BACUP stormed to the top of the NWCL second division with a 6-0 demolition of Chadderton in what was their first home game of the season.

A Paul Fildes hat-trick helped Brent Peters' side to victory and sent them two points clear at the top with four games in hand over second-placed Maine Road. Padiham are third, four points behind Bacup with a game in hand.

Bacup have played every league and cup game away from West View this season as their pitch was redeveloped and new floodlights installed.

But they were on their way to securing a super homecoming just 10 minutes into the game when Lee Anderson sent a defence-splitting pass for Fildes who rounded the keeper before slotting home.

Steve Stott could have added a second from a David Gray cross and other chances went begging before Chadderton broke and keeper Tommy Allen had to be alert to keep his side ahead.

Fildes made it 2-0 on the half-hour after Gray opened up the defence with a pass for Micky Bartholomew. He played in Fildes, who spun the defender and finished with quality.

Both Anderson and Karl Stanley went close in the second half and on the hour the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Gray's goalbound shot was handled. Steve Stott converted the penalty.

Just two minutes later it was four when sub Damian Moran played a ball inside for Fildes who put Martin Peters, also on as sub, through and he lobbed the advancing keeper.

On 70 minutes Fildes completed his hat-trick and Gray wrapped up the scoring soon after with another quality finish.

Peters said: "The football we played was quality and all the goals were top drawer.

"Paul Fildes deserved his hat-trick and I was glad to see Dave Gray get on the scoresheet because his work outside the box deserved a goal."

BACUP...6 CHADDERTON...0