Hallmark Security League Premier Division

Barnoldswick Town 2

West 1

GOALS from Zack Dale either side of half-time saw Barnoldswick claim an early-season double against West Didsbury and Chorlton.

The visitors were looking to open November on a positive note after losing all seven games in October, but Dale’s double knocked the stuffing out of them and they left a sodden Silentnight Stadium empty-handed despite Ben Woods’ goal 15 minutes from time.

Dale’s first goal, two minutes before the interval, was a good end to an otherwise tight first period.

As the rain began to teem down, a through ball from Harry Thompson split the West defence and Dale ran on to it and slipped the ball into the net.

Barnoldswick goalkeeper Ryan Livesey was barely called into action in the first half where chances at either end were at a premium, while Marcus Burgess was similarly untroubled in the visitors’ goal until Dale's strike the dying embers of the first period,

Dale struck again in almost identical circumstances two minutes after the restart as the visitors lost their way in increasingly foul conditions.

Despite having howling gales blowing in their favour, West found themselves unable to escape their own half as Town took control of proceedings in the second half.

The home side’s tally remained at two despite a succession of clear chances – most notably when Dale could have had a hat-trick when he nodded over from a promising position.

But West made the most of the conditions to pull a goal back with a quarter of an hour remaining, when Woods’ wind-assisted corner flew into the top of the net.

A rejuvenated West pushed for a leveller. Danny McLaughlin prodded narrowly wide from a tight angle, but the clearest opening arrived in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Ryan Eiselt found space at the far post following a Scott Mason set-piece.

However, Eiselt could only volley against the woodwork as Barlick held on to follow up their 3-2 win at Brookburn Road just over a month ago.

Barnoldswick Town have another home tie this Saturday against Wythenshawe Amateurs at Silentnight Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.