Friday, 22nd August 2008

News Archive

9th September 2006
Three newly promoted clubs occupy the top three berths in the First Division with Cammell Laird and Buxton only separated by goal difference.

Both have fourteen points which in the case of the Derbyshire side is a remarkable feat considering they have only found the net six times in as many games! A point behind are Alsager Town whilst Clitheroe bounced back from two defeats to win against Gresley Rovers and take fourth ahead of Bradford Park Avenue who are enjoying things much better than in the past two seasons when they were relegated. Still no joy, however, for either Chorley or Wakefield FC both of whom are still pointless having both only scored one goal whilst Warrington Town have lost four in five following their 4-2 home reverse at the hands of Eastwood Town. Rossendale United, though, did break their duck beating Belper Town.

Streets Ahead At Warrington

Ian Street has taken over as Assistant Manager to Glen Walker at First Division Warrington Town in succession to Nick Armitage who has had to step down due to work commitments. Street has played at Bamber Bridge and Curzon Ashton under Warrington's current Director of Football Derek Brownbill and has managed teams at both St Helens Town and Atherton LR.

75% Success In FA Cup

With Chorley, who were without a win this season, and Skelmersdale United both winning their delayed FA Cup Preliminary Round matches on Tuesday evening and Belper Town, Rossendale United and Gresley Rovers all successful in their replays the UniBond League enjoyed fifteen wins in their twenty ties against outside opposition at this season's first hurdle. Ossett Albion came from behind to beat Colwyn Bay in Wednesday's replay against fellow UniBond First Division side Colwyn Bay to set up a tasty local derby at Ossett Town in the next Round at which stage all the UniBond Premier Division sides enter the fray. Albion had also been in arrears to the Welsh club in the first game before salvaging the replay.

The Ossett "derby" tie will be the second time the two clubs have met in the FA Cup in the last three seasons after missing one another for the previous fifty! The last occasion they met was in 2003/4 season when it was Albion who progressed at the second time of asking following a goalless first effort. The tie brought in crowds of over 500 for both games and the two clubs will be hoping for a repeat when they meet next Saturday as both have been struggling with attendances in the league.

In the First Qualifying Round which takes place next Saturday the UniBond League take on outside opposition in 23 ties with eight all UniBond ties including two all Premier Division matches. These are at Guiseley where Mossley will be the visitors whilst Whitby Town entertain Frickley Athletic. There are no fewer than six ties pitting First Division clubs against the higher tier with Kidsgrove Athletic and Leek Town involved in a particularly interesting all Staffordshire "derby" tie. In the games against outside opposition UniBond clubs hold home advantage in fourteen of the games although Woodley Sports have had to cede that in view of their artificial pitch not yet being accepted for FA Cup fixtures and they will stage their game against Bishop Auckland at Cheadle Town.

Gould Retirement Rocks Eastwood

Eastwood Town have been rocked by their long standing club skipper Paul Gould announcing his retirement. After nine seasons in which he only missed a handful of games the 34 year old struggled last season with a succession of injuries that limited his appearances to just ten outings. However, he looked good during pre-season but work commitments and limited access to his children have brought about a decision that has shocked the Eastwood camp. Manager Paul Cox is very disappointed and hopes Gould will change his mind but if not he is determined to ensure the player is given a well deserved Testimonial.

Following his side's FA Cup exit Cox has begun to make cuts and as a prelude to signing new faces has let Adie Francis and Phil Bignall go. Cox is also warning of other impending departures to clear the way for the recruitment of "the three players I need to sign in order to make promotion a realistic aim". Gresley Rovers seem favourites to sign Francis whilst Bignall is understood to have joined Sutton Town.

Another blow to Cox's plans is an injury to young centre-back Marc Stevenson who, despite only turning 18 in August, made fifty first team appearances last season. He suffered injury to his ankle ligaments during pre-season but was then stretchered off during the Bank Holiday Monday clash with Belper Town with an identical problem in his other ankle. To make matters worse when he was at hospital for treatment they discovered evidence of an internal head injury and the youngster is now awaiting a scan and specialist advice.

Clark Takes Ten Years To Reach His Century

Ossett Albion goalkeeper Mick Clark chalked up his 100th appearance for the club in Wednesday evening's FA Cup win over Colwyn Bay but it has taken him exactly ten years to achieve the goal. The 32 year old joined Albion in 1996 from local football and made his first team debut in September of that year. But unable to hold down a regular first team spot he switched to neighbours Ossett Town who he served with some distinction until his return to Dimple Wells in March 2005 since when he has been Albion's first choice 'keeper.

Bookies Have Cammell Laird As Favourites

Bet365 are not publishing odds for the First Division title but rivals Skybet have installed the newly promoted Wirral based outfit Cammell Laird as 3/1 favourites with another newly promoted club Buxton next in the betting at 7/1 and last season's relegated Bradford Park Avenue on 9/1. The word on the street is that Belper Town have quietly assembled a strong side and are priced at 12/1 whilst Gresley Rovers made last season's play-offs despite a slow start and if they again last the distance could be each way value at 20/1. The rest of the betting is 10/1 Woodley Sports, 14/1 Stocksbridge PS and Colwyn Bay, 16/1 Alsager Town and Eastwood Town, 25/1 Clitheroe, Goole, Ossett Albion and Shepshed Dynamo, 33/1 Bamber Bridge and Skelmersdale United, 40/1 Warrington Town, 50/1 Bridlington Town, Brigg Town and Rossendale United, 66/1 Chorley and Harrogate Railway and 100/1 Wakefield.

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