Reserves League Round-Up This Week

Matchwinner Franck Songo'o

Oldham missed the opportunity to improve their chances of winning the Pontin's Holidays League Division One West as they lost 2-1 at home to title-rivals Preston North End in a game played at Bower Fold, Stalybridge Celtic FC, in-form North End, who lost their first five matches of the season, now sitting only six points behind the Latics after their victory.

Matty Wolfenden gave the home side the lead on 34 minutes only for the visitors to take the lead with a goal bang on either side of the break, the first from Lewis Neal on 44 and then what turned out to be the match winner from a long-range strike by Portsmouth-loanee Franck Songo'o on 46 that Oldham's Northern Irish international goalkeeper Alan Blayney made a hash of attempting to save.

Wrexham did Oldham a favour though as they defeated Tranmere at home 1-0, that loss for second-placed Rovers leaving them five points behind the Latics, although the Wirral club do have three matches left to play compared to Oldham's one. Jamie Reed scored the only goal of the game for the Red Dragons at Globe Way, Buckley Town in the first-half with Tranmere unable to break through a well-marshalled Welsh defence in their search for an equaliser.

Rochdale moved four points clear of the foot of the table with an excellent 3-1 win at Accrington Stanley. Kyle Buckley gave the visitors the lead after just ten minutes, 'Dale doubling their advantage straight from the second-half kick-off as Danny Reet smashed the ball home over the top of sleeping Reds keeper Ian Dunbavin from fully 40 yards out. Stanley pulled a goal back from a Michael Welch free-kick but Rochdale had the last word when Matty Ellis scored from the penalty spot in the last minute to secure all three points for the visitors.

As we know United crashed to the bottom of the table after a heavy 5-2 defeat at Chester on Wednesday afternoon, the City goals scored by Alex Meechan (4) and Neil Carroll with Matthew Wood and Andy Hardman replying for Carlisle. The Blues have two chances of a victory next week as they bid to avoid picking up the wooden spoon when they play away to Wrexham on Monday and then they face another game on the road just two days later, that coming at Rochdale.


Results in the division this week :

Oldham 1-2 Preston North End (Tue)
Wrexham 1-0 Tranmere (Tue)

Accrington Stanley 1-3 Rochdale (Wed)
Chester 5-2 Carlisle (Wed)


Fixtures in the division next week, all 7pm :

Wrexham v Carlisle (Mon)

Blackpool v Tranmere (Wed)
Bury v Preston North End (Wed)
Oldham v Chester (Wed)
Rochdale v Carlisle (Wed)


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United's Reserve Team Results : Click here