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23rd April 2006
Review Of The Week

It is still neck and neck at the top of the Premier Division with last week's top two still separated by no more than goal difference. The advantage appeared to have turned the way of Blyth Spartans on Tuesday when rivals Frickley Athletic were held to a goalless draw by struggling Wakefield-Emley for whom it was a first point in six games.

However, the pendulum swung back again 24 hours later when Spartans were held at Witton Albion. Neither of the leaders slipped up at the weekend leaving the status quo
as Frickley Athletic won a tricky looking encounter at Ilkeston Town whilst Blyth Spartans were helping their goal difference by running in five without reply at the expense of bottom club Runcorn FC Halton whose main pre-occupation is survival as a club never mind keeping their Premier Division status.

Marine won the top four clash at Farsley Celtic with the only goal of the game and moved ahead of the "Celts" in to the third place that would give them home advantage in the play-off semi-finals if they can hold on to it. North Ferriby United hit nine goals in their two games since Easter to cement their place in the play-offs and with Witton Albion being one of their victims nobody can catch the current top five. At the bottom Runcorn FC Halton cannot now escape relegation but Radcliffe Borough, Bradford Park Avenue, Wakefield-Emley, Lincoln United and Gateshead are all still under threat.

It was a huge day for First Division leaders Mossley who scraped home 2-1 against the already relegated Bishop Auckland and then discovered that all three of their nearest challengers had suffered surprise heavy defeats on their travels. A Lee Hudson hat-trick for next to bottom Spalding United destroyed second place Kendal Town whilst Shepshed Dynamo went one better against third place Fleetwood Town hitting four without reply. All of which means that Mossley will take the title if they beat Shepshed at home on Monday evening.

There was also a four goal shock for fourth place Woodley Sports who crashed at Eastwood Town whilst Stocksbridge PS with their huge backlog of fixtures are finding it difficult to consolidate their play-off spot and after their draw at Bridlington Town they are vulnerable to a late challenge from Brigg Town as are Gresley Rovers who were without a game. Eastwood's win over Woodley opens up just a glimmer of hope for a play-off place. At the bottom Spalding United with eleven points from their last five games have given themselves a lifeline and with Warrington Town also picking up points on a regular basis now that they are reducing their games in hand it is Goole AFC who are looking anxiously over their shoulders. With only fourteen points from their last sixteen games Goole could need to pick up points in their two remaining games against Ossett Albion and Kidsgrove Athletic if they are to survive their first season back in the UniBond League as the campaign enters its final week of league fixtures.

Plenty To Play For

The vast majority of UniBond League clubs enter the final week of the league campaign with plenty to play for. Clubs are either title chasing, play-off position hunting and trying to ensure home advantage in those play-offs or ensuring escape from relegation but if none of these are applicable there is a cash incentive for finishing in the top fourteen places.

The Premier Division champions will receive £4,500, Runners-Up £3,500, 3rd place £3,000, 4th place £2,600, 5th place £2,400, 6th place £2,200, 7th place £2,000 and 8th place £1,800. Clubs placed 9th to 14th will each receive £1,500 whilst the remaining clubs will each take home £1,250.

The title winners in the First Division will pocket £2,250, Runners-Up £1,750, 3rd place £1,500, 4th place £1,300, 5th place £1,200, 6th place £1,100, 7th place £1,000, and 8th place £900. Clubs finishing 9th to 14th will each receive £750 whilst the remainder will each take £625.

So a Premier Division club in say eighth place going in to the final day's fixtures could be looking at a win putting them in to possibly sixth place or a defeat dropping them in to ninth or lower and therefore a potential difference in prize money of some £700. So there is plenty of interest moving in to the final week of the campaign.

Flying Finns Return Home

Ashton United's two recruits from Finnish football have now returned home in order to start the new season in Finland with their home club IFK Vasa. Manager Scott Green's bold move in bringing Andreas Bjork and Jan Ahlvik over in January has paid dividends with Ashton's move away from the relegation zone coinciding with the arrival of the flying Finns. Bjork proved a willing partner for Cieran Kilheeney up front whilst Jan Ahlvik bolstered the defence considerably when fit although injury restricted him to half of his fellow countryman's appearances.

Rossendale Looking To Recruit Reserve Team Manager

First Division Rossendale United are the latest UniBond club looking to resurrect their Reserve team next season. They propose to put a team in the Lancashire League next term and are seeking a manager for the side. Any suitably qualified individuals who are interested in the position should send their application including a CV in writing to Club Chairman Declan Callan, c/o Rossendale United FC, dark Lane, Rawtenstall BB4 6RP by next Saturday, 29th April 2006.

Awards For Farsley Backroom Members

Three long standing members of Farsley Celtic's backroom staff have been honoured with awards from the Leeds and District FA. Former Club Secretary and now joint match-day hostess Margaret Lobley along with her fellow match-day hostess Edith Draper together with Club President John Palmer, who between them have around eighty years service, are the three recipients to have their dedication acknowledged.

The club itself has also picked up an unexpected award. In acknowledgement of the publicity Farsley Celtic generated in getting the toss for choice of venue in the League Cup Final against Stocksbridge shown live on TV together with live commentary on the game on local radio and a highlights package screened on BBC Yorkshire's Look North programme League sponsors UniBond have made a special £250 award in recognition of the club's initiatives and efforts.

A Long Walk For Bishop's Fans

With the season's long run over and ending in relegation for Bishop Auckland the club's fans are now preparing to set off on a long walk! The supporters are tackling a figure of eight 26-mile route to raise funds for both club and for one of the club's charities The Butterwick Hospice.

The walk, which is scheduled for Sunday, 2nd July, will take in Bishop's former home at Kingsway, their future home at Tindale Crescent along with the grounds of West Auckland Town, Shildon FC, Ferryhill Athletic, Crook Town and Willington FC.

Radcliffe Stage Testimonial For Lunt

Radcliffe Borough are to stage a Testimonial Match for former player and record goalscorer Ian Lunt next Sunday, 30th April kick off 2.00pm. Borough's First Division championship winning side of 1996/7, of which Lunt was a formidable part, are taking on an All Star XI with Dave Felgate, Frankie Bunn, Peter Barnes, Arthur Albiston, Andy Richie, Frank Stapleton, Alan Kennedy, Mark Dempsey and Micky Thomas already confirmed as appearing for the All Star side.

With regard to the current team Borough have signed 21 year old Matty O'Neill on a new two year deal. The winger/midfielder joined Radcliffe in January from Accrington Stanley after a period on loan from the Conference club. He is the second player, along with Lee Duffy, to commit himself to a two year deal in recent weeks despite the club facing the uncertainty of possible relegation with perhaps the last game of the campaign next Saturday against Bradford Park Avenue proving to be pivotal in the future of both clubs.

Eastwood Flying To Gretna's Big Day

Eastwood Town always enjoyed a special relationship with Gretna when the Scottish club were fellow members of the UniBond League First Division thanks to the respective Club Secretaries having been contemporaries at adjoining schools in the same small Scottish town of Kilmarnock. Paddy Farrell is still Eastwood Secretary but Ron McGregor has now moved up to Chairman of the Scottish club. On hearing of Gretna's success in reaching the Scottish Cup Final no fewer than ten Eastwood club members booked accommodation and flights in order to support Gretna on their big day.

Telford Open New Community Room

AFC Telford United are inviting supporters to name the new Community Learning and Social Room that is due to open in May in the New East Terrace Learning Centre. Suggestions of "Legends" and "The Terrace Lounge" have already been aired but Chairman Lee Carter says: "It is important that the whole community feel proud of the building from the start and this is an important part of that process. The whole concept of the building is unique and is important in exposing the club to a whole new generation of people. The fact that close on 8,000 schoolchildren per year will undertake activities based on various aspects of the club is very powerful and the naming of the various rooms will be important in helping people identify with the building". The club is also appealing for any Wellington Town, Telford United and AFC Telford United memorabilia along with suggestions for themed displays for the new room. Mr Carter added "We hope this room will celebrate not only the past but also the present and future". In another gesture to their fans AFC Telford have announced that admission prices for 2006/7 will be frozen for the third season in a row.

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Saturday 30th August, 3.00pm

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