Walsden C & FC returned to action with a bang, notching a fine 2-1 home win over third-placed Oldham Borough in the Rochdale Online Alliance.
First half goals from Jonny Sutcliffe and Danny Brown gave them a 2-0 lead but Borough hit back and the home side had to show tremendous resilience to hang on following the dismissal of Brown.
Walsden’s more direct approach was better than Boro’s fast, short-passing game on a heavy pitch.
Sutcliffe shot just over and then gave the hosts the lead with a fine strike after 10 minutes.
Gary Brierley narrowly shot too high, Marc Walters’ 25-yarder was straight at the ‘keeper and a desperate block neutralised Joe Gale’s effort.
Sutcliffe and Brierley paved the way for Walters but he shot at the ‘keeper with the goal at his mercy.
Matty Ormerod, Cameron Hanson, Paul Marrow and Josh Gale stopped Boro’ from getting many clean strikes at Jamie Shackleton’s goal.
A couple of crosses from Josh Gale might have brought goals and Walsden’s supporters were left wondering if the misses would prove costly.
Shackleton made a low save as Boro had a good spell but just before the break Brown seized on a poor clearance from the keeper and from 25 yards out struck the ball into an empty net.
Boro pressed hard at the start of the second half and Shackleton pushed a fierce shot around a post. However, Boro pulled a goal back from the resulting corner.
The game ebbed and flowed with Nathan Rooks breaking up Boro’s flow.
Walsden created more chances before boss Dan Howley changed the formation, leaving Brown alone up front. Shackleton saved from point-blank range after ascramble.
Walsden held out but Brown’s dismissal for a second yellow means he will miss one of the last four games.
Walsden are away to fellow mid-table side White Lion at Firgrove on Saturday.
- Walsden CC’s AGM (7.30) and prize presentation for seniors and juniors (8.15) takes place on Friday, March 7.