Holker Street Newsletter 802 - 3rd May 2001

The UniBond Challenge Cup Final played at the Giant Axe between Lancaster City and Bishop Auckland finished 2-2 after extra time, with Lancaster City winning 4-3 on penalties in the end.

One piece of news I haven’t passed on concerns Barrow’s home game against Spennymoor a couple of weeks ago, the story of how the north-east club are in serious financial trouble, is well known well it appears the club turned up at Holker Street on the Darlington coach as Darlington were at home on Saturday and didn’t need it, and as my scribe says, it’s good to see Spennymoor’s larger neighbour helping them out in such a difficult time for the club.

Finally, Rushden & Diamonds will step up into the Football League next season after Yeovil lost to Hereford, who comes the other way is still up for grabs, so to speak, but it does look like Barnet, doesn’t it? As for who is going down from the UniBond with Spennymoor, we’ll cover that tomorrow, but suffice to say Barrow could well have a major hand in it bearing in mind we travel to north Wales to play Colwyn Bay, who are just above the trap door.

Thanks to Peter Caldwell, the Frickley website, Anne Donnelly, Simon Sandiford-Mitchell, John Little, Jim Whitton, Flag Man, the Alty web site and Terry Kendall for their help with today’s edition.

FAB FOUR BOOST
Hume, Warren, Housham and Maxfield close to pledging futures
By Neil Lauderdale, Evening Mail, Tuesday 1 May

Four of Barrow AFC’s big guns have 'tentatively' agreed to return to Holker Street next season. Although none of have signed deals as yet, Mark Hume, Lee Warren, Steve Housham and Scott Maxfield all look like remaining Barrow players. If they pledge their futures, they will be joining Wayne Bullimore in the Bluebirds’ ranks next season, the ace midfielder having already penned a deal. However, the future of top scorer Nicky Peverell is still undecided with the Middlesbrough-born hitman the target of other UniBond Premier clubs. Bluebirds manager Kenny Lowe, whose side travel to Frickley Athletic tonight, said today: "We have tentatively agreed with Mark Hume, Lee Warren, Steve Housham and Scott Maxfield. They have, in principle, agreed to stay, but obviously nothing has been signed yet." And he said of Peverell: "He’s done well for us and I would be gutted, devastated if he goes. Other clubs are ringing him. He’s not actively looking to go elsewhere, but obviously he’s one of the League’s top scorers and we can’t stick him on a contract. The fact that he’s speaking to other people obviously indicates that he’s interested, but we have made Nick an offer and now it’s down to him." Lowe has major injury worries ahead of the trip to Westfield Lane tonight, and he could be without five first team regulars. Club captain Neil Doherty is struggling with a knee injury, Housham has a groin problem, Lee Rogers has a bad back and Bullimore picked up a knock in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Worksop. Central defender Hume, who was this week voted the Official Supporters’ Club Player of the Year, also misses out because of suspension. Lowe, who may be forced onto the bench himself, added: "The lads like Andy Hill, Mike McKechnie and Steven Gill look like they are going to start the game. There’s an opportunity now for them to show me what they can do for next year. They have been very patient while we have been on this run." You have to go back to the 1994-95 season to find Frickley’s last win over Barrow, when the Yorkshire side beat the Bluebirds 2-1 at Holker Street. Since then Barrow have won seven and drawn two of the last nine meetings between the two sides. The latest victory came at the end of March when Lowe’s team beat Frickley 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Hume and Peverell, but the AFC boss is well aware tonight’s game will be anything but a walkover as the second-from-bottom side fight to save their Premier Division status. "I think with games like this, if you go into it with knocks and niggles and you’re not fit, then you could get hurt because their season is not at an end yet and they will obviously be very competitive," said Lowe.

AFC: Bishop, Warren, Rogers, Maxfield, Hall, Anthony, Housham, Ellison, Peverell, Bullimore, Doherty, Holt, Roberts, Ainsley, Hill, McKechnie, Gill, Lowe.

BAFC SATURDAY YANKEE LOTTERY
Results for Saturday 28 April 2001 (Week 17)

Race Winner Number
1 Better Moment 7
2 One Dinar 7
3 What's up Boys 9
4 Red Striker 6

The Winning Yankee was 7796, which was unissued, next week the jackpot increases by UKP250 to UKP1000. Six treble winners each receive UKP66.66p.

Races for Saturday 05 May 2001 (Week 18)
1 Haydock 2.00 2 Hereford 2.45
3 Hereford 4.30 4 Newmarket 4.45

Reserve Races
A Exeter 2.20 B Thirsk 2.40
C Exeter 2.55 D Hereford 3.20
E Thirsk 3.45 F Hereford 3.55

KIT-ASTROPHE
Players and strip delayed as bus breaks down on journey
By Neil Lauderdale, Evening Mail, Wednesday 2 May

Barrow’s pre-match preparations were severely disrupted last night when the bus carrying three of their players and the kit broke down on the motorway. Captain Neil Doherty, Steven Gill and Andy Hill were then forced to jump on the supporters’ coach, but that didn’t get them there until just 30 minutes before kick-off, and because all the training kit was also late, it meant none of Kenny Lowe’s squad could begin start of their game with Frickley. Manager Lowe said today: "All the local lads broke down and they have had to jump on the supporters’ coach behind and it was just an absolute nightmare really." But despite all the off-field troubles Lowe said he was proud of his battling troops, even though they crashed to the lowly Yorkshire outfit. Lowe had to name himself in his patched up starting line-up at Westfield Lane as their hectic fixture schedule eventually caught up with them. With no fewer than six members of his squad unavailable through either injury or suspension, Lowe also had to ask his assistant Lee Turnbull to be on the substitutes’ bench. Lowe said: "I’m not disappointed, not at all. We did not have a side last night. I have had to play and we have had lots of lads really struggling, so I was really proud of them to be truthful. They were really up for it and we have gone into it with a patched up team, but to be truthful we should have got something out of it. We had lads playing who were injured. Neil Doherty could hardly walk when he came on because of his knee, Steve Housham struggled when he came on and Scott Maxfield has played nearly every game for us and he’s carrying a knock." Lowe, who scored along with Grant Holt, was less than impressed with the standard of refereeing though. Frickley’s first goal appeared to be offside while their second was a disputed penalty." Lowe added: "I’m disappointed that we did not win, but not disappointed in the way we played. They have worked really hard and we should have come away with something, but the referee has just given them two goals. There was no-one near the lad when they got the penalty, he just fell over and even their manager said the first goal was offside."

Meanwhile, former Bluebirds captain Gary Bauress claimed his fourth UniBond Premier League championship medal last night as Stalybridge Celtic pipped Emley to the title. Bauress, who lifted the trophy with Barrow in 1997/98, saw his team win 1-0 at Droylsden to move four points clear of Emley with just one game remaining.

LOWE ON TARGET BUT FRICKLEY WIN
Player-boss Lowe and Holt score as Bluebirds twice come from behind, but late Athletic goal sees home side secure victory. Frickley 3 Barrow 2
By Special Correspondent, Evening Mail, Wednesday 2 May

Barrow were unlucky to come away empty-handed although they never got into top gear against Frickley. Twice behind to questionable strikes, they battled back to get on terms, only to be sunk by a quick counter-attack in the 83rd minute. Fighting to avoid relegation, Frickley knocked the visitors out of their stride in the early exchanges and should have taken the lead in the seventh minute, Rob Hanby finding Chris Hurst who knocked the ball inside to an unmarked Leroy Chambers, but he fired straight at Simon Bishop from 10 yards.

While Scott Maxfield and Anthony Hall looked competent at the back, Barrow failed to impress up front and 18 minutes had elapsed before midfielder Graham Anthony intercepted a pass and picked out front runner Grant Holt whose shot was deflected off target. Hurst had a shot blocked by Hall in the 23rd minute and Steve Price lifted a 20 yard free-kick over the bar as the home side displayed over eagerness in a bid to break the deadlock. Nicky Peverell was playing deep but shaved the bar with a 20-yard volley in the 35th minute. Three minutes after the interval, Peverell had the ball in the net, only to be ruled offside, and it was Frickley who struck in the 55th minute. Gary Duffty appeared to be offside when he collected a through ball from Chris Hilton and lobbed the advancing keeper, but Barrow’s protests fell on deaf ears. This gave the home side inspiration and Bishop did well to punch away a fierce 25-yard drive by Duane Beckett in the 64th minute.

Barrow were also stung into action, increasing the tempo to level in the 73rd minute when Maxfield placed a pinpoint corner from the right for Grant Holt to head in from two yards. Four minutes later, Frickley were awarded a penalty, Hall having been judged to have brought down Rob Hanby, and Hurst beat Bishop from the spot to restore their advantage. The visitors roared back, Peverell missing a golden opportunity in the 80th minute when he screwed his shot wide of an open goal from six yards after good work by Holt, who had split the home cover. Kenny Lowe made no mistake a minute later, however, forcing the ball in from close range, but before Barrow could build on the equaliser, they were trailing again. A hopeful punt out of defence was laid off by Chambers and Chris Hilton buried a first time shot into the far corner. It became shoot on sight for the visitors - Lowe, Holt and Maxwell all threatening with long range efforts, but the Frickley defence managed to survive five agonising minutes of injury time and almost struck again when Chambers got clear but his lob was clawed from under the bar by Bishop.

SIMON BISHOP: 7 Handled well and could not be blamed for the goals.
STEVEN GILL: 6 Cut out some threatening balls, but was booked for a foul. Substituted in 68th minute.
SCOTT MAXFIELD: *8* Good in defence and going forward and showed some accuracy with corners.
ANDY HILL; 6 Kept Leroy Chambers under wraps for long periods.
ANTHONY HALL: 8 Tower of strength, also caused a threat up front from set pieces.
LEE WARREN: 6 Tried to get midfield into gear.
GRAHAM ANTHONY: 7 Livewire in midfield and sprayed passes to front runners.
GRANT HOLT: 7 Looked a danger and took his goal well.
NICKY PEVERELL: 6 Good in the middle of the field but off key when it came to shooting.
KENNY LOWE; 8 Never gave in, covered every inch of the field and scored near the end.
LEE ELLISON: 6 Did not show his full potential and was substituted.
Barrow AFC Subs: Housham (Gill 68 mins), Doherty (Ellison 68 mins). Sub not used: Turnbull.

Frickley: Wilkinson, Hilton, Tyrell (Marsh 57 minutes), Jones, Ogley, Hanby, Beckett (Brown 88 minutes), Price, Chambers, Hurst, Duffty.
Goals: Frickley: Duffty (55 mins), Hurst (77 mins, pen), Hilton (83 mins) Barrow: Holt (73 mins), Lowe (78 mins).
Red cards: Frickley: None. Barrow: None.
Yellow cards: Frickley: Hurst, Chambers. Barrow: Gill, Hall.
Offsides: Frickley: 4. Barrow: 5.
Free Kicks: Frickley: 21. Barrow: 20.
Shots on Target: Frickley: 13. Barrow: 9.
Shots Off Target: Frickley: 11. Barrow: 16.
Corners: Frickley: 8. Barrow: 7.
Referee: Mr Paul Bennett (Bradford).
Attendance: 225.

A TRAVELLER’S TALE
This is from John Little

Some of the Barrow team had the worst possible preparation for last night’s game against Frickley. The bus carrying the NW based players to the game came to a halt on the M60 due to the exhaust going.

After waiting 30 minutes at the side of the motorway, the supporters' bus pulled up, but it was full. Some supporters got off to allow the players to get on along with the kit and all their respective bags to complete a rather cramped journey to South Elmsall. Supporters who were left on the motorway were picked up by the club directors following on later. The weakened team selection and change of formation to 4-3-3 obviously upset the balance. It took us 35 minutes to have a shot. Frickley who need the points to avoid relegation were more up for it but couldn't break through.

In the second half, Barrow looked more lively and early on Pev was up-ended in the box but the ref played on. Shortly after Frickley played the ball forward to a player who looked suspiciously offside who went on to knock it into the top corner. The entire Barrow team surrounded the official to question his eyesight and why he didn't raise his flag. Barrow equalised when a corner from Maxi was headed in by Holt. There was more controversy when the ref awarded the home side a penalty following a challenge that saw a home player go down like he'd been shot. Housh and Doc were introduced and this sparked us into life. After good work by Holt, he squared to Housh whose shot took a wicked deflection of Kenny’s backside and into the net.

From the kick-off Frickley went down the other end, waltzed through the defence and leathered it into the net. Despite more chances Barrow couldn't find an equaliser and this result may mean we'll have to come to this depressing place again next season. If this match had been played a few weeks ago with a stronger team, I have the feeling that the result would've been somewhat different.

I noticed that Vauxhall winning last night means that they're promoted from UniBond Division One along with Bradford PA. The picture at the bottom of the UniBond is still very unclear with one of Leek, Frickley, Colwyn Bay or Droylsden still fighting against the drop with Spennymoor.


FROM BEHIND THEIR FENCES
From the Frickley Athletic web site at
By the way, for the new recruits to the Newsletter, this headline is a cracker, is it not? I would love to claim it as my own, but it is shamelessly copied from the late lamented Boston United fanzine of the same name.

The Blues gave a committed performance as they were made to fight all the way for three precious points by a Barrow side who were the form team in the League, and the referee certainly didn't do the nerves of Frickley's supporters any good by adding on over six minutes of stoppage time!

Frickley set their stall out early on and took the game to Barrow. Leroy Chambers should have given the Blues the lead in their first real attack on seven minutes when Chris Hurst helped on a ball by Steve Price to Chambers who shot straight at Bishop from 12 yards when unmarked in the centre of goal. The Blues continued to enjoy the majority of the play but the next attempt at goal didn't come until 28 minutes when Chambers was fouled outside the box and Price put the resulting free-kick narrowly over the bar. Five minutes later Mark Tyrell sent over an inviting cross from the left but it was fractionally too high for Gary Duffty. Barrow then had their first real attempt at goal when Peverell took advantage of a slip by Mark Ogley but he shot wildly over from 18 yards. Duane Beckett then went close with a shot from the edge of the box before Duffty just failed to divert a shot by Rob Hanby towards goal with his head on the stroke of half time.

The start of the second half signalled some pressure by the visitors but on 55 minutes the Blues took the lead. Chris Hilton played a brilliant ball over the defence for Duffty to run on to a coolly lift the ball over the advancing Bishop and into the net. The Blues then lost Tyrell who was stretchered off after a hard tackle with Duffty filling in as left wing back and Craig Marsh coming on up front. On 64 minutes Duffty, who was having an inspired match, did well down the left before squaring across the box to Beckett whose first time thunderbolt shot was blocked well by Bishop. Frickley were well on top at this time but on 73 minutes disaster struck when Grant Holt headed in an equaliser for the Bluebirds from a right wing corner. The Blues immediately pushed forwards looking to regain the lead and they were given a great chance just four minutes later when Hanby was brought down inside the box and Hurst stepped up to convert the spot kick. This signalled frantic glances at watched by the Frickley faithful who endured a heart-stopping moment on 80 minutes when a good run into the box by Holt saw the ball squared to Peverell but he sliced wide of an open goal from 6 yards. However, the Bluebirds equalised for a second time on 83 minutes when manager Kenny Lowe fired home from inside the box after the Blues had failed to clear their lines. Thankfully the scores remained level for only around sixty seconds before the Blues went in front for a third and final time. Hurst won the ball in midfield and fed Chambers on the edge of the box. He immediately rolled the ball into the path of the overlapping Chris Hilton who fired an angled drive into the roof of the net from around 12 yards. A minute into stoppage time, Chambers had a chance to wrap the game up when Duffty found him in space on the edge of the box but his attempted lob wasn't strong enough, allowing Bishop to stretch and catch the ball.

In the end a thoroughly deserved and hard fought victory over a Barrow side who must take credit for pushing forwards right to the death even though they have nothing left to play for. Hopefully they will show as much effort and commitment at Colwyn Bay on Saturday. The only disappointment was finding out that Colwyn Bay had snatched a late equaliser at Worksop Town. Come on Droylsden at Leek on Thursday!!

Frickley Athletic: Mark Wilkinson, Hilton, Tyrell (Marsh 59), Jones, Ogley, Hanby, Beckett (Brown 88) Price, Chambers, Hurst, Duffty. Unused sub. Gregory
Barrow: Bishop, Gill (Housham 57), Maxfield, Hill, Hall, Warren, Anthony, Holt, Peverell, Lowe, Ellison (Doherty 67). Unused sub: Turnbull
Attendance: 225


MATCH REPORT FROM JIM WHITTON

This was a disappointing result, not the defeat itself, but the manner of losing, giving away a goal by slack marking after equalising with seven minutes to go. This was never going to be an easy match with a patched up Barrow team, on a hard, bumpy pitch (how long is it since we could say that?) against a side fighting for a win to avoid relegation.

The first half was almost completely forgettable. Frickley had most of the play but never seriously looked like scoring. At the other end, one speculative shot from Peverell which went well wide was our only chance. The referee did not help, blowing for every physical contact, and neither did the linesman at the Barrow attacking end who was flag happy, even by UniBond standards.

The second half started a bit better. Peverell ran into the box but ran out of steam and fell, to half-hearted penalty appeals. Frickley got the goal they needed after 55 minutes when a ball over the top caught out the Barrow defence, Mr Flag Happy for once kept his arms by his side, and Dufty ran in to lob the advancing Bishop. The keeper, Lowe, Hall and Maxfield surrounded Flag Happy and Hall was booked for his troubles. Doherty came on for Ellison and added a bit more threat, but the equaliser came from a set piece when a beautiful curling Maxfield corner gave Holt a free header almost on the goal line on 73 minutes. Unfortunately, the lead lasted only five minutes. Holt made a clumsy challenge in his own penalty area and Bishop was unable to repeat his heroics of Harrogate as Hurst netted. Minutes later, Holt worked a ball down the Frickley byline and crossed to Peverell who sliced wide with an open goal. However, the second equaliser came on 83 minutes when a Housham shot was deflected in by none other than Kenny Lowe himself. Having saved the game and generally defended well, Barrow threw it away in the next minute by leaving Hilton unmarked on the right and he had acres of room to fire in an unstoppable shot from just inside the penalty area.


DON’T LEAVE ME THIS WAY

It is often said that you shouldn’t listen to rumours, but that is only from people who are affected by them, and then you can bet that they do listen to the rumours, but wish that others didn’t. Following a club like Barrow, you are exposed to more rumours than a plumber would be with radiation at Sellafield, and whilst some are easily dismissed, some take a little longer to unravel. Take the one about Barrow goal scoring machine, Nick Peverell, a couple of supporters have approached me asking about him, and I have managed to dispel the tale of him going to a certain non-League club in the north-east, but in the words of the War of the Worlds CD, “Still They Come”.

Reading between the lines, and the Evening Mail article about it a couple of days ago, it looks like our Nick will be on his toes, there was the case earlier this season when it appeared he would be leaving the club, not because of any unpleasant circumstances, more due his travelling partner leaving the club, obviously we don’t want him to leave, he has been a revelation, and if Barrow were to continue next season where we left this one off, we need someone who could score 30 goals a season, Nick is that player.

So what is the evidence? When Nick was substituted during the home game against Worksop, the Barrow manager, Kenny Lowe, was heard to say to Mr Peverell: “It maybe your last game but don't throw the shirt into the crowd”. Has the decision been made? I think Nick is going full time at Middlesbrough, where he works part time at the moment as a coach, and if this does happen, then it is unlikely he could continue to play for Barrow, even if Middlesbrough were willing for him to do so, the travelling would make it impractical.

Other people have remarked to me that the player hasn’t been the Nick of old, his extra yard has been missing, is this due to end of season blues? Family pressure, being off colour, or even something else? You tell me? Whatever happens, if Nick does leave, and I hope he doesn’t, say goodbye with good grace, he has been a revelation this season, and will be sorely missed, but just remember Kenny Lowe convinced him to travel across England to play for Barrow, along with a number of other players, and I’m sure we can rely on the Barrow manager’s ability to be able to replace Nick if he does leave Barrow AFC.


ROBINS ANNOUNCE NEW MANAGERIAL TEAM

Altrincham Football Club today announced the permanent appointment of Bernard Taylor and Graham Heathcote as manager and coach respectively. The move re-unites a partnership that previously guided the Moss Lane outfit to the UniBond Premier League championship in 1999, three trophies and tenth place in the Nationwide Conference. The appointment follows an eight match caretaker spell for the duo, who took over six weeks ago after former player-boss Mark Ward was relieved of his managerial responsibilities. In this time, the team has been defeated just twice. The track record of the Taylor/Heathcote team, their first hand knowledge of the Moss Lane squad and their overwhelming support in the dressing room are three key factors cited by chairman Mark Harris in the board's decision to remain 'in-house' despite advertising the position externally.

"Had Bernard and Graham been external candidates, then their CVs alone would have made them leading contenders for the posts. Although both were already at the club, the board was determined to have the widest possible pool of qualified talent to choose from and consequently drew up a shortlist of interviewees from 16 current managers and players including three former internationals. The calibre of applicants was excellent, although we interviewed only those with as proven track record of success at this level of non-League football, however Bernard and Graham bring an irresistible and unique combination of man management, coaching skills, organisation and all-round passion for Altrincham FC. We have taken a great deal of time to make our selection, and feel that our best chance of promotion back to the Conference is with a management team who have done it, know what is takes to do it again and are fully aware of the resources available to them in achieving the common goal of everyone at Moss Lane. Many of the players also made it clear that Bernard and Graham were the choice of the dressing room, and that is always a very important factor in any managerial appointment" concluded Harris.


BLYTH SPARTANS AFC IN CLOSURE THREAT
This statement was released by the club today, 2 May

Despite our most successful season for a number of years, both on and off the pitch, and having laid firm financial controls for the future which will ensure the continuity of the club, we now find ourselves under the threat of imminent closure by the Inland Revenue due to previous years accrued debts of approximately UKP60k. We now need the help of any businesses or individuals who are able to assist us by providing immediate donations or sponsorship, of any size, and by football fans turning up in their numbers for the last match of the season against Hyde United, this Saturday 5 May, kick off 3pm. All contributions will be very much appreciated in securing the future of this most famous non-League football team.

Board of Management, Blyth Spartans AFC

Ralph’s note: It might be worth keeping an eye on this via the Spartans website at .


GUISELEY FINALLY STAVE OFF RELEGATION THREAT
By Matt Donlan Wednesday, 2 May, from

Neil Parsley slept soundly last night after his under-achieving Guiseley side finally reached their main objective. Guiseley worked hard to draw 0-0 with newly crowned UniBond League First Division champions Bradford Park Avenue – and the point gained from the Nethermoor clash was enough to ensure the spectre of relegation is no longer an issue. “It was a big relief,” said Parsley. “The season has been disappointing and we have under achieved – and that will not happen next season.” Harrogate Town bounced back to form as they ended a three-match losing streak, beating Matlock Town 2-1 at Wetherby Road, their goals coming from Kevin Severn and Craig Elliott - who won the game with a delicious lob. Frickley Athletic boosted their hopes of Premier Division survival thanks to a stunning 3-2 win over Barrow with all the goals arriving in the second half. Gary Duffty put Athletic ahead before Barrow equalised. Chris Hurst then fired Steve Richards’ side back into the lead. However, their joy was short-lived as the Cumbrians once again drew level. Chris Hilton was the Frickley hero with a late winner.


LIGHTS GO OUT ON TOWN’S HOPES
‘Match of the Week’ Cup Finals Special
Harrogate Town 1 Barrow 1 (AET: 1-1 Barrow win 3-0 on penalties)
From

The lights went out during the first half of Harrogate Town’s UniBond League Chairman’s Cup Final – and it was a sign of things to come. Calls were made over the PA system for “any electricians in the stadium” after several of the Wetherby Road floodlights faltered and the electricity in the clubhouse short-circuited. The off-pitch problems were rectified before half-time but, out on the park, the lights still seemed dim as Harrogate’s Cup dream also faltered before finally ending in the darkness of a cruel penalty shoot-out. In a game which neither lived up to its pre-billing, nor matched the classic 1-0 Semi-Final victory over Worksop Town, Premier Division Barrow edged home with the glory and the silverware. They looked the more confident, assured side in the first half and, although never really threatening, deserved to take the lead when Grant Holt stabbed home after a goalmouth scramble on 65 minutes.

On the balance of play, they probably deserved their lead and the trophy seemed destined to go the way of the Cumbrians, prompted by the impressive ex-Barnsley midfielder Wayne Bullimore throughout. Barrow maintained their one goal advantage against a Harrogate side which, for all their spirit and endeavours, never really settled into the passing style for which they are now so widely recognisable, but Town have enjoyed a memorable Cup run and they were not going to give up the dream easily. After all, it had been 11 years since Harrogate last lifted a trophy.

Out of nothing, prolific striker Craig Elliott grabbed an 87th minute equaliser to send the Town section of the 903-strong Wetherby Road crowd wild and then Harrogate came to life for the remaining few minutes. They looked sharper, fitter and more adventurous and, indeed, seemed capable of grabbing a winner. Harrogate came so close to doing that when substitute Stefan Zoll had a glorious opportunity as the clock ticked down. He found himself one-on-one with Barrow keeper Simon Bishop but could not finish and his effort from 16 yards was saved. Soon after, a typically thunderous tackle from Town’s Mike McNaughton then ricocheted into the path of Elliott but he was unable to apply a finishing touch and, despite the roars of a crowd, which had suddenly come to life, the final whistle blew before Harrogate could press again. However, Town continued their resurgence into extra-time but again Zoll missed a glorious opportunity and Harrogate could not find the missing killer touch. It was inevitable the game would meander towards a penalty shoot-out and so it did.

SHAWBRIDGE GROUND FAILS TO MAKE THE GRADE
From the site, Monday, April 30

Clitheroe’s hopes of staging UniBond League football next season could be scuppered by events off the field of play. The Blues currently have the destiny of the North West Counties’ Football League First Division title in their own hands, but the club has been rocked by the news that Shawbridge has failed the UniBond League’s ground grading requirements. UniBond League ground grading committee member Mr Keith Brown said: “After our second visit earlier this month, we decided the ground is not eligible for promotion at present. We cannot comment on any appeal until it has been heard.” However, the Blues are strenuously searching for an avenue of appeal and feel very confident that the decision will be overturned after the ground was rejected due to a couple of minor faults. After the first visit by the ground grading committee in January, Clitheroe were informed that some work needed carrying out on part of the spectator fencing behind one of the goals and also that they needed more turnstiles. Clitheroe manager Dave Burgess said: “We are very confident that our ground will be passed after an appeal. It has been failed on a couple of minor faults which can be easily rectified. The problem we face at the moment is that we could sort these problems out now but the weather has not been very kind to us and we are also in the middle of a season. We gave the UniBond League an undertaking when they came to visit us for the final time in March that we would complete these jobs by the end of May but they wanted the work doing by the end of March. There isn’t a problem health and safety wise. For instance, Lancashire County Council came to visit us before the FA Vase Semi-Final and agreed to increase the ground capacity from 2000 to 2400.” Currently, the club have two turnstiles in operation although a pay box at the other side of the clubhouse is available and was used during the FA Vase Semi-Final.

Fellow NWCFL clubs Fleetwood Freeport and St Helens Town have also been turned down although Rossendale United, Salford City, Prescot Cables, Kidsgrove Athletic and Mossley have had their applications rubber stamped. Burgess added: “We feel our facilities are second to none in the North West Counties’ League.” Meanwhile, Burgess warned the furore surrounding Shawbridge will count for nothing unless his players continue to produce the goods. The Blues went 15 League games without defeat on Tuesday night when they defeated title rivals Kidsgrove Athletic 1-0 after earlier drawing 1-1 with Mossley at the weekend. Clitheroe travel to Prescot Cables on Saturday and Glossop North End on Tuesday night. The following Saturday, the Blues possibly face the crunch match of the season when they host St Helens Town. The season has been extended by an extra week and the Blues have to arrange matches against Prescot Cables (h) and Kidsgrove Athletic (a).


UP AND DOWN AND IN THIS CASE ACROSS
From Flag Man

I read the piece in the Newsletter from the Manchester Evening News written by Tony Glennon regarding promotion and relegation between the UniBond and the Conference, but I believe he is mistaken when he says no club will be relegated to the UniBond from the Conference this season, if a feeder League, such as the UniBond, promotes one club and doesn't receive a club in return from that League, a club transfers from a neighbouring feeder League to redress the balance. In this instance it will probably be Burton (to be confirmed) from the Dr Martens League who will probably play in the UniBond next season. Does Mr Glennon think that if three northern clubs were the bottom three in the Conference that the UniBond would operate with 25 clubs next season?


LOOK BACK AT THE 1975-76 NPL SEASON
From Terry Kendall

February 7 1976, Barrow 0 Boston United 0, NPL Cup Quarter-Final.
Barrow: Jones, Wilson, Gisbourne, Large, Yeats, Arrowsmith, Cook, Balm, McDonald, Gill, B. Sharpe. Sub. Willder.
Boston: Stewart, Moyes, Taylor, Coxon, Madden, Adamson, Gallery, Bolland, Reid (Symm 22), Kabia, Wilkinson.
Ref. N. Riley (West Houghton). Att: 568.