Barrett Strike Earns Big Tie For Storks

PADIHAM'S FA Carling Vase victory over Cheadle Town at the Arbories on Saturday has set up the tie nobody wanted to talk about before the weekend – a first round home tie against FC United of Manchester, and the goliath following that comes with the current leaders of the North West Counties First Division.

The October 7th fixture is a huge reward for the Storks, but one the home side had to battle hard to achieve, as the visitors pushed Padiham right to the final whistle.
Padiham had the better of the first half and created chances on a regular basis during the opening 45 minutes.

On seven minutes, a well-worked throw-in routine found Ross Barnham, who in turn found new signing Paul Barrett, who shot just wide of the target.

Three minutes later Barrett went close again when Paul Fildes played his strike partner in, and Barrett saw his effort scrambled away at the foot of the post.
On 14 minutes, Martin Parkes looked destined to score when he raced onto a ball over the top, but after what looked like a nudge in the back, he just couldn't quite guide his header past Cheadle keeper Peter Mellor.

On 23 minutes, Fildes had a shot cleared off the Cheadle line, but then in the visitors' next attack, Adam Steart flashed a long-range shot just inches the wrong side of Padiham's upright.

Barrett played a one-two with Fildes on 28 minutes, and Cheadle had a let off when Fildes screwed his shot over the crossbar.

Ten minutes from the interval, Cheadle created their best opening when Arron Riley beat the Storks' off-side trap, but fired wide when through on goal.

Padiham had a scare early in the second half when a mistake by Barnham let in Riley, who this time hit the outside of the Storks post with a shot.

Padiham hit back when Ed O'Neill forced Mellor to tip a dipping shot over the visitors' crossbar, and then on the hour Padiham took the lead.

A ball over the top of the visitors' defence by Barnham released Barrett, who raced away to fire over the head of Mellor to make it 1-0.

Padiham could have increased their lead on 63 minutes when Fildes got free, but the Storks' leading goalscorer shot straight at Mellor
Padiham keeper Gavin King saved well from a Stewart free kick on 75 minutes, and throughout the remainder of the tie handled everything Cheadle could throw at him.
This was not a pretty cup tie to watc,h but the result meant everything to the Storks, who must now prepare for an all-ticket clash with FC United, who beat Brodsworth MWFC 3-1 away on Saturday.

Padiham return to North West Counties action this Saturday when they take on Ashton Athletic at the Arbories, kick-off 3 p.m.