AFTER two years in Division One, the Cobbydalers will be back in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division next season.

They clinched promotion in style at the Brian Boys Stadium, with a 6-1 win against Bacup Borough last night, to the delight of their travelling fans.

The Cobbydalers were on the attack from the kick-off, determined to settle the promotion issue, with Litherland and Prestwich Heys in close proximity.

They needed to win and, after two sorties forward, they nearly opened the scoring on five minutes.

A flick-on from a throw-in on the right found Chris Wademan, who headed against the bar, a follow-up shot from Aidan Kirby was charged down.

Craig Bentham headed wide before Kirby went close again with a volley.

The Lancashire outfit finally crossed the halfway on 12 minutes with a strong run from Matt Bryan.

The ball was cleared and worked to Kirby, who brought a point-blank save from keeper Karl Price.

At the other end, a dangerous cross into the goal area was headed clear by Dan Illingworth at the near post. Wademan and Kirby then exchanged passes before a great block by Kevin Masirika denied the visitors the lead.

Niall Sultan hit a cross from the right. Kirby, facing his own goal, swivelled and volleyed the ball home.

Sultan’s pace was troubling the home defence but his team-mates failed to take advantage.

The closest the Cobbydalers came to a second was when Matty Moses chipped the ball to Kirby, who turned but couldn’t quite beat Price.

The Boro had begun to settle into the game and played some neat football until they were halted by Cobbydalers skipper Josh Kaine.

At the other end, Craig Bentham, a cool head in midfield always appearing to have time to spare, slid a ball to Wademan.

The striker sped past four Bacup players before seeing his shot blocked by Laquan Esdaille.

The Cobbydalers were playing some super one-touch football with Arley Barnes keeping things ticking over but they were caught out when Bryan got goal-side of Kaine. His pace took him to the edge of the penalty area and he rounded Jakovlevs to slide the ball home on 88 minutes.

It didn’t take the Cobbydalers long to regain the lead. After a superb overlap by Rhodes, down the right, Wademan had a shot blocked. Reece Kendall then sped down the left. This time Price saved the Rhodes shot and the home defence blocked two more efforts before Wademan blasted the ball into the roof of the Bacup net.

Wademan went close again early in the second half but Bacup were overrun in a seven-minute onslaught by the visitors.

Kirby sent a delightful ball through the defence for Sultan to make it three. Sultan went close twice more, first with a superbly executed scissors kick and then a low shot. Both efforts were narrowly wide.

On 60 minutes Bentham slotted home a Sultan cross and a minute later Kirby followed up after Kendal’s header had been parried.

With the Cobbydalers in total control, Danny Forrest brought on Aaron Davis, Mateusz Tomas and Mark Everingham. The slick football played between the substitutes highlighted the strength of Forrest’s squad.

Rhodes pushed a ball forwards to Matty Moses. A quick interchange between Davis and Moses and the ball was moved on to Everingham. The substitute slid the ball to Rhodes who made it six.