Holker Street Newsletter 327 - 25th March 1999

DALEY JOINS SHANE GANG
Westley moves for Guiseley player and hints of more to come
By Matt Davies, Wednesday 24 March 1999

AFC boss Shane Westley has swooped to sign Guiseley centre half Matthew Daley, and more new players could be heading to Holker Street before tomorrow’s transfer deadline. Westley wrapped up a deal for Daley on Monday night, and is currently speaking to a few more potential signings in the hope of strengthening his AFC squad for the relegation run-in. Daley, a 22-year-old, 6ft 3 ins, stopper, is a former Sheffield Wednesday junior and played under Westley when the Barrow boss was in charge of Lincoln City reserves. "He’s a big, strong centre back, good in the air and I’m sure he can do a job for us until the end of the season," said Westley. "The problem I’ve got at the moment is that I am restricted to signing non-contract players because of the embargo on the club (currently in liquidation)." AFC skipper Greg Challender, defender Dave Higgins and striker Lee O’Keeffe all picked up knocks in Saturday’s 3-0 Conference defeat at Hereford. Midfielder Challender and Higgins both have toe injuries and O’Keeffe has a bad back, but Westley is confident that all three will be okay for Saturday’s visit of Kidderminster Harriers to Holker Street.

AFC avoided dropping into the relegation zone last night after Leek Town lost 2-3 at home to Rushden & Diamonds. Before yesterday’s game the Staffordshire side had a game in hand on the Bluebirds, who are fourth from bottom. However, after the Rushden defeat, Leek still trail Barrow by one point. Bottom six side Southport also lost yesterday going down 3-1 at Yeovil and Hereford were defeated 0-1 at home to Woking.

AFC’s hopes of bringing Saturday’s match against Kidderminster forward in an effort to avoid a clash with England’s game against Poland, has been thwarted by the football pools. The Bluebirds were hoping to avoid the clash of times but a letter from Nationwide Conference secretary John Moules stated the match and kick-off time must not be changed. Despite the setback, the club, who need 1500 for a home game to cover the costs of the match, are hoping for a good gate. "We are disappointed, naturally," said AFC chairman Brian Keen."It is a rotten situation, but there is nothing we can do about it." Barrow launch the quid-a-kid scheme on Saturday where any child aged 16 or under can buy a ticket from the Sports and Leisure Club and watch the game. The invitation is also open to young fans from visitors Kidderminster.


FROM THE HEREFORD TIMES

Three second-half goals from Paul Parry, Garry Cook and Christian Roberts swept Hereford to a Nationwide Conference home victory over Barrow and lifted the gloom which had surrounded Edgar Street since Christmas. Their second double of the season gave the Bulls only their second victory in their last 16 Conference outings and their first League victory at Edgar Street since the end of November. It was also the first time that they had scored more than two goals in League games at Edgar Street this season. Most importantly, it secured three points which eased their fears of being sucked into an end of season relegation battle. United’s director of football, Graham Turner said after the game: “I will be able to enjoy the rest of my weekend for a change. I was worried about the direct style of play I knew Barrow played, but we combatted it well.”

Barrow manager, Shane Westley was in no doubt that Hereford were the better team. He said: “They were the best side we have played by a mile.” United were bolstered by the return of three key defenders and they seldom looked like conceding a goal. Chris Lane was a resourceful right-back, Stuart Evans and Ian Wright were masters in the air as Barrow tried to make progress with long, high throw-ins, while Tony James has blossomed into an efficient and reliable defender.

Even so, although Hereford dominated the first half, they were unable to turn their superiority into goals, having failed to net in their previous four Conference home games. Fans were still wondering whether they would be able to break the deadlock in the second period. They received an answer within 35 seconds of the restart. Roberts crossed to the near post while Steven Cowe fired a shot against the woodwork and the ball rebounded across a goal for Parry to slip it into the net.

Mid-way through the half Wright was denied a goal when Eddie Kennedy handled his header on the line but it went unnoticed by Leicester referee John Hubbard. In the sixty-seventh minute, however, Hereford increased their lead. Mark Taylor latched onto Parry’s cross but his shot was blocked. The ball ran loose to Cook who rifled a superb 20-yarder low into the net. Cook also scored the only goal of the game at Barrow in September. He said: “Some players seem to score against certain clubs. “For me, it’s Morecambe and Barrow. I always knew I would score today.” With three minutes left United netted again through Roberts. Cowe stepped over Parry’s low pass and Roberts gave Craig Davies no chance with a drive from just inside the penalty area. The young striker exuberantly ran to the Meadow End crowd, taking off his shirt. Referee Hubbard was not impressed with the striptease and booked him. Hereford’s other yellow card went to Cook, while Barrow’s former Hereford player, Ian Foster, Paul Haddow and Davies were also yellow carded.


NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE, 24 MARCH 1999
Forest Green Rovers 1 Kingstonian 0.

P W D L F:A Pts
Cheltenham Town.............34 18 12 4 61:28 66
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Rushden & Diamonds..........34 19 9 6 61:32 66
Kettering Town..............37 19 9 9 52:33 66
Yeovil Town.................32 16 9 7 53:39 57
Hayes.......................34 17 6 11 48:44 57
Kingstonian.................33 14 12 7 46:39 54
Dover Athletic..............35 13 12 10 47:39 51
Stevenage Borough...........33 12 15 6 44:36 51
Northwich Victoria..........33 14 7 12 46:40 49
Hednesford Town.............32 12 13 7 41:35 49
Woking......................32 13 7 12 35:33 46
Forest Green Rovers.........31 12 9 10 47:34 45
Doncaster Rovers............35 11 9 15 44:47 42
Hereford United.............36 11 9 16 39:43 42
Kidderminster Harriers......34 11 8 15 42:41 41
Morecambe...................34 10 7 17 48:67 37
Southport...................33 7 13 13 39:52 34
Telford United..............34 7 13 14 35:51 34
BARROW......................34 8 9 17 33:52 33
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Leek Town...................34 8 8 18 41:52 32
Farnborough Town............35 6 10 19 39:79 28
Welling United..............35 5 12 18 32:57 27


CHANGE OF WEB ADDRESS
The site featuring both the town and photos from Barrow Grammar School for Boys run by Phil Watson has moved to .


ANOTHER BARROW OLD BOY
Lancaster City have named former Barrow AFC manager and Morecambe assistant manager, Tony Hesketh as the new manager at Giant Axe. He took control for last night’s 4-1 victory over Colwyn Bay. Thanks to Richard Ingham for that.


CONFERENCE NEWS FROM TELETEXT
Kindly sent in by Ray Stanton

Rockin' Robins
New leaders Cheltenham are now 4-7 favourites at bookies Ladbrokes to win the League after their crushing 3-0 win over Kettering put them back on top. More than 5000 fans, the highest in the Conference for eleven months, turned out to witness a Neil Grayson brace and a Mark Hone own goal to end the Poppies' 16 week run in the number 1 spot. Kettering are now considered a 14-1 shot for the title with Ladbrokes.

Bailey Joins Big Boys
Former Queens Park Rangers goal ace Dennis Bailey has swapped a relegation dog-fight for a race for the title. The 33-year-old has moved from lowly Farnborough Town to high-flying Cheltenham for UKP15,000. The Robbins' boss Steve Cotterill believes the ex-Crystal Palace player is just the man he needs. He said, "Dennis has a good pedigree and with his experience he won't be fazed by our present situation."

Derby Date for Flowering Poppies
The title race reaches boiling point this weekend when Kettering clash with neighbours and promotion rivals Rushden & Diamonds. A 5000 strong crowd is expected to pack into Rockingham Road to see the Poppies push for their first Nationwide Conference win over their neighbours. In four meetings so far, Kettering have lost 4-0 and 5-1 to Diamonds at home while twice slipped up 1-0 away.

Butler Blasts Back
Twice former Conference player of the year award winner Steve Butler has returned to non-League. The 37-year-old who netted his double dose of success with Maidstone United in 1987-88 and 1988-89, has joined Stevenage Borough from Peterborough. Butler, who clocked almost 400 League appearances for various clubs, Watford included, joins Oxford keeper Elliot Jackson on loan until the term's end.

Super Shaw Sticks with Rovers
England defender Simon Shaw has pledged his services to Doncaster Rovers until 2001. Shaw, 25, who made his international debut in England's non-League side's 4-1 win over Italy earlier this month, has signed a new two year contract. The former Middlesbrough trainee moved to Rovers on a free from Darlington in August and will feature in England's trip to Holland next Tuesday.

Robins Boss Continues Trophy Hunt
Steve Cotterill takes his pace setters Cheltenham Town to Emley on Saturday, aiming to become the first manager since 1995 to extend his defence of the FA Trophy through to the last four, and the Robbins' supremo gets the thumbs up from the bookies. Ladbrokes makes Cheltenham 6-4 favourites to clinch the Wembley prize. Northwich Victoria are 4-1 to finish runners-up in the Final.

Double Diamond
Leicester defender Guy Brenston has joined title chasers Rushden & Diamonds on loan, while ex-Portsmouth and Sunderland midfielder Steve Berry has signed on a free from Broadhall Way.

Hit for Six
Northwich Victoria bagged a joint highest away League win of the season when they beat Farnborough 6-1 on Saturday.

Last Chance
Clubs will run out of time to add to their squads on Thursday when the transfer deadline axe falls.

Jelly Good Time
Doncaster Rovers will hand out 4000 packets of jelly beans when they test Friday night fixtures with the visit of Stevenage Borough. Rovers need 3400 more fans through the gate to become the first club in two seasons to pass the 60,000 mark.

Name Game
Dover Athletic boss Bill Williams wants fans to abandon the teams Lillywhites nickname they share with Telford United, and pick something tougher. Williams suggestion is reported to be "bulldogs".

Great Gates
Conference attendances will this week hit the 600,000 mark for only the fourth time in the League's 20-year-long history.

Double Dare
Southport face Forest Green in the FA Trophy Quarter-Finals on Saturday. Paul Futcher's side also have a Semi-Final date in the Liverpool Senior Cup to play asap.

Drought's Off
Morecambe ended a run of five games without a goal when they bounced back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Rushden & Diamonds.