Airdrie can't crack Norton's defence but Barlick stay second

On the back of the excellent 7-1 win over AFC Blackpool on Tuesday of last week, Town were looking to consolidate second place in the Vodkat North West Counties League Division One.

But both defences were so dominant that neither keeper had a difficult shot to save.

Town’s Bill Williams made an exceptional tackle to thwart a Norton attack when it looked like a forward was through on goal, then Stewart Airdrie thought he had beaten the offside trap but the linesman thought otherwise and flagged.

This was the first of four offside incidents in the first half, two of which were incorrect as the Town players were clearly onside.

Norton were troubling the Town defence with their free-kicks, which curled to the far post. Norton’s Simon Everall did manage to weave his way through after half an hour but Billy Carrington came out to make a fine save.

In the second half, Town upped their work rate, full backs Liam Blades and Shaun Clough, who were both doubtful before the game through injury and the flu, raiding down the flanks.

Clough came nearest to scoring after 59 minutes when his free-kick wide on the Norton left curled towards the far post and hit the top of the upright, cannoning back into the area where a scramble for the ball was won by the Norton defence.

This draw, which was probably the right result, keeps Town in second place, three points behind Stone Dominoes.

Barnoldswick Town 7, AFC Blackpool 1

Town’s first league game under lights attracted a crowd of over 100. Town were attacking well down both flanks, with full backs Shaun Clough and Liam Blades prominent.

Stewart Airdrie got through one on one with the Blackpool keeper but David Stevenson narrowed the angle and managed to push the ball away to safety.

The hosts took the lead on 26 minutes.

The ball was played in to James Coonan inside the penalty area who hit the post, the ball rebounding to the left of the Blackpool goal.

It was then played back to Chris Clark inside the box, who went through three tackles and shot towards goal, the ball going through a ruck of players before finding Coonan again just inside the six-yard box, and this time he made no mistake.

Town, whose defence were in a mean mood, went two up on 51 minutes. Airdrie, standing on the edge of the Blackpool area, volleyed a corner which crashed against the foot of a post before it cannoned off the full back into the net – a strike worthy of Goal of the Month in the Premiership.

They made it three after 64 minutes, and if Airdrie’s first goal was good, this matched it. The ball was played over the Blackpool defence to him and he flicked it on with his head to Chapman, who had two defenders between himself and goal.

Chapman brought the ball under control and played a pass through the duo to Airdrie along the edge of the penalty area.

He thundered a first-time shot that hit the underside of the Blackpool bar and went into the net before the keeper could move.

Town brought on Adam Hayton in the 65th minute, and Blackpool scored a minute later through a Scott Harries header, but Blackpool’s Ben Waddington was then sent off for violent conduct.

Town made it 4-1 in the 77th minute, Chapman driving into the penalty area, twisting and turning past the full back only to have his legs taken from behind as he was about to shoot. Airdrie calmly completed his hat-trick from the spot to make it six goals in three games.

Perhaps the goal of the game came with seven minutes left. Town played breathtaking football across the pitch just outside the Blackpool area.

Hayton, who had been involved earlier in the move, managed to get onto a brilliant Blades cross to head home at the far post.

Five minutes later, Hayton became the provider when he slid the ball across the six-yard area where Chapman scored.

Hayton nearly grabbed his second when he beat two defenders only for his shot to be saved at full stretch by Stevenson.

Substitute David Gray had a goal ruled out for offside on normal time but two minutes into added time, Chapman rifled home the seventh into the top corner.

A young reserve side lost 3-0 at leaders Glossop North End, while the third team went down 2-1 at Barrowford Celtic. Dan Oldfield scored but later missed a penalty.