Padiham...3 Norton...0

PADIHAM made it a hat-trick of NWCL Division Two wins when they beat Stoke side Norton 3-0 at the Arbories to further consolidate their excellent start to the new season.

The three wins have given everyone at the club a real sense of optimism for things to come.

In the 20th minute a well-executed chipped goal by Lee Chambers set Padiham on their way after midfielder Darren Forrest had opened up the Norton defence.

Chambers added a second in the 65th minute, this time John Harrison played in the Storks goal-poacher and Chambers obliged with a well-placed shot.

Padiham clinched the points in the 70th minute thanks to a close-range header from Harrison after an Ian Pilkington cross was headed across the face of the goal by Chambers into the path of Harrison.

Norton had plenty of possession during the game but rarely troubled Padiham's defence and on the one occasion they did breach the Storks ranks Carl Parker was on hand to clear off the home side's goal line.