Padiham suffer derby setback

The Storks went a goal down after only two minutes when Mark Threlfall made easy work of turning inside the area before firing, unchallenged, past Sean Davis. The home side struggled to get out of the starting blocks despite equalising in the 17th minute when Sam Heap ran on to Stuart Telfer’s penetrative pass and angled his shot out of the reach of Chris Thompson to make it 1-1.

That scoreline remained until the interval but less than a minute in to the second half Colne restored their lead when Danny Gleave headed home unmarked at the back post from a corner.

Things got worse for Padiham in the 55th minute after conceding possession in midfield and Threlfall broke away to score his second and Colne’s third of the game.

Even three substitutions on the hour mark for Padiham couldn’t inject any passion from the hosts and when Kieran Demaine scored with a spectacular strike following a well-worked free-kick any sort of Storks resistance had completely diminished.

It came as no surprise therefore that the visitors added a fifth three minutes from time, although it was somewhat unfortunate for Davis. The keeper saved superbly from a Ted Cockett shot only for the ball to rebound in to the path of Danny Boyle who had the simple task of steering the ball in to the empty net, making it 5-1.

Elsewhere, Padiham Reserves cruised to a 4-0 away win over AFC Darwen Reserves on Saturday.

Danny Stubberfield opened the scoring for the Storks in the 20th minute before Tom Bradley hit Padiham’s second with an effort from the edge of the box just five minutes before the break.

In the second half Bradley completed his hat-trick with goals in the 64th and 78th minute to move Padiham up to third spot in the league table. The reserves travel to face Barnoldswick Town Reserves tomorrow evening, kick-off 7-45 p.m.

Padiham FC’s A team were comprehensively beaten by East Lancashire Football League Second Division leaders Rock Rovers at the weekend, losing their away fixture 5-1. Steven Cassidy scored the solitary goal for the Storks.

But their was better fortune for Padiham Under 12s who recorded their biggest victory of the season in the East Lancashire Alliance Youth League beating Whalley Juniors 9-0.

Liam Simm, Levi Ostle and Mason Hughes both grabbed braces for the young Storks while Billy Grant, Owen Edwards and Jason Woolford completed the scoring.

And Padiham Under 18s clinched the title after beating second place AFC Darwen 3-0. Gary Hill scored twice to send the Storks well on their way to the championship while Harry Price secured the club’s first piece of silverware for the season.

Meanwhile, Padiham Ladies returned to winning ways in the North West Womens Regional League with a 4-1 away victory over Preston-based Springfield Ladies.

Elise Howarth put Padiham ahead after just 21 seconds but a mix up in the Storks defence in the 12th minute gifted the home side an equaliser. Chantelle Brennan restored Padiham’s lead in the 17th minute, an advantage they kept until half-time.

After the break, despite being reduced to 10 players because of injuries, quickfire goals from Howarth and Charlotte Holden increased Padiham’s winning margin.