Murphy is the match-winner for Storks

RING A RING OF ROSES ! GateÃ¢Â¬"s scorer of second goal, ALEX MURPHY is surounded by the Silsden players, from Yorkshire, as he sets up an attack.

Padiham eased their way into the next round of the Emirates FA Cup competition with a 1-0 home win over Northern League opponents Team Northumbria at the Arbories Memorial Sports Ground on Saturday.

In a game with very few goalscoring opportunities, Padiham’s Sean Cookson went closest to breaking the deadlock when his 11th minute shot was kept out by the outstretched leg of visiting keeper Steven Mundy.

Aaron Taylor’s miss-hit effort midway through the half was also kept out by Mundy, when he turned the shot round the post for a corner.

But in reality, those were the only two two saves the visiting keeper had to make in the opening 45 minutes, while at the other end, Team Northumbria could only muster one shot on target, and that was late in the first half when Aiden Heywod tested home keeper Michael Donlon with a shot from the edge of the box.

The second half at least had a number of talking points, the first being the quality of Alex Murphy’s 20-yard strike that beat Mundy all ends up and gave the Storks a 51st minute lead.

And secondly, Padiham keeper Donlon made a one-handed penalty save from Daniel Taggart’s 70th-minute spot kick.

Both played a big part in Padiham’s victory, and their passage into the next round on Saturday, August 20th, when they are at home again, this time against Newcastle Benfield.

Padiham are in action again tonight when they take on local rivals Nelson FC at the Arbories, kick-off 7-45 p.m., in their opening Hallmark Security North West Counties League Premier Division fixture.

The Storks are on the road on Saturday in the league as they travel to the Ambitek Stadium to face Irlam, kick-off 3 p.m.