to mighty Nelson NELSON 6 PADIHAM 1 CHAMPIONSHIP hopefuls Nelson took a step nearer the NWCL Division Two title with an emphatic 6-1win over derby rivals Padiham.

In front of their biggest league gate of the season at Victoria Park, Nelson swept the Storks aside thanks mainly to a nine-minute second half spell in which they scored four goals.

Within 10 minutes Nelson had taken the lead through Kiko Rodriguez.

Carl Howarth for Nelson and Lee Chambers for Padiham went close with good attempts before Neslon increased their lead in the 20th minute when Carl Howarth somehow squeezed a shot under the body of Storks keeper Ian Hartley.

Shaun Kendall and Chambers had good efforts saved by Canning while at the other end Howarth and Robinson both hit the woodwork.

Three minutes before half time Padiham got back into the game after an inch-perfect cross from Steve Yeoman to Chambers who made no mistake from a shot into the bottom corner to reduce to lead to 2-1 at the interval.

The Storks should have equalised five minutes but 25-goal hitman Chambers blasted his shot against Nelson's crossbar.

Nelson's response was awesome, turning in a nine-minute spell that left the visitors reeling.

Rodriguez, who is set to be offered a move to UniBond side Ossett Town this week, headed in a cross in the 58th minute to make it 3-1.

Mark Robinson raced onto a through ball from a free kick four minutes later and in 65th minute sub Jonathan Irvine made it 5-1 scoring from inside the 18 yard box unmarked.

Just two minutes later the same player made it 6-1 when he converted yet another cross.

To be fair to Padiham pride kept them competing until the end and Ian Pilkington summed up the Storks afternoon when he failed to score from two excellent opportunitues before the final whistle.

Padiham's game at Chadderton on Tuesday has been postponed due to Chadderton's involvement in Cup competiton. This Saturday's game against Warrington has been postponed. Padihma will now play Blackpool Mechanics at home. CHAMPIONSHIP hopefuls Nelson took a step nearer the NWCL Division Two title with an emphatic 6-1win over derby rivals Padiham.

Nelson swept the Storks aside in a devastating nine-minute second half spell when they fired in four goals.

Within 10 minutes Nelson had taken the lead through Kiko Rodriguez in front of 250 supporters.

Carl Howarth for Nelson and Lee Chambers for Padiham went close with good attempts before Nelson increased their lead in the 20th minute when Carl Howarth somehow squeezed a shot under the body of Storks keeper Ian Hartley.

Three minutes before half time Padiham got back into the game after an inch-perfect cross from Steve Yeoman to Chambers who made no mistake from a shot into the bottom corner to reduce the lead to 2-1 at the interval.

The Storks should have equalised five minutes later but 25-goal hitman Chambers blasted his shot against Nelson's crossbar.

Nelson's response was awesome, turning in a nine-minute spell that left the visitors reeling.

Rodriguez, who is set to be offered a move to UniBond side Ossett Town this week, headed in a cross in the 58th minute to make it 3-1. Mark Robinson raced onto a through ball from a free kick four minutes later and in 65th minute sub Jonathan Irvine made it 5-1 scoring from inside the 18 yard box unmarked. Just two minutes later the same player made it 6-1 when he converted yet another cross. Padiham kept competing but were dead and buried.

Padiham's game at Chadderton on Tuesday has been postponed due to Chadderton's involvement in Cup competiton. This Saturday's game against Warrington has been postponed. Padiham will now play Blackpool Mechanics at home.