For many weeks, this fixture and our Boxing Day clash against Ramsbottom at Gigg Lane have looked like crunch games. Now…well, it’s difficult to overstate how vital they are after a recent series of flaky performances.
It’s quite a litany: 23rd November lost 3-4 at Lower Breck; 4th December lost 1-3 at Litherland REMYCA; 10th December drew 1-1 at Irlam; 14th December drew 3-3 at home to Abbey Hey.
Watching the first-half against Abbey Hey it was hard to believe the team in blue and white were playing to go top of the league. But despite that first-half performance and the final score, there were positives – not least the second-half fightback.
This is still effectively the team who went 21 games without defeat and beat Radcliffe away in a great FA Cup run. Remember, we only just fell short of reaching the First Round proper. But manager Dave McNabb has rung the changes, with Morgan Homson-Smith returning the squad after an extended stay in the UAE, new arrivals at the back with Eoin Charles and Courtney Meppen-Walter joining, alongside Gaz Peet’s confirmation he will stay on this season.
Every match is a new start. And never moreso this Friday, as we look to go top with a win.
So once again the cry goes up: Come on you Shakers!!! Come on!!!
In Opposition – Chadderton
Chaddy are having a remarkable season, having so far played not a single home game while their new all-weather pitch is being installed.
They are currently residing mostly at the Vestacare Stadium, the home of Avro FC, where our clash takes place this week.
Going into the game top of the league with 59 points from 28 games – closely followed by ourselves with 57 from 27 and Ramsbottom 57 from 26. We take on Rammy in our next game, on Boxing Day!
We were knocked out of the Isuzu FA Vase 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Gigg Lane, and our under-23s team were defeated by the same opposition in the Macron Cup. We do have the bragging rights in the league however, with a 3-1 win back in October.
Chadderton have won all their last six games, scoring 20 goals and conceding just 7.
Admission & Tickets
Advance tickets can be purchased here
- Adults – £10
- Concessions – £5 (Over 65)
- Under 16s – £2
- Programmes – £2
Travel & Parking
Ground: The Vestacare Stadium
Address: White Bank Rd, Oldham
Postcode: OL8 3JH
Driving: M60 J22 then A62 towards Manchester/Failsworth. First left onto Hollins Rd – signposted Oldham South and Hollinwood. Follow Hollins Rd to junction with Oak Rd – just before petrol station – then Oak Rd to Whitebank Rd.
Parking: Parking is available adjacent to White Bank Road (West Side of the Stadium), and beyond there is an overflow carpark.
Nearest Railway: Mainline Rail – Manchester Victoria or Moston. Metrolink – Hollinwood (20 mins walk)
Nearest Bus Route to Ground: 180 from Oldham Street (Stop A) Manchester city centre, to Hollins Rd/Oak Rd then walk 5 minutes down Oak Rd to stadium.
On the day: There will also be two main bars, and food area
Match Coverage & Live Stream
If you are unable to make the game, we’ll have all the live coverage across our media platforms.
Live Stream: For this game, we will have no live stream. Keep up-to-date with all our video content via the club’s YouTube Channel. Click to subscribe and never miss highlights and match reaction across the season.
Audio Commentary: Roch Valley Radio will be providing commentary for this game. Click here ahead of kick-off to listen live. Audio commentary will be provided for every game of the season, so you will never miss a piece of the action.
Social Media: Our team will also bring you in-depth text commentary via the club ‘MatchDay Live‘ Twitter feed, with team news and half time and full time updates available also on Facebook and feel like you are there with our match galleries and imagery available over on Instagram.
Whatever the weather, wherever you are across the globe, we have you covered.
Up the Shakers!
