Thursday, 28th August 2008

News Archive

2nd December 2006
First Division leaders Buxton increased their lead to six points despite being held to a draw at Warrington Town who had only shared the points for the first time this season on Tuesday at Alsager Town.

The Peak District side's nearest challengers Stocksbridge PS fared even worse, however, and their impressive run that had seen them win ten and draw two of their previous dozen games came to an end at Ossett Albion. At the other end of the table it was a good week for Chorley who beat Skelmersdale United in midweek to register a first home win of the season and they then held Cammell Laird at the weekend. Clitheroe also had occasion to celebrate on Saturday when after conceding 18 goals in their previous two games they won a point in a 2-2 draw at Bridlington.

UniBond "Fair Play" Award

The UniBond Divison One "Fair Play" award for November has gone to Chorley. Three cautions in five outings saw Chorley take the honours just ahead of Bridlington Town who had three in four and Gresley Rovers, Shepshed Dynamo and Woodley Sports all of whom had four bookings in five games. In the season to date tables Kidsgrove Athletic are well clear and seem on course to pick up the lower tier's first prize of £1,000.

Now Stammers goes at Clitheroe

Clitheroe's Chris Stammers became the eleventh casualty of the UniBond League season to date when he quit following the Lancashire club's catastrophic 10-1 defeat in last Saturday's FA Trophy tie at Kettering Town. Assistant boss Ash Berry has taken over as caretaker along with Neil Reynolds who has been released by Bamber Bridge to help Berry.

FA Trophy Draw

Following Bradford Park Avenue's narrow 2-1 defeat in their delayed FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round tie against Nuneaton Borough on Monday evening the UniBond League has three survivors going in to the First Round Proper - the stage at which the Conference National clubs enter the fray.

The UniBond League will have at least one representative in the last 32 as two of its clubs, First Division Woodley Sports and Premier Division Witton Albion, have been drawn to meet one another with Woodley hosting the game whilst Gateshead have a tasty looking home draw against National Conference side Burton Albion who, less than twelve months ago, were holding Manchester United to a draw in the FA Cup. The ties are to be played on Saturday, 16th December.

League Challenge Cup Draw

Midweek saw the completion of the 2nd Round of this season's UniBond League Challenge Cup apart from the one tie between Matlock Town and Gresley Rovers that fell foul of a waterlogged pitch. Despite winning seven of their fifteen ties in the competition so far against higher tier opponents the First Division have only six representatives in the last sixteen although Gresley could boost that number if they are successful at 2005 winners Matlock next week. Midweek wins for Bamber Bridge and Kidsgrove Athletic (who have played thirteen cup games already this season) over Prescot Cables and Ilkeston Town respectively meant they join four other First Division survivors, Brigg Town, Goole AFC, Harrogate Railway Athletic and Woodley Sports, in the last sixteen. There are three all Premier Division ties with three times winners Marine at home to Leek Town, Kendal Town hosting Fleetwood Town and 2005 beaten finalists Whitby Town travelling to North Ferriby United.

The draw for the 3rd Round of the competition which is to be played on Saturday, 6th January is as follows:-

Bamber Bridge v Witton Albion
Kendal Town v Fleetwood Town
Goole AFC v Grantham Town
Marine v Leek Town
Harrogate Railway Athletic v Brigg Town
Matlock Town or Gresley Rovers v Kidsgrove Athletic
Hednesford Town v Woodley Sports
North Ferriby Utd v Whitby Town

UniBond Divison One "Club Of The Month" Award

The UniBond "Club of the Month" award for November has gone to Woodley Sports.
Woodley were clear winners in the lower tier with a 100% record in six games during November including FA Trophy victories against Whitby Town and Conference side Moor Green.

Hat-Trick Debut For Thornley

Chorley moved off the bottom of the table on Tuesday thanks to a remarkable debut by England masseur Rod Thornley. The brother of Ben Thornley the ex-Manchester United and England Under 21 international bagged a hat-trick as the "Magpies" registered only their second league win of the campaign with Skelmersdale United the unlucky victims. The 29 year old has been a masseur with Manchester United for several seasons but is now also firmly established as part of the England back room set up.

Thornley was signed from Altrincham along with Colin Potts who returns to Chorley for a second stint. Potts comes from a footballing background with his father Eric having been a Preston North End regular and he himself flirted with the full time game at Preston and Rochdale. But it was as a semi-pro that he made a name for himself at Morecambe, Stalybridge Celtic and Lancaster City who enjoyed one of their most successful times with him in their side. Like Thornley Potts made an immediate impact helping set up two of Thornley's goals.

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At home to:
Alvechurch (FA Cup Preliminary Round)

Saturday 30th August, 3.00pm

View previous encounters with Alvechurch