Barnes secures title with hat-trick

CHADDERTON FC have been crowned Champions of The Sun Chemical Division One following a 4-1 win over Avenue FC, instigated by a Nial Barnes hat-trick.

Injuries had affected both sides before the match, due to fixture congestion – Chadderton knew before the match that three points would secure them the title.

Bob Sopel, Chadderton’s manager commented, “The 4-1 win was probably due to us taking our chances, the scoreline really deceives how close the game was for long periods.

“A feature of this season has been the ability of the players to dig deep and pull off late wins and this is a credit to their winning attitude.”

Chadderton now look forward to a cup semifinal this week.

Elsewhere in the Division AFC Kearsley won 4-2 against Oldham GPO to move up to third place, meanwhile Wardleworth clinched an away win at Cartshaft.

Highfield slumped to yet another RDSFL league defeat after a 3-2 loss against Elton and Walshaw, which signalled their seventh defeat of the season.

Highfield’s pre-season hopes challenging for the new season has failed but through no fault of their own.

The squad has been plagued with injuries which in no doubt has affected their results this season; the players and coaching team will be hoping that the team can return to the top of the division in the not too distant future. PL W D L GD 11 11 0 0 36 10 8 1 1 11 12 7 1 4 10 11 7 0 4 14 10 5 0 5 4 11 4 0 7 -8 13 3 0 10 -38 14 0 0 14 -22

Pts 33 25 22 21 15 12 9 0