Two second half goals by Paul Fildes saw Nelson through to the second round of the Lancashire F.A. Marsden trophy last night.
The Blues dominated the oprning period of the game and deservedly took the lead on 12 minutes when a corner on the left was delivered to the far post where the incoming Paul Sconce powered a bullet header into the roof of the net, giving home keeper Kirk Marsden no chance.
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Padiham came more into the game and pushed the Blues back on the defensive. On the half hour Nelson had a lucky escape when Ian Whittaker broke clear and chipped the ball over the advancing Billy Carrington towards the empty net, but incredibly Leigh got back to make a brilliant clearance off the goalline to deny the Storks.
The Blues failed to heed the warning however, and in Padiham's next attack Whittaker was allowed to run unchallenged to the edge of the area before firing home a great shot into the top right hand corner past Carrington.
Nelson started the second half in a more positive mood, although Padiham competed well, and Danny Whittaker was in constant action to cut out the threat from the home forwards.
Paul Barrett repeatedly threatened to find a way through the Storks backline, but it was Fildes who ultimately came up with the goals which mattered.
With 13 minutes left, captain Andy Haworth released Fildes with a through ball from midfield, and the Nelson winger took on two defenders before shooting low and hard past keeper Marsden to restore the Blues' lead.
And five minutes later Berry created another chance with a string run on the right, and his good low cross found Fildes at the far post, where he controlled the ball inside one defender before shooting home confidently for the third and final goal.
Padiham's frustrations boiled over when Carl Parker was sent off for his comments to the referee following a decision which went against his team, and the Blues ended the game clearly in control.
