North west counties league division two: Oldham Town 1, Stand Athletic 6

STAND'S stranglehold at the top of the division tightens as there seems to be no stopping the Ewood Bridge side at the moment.

They produced another emphatic result against struggling Oldham. Their cause is also helped by the fact that sides just below them continue to drop points.

It must also be disturbing to these sides that striker Lee Wilkinson has found his scoring boots again, as his four-goal blast will send an extra chill down their spines this coming winter.

He was helped along the way by his partner Chris Denham claiming the other two. Chris now tops the division's goalscoring charts.

To many, the first impression of this result and scoreline would be that this was a stroll for Stand.

Oldham started brightly, but failed to show any conviction in the final third, despite a string of corners and half chances.

Even so, it must have been heartbreaking for the home side to find themselves 2-0 down after such a spirited half-hour.

It took just eight minutes for Wilkinson to get on the end of Neil Dawes pin-point free kick to head freely past McGovern in the Oldham goal.

Oldham had a chance via the penalty spot on 25 minutes after Taylor was fouled in the box, but Alex Dodd saw his effort saved by keeper Tommy Allen in the Stand goal.

Five minutes later Wilkinson smashed home an unstoppable volley at the back post following another excellent Dawes' cross.

Two minutes into the second half Oldham's spirits must have soared. Allen did well to stop Johnson first shot in a one-on-one, but was powerless to do anything to stop Warren Taylor from knocking in the loose ball.

Stand woke up and Stott released Chris Denham down the left, who fired home in style.

Fifteen minutes later Denham was there again with a rare looping header after Stott had done the spadework down the left.

Wilkinson completed his hat-trick three minutes later with another header. Once again Dawes was his supplier to make it 5-1.

McGovern did well to stop it being a rout with good saves from Denham and Dawes, but it was a Wilkinson solo effort that saw him produce a low shot from an acute angle for another very good goal.

Overall, the scoreline might have flattered Stand, but there was never any doubt about what the result would be.

Man-of-the-match: Lee Wilkinson.

STAND ATHLETIC: Allen 7, Anderson 7, Dixon 7, Davis 8, McCartney 8, Hannan 7, Stott 8, Denham 9, Wilkinson 9, Denham 7, Dawes 8. Substitutes: Bartholomew (for Denham C), Telfer for Gallagher.

Vandals struck at Ewood Bridge last week, smashing and damaging the floodlighting control box.

It's not the first time the club has struggled with similar events, but this one put the club's floodlight fixtures as well as the training facilities in jeopardy.

Reports of Micky Bartholomew's move to rivals Bacup Borough have been dismissed as "nonsense".

"It's never going to happen. It's all just speculation and rumour," said a club spokesman.

Congratulations to goalkeeper Tommy Allen on his "Safe Hands" award for last month after a string of impressive displays.

This Saturday Oldham Town visit Ewood Bridge (kick-off 3pm) in a back-to-back fixture and Colne will be the visitors on Tuesday night (kick-off) 7.45pm. Further details on 07950 102307.