PADIHAM were thrashed 4-0 at home by promotion chasing Formby in NWCL Division Two.

For much of the first half there was nothing to choose between the two sides until Neil Smith took advantage of some sloppy defending to bundle the visitors in front after 36 minutes.

Three minutes into the second half, Padiham looked odds-on to equalise when Dean Stowe set up Ian Pilkington with a glorious chance but Padiham's leading scorer miscued and his shot hit the post from six yards out. Formby took full advantage of their let-off and went further ahead five minutes later when Neil Smith got free to head in from close range.

Smith then completed his hat trick in the 70th minute, converting a penalty kick awarded for some shirt pulling by Padiham stand-in keeper Andrew Kirk and 12 minutes from time former Bootle striker Andy Olsen hit Formby's fourth to wrap up the points. Padiham have another tough test on Saturday when they take on league leaders Stand at the Arbories.

PADIHAM...0

FORMBY...4