapman who in turn put in a great cross, Ventress this time punching the ball off the head of Airdrie as he threatened his goal.
Once again Town had a player sent off against them for the 2nd successive match when Leon Melia was shown a 2nd yellow card after 56 minutes. This didn't stop Chadderton from coming forward trying to get back into the match, and they were rewarded in the 73rd minute with a disputed goal, the ball appeared to go well over the goal line for either a goal kick or a corner but play was allowed to continue, the ball ended up at the far post where Mark Egerton stabbed it home. This gave Chadderton more impetus in searching for the equaliser. The Town defence held firm however still keeping any attempt on Carrington's goal to pot shots from outside the penalty area which he competently dealt with. Town substituted Airdrie for Craig Bradshaw (78 minutes). Two minutes later and Clough beginning to get some space down the Chadderton right put a great ball over, Hayton around the penalty spot put in a great header which rattled the crossbar with Ventress beaten, the ball was half cleared, Hayton picking the ball up wide beat a defender and crossed but the ball was cleared. Town had a great chance to sew the game up when Bradshaw was put through clear on goal with only Ventress to beat but his shot was at a comfortable height and the keeper parried the ball away. The last scoring chance fell to Daniel Caton, a move involving Bradshaw & Hayton saw Caton shoot for goal from the edge of the area, Ventress scrambling across his goalmouth to flick the ball round his right hand post for a corner. Town held the ball up in the corner to run the clock down. A very good performance on a difficult surface, and it is nice to sit on top of the table for the first time, this could all change on Wednesday when Stone visit Eccleshall.

Ashton Town 2 v Barnoldswick Town 2

Town began this game with only Ashley Alderson missing, he was serving the last of a three match suspension for being red carded. The pitch was in good order so a good game was envisaged.
The game started with Town on the back foot conceding a corner in the 2nd minute. The corner was a poor one and Town quickly broke away Neil Chapman picking the ball up on the halfway line and splitting the Ashton defence with a through ball, however the pass was just too strong and Chris Clark was just unable to catch it before it rolled over the goal line for a goal kick. Town again threatened a minute later, Spencer Jordan being fouled mid way inside the Ashton half, the free kick was good one releasing Clark down the Ashton left but his cross was a poor one not getting past the first defender. Town did take the lead after 6 minutes when Lee Novak in the Ashton goal was adjudged to have picked up a back pass, Spencer Jordan rolled the ball to one side from the free kick and Chapman for the second time in two games calmly stroked the ball past the wall into the bottom corner.
Town had a shout for a penalty two minutes later when from a corner Bill Williams appeared to be held down in front of goal as he rose up to head the ball, but the Referee thought otherwise. Town were having the best of the exchanges and a long ball by Williams from deep inside his own half caught the Ashton defence out, Chapman just catching the ball on the goal line on the edge of the 6 yard area but he was unable to get any power behind his cross and Novak swooped to collect. Ashton then won a corner on the Town right, Lee Green the Ashton left back was becoming a bit of a problem for Town as he was always in space and seeing a lot of the ball. From the corner Williams cleared the danger at the expense of another which was eventually cleared. Michael Sykes an Ashton substitute nearly sliced the ball into his own net after a Town free kick was played at pace into the area.
Ashton equalised after 26 minutes, Town won a free kick halfway inside their own half which was quickly taken, they immediately lost possession the ball being played out wide by an Ashton player to Green on the Town right, he took the ball on into the penalty area and whether it was a cross or a shot no one will know but the ball sliced off his left boot and drifted over Billy Carrington into the far corner of his goal, leaving all the Town supporters wondering just how it had gone in?
Clark produced a great run after 37 minutes, ghosting past three Ashton defenders before being brought down on the edge of the penalty area, he took the free kick himself but shot straight at the keeper who easily saved it. Another great chance for Town came two minutes before half time, Stewart Airdrie managed to get behind the left side of the Ashton defence, his cross was a good one finding Chapman 6 yards out but his header was straight at Novak who comfortably saved. Not to be outdone Green again got in on the Town right, Williams having to make a good challenge inside the penalty area clearing for a corner with a great tackle. From the corner Carrington had to make a good save as an Ashton forward won the ball at the near post, tipping the ball over the bar. There was still time for Town to threaten at the other end as Chapman won a corner, Russell Clarke managed to get his head onto the ball but it was charged down, Lewis Jordan in the centre of the Ashton goal completely missed the ball when he had a great chance of scoring..
From the re-start after half time Carrington was quickly brought into the action, Ashleigh Dineley was put through on goal, his shot bringing a fine save from Carrington who parried the ball away for a corner. Ashton now kicking down the slight slope were attacking Town relentlessly, and an innocuous looking cross (50 minutes) was allowed penetrate into the Town 6 yard box, Michael Atherton the Ashton forward came in behind them a placed his shot across Carrington into the far corner. Ashton nearly increased their lead four minutes later when Green split the Town defence playing the ball to Dineley but his shot was poor and Town escaped again. Town the made their first substitution, (55) taking Lewis Jordan off replacing him with Joe Shelmerdine. This move nearly made an impact straight away, Carrington neatly bringing the ball down just outside the penalty area to break up an attack played a great ball over the top of the Ashton defence, Shelmerdine ran onto the ball and looked to be in the clear but Lee Crompton the Ashton captain made a great tackle as he was just going to pull the trigger conceding a corner. Town were now beginning to look like they could get an equaliser, a Liam Blades corner to the near post was headed inches over the bar. Ashton were the next to threaten on the hour mark, another mix up in the Town defence saw Michael Mulrooney all on his own in front of goal but the ball seemed to get stuck under his feet and the ball was quickly cleared. Town then had a great chance to equalise, Shelmerdine broke free down the Ashton right after 63 minutes , his cross was handled by Crompton as it came across. Up stepped Chris Clark to take the penalty but it struck the bar and went over, was this to be Town's last chance of saving the game? Shelmerdine was causing Ashton problems with his running both on and off the ball. Clark was also getting involved putting in a great cross towards Spencer Jordan & Shelmerdine but they just couldn't get onto the end of it and the ball rolled out for a goal kick. Town were beginning to play as they can threatening again with Shelmerdine, his cross to the far post was just to strong for Chapman. Craig Bradshaw then came on (75) replacing Spencer Jordan. He was quickly into the action, a Clark cross saw him get to the ball his shot going wide of a defender for a corner.
With 10 minutes left Clark played a great ball through the Ashton defence to Chapman who took the ball on just into the penalty area and shot under Novak as he came out to narrow the angle. Town then had Shaun Clough sent off (82) after a verbal altercation with a linesman. This brought a swift substitution by Town, Lewis Craig coming on at left back replacing Stewart Airdrie. A minute into injury time and Carrington brought off a great save from Shaun Judge as it looked like Town were sure to concede a third goal. But it was an incident packed injury time, Chapman put Bradshaw in on goal but his shot across goal hit the keepers legs to safety. From a corner the ball fell to Chapman 3 yards out at the far post, his header was cleared off the line by Green, Shelmerdine again got round the defence but his cross sailed over the bar with Chapman looking on at the far post. The Ashton team were pleading with the Referee to blow for time as Town turned the screw but in the end it finished a creditable draw for both teams, probably the right result.

Barnoldswick Town Res 1 v Ashton Athletic Res 3

Barlick started well with Russell and Clark causing problems from the off with their movement and link up play. With Garvey and Hall making up a new centre half pairing starting solidly. It was also a bonus to see the return of Reeves, Ditta and Coonan from injuries. With no fewer than six changes to the team from the week before it was always asking a lot to be cohesive. Barlick though started well and had the better of the first half exchanges. Russell bringing the visiting keeper into the game with a 25 yard rasper which he did well to tip over. Ashton though took the lead in controversial circumstances when a well worked move finished with a player shouting 'let it go' to which stopped the barlick defence in their tracks and was duly tucked past Brennan after a great first save, much to the protestations of the home team. The Town though responded well and within 2 minutes Gaskell sent a great cross for Damon Clark to head home. Ashton though went on the attack again and when a player was allowed to turn on the edge of the box he finished well into the far corner across the helpless Brennan. Barlick went in at half time 2-1 down and were unfortunate to do so. The second half didn't really get going for Town and wasn't going to be their day when a what looked to be a perfectly good goal was disallowed. Russell again linked well with Clark chesting down into his path and Clark duly dispatched it. The referee thought otherwise and disallowed the goal for offside. Town tired in the last 20 mins and didn't really create much more of note before Ashton sealed the win with a scrappy goal after the ball was not cleared on three separate occasions. On reflection in the end Ashton just edged it and were worthy winners. Barlick though can take heart from the game and there were a lot of positives to take. Hopefully they can improve again against Daisy Hill in the Cup next week.

Team- Brennan, Ditta, Reeves(Clare), Garvey, Hall, Benfield, Coonan, Gaskell(Platt), Stansfield, Russell(Oldfield), Clark, sub not used- Chew

Barnoldswick Town 2 v Cheadle Town 1

Town started this game without the services of Bill Williams who was serving a one match suspension, Stewart Airdrie dropping back into defence to take his place, but were glad to have Ashley Alderson back in the ranks after his three match ban. The pitch looked in good nick but was drying out fast and could be a little on the bumpy side.
Town started well with Liam Blades making good runs down the Cheadle left flank. Chris Clark was also causing Cheadle problems getting in down both flanks supporting the fullbacks, from these attacks Town won a few corners, one of them only half cleared to just outside the penalty area, Blades coming onto the ball unmarked tried a shot, he got plenty of pace on the ball but he cut across it and it swerved wide of the target. Scott Clarke the Cheadle left back delivered a crunching tackle on Daniel Caton which was fair but made the spectators wince at the ferocity of it. This was a game where no quarter was asked for or given.
Craig Bradshaw making a rare start was getting space as he moved forward but his crosses were not beating the first line of defence, and this was to be a problem for a lot of the Town attacks with all the forwards guilty.
Cheadle's first attempt at goal came after 18 minutes when John Hussain tried his luck from outside the Town penalty area but it went well wide of Billy Carrington's goal.
Town finally got the breakthrough on 22 minutes, a mix up near the Cheadle goal line just inside the penalty area saw Blades seize onto the error, he whipped the ball in towards the near post where Chapman turned it into the net past Anthony O'Keefe in the Cheadle goals.
Town nearly got in again after a sustained spell of pressure in and around the Cheadle penalty area, the ball finally falling to Spencer Jordan but a defender just did enough to put him off conceding a corner in the process.
Cheadle drew level after 33 minutes, a mix up in the Town defence when Carrington called for the ball saw Arron Riley get to the ball first and poke it past Carrington into the net.
After Town's early pressure Cheadle had got themselves back into the game and the contest was more even. Town suffered a double blow just before half time when Chris Clark was booked then had to leave the field with a groin strain almost immediately being replaced by Ashley Alderson.
The 2nd half started with further bookings for Russell Clarke the Town Captain and Paul McCormack the Cheadle No. 8. After a spell of Town pressure Shaun Clough got in a fierce shot that took a deflection off a defender, looping back towards the far post it ended up dropping just wide Clarke the Cheadle left back getting back to clear. Cheadle although seeing a lot of the ball were held fairly comfortably by the Town defence and were restricted to long range efforts on goal, or the good long throws of Clarke which caused Town to be on their guard on a couple of occasions. Town could have regained the lead when Bradshaw was put through clear on goal after 65 minutes but his shot was saved by O'Keefe parrying the ball to safety. Town then made a double substitution on 67 minutes, Bradshaw and Caton being replaced with Joe Shelmerdine and Neil Stansfield (making his first team debut).Two minutes later Chapman had a good effort on goal saved by the keepers legs, the impetus was with Town as they searched for a winning goal, Airdrie being thrust into a more attacking role, the defence having to watch out for the quick Cheadle attacks as they to pressed for a winner. Clough played a great ball deep into the Cheadle penalty area, Alderson with his back to goal quickly brought the ball under control and turned to get his shot away, but it was inches the wrong side of the post. Clough had a shot drift just wide of the post, and Shelmerdine was starting to take on the Cheadle defence with some great running with the ball, getting some joy down both flanks. Stansfield also began to find his feet, putting in a great ball to the far post where Airdrie was waiting on the edge of the six yard box, his first time volley brought a great save from O'Keefe to keep the ball out. But the pressure finally told after 86 minutes, Blades again delivered the goods firing a great cross to Airdrie who gleefully fired home to the delight of the home spectators.
Another win which with Stone playing in the cup fired Town to the top of the table.

Reserve Division Cup

Daisy Hill Res 1 v Barnoldswick Town Res 2

A first win for the new management team in a tough encounter on a poor surface with blustery conditions. No fewer than 5 changes from the week before and a change in formation caused a non cohesive performance in the first half. Barlick rarely threatened in the first half and went behind to a penalty when Stephen Chew handled in the box. With no width and a lack of movement town were struggling against the wind in the first half and could have gone further behind when the strong Daisy Hill Centre Forward rattled the bar just before half time.
Playing with the wind in the second half Town started to get in behind Daisy Hill and Dan Oldfield had a shot saved in a good position. Chris Brennan produced a stunning save down to his left at 1-0 which seemed to spur town on. Town reverted to a more rigid 442 and this paid dividends when Gaskell played a ball into the box for RUSSELL to acrobatically volley the ball home to bring the scores level. Then with 10 minutes to go COATES, scored the winner when Town broke quickly down the centre of the pitch and he cut inside and bent it beautifully round the keeper into the far corner with a fantastic finish. Daisy Hill then threw everything they had at Town for the last 10 but the team defended resolutely till the end and held out to go through to the next round of the league cup.
The commitment and effort in the second half was excellent in a match, other than the finishes lacked quality. Benfield and Coonan battled manfully, and young Adam Greenwood made a promising debut. Town must build on this and match the effort with quality. John Bury deserves praise also for keeping the main attacking threat down the right at bay.
Wigan Robin Park away next week for Towns Reserves.

Team- Brennan, Greenwood, Bury, Garvey, Chew, Benfield, Coonan, Gaskill, Blackwell(Coates), Russell(Bell), Oldfield(Harrison). Subs not used- Brown, McGeachie.

West Riding County Cup Semi Final

Guiseley 1 v Barnoldswick Town 1 aet

Barnoldswick win 4-2 on penalties

Town had to make three changes from the win over Cheadle last Saturday, Neil Chapman Lewis Jordan & Chris Clark were unavailable through injury and to top that Shaun Clough was injured in the pre match warm up and had to be withdrawn. Lewis Craig was moved to full back with Craig Bradshaw starting on the left wing. Bill Williams who missed the Cheadle game through a one match suspension came back into the team. There was a fairly large crowd for the game with a lot of Town supporters making the journey into Yorkshire.
The game set of at a fairly high tempo with both teams committed to fast flowing football,in the Guiseley team all the players appeared to have plenty of pace and the Town defence had to be on their toes to keep them at bay.
The first pot at goal came from Guiseley when James Walshaw shot from the corner of the penalty area but it went wide of the far post. Town went on the attack and Liam Blades put in a great ball to find Spencer Jordan unmarked on the edge of the penalty area, he brought the ball down but wasn't just quick enough, slipping on the sandy turf with Bradshaw screaming for the ball unmarked on the left the Guiseley defence snuffed out the threat.
After 15 minutes Blades again crossed this time towards Stewart Airdrie, he tried a shot at goal which was blocked the ball spinning across goal to Bradshaw, he brought the ball under control but his shot was blocked for a corner. From the corner the Guiseley left back Dave Merris went on the rampage, he was allowed to run unchecked at the Town defence, Billy Carrington having to make a good save when he shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Guiseley then won a penalty when a forward was brought down in the box, James Walshaw sending the spot kick about three yards wide of carrington's left hand post. More was to follow after 30 minutes when Town skipper Russell Clarke was sent off. The incident happened very near to the linesman but his interpretation was somewhat different to what actually happened. While waiting for a throwin to be taken Walshaw who Clarke had effectively shackled so far raked his boot down the shin of Clarke, Clarke retaliated pushing him away, Walshaw went down holding his head like a pole axed rat. The Referee on the linesman's interpretation sent Clarke off, Walshaw who caused the first infringement getting off scot free. The Officials one has to say were poor, even allowing throwin's to be taken from behind the barriers where the spectators were. All decision's seemed to be in favour of the home team especially in the first half. The sending off meant Town had to drop Airdrie back into defence, which meant only sporadic incursions into the Guiseley half.
Guiseley took the lead after 42 minutes, a freekick was awarded outside the Town penalty area on the Town right, Stuart Rudd took the kick and fired it brilliantly into the far top corner giving Carrington no chance.
Town feared the worst when after 50 minutes Airdrie had to go off after a tackle in midfield hurt his lower back, Stephen Chew coming on as substitute. Town had to somehow find a way back into the match, to try to change it Town took Spencer Jordan off (62 minutes) bringing on Paul Barrett as a lone striker. Five minutes later and Barrett harassed James Cotterill the Guiseley Captain into making a huge mistake, his pass across his own penalty area went straight to the unmarked Bradshaw who easily scored with his left foot past Jon Worsnop in the Guiseley goal.
Town then came under severe pressure and only sterling work from the Town defence kept the quick running Guiseley team at bay. Bill Williams was absolutely brilliant in marshalling the defence, Carrington was called upon to make some fantastic saves as wave after wave of Guiseley attacks bore down on his goal. Full time came and went as did extra time, Guiseley unable to unlock the Town defence, the ten men working their socks off. Joe Shelmerdine it has to be said worked tirelessly to alleviate the pressure that was mounting on the defence, holding the ball up and making penetrating runs down the Guiseley left.
Extra time ended with the scores level so the game would be decided on penalties.
The first penalty was taken by Paul Barrett, he easily scored 1-0, James Walshaw who had already missed a penalty earlier scored with his 1-1. Lewis Craig then put Town ahead easily scoring, 2-1 and it stayed that way as Danny Ellis hit the post with his kick. Stephen Chew then made no mistake with a crisp shot that gave the keeper no chance 3-1, James Cotterill the Guiseley skipper then scored to make it 3-2. Craig Bradshaw was the next up for Town but he missed firing straight at Worsnop in the Guiseley goal 3-2, It didn't make much difference as Billy carrington dived to his right to keep out Dave Briggs kick still 3-2 to Town. Joe Shelmerdine then stepped up and scored, suffering cramp as he moved in to take the kick he easily scored to put Town into the final 4-2 on penalties. A hard fought for win against a very good Guiseley outfit and showed the fitness of the Town team to withstand for 90 minutes a relentless amount of pressure with only ten men.
A fantastic result against a team that is lying 3rd in the Unibond Premier League, the final will be on Wednesday 14th April at County Headquarters, Woodlesford, Leeds against another Unibond team in Garforth Town.

Wigan Robin Park Res 1 v Barnoldswick Town Res 1

Town came into this game making 6 changes from the last game against Daisy Hill but it did not show in the first half. Benfield and Garvey made up the 3rd centre halve pairing in three games and both were excellent. In the midfield in came Lee, Stansfield and McGheacchie. Barrett and Bradshaw came in up front. Barlick started well and had the better of the exchanges and were rarely threatened and when called upon Brennan was efficient in dealing with it. The back were being well marshalled by Captain Benfield with young Adam Greenwood catching the eye. Keiron Lee was making his first start in a three weeks and with Coonan formed an understaning in midfield. Bradshaw scored a great direct free kick in the far top corner on 32mins and was dangerous throughout. Stansfield and McGeacchie were threatening down either wing linking well with the front men. Barrett was withdrawn early on and replaced with Russell due to a hamstring tweak. This did not deter Barlick and they went in at half time on top and in control.
The second half started sloppily and slowly from a Town point of view and they never really recovered. The game started to be played in Barlick's half, but other than a long range effort which Brennan pushed onto the bar Wigan didn't look like scoring. Then from no where a silly free kick was given away and Town were duly punished with a firm header into the bottom left hand corner. Town responded with a couple of substitutions to change the flow of the game and Matthew Coates had a great chance just inside the area but hit the side netting. Stansfield also beat his man with a bit of magic down the left but his cross was taken off Coates' toe at the vital moment. In the end a draw was a fair result and Town can take heart from the fact that they are starting to look more organised and harder to beat. With a little more quality in the oppositions half Town should start to take more points. Two games unbeaten now is also a positive on which can be built upon. Padiham at the Arbories next which will be a tough game.

Team- Brennan, Greenwood, Bury, Garvey, Benfield, Coonan, Lee, McGeacchie(Platt), Stansfield, Barrett(Russell), Bradshaw(Coates), subs not used- Bywater, Hestletine.

Norton United 1 v Barnoldswick Town 2

Town welcomed new signing Liam Garbutt into the team, with Chris Clarke missing due to work commitments and Shaun Clough still suspended. The ground had been passed fit after heavy overnight rain, and the sun was shining, so everyone was looking forward to a good game of football.
The game set off at a brisk pace the first pot at goal came after 3 minutes when Timothy Barrass took advantage of a mistake in the Town defence, but he shot weakly into the side netting from a good position. It was Norton who threatened again on 9 minutes when Michael Marren Norton's new acquisition from Stone Dominoes curled a shot just wide of the near post. Town responded straight away with Stewart Airdrie picking up the ball and moving into the Norton penalty area but his shot across goal went over the bar. Town then began to apply pressure down the Norton right and Ashley Alderson managed to get a good cross in along the 6 yard line, Leigh Miller the Norton keeper diving to cut it out at the near post. Town were now beginning to assert themselves especially down the Norton right, Liam Garbutt probing the Norton defence all along the front line giving them no time on the ball. It was pressure down the Norton right that produced Town's first goal after 16 minutes, a cross into the Norton defence was only cleared to the edge of the penalty area, Neil Chapman coming onto the ball made good contact with it and it flew via a slight deflection into the far corner past a helpless Leigh Miller in the Norton goal.
Town were keeping any Norton strikes at goal to outside the penalty area, Thomas Fogg the Norton Captain shooting over Billy Carrington's goal. Daniel Caton tried his luck from halfway inside the Norton half, his wicked dipping volley ending up just over the bar with Miller looking on unable to do anything about it. Town could easily have scored a second after 22 minutes, a cross along the Norton 6 yards area was cleared to the far side, Airdrie whipped the ball back across and Garbutt was the first to react but his shot was over the bar. In the next minute Town quickly broke again down the Norton right, Lewis Craig feeding Alderson who put Garbutt in with a deft ball down the wing, he took the ball on and cleverly won a corner which was eventually cleared by the Norton defence.
Billy Carrington was then called upon to make a good save when he took the ball off the feet of Tim Barrass who momentarily threatened his goal. One of the major threats to the Town defence was Thomas Winkle's throws, one particular throw after 31 minutes was only half cleared to the edge of the penalty area, Simon Robinson the Norton halfback cracked a tremendous shot against the Town crossbar, fortunately it rebounded to safety. The last action of the first half saw Carrington again dive full length to stop a dangerous cross from Dan Smith the Norton full back.
The second half started with Town on the attack, and they increased their lead on 48 minutes, Craig played a great ball over the Norton defence, Garbutt was first to the ball and gently lobbed the ball over the advancing Miller into the net. Garbutt could have scored again a minute later when Airdrie put in a great ball to the near post, however he guided his header the wrong side of the post from a yard out. It was Garbutt again after 52 minutes getting in on the Norton right, from a tight angle close to the goal line he lobbed the keeper again but it drifted into the side netting. Town threatened again after 59 minutes, an attempted clearance hit Airdrie on the back and rebounded to garbutt, as quick as a flash he slipped the ball past a defender and shot, but it was just too high over the bar. Norton hauled themselves back into the game, after 66 minutes Carrington unusually for him, spilled the ball and upended a Norton forward as he tried to retrieve the situation, Steven Allen easily scoring from the resultant penalty.Town then took Airdrie off (67) bringing on Paul Barrett. Norton's penalty gave them new impetus and Ashley Hill shot wildly wide from a good position. Not to be outdone a good move by Town saw Garbutt slip a good ball through to Chapman on the edge of the penalty area, his shot was saved by the Norton keeper Miller. Carrington made up for his penalty error by making a great save from Hill as Norton put pressure on the Town defence. Bill Williams was like a tower amongst the Town defence clearing a dangerous header from under the crossbar to safety. Norton won a corner with four minutes to go, it looked like Carrington was fouled as he rose to collect the ball, the ball dropped to a Norton forward who shot across goal, Town Skipper Russell Clarke dived to head the ball clear from almost on the line. Town brought on Joe Shelmerdine (90) in place of Chapman. Norton's last pot at goal came after 91 minutes when fullback Liam McMann's shot curled wide of Carrington's right hand post. The last action was by Town, Shelmerdine made a great tackle halfway inside the Norton half, winning the ball he then went past a defender as though he wasn't there and slipped the ball to Garbutt, he in turn played the ball across to the unmarked Barrett just outside the 6 yard area, his shot was brilliantly saved by Miller in the Norton goal.
Another good win by the Town against a very good Norton team who had lost once in their last nine games, showing they were coming into some kind of form. A good debut by Liam Garbutt who worked tirelessly and was given the man of the match by Norton.

Atherton LR Res 0 v Barnoldswick Town Res 3

Atherton LR 0 Barnoldswick Town 3

Town picked up their first 3 points under the new management in very tough conditions to extend their unbeaten run to 3. There wasn't as many changes this time out as Chew filled in at centre half for Benfield and Gaskill and Greenwood for Lee and Russell respectively. It has to be said the start to the game was poor from Town but whereas in recent weeks they have conceded a cheap goal a clean sheet was kept. The back 4 of Garvey, Chew, Bury and Greenwood repelling any threat in the first half. Town worked their way into the game and created some good opportunities with Greenwood getting in round the back on numerous occasions and stretching the home defence. Gaskill got in round the back on one of these occasions and his shot across goal was touched in by the despairing defender. There was still chance for Greenwood to be brought down by the keeper but the referee failed to see anything wrong with this at all. 1-0 up at half time. Town came out in the second half and got a goal in the 49th minute with a well taken finish from Greenwood hammering it into the roof of the net as two shots were blocked well. Then drama at the other end when the ref pointed to the spot for a 'foul' which occurred outside the box. Justice was done as the penalty taker hit the post and it bounced away to safety. Coates then decided to get in on the action after having a goal disallowed for offside he turned his man excelllently on the edge of the box and coolly finished in the far corner. So 3 unbeaten and playing better with each passing game, Liverpool away in the cup quarter final next up.

Team-Brennan, Greenwood, Bury(Heald), Chew, Garvey, Coonan, Gaskill, Mcgeachie(Whelan), Stansfield, Greenwood(Russell), Coates. sub not used- Platt

Barnoldswick Town 3 v Holker Old Boys 0

For this important game Town were missing the services of the still suspended Shaun Clough and Bill Williams on holiday. Lewis Craig again filling in at left back with Stewart Airdrie moving back into the defence in place of Bill Williams. Joe Shelmerdine made a welcome start after some impressive performances coming on as substitute. The morning rain had stopped, the ground personnel had cleared the water off the pitch and everyone was looking forward to a good game against 3rd placed Holker. The three managers Kevin Richardson, Stewart Airdrie & Ben Hall were presented with the Vodkat Manager of the Month award from Geoff Wilkinson the representative from the Vodkat League.
Holker were the first to pose a threat Michael Kewley firing straight at Bill Carrington from the edge of the penalty area. Straight away Liam Blades took the ball to the goal line and crossed to the near post, Stuart Eccles in the Holker goal couldn't hold the ball but managed to reclaim it before a Town forward could profit from it.
After 8 minutes a Liam Blades corner taken on the Holker right was swung right under the crossbar, Eccles again fumbled it dropping it onto the goal line before it was hacked away to safety. Two minutes later Liam Garbutt latched onto a through ball and shot from the edge of the penalty area, Eccles again couldn't hold it but there was no Town forward to take advantage of it.
Town did take the lead after 12 minutes, Blades again providing the cross to the far post where Spencer Jordan was lurking on the edge of the 6 yard box, he rose magnificently above the defence to head in off the underside of the cross bar giving the keeper no chance.
Holker's first corner came after 19 minutes, the ball went over the grasping arms of Carrington in the centre of the goal Lewis Craig heading clear at the far post. Holker were the next to threaten and Kewley was moving dangerously across the Town penalty area until a well timed tackle from Skipper Russell Clarke took the ball off him. Airdrie then played a great ball through the heart of the Holker defence to Ashley Alderson who in one movement took the ball on his chest playing it ahead of himself to the edge of the penalty area but his left foot shot was lacking pace & direction. Town went 2 up after 34 minutes in an incident that probably ended the game as a contest. Garbutt was sent clean through and pushed the ball past the advancing goalkeeper who brought him down. The Referee gave a penalty (34 minutes) which was the right decision but then red carded the goalkeeper which seemed a little harsh as it looked like Garbutt would not have scored as the ball appeared to be going out of play, a yellow probably the right decision? Up stepped Neil Chapman to take the penalty against Steven Thompson who had taken over in goal from the unlucky Eccles sending the new keeper the wrong was to easily score.
The next piece of action came in a mix up between Gareth Smith the Holker left back and the keeper, Smith chesting the ball back to his keeper who left the ball, they both realised it was going to spin into the net Smith the first to react turning it round the post for a corner as it was about to go into the net. Smith it was who finished the first half action off, drilling a freekick from just outside the penalty area onto the bar and over.
Town started the 2nd half with a brilliant flowing move, Craig played the ball into the Holker half, Garbutt flicked it on down the wing to Blades with his head. Blades took the ball on level with the 6 yards line and crossed to the far post. Garbutt had anticipated the cross well but Mark Daly the Holker fullback just managed to head the ball clear as Garbutt closed in. Garbutt then played a delicate chip over the Holker defence into the path of Chapman in the Holker box, he picked the ball up near the goal line but was tackled by a Holker defender at the expense of a corner. Shelmerdine made a fantastic dummy to throw the Holker defence into total confusion, playing the ball down the Holker left to Blades who again put in a telling cross which was just to high for the Town forwards to profit from, exciting football for the Bank Holiday crowd.
Holker had hardly had a shot at goal after going down to 10 men but were to their credit still trying to get the elusive goal that would bring them back into the game. Their best chance came after 66 minutes when their Skipper Kevin Watkin crossed from halfway inside the Town half, the ball fell to Brian Dawson unmarked at the far post but his shot was straight at Carrington who made a good save. Holker buoyed by this put a little pressure on the Town defence and two minutes later Kewley curled a shot just wide of the post from a good position.
Town responded immediately, Garbutt somehow lifting the ball over the bar with only the keeper to beat. Spencer Jordan nearly claimed his 2nd goal of the match when the ball was played into the near post, he tangled with the keeper the ball running free towards the goal but Smith was there to clear the ball away. Carl Pearson a Holker substitute tried his luck from 30 yards but once again the ball curled wide of the post. But Carrington had to make a good save after 86 minutes when Watkin found himself with the ball at his feet inside the 6 yard box, Carrington dived at his feet to smother the ball. Town finally killed the game off after 87 minutes Paul Barrett playing the ball across the 6 yard line past the Holker keeper, Spencer Jordan turning the ball in off Graham Capstick the Holker centre half.
Another pleasing Town performance, roared on by a large crowd Town had some excellent attacking ideas with slick passing movement that cut through he Holker defence. The strength in depth is there for all to see when players like Clough, Clark & Williams are missing and still the team perform thing as they say in the song can only get better.

Oldham Boro 0 v Barnoldswick Town 2

Town welcomed back after suspension Shaun Clough onto the substitutes bench, but lost influential Skipper Russell Clarke through suspension. Bill Williams also came back straight into the team after missing the Easter Monday win over Holker Old Boys through being on holiday. The afternoon was warm for a change making it quite pleasant for the spectators.
The pitch sloped from goal to goal and also across it's breadth, Town kicking down the slope in the first half. Straight from the kick off Town put pressure on the Oldham defence, a quick throw from Liam Blades found Neil Chapman inside the Oldham penalty area, he cut past one defender on the edge of the 6 yards line but his shot was blocked to safety. Town continued to build pressure on the Oldham defence, Liam Garbutt was brought down by the Oldham left back Andrew Smith after 8 minutes 25 yards from goal. Lewis Craig took the free kick getting some curl & dip on the ball Daniel Pearson who was not the tallest of keepers was glad to see the ball just clear his crossbar for a goal kick.
The pitch although not hard was deceptively bouncy, innocuous looking passes that were expected to arrive at a players feet would suddenly end up at head height making it difficult to string passes together. Town again threatened after 13 minutes when a great ball through he heart of the Oldham defence put Garbutt through on goal, he went past one defender but a great tackle from Damien Schofield the Oldham No. 5 denied him a shooting chance. Town continued to press, Blades playing the ball across the field to Craig, his cross to the far post found Shelmerdine but he was just unable to turn it into goal. Oldham's first pot at Billy Carrington's goal came after 17 minutes when Aristote Kassa unleashed a left foot shot that was destined for the top corner, Carrington plucked it out of the air with consummate ease under no pressure.
A minute later Town took the lead, Carrington punted the ball down field where it found Garbutt he took the ball on past the keeper and into the penalty area, unselfishly he squared the ball along the 6 yard line to Shelmerdine who coolly slotted the ball past 3 defenders. The Oldham players were claiming that Garbutt handled the ball past the keeper, if that was so then on 22 minutes things were evened up when Garbutt was put clean through the centre of the Oldham defence, he raced into the penalty area and just as he was about to pull the trigger he was blatantly brought down from behind by Smith, the Referee thought otherwise and waved play on much to the indignation of the Town players & supporters. It was all Town and after 28 minutes Chapman played Garbutt through again, the ball raced away from him but he just managed to get his cross in before it rolled over the line for a goal kick, his cross went to the far post where Shelmerdine was lurking unmarked, the ball was just a fraction too high for him and his header from 3 yards out went just over the bar, a great move. Garbutt was again put through the defence, this time another desperate tackle on the edge of the penalty area stopped him from getting his shot away. Oldham's 2nd shot on the Town goal came after 32 minutes when Carrington had to make a good save from Shaun Roscoe, the Town defence allowing the shot from outside the penalty area. Town went straight down to the Oldham end and won a free kick when Blades was brought down 30 yards from goal, Craig took the free kick which caused confusion in the Oldham defence, two players going for the same ball only managed to clear it to the far post where Garbutt tucked it back across the keeper and inside the far post.
Just before half time Stewart Airdrie made a great tackle at the expense of a corner to stop William Buckley from getting in on goal. 2-0 up at half time and a thought that Town would play better playing up the slope in the second half as the ball had tended to run away from the forwards in the first.
Town started well in the 2nd half, Garbutt slipped a great ball through the Oldham defence down the wing to Blades he put in a great low cross to the near post which was desperately cleared from the path of Shelmerdine as he closed on it. Garbutt then put Shelmerdine clean through, he managed to get the ball past the keeper who had advanced just outside his penalty area but the keeper had just done enough to slow him down and Duncan Philbin managed to beat him to the ball and clear on the 6 yard line. Oldham then made a double substitution (55 minutes) to try to get back into the game, a minute later and Town were forced to make a substitution when Blades was injured, Craig Bradshaw replacing him at full back. Oldham were consigned to the long ball in trying to get back into the game but the Town defence superbly marshalled by Williams easily kept them out. More bad luck was to follow for Oldham when after 63 minutes Nicholas Alexander suffered a back spasm as he moved into the Town penalty area and had to go off, this effectively reduced Oldham to 10 men as they had used up all their substitutes.
Darren Scanlon tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area but his effort was always rising and comfortable cleared the bar. Town then made a double substitution of their own,Paul Barrett replacing Shelmerdine(70) who had worked tirelessly all the game and Lewis Jordan replacing Ashley Alderson. Barrett was played in down the Oldham right, his cross was a good one inside the 6yards box, Pearson dropped the ball at Garbutt's feet but he was unable to profit from the mistake. Oldham finished the game strongly Roscoe firing a freekick straight at Carrington (86) and then in injury time another Roscoe shot got away from Carrington and fell into the path of Schofield, Carrington then made a point blank save at the expense of a corner. Town comfortably won this game at a canter, and now need 9 points from their 7 remaining games to secure promotion, and that's if the other teams win all their matches.

Reserve Cup Quarter Final

AFC Liverpool Res 1 v Barnoldswick Town Res 2

Town booked their place in the league cup semi finals with their best performance under the new management team.  Town started brightly and created numerous chances in the first 45 minutes, with Russell and Coates looking sharp and testing the keeper on numerous occasions.  Coates got the scoring underway with a clinical lob, when Russell flicked a header into his path.  With the midfield buzzing and working hard, town were creating chances at regular intervals throughout the half and should have been at least 3-0 up at half time.  The second started with Liverpool on the attack and they started to control the midfield and with their speedy forwards starting to cause one or two problems.  A simple ball over the top should have been dealt with and the Liverpool centre forward nipped in between keeper and defender and coolly lobbed the stranded Brennan.  Town to their credit did not panic or wilt under the increasing pressure. Every man stuck to his task manfully and with the introduction of Whelan and Lee started to turn the tide back in their favour. A good move down the left hand side where a quick 4-5 passing move found Coates and he in turn played it into Russell who spanked a screamer straight in the top corner.  This proved to be the winner and Town managed to restrict Liverpool to long range strikes.  Town comfortably seeing the game out. 4 unbeaten now and Bentham away in the quarter final of the Morrison cup next Saturday.  The whole team deserves praise this week as everyone played there part and worked extremely hard for the cause. Town have drawn league leaders Glossop North End at home on 27th April in the Semi-Final.
Team- Brennan, Greenwood, Chew, Garvey, Benfield, Coonan, Platt(Whelan), Gaskill(Lee),Stansfield, Russell, Coates. Subs not used-McGeachie, Heald.

West Riding County Senior Cup Final

Barnoldswick Town 4 v Garforth Town 5 aet

Town welcomed back Shaun Clough who started on the left with Lewis Craig continuing at Left back, Chris Clark was still missing from the line up as was Skipper Russell Clarke serving the 2nd game of a 3 match suspension.
Town had watched Garforth twice and knew they were a quick skillful team in all departments, as befitting a team two leagues higher in the football pyramid, and would have to be on their mettle to combat this. It was Garforth who started the better running at the Town defence, Stewart Airdrie & Bill Williams working hard to repel the Garforth forays. Towns first attack came after 3 minutes when the Garforth defence was drawn to their right leaving Liam Blades free wide left but the final pass was delayed too long and he was caught offside.
Garforth continued to press and Airdrie did well to head the ball clear from a dangerous ball into the Town 6 yard box.
It wasn't after that Garforth took the lead (8), with all the Town players and supporters baying for a free kick to Town when the Garforth No.9 held him down with his arm when challenging for a high ball saw him take the ball on to the corner of the penalty area and unleash a ferocious shot that hit the underside of Bill Carrington's cross bar before he could move rebounding down just short of the goal line, one of the Garforth forwards was the first to react tapping the ball home. Town continued to come under pressure from the quick Garforth players and Airdrie again had to clear from a ball whipped into the Town 6 yard area. Towns first attempt at the Garforth goal came after 13 minutes when Clough was briefly free just inside the Garforth penalty area but his shot went into the side netting.
Town after this seemed to settle a bit and two minutes later Daniel Caton played a great ball through the Garforth defence to Blades he moved to the by line but his cross was weak into the keepers arms. Towns next attack after 26 minutes saw Craig play a great ball down the Town left flank to Clough, he moved inside and played the ball into the path of Caton but a Garforth defender just managed to block the shot to safety. Town were at last beginning to play a bit and they won a free kick 30 yards out on the Garforth left, Craig took it and curled it towards the far post where Williams rose unchallenged heading back across goal to the far post, the Garforth No. 5 was first to the ball heading clear for a Town corner.
Town equalised a minute later (29) from the corner, the Garforth keeper tried to fist the ball clear but only managed under pressure to send it back into the danger area on the edge of the 6 yard box, Spencer Jordan was the first to react swiveling and shooting home in one movement through a crowded goalmouth. The game after this was end to end stuff without the keepers being trouble unduly.
Garforth regained the lead after 40 minutes when the dangerous No. 9 once again tried his luck from just outside the Town penalty area, his shot fizzed along the ground hitting the foot of Carrington's right hand post hitting Carrington then bouncing along the Town line, once again it was a Garforth player who had the simplest task of tapping home. Worse was to follow straight after half time (47) when a Garforth cross from just inside the Town half ended up on the head of the unmarked No 9 on the corner of the 6 yard box, his header went back across the goal into the far top corner giving Carrington no chance.
Town then tried to up their game in a bid to get back into the game, and were rewarded after 61 minutes when Town sprung the offside trap, Neil Chapman running onto the ball and easily chipping the advancing Garforth keeper 3-2 and game on. Town immediately made a double substitution, bringing on Paul Barrett and Lewis Jordan to replace Joe Shelmerdine and Dan Caton.
Five minutes later and Town were level, enjoying a bit of encouragement down the Garforth left the ball was taken to the byline by Blades and crossed high to the near post, the keeper fumbled the ball on the angle of bar and post dropping it in the 6 yard box, during the ensuing melee Chapman stabbed home for the equaliser. Town had a real chance four minutes later when again a hard low cross from Blades into the 6 yard box saw another melee in the 6 yard line, the ball ended up at the feet of Barrett 8 yards out but his shot was deflected for a corner. Town were enjoying their best spell of the game and another ball through the Garforth defence saw Barrett latch onto it but his shot was blocked by a good tackle for a corner.
Garforth then forced Town back throwing everything into the last 10 minutes searching for a winner, Williams producing a brilliant tackle to thwart a dangerous Garforth move. Then disaster struck for Town 88 minutes, a long diagonal ball into the Town penalty area saw a Garforth player go down. The linesman immediately flagged for a penalty which was duly dispatched to put Garforth 4-3 up with 1 minute left on the clock. The game was filmed and one of the film crew showed a replay of the penalty incident straight away and low and behold it was not a penalty, the Garforth player just slipped of his own accord, but that's football.
Surely that was game over? But no, the never say die attitude of the Town team saw them win a free kick, the ball was a good one delivered into the heart of the Garforth 6 yard box, another mass scramble for the ball saw Airdrie ram it home from close in to give this game a dramatic late twist.
Extra time, Craig Bradshaw was brought on replacing Clough who had not played for two weeks due to a suspension. The first period of extra time saw Garforth again making the running and in the last minute a long ball into the Town penalty area was headed back across to the far post, the ball beat Carrington hit the post and bounced across the Town goal line, this time the Town defence managed to get there first hacking the ball clear.
The 2nd period of extra time followed the first with Garforth pressure interspersed with Town forays, and was to end in heartbreak for the Town team and their supporters. With 1 minute left on the clock a Garforth forward picked the ball up halfway inside the Town half and unleashed a tremendous shot from 30 yards out that swerved in the air into the top left hand corner of Carrington's net giving him no chance, a goal worthy of winning any cup final. From that there was no reprieve and so the cup slipped away. One has to say that the best team on the night won but Garforth will know they were in a fight for it. Hopefully Town can kick on from this defeat and gain the 9 points required for promotion to the Premier league.

Barnoldswick Town 0 v Eccleshall 0

Town went into this game without the services of Skipper Russell Clarke suspended and Chris Clark working. The pitch was a little on the dry side so an uneven bounce was likely to cause both teams a spot of bother.
Town set off well with both Liam Blades and Lewis Craig getting down both flanks, but their crosses did not cause too many problems for the Eccleshall defence in the first 15 minutes. The nearest to any sniff of a goal came after 15 minutes when Billy Carrington dropped a free kick on the 6 yard line, a frantic melee ensued fortunately it was a Town defender that manages to clear the ball.
Town's best effort of the first half came after 28 minutes and saw Liam Garbutt put through on goal, but he was brought down according to the Referee just outside the penalty area, whereas spectators level with the incident say it was inside and should have been a penalty. Three minutes later and Craig was put clear down the Eccleshall right, his curling centre caused problems for the Eccleshall defence and was cleared eventually with a great suspicion of handball by a defender. Town had a lucky let off when Tom Loraso the Eccleshall No.11 was given the ball inside the Town half from a Town free kick, fortunately his final shot was wide of the post. 0-0 at halftime and the game was evenly poised.
Town tried to change thing in the second half bringing on Dan Caton in place of Ashley Alderson after 61 minutes, but it was Eccleshall who had the best chance on 71 minutes, it took a brilliant tackle by Bill Williams to stop Eccleshall substitute Dwayne Spence from putting Eccleshall ahead. Town responded with a double substitution, Shaun Clough and Joe Shelmerdine coming on for Liam Garbutt and Spencer Jordan. Town's best chance of he half came after 76 minutes when Blades played the ball across field to Clough, his cross found Lewis Jordan 2 yards out from goal but he could only direct the ball over the bar with his head. A Clough cross on 84 minutes saw Paul Barrett try an overhead kick from around the penalty spot but it was directed tamely at the Eccleshall keeper Gavin Deaville.
For Eccleshall Lascana Sidibe forced a brilliant save from Carrington with 3 minutes left on the clock, Carrington wasn't to know but the effort would have been ruled offside.
This draw leaves Town needing 8 points from their last 6 games, although Leek CSOB may have the chance to get back into the melting pot as two defeats they have suffered recently may have to be replayed due to ineligible players taking part.

Bentham 1 v Barnoldswick Town Res 4

With 4 changes to the starting line up from the week before because of people not being signed on in time this cup match had banana skin written all over it. Town were missing Coonan, Stansfield, Russell and Greenwood.
So it was understandable that Town started slowly but got better as the game wore on, Bentham were a hardworking side and weren't afraid to leave the boot in and had two useful centre forwards. The first attack was a corner when a pass went astray at the back which Town defended but With Bentham having a big side they were going to be dangerous in these situations. Town finally got going after about 10 min's and started to control the game but became frustrated at their lack of goals. Gaskill missed a good opportunity when clean through and Coates missed a couple of chances before a break down right finished with Chew whipping a low cross in for coates to stab in at the near post. Town then took the foot off the gas until half time.
After half time Town went for the kill straight away pressing and ratting the ball higher up the pitch and completely dominating possession. Elliot Platt sent over a great cross from the right for Coates to stick his second of the game away with a clinical header across the keeper into the far corner. Town again took their foot off the pedal and let Bentham in down the left and when Benfield was wrong footed with a bad bounce the 11 for Bentham stuck the ball in to Brennan's left. This was now Town's worst patch in the game with composure gone, Town had to work hard to get back into the game. Jonny McGeachie went on a mazy run driving right at the centre of Bentham's defence and played a beautiful reverse pass into Bradshaw's path who tucked it away clinically. Bradshaw scored again 5 minutes later and finished the game off after more good work from Coates down the left, volleying into the keepers right hand corner with the outside of the right boot. Town then played out the remainder of the game without much incident.
5 unbeaten going into a tough week with Padiham away and then Glossop at home in the semi final of the league cup next Saturday.
Team- Brennan, Chew(Ben Greenwood), Heald, Garvey, Benfield, Lee, Gaskill,
McGeachie, Platt, Bradshaw, Coates(Oldfield). Sub Not Used Bywater

Irlam 0 v Barnoldswick Town1

For this game Town welcomed back Captain Russell Clarke after suspension, but lost Liam Garbutt after a late fitness test, Stewart Airdrie coming into the team at the last minute from the subs bench.
The game kicked off with both teams having to contend with the high bounce of the ball on a dry pitch, bringing it under control not an easy thing to do. Irlam's first chance came about through a poor back pass that was never going to get to Billy Carrington in the Town goal, luckily an Irlam forward strayed offside, a relief for Town. Town went straight down to the other end, Liam Blades skipping easily past the Irlam fullback but his cross was too strong and it went for a throw on the opposite side. Town won a succession of corners but were unable to capitalise on them. Irlam had a good chance to go ahead after 24 minutes,Paul Lynch played a great ball into the Town box, Ryan Hutchinson latched onto it, swivelled and got his shot away but it went just over the Town bar. Irlam were the next to threaten, Hutchinson flicked the ball into the Town box, as it came down it spun wickedly Carrington judging the spin took the ball away from Lynch's head as he moved in for the kill. Town then conceded a free kick just outside their penalty area (32 minutes), Hutchinson took it and Carrington dived spectacularly to his right to make a great save. Town again replied straight away, Barrett played Blades in past the Irlam fullback, his cross was a good one but just to high for Spencer Jordan at the far post, and he directed his header wide of the post. 0-0 at halftime but Town soon took the lead after 10 minutes of the second half. A great ball from Barrett down the Irlam right found Stewart Airdrie, he took the ball on then played a peach of a pass along the Irlam 6 yard line, Spencer Jordan came onto it and easily stroked it past Jamie Brewer in the Irlam goal.
Town dominated the second half with Irlam hardly getting into the Town penalty area. Town's best chance of the second half came when a Blades corner after 70 minutes was flighted to the far post, Bill Williams got his head to the ball and headed it back across goal, There then ensued a scramble for the ball, the Town forwards unable to ram it home as Brewer eventually dropped onto it. Town ran time down as Irlam looked to get back on even terms, but they were kept well away from Carrington's goal by the well oiled defence. Another good result as a lot of people who saw the 1-1 draw at Victory Park thought Irlam were the best side we have played so far.

Padiham Res 2 v Barnoldswick Town Res 0

This was always going to be a test for Town as Padiham are an established side in the reserve division, they work very hard for each other and have sprinkling of quality and movement. So Town didn't start badly but weren't good either. There was an element of luck about the first goal but in fairness it was no more than Padiham deserved. In a game where very few can come out with much credit Benfield and Brennan played very well. Apart from a good run and shot from Chris Bell in the second half Town didn't really threaten. So with Padiham 1 up at half time town came out and had a go for about 10 mins but after that Padiham were the better side and scored a good second goal. There are some things in football that are just not acceptable. Firstly not putting in the required prolonged effort and secondly in a local derby. Town were second best all over today. That said we have to pick ourselves up for a massive match on Saturday against Glossop in the semi final.
Team- Brennan, Chew, Bell, Garvey, Benfield, Coonan, Gaskill, Russell(Smith), Coates(Whelan),Bradshaw(Platt), Stansfield.
Subs not used- Greenwood, Mcgeachie.

AFC Liverpool 2 v Barnoldswick Town 0

Town went into this game at full strength with Laim Garbutt recovering from the bruised foot that kept him out of the Irlam game midweek. The pitch was in a poor state, and noting in the match programme that it was going to be relayed as soon as the season finished it was too late for this match. The ball was bouncing unpredictably and it has to be said that it was the Liverpool players who adapted better to the conditions, probably because they were used to playing on it?
The game started with Town playing with a strong breeze at their backs, and were guilty of over hitting passes that the Liverpool defence easily snuffed out.
The Town were always under pressure for the first 18 minutes with the quick play of the Liverpool forwards, but for all their pressure the nearest they came to a clear attempt on the Town goal was after 3 minutes when a long ball into the Town penalty area was headed back across goal by Andrew Olsen, Daniel Caton had to move smartly to retrieve the situation conceding a corner.
Town's first effort came in the 18th minute from Billy Carrington, his clearance was caught up in the wind and Paul Willis had to tip the ball over for a corner as it was destined for the net. This spurred Town on and for the next five minutes they put pressure on the Liverpool defence for the first time in the match. A bouncing ball on the edge of the Liverpool area was seized upon by Garbutt, he turned and shot in one movement but his effort was just too high. A minute later and Liam Blades got in round the back of the Liverpool defence and crossed to the near post, Neil Chapman got to the ball first but Willis saved at the foot of the post with his legs. In the next Town attack Blades again provided the cross, Stewart Airdrie stood on the byline pulled the ball back to Chapman but he was unable to capitalise on a good chance.
Liverpool then went on the attack winning freekick, it was headed clear just outside the penalty area where their big centre half Liam Coyne unleashed a terrific shot that Carrington did well to tip over for a corner.
Liverpool opened the scoring after 32 minutes, Town conceded a corner, it was played short towards the edge of the Town penalty area to Andrew McCoy, he somehow went past two Town defenders and shot through a ruck of players into the far corner. Worse was to follow a minute later, the Town defence again failed to clear and the Liverpool No. 9 Dean Thurston miss hit his shot via his shin, it looped up seemingly in slow motion into the far corner of Carrington's net. Town were struggling to make any impact on the game and were lucky not to fall further behind when Karl Gornell rattled their crossbar.
At halftime Town took Stewart Airdrie off bringing on Chris Clark. Town made little impression on the Liverpool defence, but were restricting any attempt on their own goal to long range efforts which usually sailed past the post on the wind. A further substitution by Town after 61 minutes saw Shaun Clough replaced by Joe Shelmerdine. But it was Liverpool who nearly increased their lead after 75 minutes, Ian Orme one of their substitutes had a clear sight on goal around the Town penalty spot, his first attempt was a 'fresh air' shot, his second bite of the cherry hit the Town crossbar and rebounded to safety. Chapman had Town's first shot on goal firing past the far post after 78 minutes. Town again tried to change things and Lewis Craig came on for Dan Caton with 11 minutes left. Craig was immediately into the action taking a free kick deep into the Liverpool box buy Clarks header was easily saved by Willis. Town were at last looking a little dangerous, and Chapman worked the ball well down the Liverpool left, his cross found Ashley Alderson at the near post nut his header only found the side netting. Another cross by Craig found the head of Chapman but he could only direst his shot straight at the keeper.
A disappointing result as a win would have seen Town promoted. And it also brings to an end an unbeaten run of 17 matches. On reflection the better team won on the day, no complaints about the result.

Reserve Division Cup Semi Final
Barnoldswick Town Res 0 Glossop North End Res 1

This was a much improved performance from Wednesday night at Padiham and Town should have at least taken this game into extra time. Changing the formation was a big factor with Town looking harder to beat but also creating chances throughout the game. Benfield and Garvey at the heart of the defence were again excellent ably assisted by Bradshaw and Chew at full backs. Kieron Lee put in a man of the match performance controlling the midfield from start to finish. Glossop came out quickly and forced a couple of early corners without really creating much apart from a couple of strikes from distance which Brennan dealt with a minimum of fuss. The first chance for Town came when Chew and Stansfield combined well down the left and chew played a low cross across goal which the defender took off the toe of the on rushing Gaskill and prodded it over the bar. Damon Whelan starting his first game for Town hit a thundering volley which the keeper did well to parry. Stansfield then combined again with Chew which finished with a shot which went the wrong side of the post with the goal at his mercy. Brennan made a great save from the Glossop right back who struck the ball well from 40 yards.
Half time came and went and Barlick attacking the sewer in the second half started slowly again. Josh Garvey was caught in possession but managed to recover the situation well. Glossop took the lead in the 55th minute when the big centre forward got in down the right beat two men and pulled it back for the Glossop to take the lead. Barlick responded by going 2 up top and having a go at the Glossop backline. Gaskill worked tirelessly up front and was replaced along with Whelan and Platt by McGeachie, Coates and Russell. Town started to stretch Glossop again. Chew burst into the box on the left and pulled back for Russell who stabbed over the bar from 6 yards. Then Ashley Smith released Stansfield down the left and he in turn lobbed the keeper but the ball hit the bar and bounced to safety. Glossop were a constant menace on the break with their quick midfielder's getting forward very quickly but none of their attacks coming to fruition. So 1-0 it finished but Town have shown the standards they have set now and with a little more quality in the final third the reserves will be a force to be reckoned with. Chadderton at Home Tues followed by another semi final against Skipton next saturday.

Team- Brennan, Bradshaw, Chew, Garvey, Benfield, Lee, Whelan(Coates), Platt(McGeachie), Stansfield, Smith, Gaskill(Russell). subs not used- Greenwood, Heald.

Barnoldswick Town Res 3 v Chadderton Res 1

Town went into this game being forced to make 7 changes but were in control from the off. A back four of Greenwood, Garvey, Chew and Heald were in command from the off and restricted Chadderton to half chances if that. In fairness Chadderton were missing a few players but Town went about the job in the right manner. Coates and Russell both looked dangerous up top, and were creating and getting chances on a regular occurrence. After a couple of chances Coates got the scoring underway when he chased a ball over the top and the keeper made a hash of the clearance and Coates rolled the ball into the empty net. Unbelievably though Town went in only 1-0 up. Due to poor finishing Chadderton were still in the game.
The second half started the same way it finished with Town on the attack, Russell was causing the Chadderton allsorts of problems with his direct running and made it 2-0 from an Elliot Platt cross. There was also a chance for his second when he went on a mazy run and finished with a good low shot to the keepers left which he parried straight to Gaskill, and then it was parried again to Platt who who fired wide. It was all Town without really playing to their full potential. Bradshaw and Smith came on and were finding it as easy as Russell and Coates to create chances. The introduction of Whelan on the right gave Barlick another lift as he continually took on the left back and either got a shot in or a dangerous cross. It was a ball from Gaskill which released him that won a penalty via handball off the hapless fullback. Smith duly converted it with aplomb. Town were in cruise control but one slip in concentration cost them a clean sheet. The otherwise imperious Coonan gave the ball to a midfielder and he in turn slipped the ball past Garvey for the on rushing striker to miskick past Brennan.
Skipton in the Morrison cup on Saturday at home, Barlick will hopefully learn that you have to play through to the final whistle and concentrate at all times no matter who you play against.

Team- Brennan, Greenwood, Chew, Garvey, Heald, Coonan, Gaskill, Platt(Whelan), Coates(Bradshaw), McGeachie, Russell(Smith). Subs not used- R Greenwood, Mousley.

Daisy Hill 1 v Barnoldswick Town 0

This was a game that would have given Town promotion if they won it. Once again the pitch was dry and on the bumpy side making control of the ball difficult. Shaun Clough started on the bench making way for Lewis Craig at left back.
Town started fairly well as early as the 2nd minute, Liam Blades went down the Daisy Hill left and slipped the ball to Dan Caton inside the penalty area, he tried to go round a defender and got lucky with the rebound from the tackle, his cross nearly reached Neil Chapman on the 6 yard line but the ball was cleared just in time.
Town got lucky themselves after 10 minutes when Russell Clarke was fooled by the bounce of the ball which let in Daniel Gregory the Daisy Hill centre forward, he took the ball on but just as he was about to shoot he was fooled by the bounce and Town were able to clear.Town nearly took the lead on 15 minutes, Lewis Craig put a great ball down the Daisy Hill right to Chapman, his cross into the penalty area was a good one, Spencer Jordan at the near post dummied the ball and the ball went to Liam Garbutt on the 6 yard line centre of goal, but under severe pressure he put the ball inches over the bar. The Town defence was coping well with the probing runs of Gregory and Damon Clynes but the Town midfield seemed to be off the pace allowing the Daisy Hill midfield to take a grip on the game. However it was Town who had the first real chance after 34 minutes, Chapman went on a mazy run inside the penalty area and shot towards the far post, Adam Thomas in the Daisy Hill goal dived and pushed the ball round the post for a corner.
All Town had to show in the second half was a five minute spell after 60 minutes when they upped their game but were still unable to put Thomas in goal under any pressure, and it wasn't long before Daisy Hill looked the more likely to score. They did take the lead through a penalty after 71 minutes, Clynes slipping the ball between two Town players and then being brought down as he tried to go between them. Gregory sending Carrington the wrong way from the spot.
For all Town's pressure towards the end in search of an equaliser it was Daisy Hill who nearly scored a second, Carrington making a good save with his legs when a goal looked the best bet.
Another uninspiring display by Town who in their last four games have hardly troubled the opposing keeper, it is a good job the defence has held firm. But out of the next three game only 3 points are required for promotion, hopefully this will be against Leek CSOB on Saturday.

Barnoldswick Town 2 v Leek CSOB 0

Town were without Skipper Russell Clarke who was at a wedding, and Liam Garbutt who had tweaked a hamstring last Tuesday against Daisy Hill. This was going to be a test of the teams nerve and resolve after losing the last two games with hardly a goalscoring attempt in either game to speak off. Norton were slowly closing the gap and could if results went the wrong way deny Town promotion, and Leek would be no push over as up to three weeks ago they were the biggest danger to Town's promotion march.
The answer as to whether Town had the nerve and resolve was soon put to bed as early as the 2nd minute when a Liam Blades throw into the Leek penalty area landed at the feet of Joe Shelmerdine who turned and got his shot away but it was straight at James Heath in the leek goal. In their next attack Town won a corner down the Leek right, Blades curled it to the far post where Bill Williams got there first heading the ball back across goal, Heath managing to clear the imminent danger. Leek posed a threat at the other end, Stewart Airdrie having to make a timely tackle at the expense of a corner to stop a Leek attack.
Town's pressure finally told after 13 minutes, the ball was played square across the edge of the Leek penalty area, Paul Barrett controlled it turned and shot hard and low into the bottom left corner of Heath's net giving him no chance.
Town's next chance came after 38 minutes, Neil Chapman played a great ball into the path od Williams inside the Leek penalty area, his left foot shot was tipped onto the post by Heath and behind for a corner. Leek's best chance came after 43 minutes when Billy Carrington tipped a shot over the bar from Ryan Greene for a corner. Two minutes into injury time Shelmerdine played a great ball through he Leek defence to Barrett he moved on quickly into the penalty area and it took a great tackle from a Leek defender to deny him another goal.
At the start of the second half Leek were awarded a free kick just outside the Town penalty area but Dale Walters the Leek Skipper blasted it over the Town bar. Town now began to put pressure on the Leek defence and Heath turned a Town shot over the bar from a corner, the resulting corner was only half cleared to the edge of the penalty area, Shelmerdine tried a left foot volley which went through a ruck of players, Williams seized on the ball and shot from the edge of the 6 yard line but his shot was blocked almost on the line to safety. A minute later on 53 minutes and Town got the all important second goal. Town won a free kick 10 yards outside the Leek penalty area, Blades took it and curled a shot towards the far post, it all seemed in slow motion as at the last minute Heath had to react quickly as the ball was dropping in under his cross bar, he managed to tip it onto the bar where it fell into a melee of players around the 6 yard line. Barrett was the first to react to the loose ball smashing it into the back of the net.
Leek's efforts on goal were kept to shots from outside the Town penalty area Daniel Pope and Ricky Mallen not really testing Carrington. Leek tried to change things by making a double substitution after 75 minutes but it made no impact on the game. Town themselves a minute later took Shelmerdine off bringing Dan Caton on. The last chance fell to Town with two minutes left, Airdrie played a great ball to Barrett, his shot being deflected for a corner. From the corner Williams from 3 yards out had his shot blocked on the line by Christopher Pickford, on another day he could have had a hat trick, as he was causing the Leek defence problems from Town's set pieces.
So the pressure is now off, promotion assured and well deserved. It was a good response from the team after the two defeats.

Atherton Collieries 2 v Barnoldswick Town 5

Town were missing Skipper Russell Clarke who was suspended and Chris Clark was also unavailable for this important match. To have any chance of wining the league Town needed to win their last two games and hope that Stone lost their last one at Daisy Hill.
The pitch looked in very good order and was sloping from goal to goal, with sunshine and heavy showers forecast the crowd looked forward to a good match.
Atherton played up the slope in the first half and were the first to go on the attack, Their left back Joe Fielding getting a good cross to the far post away, Joe Evans came onto the ball but his header was a little on the weak side and Town cleared comfortably.
Town took the lead on 7 minutes, Spencer Jordan put Fielding under pressure on the Atherton left, he played the ball across his own penalty area to a colleague who in turn came under pressure from Joe Shelmerdine, Shelmerdine nipped in took the ball past him drew Josh Harris in the Atherton goal went round him and knocked it into the back of the empty net. Town began to play magnificent football, Shaun Clough played a great ball over the Atherton defence putting Paul Barrett clear, he brought the ball under control on the run but Harris seeing the danger just managed to nick the ball off his toe end as it looked all over a goal. Another chance for Town after 18 minutes, a flowing move by Neil Chapman to Shelmerdine saw the latter play a great back heel into Chapman's path, he in turn lobbed the ball over Harris towards the empty net. Chris Nuttall the Atherton centre half just managed to clear off the line at the expense of a corner. Blades took the corner crossing deep to the far post, Bill Williams headed down towards the near post only for Harris to smother the ball with a good save. Two minutes later Atherton equalised against the run of play, the move involved 3 or 4 players and was struck home by Evans quite comfortably.
It took Town 2 minutes to regain the lead, Atherton gave a free kick away halfway inside their own half on the left. Blades took it and the ball in was fantastic with 3 Town players fighting as to who would knock it in, in the end it was Spencer Jordan with his knee. A minute later there was a strange decision made by the referee, a Town player was fouled but the ball broke to Lewis Jordan 30 yards out, he seemed to be waving play on as Town had the advantage but when Jordan's shot went in he gave Town the free kick? Strange decision.
The intricate play between Shelmerdine, Spencer Jordan and Chapman was exhilarating as they weaved their magic through the Atherton defence with consummate ease. Town went three up after 33 minutes when the defence was split wide open again, Barrett latching onto the ball and chipping Harris into the far corner. Thirty seven minutes and Spencer Jordan played Shelmerdine in clear on goal but his side foot shot curled wide of the post. A minute later and another through ball found Shelmerdine, he quickly controlled it and coolly side footed past the helpless keeper.
Right on half time a Spencer Jordan free kick found Barrett, his header hitting the far post and bouncing clear of danger. The second half opened as the first had finished, Shelmerdine's wizardry took him past three defenders, he passed to Barrett inside the penalty area,he laid the ball back into the path of Chapman but he was tackled by a defender just as he was going to pull the trigger.
Atherton went straight up to the other end and won a corner Stewart Airdrie making a timely tackle. From the corner Paul Atherton scored from close in. Town then made two substitutions Barrett and Alderson who both had knocks made was for Keiron Lee and Lewis Craig (66 minutes). Two minutes later and a Craig corner found Williams at the far post and a powerful header placed just inside the post put Town 5-2 up. The rest of the game was played out with ease by the Town players. A fantastic result, the players back to how they were playing 5 games ago, a joy to watch.