Padiham 2, Alsager Town 0

Paul Fildes looked sharp for the Storks, going close early on when he was played in and shot across the face of the goal on four minutes.

The opening goal for Padiham came on 15 minutes when an Ed O’Neill corner was headed in off the post by midfielder Andy Haworth.

Alsager went closest to equalising on 21 minutes when in a frantic goalmouth scramble, the Storks defence made two solid blocks before good save by Sean Davis.

After the break Padiham could have been 2-0 up within two minutes when Lee Morris got free but shot straight at Alsager keeper Willis.

However on 65 minutes his strike partner Fildes made no mistake with a clinical finish.

Padiham easily saw the game out with new signing Kieran Fletcher having a solid debut in defence.

Padiham have no midweek fixture but travel to Maine Road on Saturday.

Cheadle Town Reserves 1, Padiham Reserves 3

PADIHAM Reserves grabbed top spot in the Vodkat North West Counties Football League Reserve Division with a 3-1 away win.

But the big talking point of the afternoon was the performance of Stockport referee Leslie Lever who sent off three Padiham players and booked four other Storks players!

Goals by Andrew Hargreaves on 20 minutes and Josh Cliffe on 52 minutes had seen the Storks take control of the game.

Then came the most bizarre refereeing display of all time.

First to see red was defender Luke Thompson and when captain Callum Little ask why, he was also sent off.

Padiham’s third dismissal saw Daniel Stubberfield sent-off after he had been substituted.

Padiham made it 3-0 on 80 minutes through Ben Sutcliffe before an injury time penalty gave Cheadle a consolation.

Padiham reserves’ next fixture is at home to Wigan Robin Park Reserves on Saturday at home, kick-off 3 p.m.

Padiham A 2, Barrowford Celtic 0

PADIHAM beat high-flying Barrowford Celtic 2-0 in the Second Division of the East Lancashire Football League at Fennyfold.

The opener came from Joey Taylor on the hour mark before Danny Sharples rounded off an excellent performance on 85 minutes.

Padiham U16s 7, Barrowford Celtic 0

PADIHAM were too strong for their Barrowford Celtic counterparts in their East Lancashire Alliance Youth League fixture.

Scorers were Joel Melia (3), Joe Rodriguez (2), Cole Hayman and Dave Wright.

Padiham Under 11s 1, Ighten Leigh 1

POINTS were shared in this North Valley Youth League fixture.

Leighton Fishwick scored for the Storks while captain Liam Simm was man-of-the-match.