Padiham are almost home and hosed

Ben Allen hit a hat-trick in Padiham’s 3-0 win at Ashton Athletic on Saturday, as the Storks opened up what could be a crucial six-point gap at the top of the North West Counties Premier Division table. As Bootle were losing 6-3 at home to Barnoldswick Town - joint-managed by former Padiham striker Paul Fildes - the Storks gained a vital away win to stretch their advantage at the top to six points.

The Storks extended their incredible unbeaten away record in the league at Ashton, where a strong wind and dried-out surface made it difficult for both sides.The early exchanges saw Jack Overson shoot across the face of goal, and Gareth Grant fired into the arms of Padiham keeper Sean Davis. Allen then dragged a shot wide, while at the other end, an angled shot from Danny Smith tested Davis to the full.

Padiham began to get more of the play, and an Elliot Dunn cross required a good headed clearance from Jay Waldron to stop Nathan Bond having a free header. A minute later, a one-handed save from Dave Moran foiled Allen, and Moran again kept out the league’s top-scorer as he turned a shot around the post. From the corner, Moran was called on again to save from Bond.

The yellows looked to have got to half time on level terms but a back pass from Danny Smith left keeper Dave Moran struggling to get to it and Bond charged down the clearance on another day it could have been deemed as a foul on Moran, however the ball looped up to Ben Allen who had the simplest task of side-footing the ball home.

Padiham doubled their advantage just after the hour after some sloppy play allowed Sharples far too much time to pick Allen out at the back post with an inch perfect cross which Allen headed in at the far post, and with 10 minutes remaining, Allen rounded off his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Jay Waldren was penalised for a handball although only being two yards from the ball when it was fired in it seemed a bit harsh.

With the game now over the yellows manager Jimmy McBride decided to take off some of his key players Callum Jones, Danny Smith and Elvis were all withdrawn in the hope of saving them for the Bacup Borough game on Monday.