NORTH WEST COUNTIES LEAGUE DIVISION TWO

ALSAGER TOWN...1 STAND ATHLETIC...2 STAND ATHLETIC climbed into second place with their fourth straight win against high-flying Alsager and sent out the message that they are finding their feet in NW Counties football.

Their intentions are to produce the kind of football that has brought them so much success over the last three seasons, but what really brought the point home was that their hosts were not just unbeaten, but had yet to concede a goal this season.

Stand's first goal came in the 15th minute. A poor defensive clearance left the ball hanging on the wind and Micky Bartholomew twisted his neck and head to place the ball over the line with a neat header with goalkeeper John Riley stranded after failing to clear the initial cross.

Alsager than saw Stand push hard for a second. Their corner count was rising quickly, but it was a free-kick from Stuart Stott on the half hour that picked out Dave Channon's head and he thumped the ball into the bottom corner to underline Stand's dominance.

Alsager's only real hope of getting into this game was with the pace of forward Karl Bayley and his cutting run down Stand's right saw him cross to Paul Ireland, who seemed to control the ball with his arm before slotting home from close-range. It was a dent to lose a goal on the stroke of half-time and Alsager who would be starting the second half with the wind to their backs must have thought things were turning in their favour, but they were wrong, as an organised Stand defence with centre half Steve Davis in great form, dealt with anything Alsager could throw at them with ease, and with captain Steve Stott an inspiration in the middle of the park, no Stand player was left lacking in any department.

The home side did have their moments in a wind dominated half, but it was still Stand who had created the better chances, and they nearly wrapped things up when substitute Karl Brown screwed his shot wide after a one-on-one with the home goalkeeper.

With five minutes remaining Alsager substitute Paul Gardner had a moment of not just stupidity, but most definitely madness, when he decided to collide late with the far more robust Stand keeper, Tommy Allen.

Gardner came off a poor second and was badly hurt and he was helped along his way with a red card. Even so it could not spoil an excellent team performance and result for Stand.

STAND ATHLETIC: Allen 7, Anderson 7, Dixon 7, Davis 8, Channon 7, Telfer 7, Stott 8*, Denham C 7, Bartholomew 7, Denham M 7, Dawes 7. Substitutes: Brown for M. Denham 6, and Ashton for C. Denham 6. Not used: Norton. Booked: Denham C and Brown. Referee: Mr S. Pardoe (Crewe).

It's been a busy week for Stand, and one marred by the injury to reserve team player Ian Ryan, who broke his leg in a reserve team match at Skelmersdale last Friday night.

Ian has been a dedicated player to the club over the last four seasons and the club wish him well and a quick recovery.

Last Thursday Stand rebuffed any attempts by rivals Ramsbottom United to take away the Denham brothers Chris and Mark with a seven-day notice, after talks with the players, assistant manager Nick Woods said: "Team boss Nick Davies has no intention of releasing any players, and no player has indicated any wiliness to leave the club, so that ends the matter!"

This Saturday Stand travel to take on Wigan side, Ashton Town, but it's still Tuesday nights for home action as Stand take on Bootle (kick off 7.45 pm) on September 18.

STAND ATHLETIC ...2 BLACKPOOL MECHANICS ...1

STAND wore a golden s-mile after coming from a goal behind against Blackpool Mechanics to hit another three-point jackpot on Tuesday.

The visitors took the lead when Stand defender Dave Channon put the ball through his own net.

But he made amends when popping up at the other end to equalise before half-time.

Chris Denham missed a penalty but brother Mike came to the rescue when he scored from the penalty spot with 15 minutes remaining.