STONE DOMINOES 2 PADIHAM 3

PADIHAM's North West Counties League Division Two away game against Stone Dominoes at Stoke on Trent on Saturday was a credit to non-league football.

Memorable for the quality of play goals scored by both sides and the high standard of refereeing by Liverpool-based Paul Naylor which added to the free flowing game.

Stone took a 25th minute lead when Colin Fletcher curled in a left wing cross. Anthony McCluskey immediately put the Storks on level terms two minutes later converting a John Harrison free kick to make it 1-1. With eight minutes to go to half time Jason Stubbs shot Padiham in front when he turned in a low, hard drive from Craig Wilkinson to make it 2-1.

In the second half Stone upped the pace considerably equalising in the 53rd minute when Greg Briggs connected with a short corner to rifle in the home side's second of the afternoon.

Padiham survived some intense pressure by Stone thanks to some excellent defending by Carl Parker and Andrew Kelly and although Ian Pilkington missed a great chance to restore the Storks lead in the 78th minute, Robbie Smith secured all three points for Padiham when he crashed in a 20 yard volley worthy of winning any game five minutes from time.