Friday, 22nd August 2008

News Archive

26th November 2005

Premier Division leaders North Ferriby United came from two down with ten minutes remaining to grab a point at Witton Albion and by so doing increased their lead to five points as nearest challengers Frickley Athletic went down at home to struggling Radcliffe Borough whose win moved them out of the bottom two. Burscough closed on the top two with a 2-1 home success against Ilkeston Town that left the "Linnets" only a point adrift of Frickley and six behind Ferriby with three games in hand on both. Witton's point against the leaders also kept them in touch. At the other end Leek Town picked up an away point at Guiseley but stay anchored six points behind Ossett Town who drop in to the bottom two after a narrow defeat at Matlock Town. Elsewhere Wakefield-Emley ended eight games without a win by taking the points at Lincoln United whilst Prescot Cables blasted Whitby Town 5-1 helped by a Dean Thurston treble.

None of the First Division's top four were in action but Colwyn Bay closed up to fifth with a 2-0 home win over Shepshed Dynamo that was their first victory in six league outings. Belper Town gave themselves a life line at the bottom with an invaluable win at Ossett Albion who have now gone a dozen games since picking up all three points. Belper are now only two points behind Warrington Town who were on FA Trophy business and three behind Goole AFC, Rossendale United and Eastwood Town who all drew. In the FA Trophy, Farsley Celtic took pride of place with a superb 3-1 win over Conference North high flyers Nuneaton Borough with new signing Kevin Sanasay once again amongst the goals whilst AFC Telford United held higher ranked opposition in Worksop Town.

In the midweek League Cup ties two First Division sides beat top tier opposition. Leading the way were Goole AFC who came away from Blyth Spartans with a shock 2-1 victory in a delayed 1st Round UniBond League Challenge Cup tie whilst Bridlington Town accounted for Lincoln United as the 2nd Round of the competition got underway. Hitting back for the Premier Division, however, were Radcliffe Borough and Wakefield-Emley who made home advantage count to despatch Colwyn Bay and Spalding United respectively. A stoppage time winner put Gateshead through to the 2nd Round in another delayed 1st Round tie at Ossett Town whilst Farsley Celtic and Marine won the two all Premier Division affairs although it took a penalty shoot out before the "Celts" beat local rivals Bradford Park Avenue. Another game to be decided on penalties came at Kidsgrove Athletic where only the thickness of the crossbar came between them and Eastwood Town as the latter won 5-4 on spot kicks after a 1-1 draw.

Big Day For Burscough

Next Saturday sees Burscough's biggest day out since their 2003 FA Trophy Final success at Villa Park when they travel to Conference club Burton Albion in the 2nd Round of the FA Cup. It is, of course, potentially the biggest match in the club's history which it would certainly be considered to be if they were to win and then get paired with one of the nation's giants such as Liverpool, Manchester United or Chelsea in the 3rd Round Proper.

History, however, is not on Burscough's side as they have yet to score a goal against Burton although admittedly the two sides have only ever met on two occasions - both times in Albion's UniBond championship season of 2001/2002. Burscough went down 4-0 at Burton and drew 0-0 in the return.

The only other link between the two clubs is former Burscough striker Robbie Talbot who left the "Linnets" in February 2001 to join Morecambe in exchange for a fee of just under £10,000 and went on to gain England semi-pro international honours before signing for Burton in July 2003. Talbot is now with Droylsden.

The little Lancashire village is turning out in force to support their team with at least a dozen coaches in addition to the team bus and staff transport making the trip. Burscough are expecting to be cheered on by between 800 and 1,000 supporters.

Win or lose Burscough will definitely have their hands on the FA Cup next Wednesday, 30th November as the world famous trophy arrives at Victoria Park at 10.00am with the players, management, officials and directors available for an open press morning where interviews, photographs and broadcasts can be arranged. From 12.30pm until 4.00pm the FA Cup is available for local schools and Burscough's junior sides (the club has a staggering 27 junior teams including girls' sides). From 4.00pm the trophy will be available for supporters to have their photographs taken with it.

This event is the official Press Conference for the club who would prefer any reporter wishing to attend to confirm their intention in advance via fax on 01704 880587 or 01704 893237 although no one will be turned away on the day.

Brigg Town To Feature On BBC TV

Brigg Town are the latest UniBond League club to feature on TV when the BBC programme The Ferocious Mr Fix It, previously transmitted under the title "Office SOS", film a sequence at the ground on Monday. Glaswegian tough guy Alasdair Jeffrey is the ferocious Mr Fix It who is on a mission to sort out Britain's most difficult employees in which he confronts them face to face with some very unconventional tactics. He says "In many workplaces around Britain there are people who prevent others from getting the job done. Sometimes people need a slap before you can get them to change". But beneath the tough guy image is a man with an uncanny knack of understanding people's problems and how to put them right. In the piece being filmed at Brigg Town someone has to pitch a tent as Jeffrey attempts to problem solve with some managers from a Scunthorpe based company.

"Mariners" Show Some Magic

Marine have come up with a new and novel method of a fundraising event when the local "Magic Circle" will perform at the clubhouse next Thursday. Perhaps some opponents should attend and see if they can unravel the mysteries of the "Mariners" defensive system that has been so mean this season!

Robinson Health Scare

Whitby Town's long serving midfielder Graham Robinson is likely to be out of action for some time after suffering a suspected heart attack. He was taken to hospital last week suffering from chest pains whilst overseeing a Middlesbrough juniors training session in Darlington. It is thought the attack was the result of a blood clot following a leg injury that has kept him out of first team action in recent weeks. The 31 year old, who has played 373 games for Whitby in two spells over ten years and scored 100 goals, is undergoing further tests.

Belper's Jamie Walker To Play On In Battle Against Cancer

Another UniBond player, Belper Town's leading goalscorer Jamie Walker, was also facing up this week to a major health problem. The 22 year old has been diagnosed with a type of lymphoma, thought to be Hodgkin's Disease, which affects the lymph nodes and, unfortunately, is spreading to his glands. He will start a six month course of chemotherapy in a fortnight's time. Walker, who was referred to a specialist after finding a lump under his arm, has been very positive about the news and said: "I feel as fit as a fiddle at the moment and I've been scoring goals. I just want to play as much as I can. I've been told it's curable and I've had immense support from Ernie Moss". The Belper manager is a close friend of the Walker family after partnering Jamie's dad Phil in attack for Chesterfield and he himself recovered after suffering a similar illness in his thirties. Moss said: "I have no qualms about including Jamie in the squad starting with Saturday's game at Ossett Albion. He has looked sharp in training and as long as he's feeling all right and wants to be involved he will be".

Doyle Steps Up

Lincoln United Secretary Peter Doyle has taken up a position on the Management Board of the club after relinquishing his secretarial duties. In addition to his time as Secretary Peter has held various other positions at the club including the posts of Chairman and Commercial Manager. Returning to the position is former referee Tom Hill who, as well as having served Lincoln in the same capacity previously, also has experience in the role at Alfreton Town.

Celts Chairman Pays Tribute To Bradford City

Farsley Celtic Chairman Andy Firbank became the second UniBond League Chairman within a fortnight to pay tribute to a Football League club for the way they have conducted negotiations over the signing of a player. Bradford City have just taken 17 year old striker Nick Smith after he had impressed in two trial matches. Mr Firbank said "Nick Smith played a big part in our own Academy side and was also a regular member of the first team squad. We have seen so many times in the past clubs come and take players without so much as a thank you let alone offering any kind of financial settlement but I am pleased to say that we are more than happy with the agreement that has been reached with Bradford City should Nick make it through to the full time ranks". A fortnight ago North Ferriby Chairman Les Hare paid a similar tribute to Cheltenham Town over Gary Bradshaw's move.

Nostalgic Game For Chorley Old Boy

Last week's Lancashire FA Trophy tie at Chorley where Bacup Borough were the visitors was a nostalgic one for Chorley old boy Arnold Hartley who was a VIP guest at the game. Arnold, who watched the "Magpies" as a child in the thirties before graduating to play for his home town team, appeared in two war time Finals in the competition. In 1943 Chorley lost 4-1 on aggregate to a Blackpool Services side that included the legendary Stanley Matthews and was also in the side that lost the 1945 Final as well. However, there were better times for both Arnold and Chorley immediately after the Second World War when he was a member of the side that completed the Lancashire Combination league and cup double in 1946.

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