PADIHAM recouped three of the four points lost through the resignation of Stand Athletic from the NWCL second division when they beat Oldham Town 3-1 at the Whitebank Stadium on Saturday to extend their unbeaten start to the season.

In a scrappy game it took 22 minutes for the first real chance of the match to emerge when Oldham's Lawrence McNamara beat Padiham's offside trap and shot over.

However, it was the Storks who dominated the rest of the first half with Ian Pilkington scoring twice in the space of six minutes in the lead-up to half time to put Padiham in the driving seat.

A third goal two minutes into the second half scored by Martyn Thompson ensured Padiham's victory despite McNamara scoring a consolation goal for Oldham in the 55th minute.

Ian Pilkington had three excellent chances to complete his hat trick, but couldn't find the back of the net leaving Padiham to settle for a 3-1 win when it could have been a lot more convincing.

OLDHAM TOWN...1 PADIHAM...3