NW Counties Division 2

FORMER Radcliffe Boro midfielder Simon Carden was back in the goals at the weekend with another strike in his side's 2-0 disposal of Holker Old Boys.

Carden, who scored five in last week's 10-2 demolition of Castleton Gabriels, broke the deadlock on 64 minutes when he beat the keeper with a spectacular half volley.

Former Manchester City trainee Aidie Orr then ensured the three points with a lob two minutes later after he had spotted the keeper off his line.

The victory takes Karl Marginson's men 13 points clear of their nearest challengers Winsford, who have three games in hand.

Afterwards, Marginson told the club's website: "It was more of a North West Counties game in the first half.

"For the past few weeks we have certainly been playing fantasy football, but today in the first half we had to fight really hard because they were denying us space and that's credit to them. In the second half the goal settled us down.

"It is pleasing that we have come through a reality check. The pitch wasn't the best, which made it difficult for us to get the ball down and pass, but once we scored, we started to do that."

Of Carden's goal, Marginson said: "He was waiting for it to sit down and the goalkeeper to come so he could dink it with his right foot, but he is one of the best finishers from midfield I have ever played with and I think we've all seen it now.

"That's two goals in two games for Aidie. He got his toe on it and I never thought he would, to be honest."

He added: "We have put ourselves in pole position in the league but football has got a funny habit of kicking you in the teeth so no chickens are being counted."