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14th January 2006
Review Of The Week

There was no change at the top of the Premier Division after all three of the leaders enjoyed home wins. Top dogs North Ferriby United, in particular, will have been pleased to get back to winning ways after conceding four goals in each of their last three games and they continue to lead by five points from Marine who were making it sixteen games without defeat in the league when beating Guiseley. A solitary goal from Frickley Atheltic's leading scorer Alex Callery was sufficient to give the third placed side the points at home to AFC Telford United who haven't picked up a point on their travels in their last five games whilst for Athletic it was a fourth successive league clean sheet. Fourth place Witton Albion dropped points when they were held at home by the unpredictable Prescot Cables and Farsley Celtic continued to make up ground with a home win over Ossett Town with teenage striker Kevin Sanasay once again amongst the goals for the "Celts". Burscough's dismal league form since central defender Adam Tong broke his leg in the FA Cup tie against Burton Albion continued with defeat at Matlock Town in a game that saw both sides miss penalty kicks as Burscough failed to take a point for the fifth game in a row. Something had to give in the bottom of the table clash at manager less Leek Town where the home side hadn't won a league game on their own soil whilst visiting Ilkeston Town hadn't picked up all three points on their travels since last season. In the event it was Ilkeston who broke their duck and moved out of the relegation places as a result of their win allied to away defeats for both Radcliffe Borough and Ossett Town. However, only four points separate half a dozen teams immediately above bottom club Leek who are anchored ten points adrift of the rest.

Only Kendal Town of the First Division's top five managed to win with the biggest surprise being top of the table Mossley being held at home by next to bottom Warrington Town. Another home clean sheet was kept by second place Colwyn Bay but the Welsh side still dropped two points after being held by Clitheroe whilst Rossendale United's unbeaten league run since Derek Egan's appointment in November continued when they dented Gresley Rovers' promotion hopes by holding the Derbyshire side to a draw. Kendal Town, meanwhile, came from behind to beat promotion rivals Bridlington Town thanks to a brace from Ged Smith. The Lake District side are now just one point behind the top three who are all tied on 44 points. A last gasp goal helped Fleetwood Town end a run of three games without a point and the victory against Chorley also put some distance between the newcomers and Stocksbridge PS for the final play-off spot as the "Steels" were held to a draw at lowly Spalding United. The biggest win of the day came at bottom club Bishop Auckland who conceded four at home to fellow strugglers Shepshed Dynamo. The Leicestershire side are now one of four clubs with 27 points just five clear of third bottom Ossett Albion who in turn are five clear of Warrington who have five games in hand on Albion.

UniBond League Cup Draws

The quarter-final draws for all three UniBond League Cup competitions were made this week and they were particularly unkind to the surviving First Division clubs. Of the eight lower tier clubs to face Premier Division opposition in the various competitions seven of them will travel with only Bamber Bridge in the Chairman's Cup having a home tie against Ossett Town.

The League Challenge Cup sees both First Division survivors Eastwood Town and Stocksbridge PS on their travels to Marine and Radcliffe Borough respectively. The "Badgers", in particular, look to have a tough trip on their hands as they will have to contend not only with Marine's current mean defence but also the "Mariners" proud history in the competition in which they have five previous finals under their belt. Last season's beaten finalists Whitby Town have to travel to Farsley Celtic in a tasty looking encounter that is a repeat of last season's Play Off semi-final which went the way of Celtic. The other tie is an all Cheshire affair between two in form sides as Witton Albion play host to Runcorn FC Halton and with £3,000 on offer to the winners of the League Challenge Cup things are definitely hotting up.

All three First Division clubs still standing in the President's Cup travel to top flight outfits with an intriguing encounter between First Division high-flyers Mossley and Premier Division strugglers Ilkeston Town. Last season's League Challenge Cup winners Matlock Town will present a formidable obstacle to Colwyn Bay whilst Brigg Town have a Lincolnshire "derby" against Lincoln United. In the one all Premier Division tie Bradford Park Avenue travel to Burscough where they have an extremely good record.

The Chairman's Cup sees the only all First Division tie with Woodley Sports at home to bottom club Bishop Auckland. Like neighbours Ossett Town in the same competition, Ossett Albion are also drawn away with a trip to Blyth Spartans awaiting them and Chorley complete the line up with a tough looking assignment at the surprise package of the Premier Division season, Frickley Athletic.

The ties are to be played to a conclusion on Saturday, 11th February with the full draws as follows -

League Challenge Cup
Farsley Celtic v Whitby Town
Marine v Eastwood Town
Radcliffe Borough v Stocksbridge PS
Witton Albion v Runcorn FC Halton

Presidents Cup
Burscough v Bradford Park Avenue
Ilkeston Town v Mossley
Lincoln United v Brigg Town
Matlock Town v Colwyn Bay

Chairman's Cup
Bamber Bridge v Ossett Town
Blyth Spartans v Ossett Albion
Frickley Athletic v Chorley
Woodley Sports v Bishop Auckland

Guiseley Do Their Bit For Global Warming

Guiseley are doing their bit for global warming by offering cut price travel to all their remaining away games this season. Starting with today's trip to Marine, Guiseley fans can travel to away games for a flat fee of £5. Club Press Officer Stephen Exley said "We have built up a good loyal away support and we want to reward them as well as encouraging more fans to travel with us. The supporters can save on their petrol money and have a leisurely day out by letting the bus do the work whilst they relax".

Ashton's Nap Hand In Cup Competitions

Ashton United's demise last Saturday at the hands of Bradford Park Avenue in the UniBond League President's Cup gave them an unwanted nap hand in this season's cup competitions. The Robins have gone out at the first hurdle in the FA Cup, FA Trophy, the Manchester FA Premier Cup, the UniBond League Challenge Cup and now the President's Cup!

Bonarius Record?

Goole AFC's James Bonarius may well have set some kind of unwanted record in last Saturday;s President's Cup tie at home to Ilkeston Town. Bonarius came off the bench to replace David Watts in 61st and was dismissed just 45 seconds later for a foul on Ilkeston Town debutant Martin Carruthers!

Celts Shed Two

Farsley Celtic have allowed midfielder James McDaid to go on a month's loan to First Division Goole AFC to get some games under his belt. They will also be without the vastly experienced Lee Duxbury who has moved on a short-term contract to Northern Ireland club Glenavon. Now aged 36, Duxbury made over 600 Football League appearances including around 250 for both Bradford City and Oldham Athletic.

Whitby 'Keeper Foils Robbery

Whitby Town 'keeper David Campbell recently foiled an audacious attempted hijack of his mother's Mercedes car when, in a stuntman like display, the Whitby custodian hung on to the moving vehicle as it sped away at around 40mph. The drama unravelled whilst Campbell, who runs an exhaust and tyre company, was inspecting his mother's Mercedes S320CDI. Campbell said he was knelt down at the front of the car looking at the tyres when he heard the driver's door open and the car start up. He ran round and opened the driver's door and grabbed the thief who still kept driving narrowly missing parked vehicles. Campbell then realised the car was going to crash so he jumped out pulling the youth with him.

Campbell, whose own injuries were minor but sufficient to keep him out of last Saturday's game at Guiseley said "As we fell the lad escaped but took a big whack as he hit the ground. I don't know how but he managed to pick himself up and run off to a waiting Transit van which then drove off. I was fuming at the time it happened and the adrenalin was pumping but looking back now I realise I could have killed myself. Now I've had time to think about it I probably wouldn't do it again".

North Ferriby Still The Bookies Favourites

After conceding four goals in each of their last three games North Ferriby United were still, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the bookies favourites to land the Premier Division title going in to today's fixtures. Bet365 who can be accessed via the League's website at www.unibondleague.com were offering 2/1 against Ferriby with Marine 3/1, Farsley Celtic 5/1, Witton Albion 6/1, Burscough 13/2, Frickley Athletic 8/1 and 33/1 Guiseley and 50/1 Blyth Spartans.

Mossley head up the First Division at 12/5 with Colwyn Bay 4/1, Kendal Town 5/1, Fleetwood Town and Bridlington Town 11/2, Gresley Rovers 11/1, Stocksbridge PS 12/1, Clitheroe 20/1, Kidsgrove Athletic 50/1 and Brigg Town 66/1.

Deeley Departs Leek

The Premier Division's bottom club, Leek Town, are looking for their third manager of the campaign after parting company with Nigel Deeley this week. Deeley had taken over from Paul Ogden in September but with the club anchored at the foot of the table Leek's Board took the decision to relieve Deeley of his duties. His record in the league was one win, eight draws and six defeats and whilst his cup record was much better with only three defeats in nine games the only chance of silverware the Blues have left this season is in the Staffordshire Senior Cup.

The club are to advertise the position with Assistant Manager Mark Cartwright taking charge of team affairs in a temporary capacity assisted by club captain Ashley Woolliscroft. Cartwright played between the sticks for Leek until injury forced his retirement at the beginning of this season. He had an eight year Football League career during which time he made around eighty appearances in stints at Wrexham, Brighton and Shrewsbury Town. Deeley brings the number of UniBond managerial departures to a dozen with the others being Brian Honour (Bishop Auckland), Bryan Chambers (Eastwood Town), Tom Wade (Gateshead), Paul Marshall (Goole AFC), Phil Stant (Ilkeston Town), Steve Richards (Ossett Town), Mark Molyneux (Rossendale United), Steve Welsh (Spalding United), Gary Finley (Witton Albion), Paul Futcher (Ashton United) and, of course, Leek's Paul Ogden.

Goulding Signs Up For Burscough

Burscough announced on Friday that manager Derek Goulding has agreed a two year contract, which also has a one year extension, with the club. This will see Goulding in charge of team affairs until at least 2007 by which time the progressive Lancashire village club expect to have completed a move to a new stadium. Goulding had been operating without a contract leading Chairman Chris Lloyd to comment: "The contract will give Derek security and is a thank you for the success he has achieved this season". Lloyd also explained that it was his idea to approach Goulding with the offer.

This season Burscough reached the 2nd Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time ever defeating Coca Cola League One side Gillingham in dramatic circumstances en route to coming within ninety minutes of a dream game against Manchester United whilst on the Unibond domestic front the "Linnets" are still very much in with a chance of promotion despite their recent poor run.

Wakefield-Emley List Leading Goalscorer

Wakefield-Emley have placed leading goalscorer Damian Reeves on the transfer list. The 20 year old spent three seasons at Leeds United before signing for Wakefield-Emley in October since when he has found the net on a dozen occasions. The player is under contract and any club interested are required to speak to manager Paul David on 07711 620726.

Boyd Links Up With Farsley

Former BBC Radio Leeds broadcaster John Boyd has joined Farsley Celtic to assist with the commercial development of the club. Club Chairman Andy Firbank said "We are entering an exciting period for Celtic with a planned development of the ground and our Centenary just around the corner. John's experience in sport and the commercial world will fully complement our existing structure".

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