Friday, 22nd August 2008

News Archive

19th January 2008
Review Of The Week

All three top teams in the Premier Division were rained off which allowed fourth and fifth placed clubs GATESHEAD and BUXTON to close the gap with away wins.

The North East club's victory, however, was far from straight forward at FRICKLEY ATHLETIC where the bottom side were three up with sixteen minutes left before Gateshead staged the mother of all come backs to win 4-3.

Buxton, too, were behind at WORKSOP TOWN but recovered in the second half to win 3-1. EASTWOOD TOWN lost ground on the play-off spots when losing a two goal lead at home to HEDNESFORD TOWN whilst GUISELEY and MATLOCK TOWN, seven and six games without a win respectively, returned to winning ways against ASHTON UNITED and PRESCOT CABLES.

At the bottom KENDAL TOWN moved out of the relegation slots in a see-saw game at ILKESTON TOWN whom they join on 24 points but with two games in hand. In the one other top tier match to survive the rain WHITBY TOWN eased their relegation worries with a 3-1 success at STAMFORD.

No doubt about the game of the day in the First Division North and it went the way of the leaders CURZON ASHTON who maintained their unbeaten away record with a 2-1 win at BRADFORD PARK AVENUE thanks to a brace from the Division's leading scorer Mike Norton.

Second place OSSETT ALBION dropped points in a 1-1 draw at fourth spot SKELMERSDALE UNITED and BAMBER BRIDGE missed out on going third when losing a two goal lead at WOODLEY SPORTS.

A remarkable seventh consecutive clean sheet helped LANCASTER CITY to the points at home to CLITHEROE and just two points separates City in seventh from Bradford in third. ROSSENDALE UNITED continued their good recent run with a win at BRIDLINGTON TOWN and after taking just one point from the last twelve NEWCASTLE BLUE STAR returned to winning ways at next to bottom CHORLEY.

The shock of the day came in the First Division South where leaders RETFORD UNITED lost at home to BRIGG TOWN who are now up to a heady fifteenth having started the day next to bottom.

Elsewhere, QUORN are now nine games without a win after drawing at WARRINGTON TOWN, KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC drop in to the bottom three despite taking a point at BELPER TOWN and play-off hopefuls GRANTHAM TOWN slumped to their fifth home defeat of the campaign when losing to CARLTON TOWN.

New Chairman At Ashton

Ashton United Chairman John Milne has stepped down from the helm but will remain on the Board with David Aspinall, a fan for over forty years, taking over. Mr Milne said: "I have felt for some time that a younger person than myself should take over the reins as I am getting on in years. I shall, however, be staying on the Board to help David find his feet".

Mr Aspinall's first main objective is to get the club's commercial side back up and running but he will also have to find a definitive answer soon to the vexed question of whether the club stay at Hurst Cross or share the Tameside Stadium with neighbours Curzon Ashton. Other changes see Tony Collins take over as Vice Chairman from Terry Hollis who becomes a non-executive director whilst Tony Robinson has been appointed a Director after Eric Stafford and Malcolm Smart stood down.

Retford Striker Picked For World Cup

Retford United striker Neil Harvey has been called up for the Barbados World Cup squad that faces Dominica in a 2010 World Cup Qualifier on 6th February. The Barbadian FA contacted Retford this week for the player's release and he will fly out on 3rd February after his side's game at Gresley Rovers before returning home on 8th February just in time for Retford's next scheduled match. Barbados, who are ranked as128th in the FIFA listings, play Dominica over two legs with the second leg being on 26th March and the aggregate winners then face the USA in June.

It will be the 24 year old's second call up for Barbados during his time at Retford with his first appearances coming twelve months ago when he played three times in the Digicel Carribbean Cup scoring once.

Retford Media Officer Jon Knight said: "We are delighted at the call up. Considering his form this season it is nothing less than he deserves and we wish him every success during his trip as he aims to push his country a step closer towards the Finals in South Africa".

UniBond Youngsters Get England Call Up

There were other international call ups this week too for UniBond players with North Ferriby United's Matty Bloor and Hednesford Town striker Harry Hambleton both being selected in a squad of 32 for the English Schools Under 18's side. The party start with a training camp in Spain before taking on Australia in a friendly at Shrewsbury Town on Sunday 28th January with a 10.30am kick off. Then it's on to the Home Nations Tournament culminating in a game against Scotland at Wembley on 26th April.

Bloor, who was given his chance at the start of this season by former Ferriby boss Neil Parsley, has taken his opportunity well and has been kept in the side by new manager Neil Allison. The young midfielder said "I was put forward last season for the Under 17's but missed out. I have, however, matured both mentally and physically and made it through this time.

"I have attended all the training camps and been given the number eight shirt. It would be fantastic to be involved in the Wembley game especially as it is every young player's dream". He will miss some six or seven matches for Ferriby but Allison is right behind the player in his quest for the top saying "It is a fantastic achievement for Matty and fully deserved after all the hard work he has put in over the past few years.

It also goes to show what the youth set up at North Ferriby is all about. I see no reason why he cannot go to a higher level as he has the capability to become a very good footballer indeed and he also has plenty of time on his side".

Hambleton, meanwhile, hasn't quite as much first team experience as Bloor with three appearances but the quick and powerful goalscorer has done well enough in the trials to be awarded the number nine shirt coveted by every striker.

Search For Ex Mariners

The Marine Supporter's Association are staging one of their biggest ever fund raising events on Friday 1st February with an "Evening with Players Past and Present" and are searching for any former players who have not heard about the event. Any former player or anyone who has contacts with any ex Marine player is asked to contact the Supporters Association at their e-mail address marineafcclubshop@tesco.net

Grantham Cut Wage Bill

Just weeks after Club Chairman Roger Booth spoke about the effect falling gates could have on the club Grantham Town have announced an across the board cut in wages for the playing staff. The players, however, sitting in with a good chance of making the play-offs, have rallied behind the "Gingerbreads" and have all committed themselves to seeing the campaign out.

Mr Booth said "It isn't just the fact that gates are down by 12% with some poor home performances not having helped in that area but the whole of the club's financial base. The Board said last season that the organisation had to be run on sound financial principles and the days of this club going in to massive debt are behind us. We are paying what we can afford and the previous wage bill was no longer sustainable".

Manager John Wilkinson said "Although the cut is a hefty one the whole changing room have shown their determination to see this through. Everybody is pulling together and even after a few days for the players to think things over I will still have the same squad".

Veteran Eyres Signs For Hednesford

Veteran David Eyres, who will be 44 in February has been signed by Hednesford Town to fill the left back position. Eyres, who played in the UniBond League last season for Mossley, made over six hundred appearances in a full time career taking in Blackpool, Burnley, Preston North End and Oldham Athletic making more than a century of appearances for each of the four clubs. He is currently employed with the Everton Academy which is keeping him fit and will also shortly be playing for Oldham in the Veteran's Masters tournament to be televised on Sky.

Hednesford had another defensive hole to overcome when season long regular custodian Rene Gilmartin was recalled by his parent club Walsall leaving the "Pitmen" to bring in Lincoln United's Ben Scott at short notice.

Sheffield Line Up Alongside Man Utd And Barcelona

UniBond club Sheffield FC has secured a prestigious place alongside Manchester United and Barcelona with the world's oldest club being given a brand display in between the two European giants at the Nike mega store in London's Oxford Circus. Sheffield's 150th Anniversary strip was produced by Nike and Club Chairman Richard Tims said "This is a terrific gesture from the company. Their Oxford Street store has a million foot-fall every week and this will drastically increase the profile of our club. To have Manchester United and Barcelona either side of a UniBond League club must be unique".

Johnson U-Turn

Despite last week ruling himself out of contention for the manager's job at Leek Town caretaker player-boss Wayne Johnson has taken the dual role on after former manager Paul Ogden made an offer to help out. Ogden, who was Leek's first boss of the current campaign before having to step down due to ill health, has now fully recovered and will work alongside Johnson having resigned from a scouting role with Crewe Alexandra. Johnson said "This is a good move for the club. Oggy knows the non-league scene like the back of his hand and has bags of experience. He has got more time to commit to the management side of things than I have and can spend time on the 'phone that I can't afford in order to bring in players".

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