Tuesday, 6th January 2009

News Archive

28th January 2006
Review Of The Week

Frickley Athletic got the weekend off to a flying start with a 6-2 defeat of Bradford Park Avenue on Friday and then sat back to watch all three of their title rivals drop points on Saturday with leaders North Ferriby United held at Matlock Town and Marine, somewhat more surprisingly, failing to overcome bottom club Leek Town. Fourth placed Witton Albion, however, would have settled for a point after suffering a 5-1 set back at Blyth Spartans who are now very much within touching distance of the final play-off spot held by Farsley Celtic who pushed Radcliffe Borough in to the bottom two with a 3-0 win. Burscough took their first points in seven outings when edging out Wakefield-Emley 3-2 and moved above Guiseley who were held at home by relegation threatened Ilkeston Town for whom Glenn Kirkwood had a great debut with both of his side's goals. But the draw still leaves Ilkeston only two points clear of the relegation places and with Ossett Town defeating fellow strugglers Ashton United after being two down and AFC Telford United claiming a point against Gateshead it really is developing in to a dogfight at the bottom. In the remaining games Prescot Cables were the only home side to lose when going down to Lincoln United but there were no such worries for Whitby Town for whom Danny Brunskill bagged three of his side's four goals against Runcorn FC Halton.

There are new leaders virtually every week in the First Division and it was Kendal Town who lost top spot when surprisingly going down at home to lowly Ossett Albion. That ended an unbeaten run of twelve games and allowed Mossley to return to the summit after Melford Knight scored the only goal of their game at Brigg Town. Of the four clubs in the play-off positions Colwyn Bay, Bridlington Town and Gresley Rovers all lost with Fleetwood Town the only one to win. Thanks to those results Stocksbridge PS are right in contention for the play-offs after inflicting Bishop Auckland's eleventh successive defeat but Chorley drop away after their home form again let them down as Kidsgrove Athletic ended a run of six straight defeats with a 2-1 win. After scoring twelve goals in their last three games Shepshed Dynamo had the tables turned on them by visiting Bamber Bridge who swept to a 5-0 victory. At the bottom with Bishop Auckland seemingly doomed Warrington Town closed the gap on Belper Town to six points with three games in hand thanks to a last gasp winner at home to fellow strugglers Goole.

Spartans Sign Premiership Player

Blyth Spartans have signed Jamie McClen a local player who has made fourteen appearances in the Premiership for Newcastle United and also been involved in European games over the eight seasons he was with the "Magpies". The 26 year old joined Carlisle United in 2005 and it was from that source that he has now joined Blyth although Spartans are resigned to the fact that he will probably be back in the full time game sooner rather than later.

McNally and Telford Part Company

AFC Telford United have parted company with manager Bernard McNally who has been in charge since the reformed club's inaugural match at the start of last season. The parting came on Tuesday when the two parties mutually agreed not to renew the former Northern Ireland international's contract when it expires in June. As a result of this McNally was removed from his position as first team manager.

In his first season he had seen his side gain promotion from the First Division via the play-offs but last Saturday's defeat at Guiseley saw Telford plunge in to the bottom two. That defeat was the sixth game in a row that they had failed to pick up a point on their travels although their home form was decent with four wins and three draws in the last seven games played at the New Bucks Head prior to McNally going.

The club are inviting applications for the vacant managerial position with senior player Sean Parrish taking charge of team affairs until an appointment is made. Parrish, who is also the club's Community Liaison Officer, made over 250 appearances in the full time game after leaving the now defunct Telford United to join Kidderminster Harriers and also has a Wembley Play-Off Final appearance for Northampton Town under his belt. Assisting him will be another player from the old Telford United era in Anton Joseph. As of Friday seven hopefuls for the job had applied with Chairman Lee Carter saying "A number of applicants have been in touch and several are interesting us. We will probably start talking to people on Monday and see where we go from there".

McNally becomes the thirteenth UniBond managerial change of the campaign following 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 Finlay (Witton Albion) and Paul Futcher (Ashton United) whilst both Paul Ogden and Nigel Deeley have vacated the Leek Town hot seat.

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