Monday, 8th September 2008

News Archive

13th November 2005
North Ferriby United went six points clear at the top of the Premier Division thanks to a solitary goal from Graham Botham that gave them the three points at home to Ashton United who have now picked up only one point from their last five games.

Whilst Ferriby were winning by the only goal of the game nearest rivals Frickley Athletic were going down by the same margin at a buoyant Witton Albion who have now won five on the bounce to move in to fourth ahead of Burscough who slipped up in midweek when held at home by lowly Runcorn FC Halton.

Third place Marine were rained off on Tuesday and were in FA Trophy action at the weekend but sixth position Bradford Park Avenue had a disappointing week losing by the odd goal in five at Lincoln United before following up with a home draw against struggling Ilkeston Town. It could have been much worse for Avenue who were two down after forty minutes to their visitors before bouncing back to grab a point.

Bottom club Leek Town continue to have a torrid time and their latest home defeat came at the hands of fellow strugglers Runcorn FC Halton who followed their excellent point at Burscough on Tuesday with all three on Saturday despite going a goal down in five minutes to a Leek side who have now managed just three points from the last 27 on offer. Rubbing salt in Leek's wounds was the fact that it was Runcorn's first win in a dozen league outings and it put seven points between the two teams.

Of the top nine sides in the First Division only Colwyn Bay were involved in league business but the Welsh side failed to make much headway on the top three when they were held at home by Stocksbridge PS. However, it took a stoppage time equaliser to deny the "Steels" but the draw at least extended Bay's unbeaten league run to nine games. A 1-0 home win over the club next to bottom of the table wouldn't normally be something to celebrate but Chorley's success over Belper Town left the "Magpies" very cheerful indeed as it was their first home three pointer of the campaign. Spalding United extended their unbeaten league run to half a dozen games when drawing 3-3 at Rossendale United who had no fewer than nine new faces in their fourteen on duty following the arrival of new manager Derek Egan. In the only other league match Eastwood Town kept pace with Rossendale in their attempts to get away from the relegation zone with a point at home to Shepshed Dynamo.

In the five FA Trophy ties where the lower tier tackled Premier Division sides it was honours even with Fleetwood Town leading the way for the First Division with a 2-1 away win at last week's FA Cup heroes Burscough. Replying for the top tier was Gateshead with a 1-0 victory over Kidsgrove Athletic but Goole AFC, Kendal Town and Clitheroe all had excellent away draws against the big boys.

Rossendale Part Company With Molyneux

Mark Molyneux became the eighth UniBond League managerial casualty of the campaign when Rossendale United parted company with him and his Assistant Wayne Goodison following last Saturday's 2-2 draw against fellow strugglers Belper Town. Their league record in charge at Dark Lane was P48 W13 D14 L21 F66 A88

Club Chairman Declan Callan said: "Mark and Wayne were given the full support of the Board despite our technical relegation last season. This season's results simply haven't been good enough. We are a progressive club that wants success on the field of play and have therefore decided that the time has come for a change".

The club moved quickly to appoint a replacement bringing in ex Ramsbottom United manager Derek Egan who will have former Welsh international goalkeeper Dave Felgate, who has also registered as a player, as his number two. Rossendale Director Steve Hobson commented: "Derek is a UEFA "A" qualified coach, highly respected in non-league circles and has made an impression with the quality and style of teams he puts out. His appointment is guaranteed to excite our supporters who deserve to see success at this club".

Burscough's Heroics Not Rewarded With Home Tie

Burscough's victory over League One club Gillingham last Saturday was not rewarded with a home tie when the draw for the 2nd Round Proper of the FA Cup was made on Sunday. The "Linnets" have been drawn away to either Peterborough United or Burton Albion in the next Round scheduled for the 3rd December. It is the first time ever in the history of the club that Burscough have reached this stage of the competition and they will find out who their opponents will be this Wednesday when the replay between Peterborough and Burton takes place.

Blakeman Becomes Third Generation

Burscough's Liam Blakeman became the third generation of his family to appear in the FA Cup Proper when he played in last Saturday's famous triumph over Gillingham. His father Alex was left back in the last Burscough team to appear in the competition Proper twenty-five years ago when the Linnets lost 3-0 to Sheffield United. His grandfather Larry Carberry made many appearances in the competition for Ipswich Town under Sir Alf Ramsey and had the distinction of picking up First, Second and Third Division Championship medals during his ten years at Portman Road.

Bell Nominated

Burscough captain Karl Bell is one of the five players short listed for the FA Cup Player of the Round. Bell scored the first goal against Gillingham and was the driving force behind the "Linnets" shock 3-2 win over the League One side. Bell's outstanding performance earned him the nomination from BBC Radio 5 Live's Mark Clement. Bell's opponents are Northwich Victoria's Paul Brayson, Stevenage Borough's George Boyd, Colchester United's Mark Yeates and Weymouth goalkeeper Jason Matthews.

To vote for Bell in the on line poll please visit www.TheFA.com. Should Bell win the vote he receives £1,000 of UMBRO football kit for a local school, club or organisation of his choice plus the once in a lifetime introduction pitch side to the FA Cup Final crowd next May. The poll closes 9.00am Monday 14th November.

Vince Makes Albion Job His Own

Witton Albion this week announced that caretaker boss Jim Vince has been given the job on a permanent basis having done a superb job since standing in for Gary Finlay who resigned at the beginning of October. Vince has overseen a winning run that has taken Albion up to fifth place at the time of the Board's decision to upgrade him and a further bonus is that former Liverpool and England Youth international Mark Peers has agreed to sign a contract in the light of some excellent performances that have attracted attention from League clubs.

Childs Gives Spalding Further Boost

Following their recent excellent improved form Spalding United were given another boost this week when leading scorer Kevin Childs turned down a move to local rivals Stamford. Childs is the second player in recent weeks to be chased by the "Tulips" near neighbours but followed the example of skipper Lee Sowerby who also gave the "Daniels" the thumbs down. Spalding's caretaker boss, the former Everton, Derby County and Portsmouth striker was delighted with Childs pledging his immediate future to the "Tulips" cause, adding that he feels he make Childs an even better goal getter.

Rain Scuppers Burscough Youth Team Progress

The heavy deluge of rain on Tuesday delayed the chances of Burscough's successful youth team making further progress in this season's FA Youth Cup. The only UniBond club left in the 1st Round Proper of this season's competition had their match at Huddersfield Town scheduled for last Tuesday called off. The match is now re-arranged for next Tuesday, 15th November.

UniBond League Challenge Cup Draw

The draw for the 2nd Round of the UniBond League Challenge Cup has been made and is as follows with the ties to be played over the midweek's commencing 21st and 28th November:-

AFC Telford United v Gresley Rovers
Marine v Prescot Cables
Bridlington Town v Lincoln United
Mossley v Witton Albion
Brigg Town v Stocksbridge Park Steels
North Ferriby United v Matlock Town
Clitheroe v Kendal Town
Ossett Town or Gateshead v Guiseley
Farsley Celtic v Bradford Park Avenue
Radcliffe Borough v Colwyn Bay
Fleetwood Town v Burscough Runcorn FC Halton v Ashton United
Kidsgrove Athletic v Eastwood Town
Wakefield Emley v Spalding United
Leek Town v Ilkeston Town
Whitby Town v Blyth Spartans or Goole AFC

The draw has pitted Burscough and Fleetwood Town together in a cup competition for the second time in the month as the pair also contested an FA Trophy tie today whilst there will also be plenty of local interest in the match at Farsley Celtic who are at home to near rivals Bradford Park Avenue.

Holders Matlock Town have a tough first defence with a visit to long time Premier Division leaders North Ferriby United but last year's beaten finalists Whitby Town have a home draw against either Blyth Spartans or Goole AFC. There are three all First Division ties and a possible seven ties where Premier Division clubs face First Division outfits with Lincoln United and Witton Albion looking at particularly tricky away trips to Bridlington Town and Mossley respectively.

Click here for a printer friendly version

Discuss this story on the Fans Forum.

Rovers Win On Their Travels

Fans Forum

Brigg Town Pre-match News

At home to:
Quorn

Tuesday 9th September, 7.45pm

View previous encounters with Quorn