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Oldham pray for derby

tony glennon
19/ 8/2008

NON-LEAGUE minnows Oldham Town have their "big brother" neighbours Oldham Athletic in their sights after successfully negotiating the FA Cup's opening hurdle.

It might still be August, but Town have already taken the first step on the long road to Wembley with goals by Stuart McGill and Darren Scanlan giving them a 2-0 home extra preliminary-round victory over fellow Vodkat League outfit Ashton Athletic.

Town boss Tony Mills knows his part-timers have no chance of reaching the final, of course.

But, like every semi-pro club in the land, the Whitebank Stadium side are dreaming of making the first-round proper, which, in their case, would bring with it the chance of a fairytale meeting with John Sheridan's League One Latics.

Five rounds still stand between Town and that distant goal and with other far bigger non-League clubs lying in wait it will take a minor miracle for them to reach it.

Unbeaten

But secretary Dave Shepherd believes Lady Luck may be smiling on Town, saying: "We've another home tie in the next round, against Rossendale a week on Saturday, and, if we keep getting drawn at our place, who knows how far we can go?

"We were unbeaten at home in the league all last season, so it's fair to say we've made Whitebank Stadium a bit of a fortress.

"We've got a good squad of players and feel we've got it in us to survive at least a couple more rounds."

Also through to the Cup's next stage are Town's local Vodkat League rivals Maine Road, Glossop North End and Atherton LR. Either Flixton or Abbey Hey will join them depending on who wins tomorrow night's replay at Valley Road.

CURZON Ashton defender Scott McManus has seized the chance of a dream switch to League One Crewe Alexandra - despite never having made a competitive appearance for the UniBond non-Leaguers!

McManus, who joined Curzon in the summer from Manchester League side Prestwich Heys, last night joined Crewe on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.