BOLD claims made by Breightmet United boss Simon Wilcox helped inspire Pennington to victory in Saturday’s clash between the two sides.

Pennington secretary Dave Farrington said an article in The Bolton News article in which Wilcox said he would not swap his players for any others in the First Division was pinned up in the dressing room before kick-off.

And it seemed to do the trick as first-half goals from 16-year-old wing-back Ross Farrington and a wonder strike from striker Steve Anderton settled the encounter as the home side ran out 2-0 winners.

“There was no pre-match team talk necessary,” said Farrington. “Their manager’s words were all the inspiration our lads needed.”

Ross Farrington – son of the club secretary – headed the home side in front from a corner on 18 minutes before the ball fell kindly for Anderton to fire a shot into the corner from 30 yards.

“We also had a goal ruled out for a debateable offside and we hit the post just before the break,” added Farrington.

“The teams then cancelled each other out in the second half, but we were just as pleased to keep a clean sheet as we were to get the victory, as we are not used to them.”

Wilcox, however, had a completely different view of the match.

“It is very rare that I will ever say I was happy after losing a game but I can’t fault the lads for the attitude they showed,” he said.

“We dominated from start to finish, but just couldn’t put our chances away.

“In the first half we must have had at least five clear opportunities from five to 10 yards out and failed to hit the target.

“We produced what had to be the best football I have seen all season, but the conditions have not helped.

“We faced a really strong wind in the first half and have conceded a goal from a set piece from what was an excellent delivery and then their lad has hit a worldie for the second.

“We laid siege in the second half but the wind has disappeared and they have just sat in and we couldn’t get that break in front of goal.”

The result moved Pennington up to ninth in the table, three places and one point below Breightmet.

Leigh Athletic are in eighth, level on points with Pennington, after an impressive 1-0 win at home to second-placed Old Alts.

Hindsford slipped down to fifth in the Premier Division after their game against Springhead was postponed due to their opponents’ cup commitments.

Atherton Town moved up to 10th after a 2-0 win at home to bottom side Rochdale Sacred Heart.

Ryan Sutcliffe handed them the lead with 20 minutes remaining after rounding the keeper to finish off a fine solo run before Danny Morton stabbed in a second goal to seal the points.