GOLBORNE were hoping to fly under the radar in their Association promotion push – but that may not be possible for much longer if they claim more notable scalps like beating league leaders Astley Bridge on Saturday.

Bridge went into the Sharples Park clash on the back of a stunning Hamer Cup win against fancied Premiership title challengers Walkden last Sunday.

However, Golborne cut them down to size to secure a fourth win of the season from six outings.

After this four-wicket win chasing 153, they are now within a point of second-placed Astley Bridge and six behind leaders Adlington, who they host on Saturday in a mouth-watering fixture.

Last month, Golborne captain Tom Pantak spoke to The Bolton News about the Association’s promotion picture, talking up a number of other teams as candidates.

After Saturday’s win, he said: “If you starting blowing your own trumpet as a team, people will target you.

"We’ll just keep going about our business as quietly as possible, but I suppose people might start to take a bit of notice of us now.

“It’s a really really pleasing win for us. We looked at this week and next, playing the two top teams in Astley Bridge and then Adlington, and thought ‘If we can pick a win up there, we keep in touch with the chasing pack for promotion’.

“To get that win, it puts us in a good position going into next week.

“For us to be winning a few games now, it’s a position we haven’t really found ourselves in.

“We’ve got a lot of lads who have played at other clubs and have been used to winning games of cricket. But for a lot of the Golborne lads, it’s probably a position we haven’t been in since we were maybe juniors.

“Being favourites to win games is a new challenge.”

Pantak hailed the impact of professional Adnan Raees, a former Daisy Hill all-rounder from Pakistan. On Saturday, he claimed 5-15 from 12 overs and led the chase with 65 not out.

Astley Bridge were 20-5 before recovering through 47 for Nick Davies and 52 for Irfan Puda: “Both our openers then went cheaply, but we put a few 20 partnerships on and got up to 100-5,” explained Pantak.

“Then, myself and the pro put on 40 or so for the sixth wicket.

“In the end, it was quite a comfortable win – for a team who’s not very good at chasing.

“The pro had a brilliant day. He gave once chance, but other than that kept his head down.

"He thinks he’s an off-spinner, but I prefer him bowling seam up. He bowls that a lot better for me, little out swingers that take the edge.

“He’s been at Daisy Hill for the last two years and got them promoted last year.

"He’s got the know how of getting a team promoted, which is big for us.

"We’ve got him and other bits of experience mixed with youth and local lads. It’s a good blend.”