Tuesday, 6th January 2009

News Archive

30th October 2005
North Ferriby United went a massive eight points clear of their rivals on Tuesday evening when they beat Prescot Cables 3-0 but by Saturday evening the lead was down to just two points after Frickley Athletic first of all despatched Bradford Park Avenue 4-1 on Wednesday and then followed up at the weekend by beating Ilkeston Town whilst Ferriby were going down at home to third place club Marine.

Avenue, meanwhile, recovered from their midweek mauling to beat FA Cup heroes Burscough away although perhaps the "Linnets" had other things on their mind with the visit of Gillingham coming up next week. That win put Bradford up to fourth with Guiseley staying fifth after being held at home by lowly Runcorn FC Halton. At the opposite end of the table Leek Town still have only one win with their latest defeat coming at Gateshead whose second successive win eased their problems after they were joint bottom only a fortnight ago. Two out of form teams met at Radcliffe Borough where Ossett Town ended a miserable run of five games without a point when leading goalscorer Jamie Walshaw notched the only goal of the game against a depleted Borough side for whom Tom Glendon, son of manager Kevin, was given a starting debut. Radcliffe drop in to the bottom two, a point behind Runcorn FC Halton with a further point to Ilkeston Town. Another side out of sorts are Wakefield-Emley whose defeat at Prescot Cables on Saturday leaves them with just one win and five points in their last nine games. Elsewhere there were wins for Witton Albion and Whitby Town whilst Blyth Spartans and Matlock Town drew 2-2.

It is still extremely tight in the First Division where Bridlington Town held on to the lead despite losing at the team of the moment Spalding United in midweek. They recovered at the weekend to pop in two without reply to inflict Bamber Bridge's first defeat in ten league games and continue to lead by a point from Mossley and Fleetwood Town who both won. Fourth place Clitheroe surprisingly lost ground when they went down at Belper Town who were bottom before play began and hadn't tasted the sweet scent of three points since the opening day of the season. Another team to have a bad week were Gresley Rovers whose away form must be a worry to them. They could have gone top with a win on Wednesday but lost at Brigg Town and another defeat at the weekend when they lost at Stocksbridge PS left them in sixth and cursing away days as they have won only twice on their travels. Colwyn Bay stretched their unbeaten run to seven and moved up a place to fifth despite being held at home to a goalless draw by Brigg Town. No doubt about the Division's form team with Spalding United enjoying a complete reversal of their early season form with two victories in the week making it five wins out from the last six games after going the first dozen matches without a taste of success! Replacing Belper on the last rung of the ladder are Bishop Auckland who took the lead against title chasing Mossley before losing 2-1 whilst Goole are also in freefall after losing for the fifth game in a row when going down at Kendal Town

Burscough make 1st Round proper

Burscough are the only UniBond League club still standing in this year's FA Cup after they reached the First Round Proper with a thumping 6-2 demolition of Conference North side Hucknall Town in Tuesday evening's 4th Qualifying Round Replay. The "Linnets" reward is an attractive home tie next Saturday against Football League Division One outfit Gillingham who as recently as last season were only one step away from the Premiership.

The Police have allowed Burscough to stage the game at Victoria Park with a crowd ceiling restricted to an all ticket 2,400 with 600 of those places going to the Kent club.
It will be the 25th Anniversary of the last occasion that Burscough appeared at this stage of the competition so a win would prompt some very serious celebrations. It has to be said that Burscough have had a far from easy route through to the First Round Proper having faced three Conference North clubs in Droylsden, Workington and Hucknall as well as fellow Premier Division side Ashton United.

Unfortunately the UniBond League's other survivors, Blyth Spartans, went out when they conceded the only goal of the game a minute from time against Coalville Town in a game watched by a crowd in excess of 2,000. To rub salt in Spartans' wounds the FA announced the next day that Coalville's home tie against Oldham Athletic was to be televised live bringing in another £75,000 in addition to the £10,000 for prize money for Tuesday night's success!

No progress in FA Youth Cup

Of the five UniBond League clubs still involved in the FA Youth Cup only two were able to play after the midweek deluge caused the game between Workington and Burscough along with the tie featuring Hednesford Town and Leek Town to be held over until next week when they will join Farsley Celtic who travel to Daisy Hill. In the games that did survive North Ferriby United unluckily went out 4-3 on penalties at Southport with whom they had drawn 4-4 after extra time but AFC Telford United were swamped by a rampant Burton Albion.

Lincoln make first signings

It must be extremely unusual anywhere in the country at this level of football for a club to be so far in to a season before making its first signing. It is certainly almost a non-event in the UniBond League but Lincoln United have made their first signing since the opening game of the campaign taking on 19 year old right wing back /striker Jonny Bell from Spalding United. The youngster was originally introduced to Spalding last season on work experience from Lincoln City who later released him at the end of the campaign.

Eastwood duo link up for Gresley

Gresley Rovers boss Gary Norton has completed the signing of Eastwood Town's Lee Soar which enables the 27 year old central defender to link up again with his former Eastwood defensive partner Matt Millns who himself was recently the subject of a Tribunal decision to set his transfer fee after his departure from the "Badgers" in the close season. Norton said "Soar and Millns impressed me when they were together at Eastwood Town and although a number of other clubs were interested in Lee he is very good friends with Matt and I think that swayed it for us. Over the past couple of seasons the two of them have played a lot of games together and when Millns is fit again they should be able to resume their partnership".

Chinese visitor for Bishops

Bishop Auckland played host to China Government official Wei Wang at today's match against Mossley. His visit is part of the Beijing government's drive to get football played at a competitive level more widely in the country and his visit to the UniBond League fixture today was part of his fact finding mission.

TV Cameras at North Feriby

Another UniBond club playing host to special visitors today was Premier Division leaders North Ferriby United who had a TV camera crew from the BBC2 programme "The Culture Show" present at their table topping fixture against Marine during the course of filming a programme highlighting the impact and value of football clubs within communities. The focus will be on Ferriby's youth development programme that provides football for boys and girls from the ages 8-18 via fourteen teams - a phenomenal operation in a village with a population of less than 4,000.

So successful has the operation proved that the club has been awarded the FA's Charter Standard Community Club of the Year award for which they were nominated by the East Riding County FA for their outstanding contribution to grass roots football. Club Vice Chairman Albert Hoyle, the driving force behind the youth programme, will receive the award at Hull City's KC Stadium prior to the "Tigers" home match against Southampton. Mr Hoyle will also pick up a second accolade, this time an individual one, as he has been awarded the Football Workforce Individual Award for his outstanding efforts to provide football for youngsters.

Another UniBond club enjoying good news this week on the FA Charter Status front was Blyth Spartans whose Junior Girls Club set up has have just achieved the coveted status.

Ashton lose Denham

Ashton United this week lost the services of Chris Denham who, at the time of his departure, was the club's leading goalscorer along with Cieran Kilheeney. Denham joined the "Robins" in the close season after failing to feature in John Reed's plans at Stalybridge Celtic. After leaving Celtic the 23 year old originally had trials with Droylsden before signing for Ashton but his form at Hurst Cross has persuaded the "Bloods" to rethink and consequently they have now tempted Denham back to Conference North action.

Spartans make four "ton up" shirt presentations

Blyth Spartans made four "ton up" shirt presentations just prior to today's fixture against Matlock Town. The players rewarded for their loyalty were Richard Forster, Gareth Williams, Andrew Leeson and goalkeeper Craig Turns.

Click here for a printer friendly version

Discuss this story on the Fans Forum.

No Joy At Stamford

Happy New Year

Stamford Pre-Match News

At home to:
Rushall Olympic

Saturday 10th January, 3.00pm

View previous encounters with Rushall Olympic

SPREAD THE WORD!

Download a poster to promote the next home game and stick it up at work or in the pub!