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
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