Harwood record shock win

A SCINTILLATING first half performance saw Great Harwood Town pull off a shock victory against NWCL Division Two pace-setters Padiham.

In a combative local derby, Town stood toe-to-toe with their high-flying near neighbours, much to the delight of boss John Hughes.

He said: "We applied ourselves brilliantly, made sure we matched them in the tackle, and played some cracking football.

"It was a performance of real professionalism and is a real confidence booster as we look to climb up the table."

In a frenetic opening half hour, the outstanding John Eastham headed the home side in front only for Ian Pilkington to equalise for Padiham with a low shot into the bottom corner after latching on to a long ball.

On 26 minutes the Robins restored their lead after the Padiham keeper blocked a Neil Baron shot only to see it rebound off Richard Fogarty's chest and into the back of the net.

Two minutes before the break Fogarty bagged his second after a goalmouth scramble and things went from bad to worse for Padiham as saw red after appearing to head-butt Town keeper Bobby Harris.

Despite being reduced in numbers the visitors applied themselves well in the second period and had it not been for a series of excellent saves from Harris, may well have got back into the game.

Late on, Great Harwood's Ryan Parr also received his marching orders for a second bookable offence however it did little to tarnish a memorable victory.

GREAT HARWOOD TOWN...3

PADIHAM...1