Padiham have too much power for the Yellows

With numerous games off due to the weather, Padiham took full advantage as they recorded their ninth win in ten games with a 4-1 win over Ashton Athletic to close the gap to three points at the top of the table.

Elliot Dunn opened the scoring for the home side on 38 minutes as he headed in Joe Garvin's superb free kick, with Kenny Taylor doubling the lead just two minutes later although he was a good three yards offside he collected the ball and rounded the keeper before stroking the ball into the empty net.This goal knocked the stuffing out of Ashton who had battled manfully and were well in the game at 1-0.

Ashton had goalkeeper Adam Halton to thank for keeping the score down, most notably for pulling off two superb penalty saves from Garvin and Liam Foster to prevent Padiham increasing their lead. Thomas Bradley eventually made it 3-0 after 73 minutes with a stunning 25-yard effort that three keepers would not have saved, with Ashton pulling one back with ten minutes left. Strangely it came from the third penalty save of the afternoon with Sean Davis pulling off a fine save which rebounded to Mark Bailey who slotted home.

However Padiham's afternoon was not over with new signing from Ramsbottom United Mark Sharples' first goal for the club wrapping up a convincing win in stoppage time, the debutant slotting home at the near post following a good more down the right hand side.This was to be the last action with the referee blowing his whistle before the kick off took place.