Holker Street Newsletter 934 - 15th April 2002

Barrow beat Worksop at the weekend, and with it have managed to keep in touch with the clubs forming the pack chasing for the top five places. Of the rest, well, Burton are virtually assured of the title, Vauxhall’s recent form, although they didn’t play at the weekend, has seen them almost guaranteed second place, which is an exceptional achievement considering they were promoted last season, and then we come to the third place. Realistically it is between Accrington, Worksop and Lancaster, but we still have a chance, although most clubs above us have games in hand, which makes taking three points off the likes of Worksop all the more important. So where are we going to finish? The top two places are out of reach, so the top five would be a good place to aim for. And we just have to hope the likes of Altrincham, Lancaster, et al drop more points in the weeks to come.

Oh yes, Sunday morning dawned bright and beautiful so I knew we had won, now what is the weather forecast for Palmerston North the morning of this week’s Cup Final? And doesn’t this week’s Cup Final sound wonderful, we could get used to this, couldn’t we?


In closing, I would like to take my hat off to Burton Albion, their form this season has been excellent, they have all but won the League as well as reach the Semi-Finals of the FA Trophy (they were knocked out by Yeovil at the weekend), that takes some doing.

Thanks to Stephen Mulrine, Richard Ingham, Stuart Klosinski, Tony Smith, Paul Ackred, Flag Man, Jim Whitton, Phil Yelland, John Little, Steve Boyde, a Quiet Man, the Barrow website and Terry Kendall for their help with today's edition.

UNIBOND LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION, 13 APRIL
Accrington Stanley 0 Emley 1, Bamber Bridge 1 Bishop Auckland 2, Burscough 1 Runcorn 3, Colwyn Bay 2 Gainsborough Trinity 1, Hucknall Town 0 Gateshead 0, Hyde United 3 Altrincham 2, Lancaster City 0 Frickley Athletic 2, Marine 0 Blyth Spartans 2, Whitby Town 3 Droylsden 0, Worksop Town 0 Barrow 1.

P W D L F-A Pts
Burton Albion.............38 26 10 2 89-28 88
Vauxhall Motors...........38 22 8 8 74-49 74
Accrington Stanley........40 20 8 12 84-55 68
Worksop Town..............38 20 8 10 65-46 68
Lancaster City............38 19 8 11 68-48 65
Runcorn...................39 19 6 14 67-47 63
Emley.....................38 18 8 12 56-48 62
BARROW....................40 17 10 13 70-52 61
Altrincham................38 17 9 12 57-49 60
Droylsden.................40 16 7 17 63-74 55
Blyth Spartans............40 13 15 12 56-57 54
Frickley Athletic.........40 14 10 16 58-65 51
Gateshead.................39 13 11 15 53-66 50
Gainsborough Trinity......42 13 10 19 60-69 49
Bradford Park Avenue......40 15 4 21 65-75 49
Whitby Town...............38 14 6 18 55-65 48
Burscough.................40 14 5 21 66-78 47
Hucknall Town.............39 13 8 18 45-61 47
Marine....................40 10 15 15 55-64 45
Bishop Auckland...........39 12 8 19 44-55 44
Colwyn Bay................40 10 11 19 47-75 41
Hyde United...............41 10 9 22 57-80 39
Bamber Bridge.............43 7 10 26 38-86 30

Bamber Bridge: 1 point deducted
Frickley Athletic: 1 point deducted


SOME THOUGHTS ON THE WORKSOP GAME
From Phil Yelland

It was not a memorable game - two tired sides looking to get to the end of the season. Grant Holt took his goal well and it was certainly a good defensive effort. Four bookings was the one down side and whilst Graham Anthony might have been unlucky to see yellow, Steve Gaughan, Mark Hume and Lee Warren could have no complaints. On the suspension front, Steve Housham will miss the games on Tuesday and this Saturday, Mark Hume misses Saturday and Monday whilst Grant Holt will miss Saturday, Monday and Wednesday (the Lancashire Trophy Final).

The reserves lost 1-0 to Chester City on Saturday, they conceded a late and somewhat dubious penalty and the following day lost 6-2 at home to Southport - Gareth Jones and Paul Stanway scored for Barrow.


MAIL WATCH - FRIDAY 12 APRIL
Kenny Lowe is considering playing Mark Hume as a forward in tomorrow’s game at Worksop in a bid to add some physical presence to his strike force. With Carl Waters struggling with a calf injury and having played a lot of games along with Gareth Jones its thought they could be brought on in the later stages of the game. Nicky Peverell is still out while he awaits the results of an x-ray on his ankle and Graham Anthony is also doubtful. Due to the hard surfaces at present, this is also causing problems for Lowe as the team can't play the usual footballing style. There is better news as Scott Maxfield, Steve Housham and Wayne Bullimore who all missed the Gateshead game due to injury may return for the game at Worksop. Barrow reserves have a double header this weekend when they are home to Southport on Saturday and Chester on Sunday. Both games kick-off at 2pm and entrance is via the Cross Bar.


DEPLETED STOCKS
Accrington Stanley suffered the misfortune of having two goalkeepers sent off in their recent UniBond League Challenge Cup Final, first leg match at Bradford Park Avenue, so when Stanley play Barrow in the Lancashire Cup Final, they will be missing their regular keeper Jamie Speare and defender Barrie Hart, who went in goal after Hart was dismissed, and then suffered the same fate as his predecessor. Bradford won the game 1-0.


TO FURNESS WITH MORE INFORMATION
Regular readers of the Newsletter may have noticed a thread running regarding the Bluebirds Savings Account and the Furness Building Society, one of the last editions of the Newsletter carried a comment from myself hoping that perhaps the regulations concerned could be fine-tuned to allow Barrow supporters from outside the Furness area to open an account, and I was very glad to receive an email from one of the Barrow AFC directors, Paul Ackred on this matter. These are Paul's comments:

Following on from the recent articles in the Newsletter, I have spoken to the Furness Building Society regarding the opening of new Bluebird accounts. If people can prove they are supporters of the club then they should be allowed to open an account. I have suggested to the Society one of the following points can be used as proof:

1. A Barrow AFC 1999 membership card
2. Or a National Supporters' Card membership card

If you still experience any problems after this, can you email Paul on and he will try to help. Paul adds that the Society is attempting to protect itself from "carpetbaggers" but it appears the rules may be been applied too strictly.


FAME AT LAST?
From Steve Boyd

You might like to see the latest edition of Wisden Cricket Monthly (April 2002), as if you take a look at the picture on page 7 (which shows the New Zealand fielders coming off the pitch at the Wellington Stadium after the one day international), in the background, by the sight screen, is a Barrow AFC flag, and Steve wonders if this could have been mine by any chance? I think it may well be, I shall keep an eye out for the aforementioned magazine in the New Zealand shops and make sure it is placed in my trusty box of family heirlooms!


IN RESERVE
From Stuart Klosinski

Barrow reserves lost 1-0 at Holker Street to Chester Reserves on Saturday, with a penalty five minutes from time making the difference between the sides. The attendance was 30. The penalty seemed unjustified, Chris Malkin went on to a through ball and dived as keeper came out, and the referee awarded the penalty, the referee booked three Barrow players during the game, but not the goalkeeper who brought Malkin down in the box. Barrow defended well, although they had few chances up front. The nearest Barrow came to scoring was when a corner in the last minute just went the wrong side of the post.


BISHOPS PLAN FUND-RAISING FAREWELL TO KINGSWAY HOME
From the Northern Echo

Bishop Auckland are preparing to wave goodbye to its Kingsway ground after more than 100 years of football. Kingsway has been home to Bishops for more than a century. However, the club's relocation means the ground will be sold following the completion of Bishop Auckland's final League match. This will be the UniBond Premier League game against Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday 20 April - kick off 1pm. Once this game is over, and once the ground has cleared, a final game will be played - everyone is invited to take part. The match will be a fund-raising venture for the football club, but more importantly will give a chance for all football supporters to play at Kingsway. If everything goes to plan the match will kick off at 3.30pm. Players, officials, managers, mascots and sponsors are all wanted for this event. Anyone wishing to take part can take part in this fixture in any capacity by completing an application form by Thursday April 18. Participation can be secured from as little as UKP5 (which buys you 15 minutes of playing time), which includes an engraved medal to commemorate the event - the price depends upon what part you would like to play, and for how long (UKP30 for a full 90 minutes). Full entry details are included on the website if you are interested. An application form can also be downloaded from the website . Completed applications, or requests for applications should be sent to John Cowey, 2 Neville's Cross Villas, Neville's Cross, Durham, DH1 4JR. Cheques should be made payable to Bishop Auckland FC Ltd. Forms will be available and can be handed in at Kingsway. Although the match will be played as an 11-a-side game, there will be no restriction on the number of participants as the game will be extended as long as is necessary to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to play. Everyone is invited to play regardless of age, gender or ability. If you would like to sponsor this event call John Cowey on 07989 226838.


FA TROPHY SEMI-FINALS SECOND LEG
Burton Albion 2 Yeovil Town 1 (2-5 on aggregate) 4026, Stevenage Borough 2 Morecambe 0 (4-1 on aggregate) 3119.


NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE, 12-13 APRIL
12 April: Dagenham & Redbridge 1 Doncaster Rovers 0.
13 April: Barnet 0 Forest Green Rovers 1, Chester City 3 Dover Athletic 0, Farnborough Town 4 Scarborough 2, Hereford United 1 Northwich Victoria 0, Leigh RMI 1 Boston United 2, Southport 2 Hayes 3, Stalybridge Celtic 0 Woking 2, Telford United 0 Nuneaton Borough 2.

P W D L F-A Pts
Boston United.............38 23 8 7 78-40 77
Dagenham & Redbridge......38 22 11 5 65-46 77
Doncaster Rovers..........39 17 13 9 66-42 64
Yeovil Town...............37 16 12 9 59-49 60
Farnborough Town..........38 17 6 15 62-48 57
Nuneaton Borough..........40 16 8 16 56-55 56
Barnet....................38 15 10 13 53-46 55
Morecambe.................37 16 7 14 58-63 55
Margate...................39 13 15 11 49-48 54
Telford United............40 13 14 13 58-55 53
Northwich Victoria........38 15 7 16 56-64 52
Leigh RMI.................39 14 8 17 55-54 50
Southport.................39 12 13 14 48-47 49
Stevenage Borough.........37 13 10 14 50-50 49
Hereford United...........39 13 10 16 48-49 49
Chester City..............39 13 9 17 48-47 48
Scarborough...............39 12 13 14 51-62 48
Forest Green Rovers.......40 11 15 14 51-71 48
Woking....................39 13 7 19 56-65 46
Stalybridge Celtic........39 11 10 18 40-58 43
Hayes.....................40 12 5 23 52-78 41
Dover Athletic............40 11 5 24 40-62 38

Scarborough: 1 point deducted

RYMAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION, 13 APRIL
Basingstoke Town 0 Canvey Island 4, Bedford Town 4 Hampton & Richmond 1, Billericay Town 1 Harrow Borough 1, Boreham Wood 1 Croydon 1, Braintree Town 0 Gravesend & Northfleet 2, Chesham United 5 Hitchin Town 5, Grays Athletic 0 Enfield 0, Hendon 1 Maidenhead United 1, Kingstonian 2 Aldershot Town 1, St Albans City 1 Heybridge Swifts 2, Sutton United 0 Purfleet 0.

P W D L F-A Pts
Gravesend & Northfleet....40 30 6 4 89-32 96
Canvey Island.............40 30 4 6 106-38 94
Aldershot Town............38 21 6 11 71-45 69
Purfleet..................39 18 14 7 64-40 68
Grays Athletic............39 20 8 11 62-51 68
Braintree Town............37 20 4 13 60-54 64
Chesham United............39 17 9 13 64-52 60
Billericay Town...........40 15 13 12 55-57 58
St Albans City............38 15 8 15 66-55 53
Hendon....................39 16 5 18 58-54 53
Kingstonian...............39 13 11 15 49-54 50
Sutton United.............38 12 13 13 57-58 49
Hitchin Town..............40 13 10 17 68-78 49
Boreham Wood..............40 14 6 20 48-59 48
Heybridge Swifts..........40 13 9 18 61-83 48
Bedford Town..............40 12 11 17 63-67 47
Basingstoke Town..........40 10 15 15 47-62 45
Maidenhead United.........40 13 5 22 48-63 44
Enfield...................40 11 9 20 48-72 42
Hampton & Richmond........40 9 12 19 51-69 39
Harrow Borough............40 8 9 23 48-86 33
Croydon...................40 7 5 28 34-88 26

DR MARTENS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION, 13 APRIL
Cambridge City 1 Tamworth 1, Folkestone Invicta 0 Ilkeston Town 2, Hinckley United 1 Merthyr Tydfil 0, King's Lynn 1 Havant & Waterlooville 1, Moor Green 0 Kettering Town 2, Newport County 1 Crawley Town 1, Newport (IW) 2 Bath City 1, Tiverton Town 0 Chelmsford City 1, Weymouth 0 Stafford Rangers 1, Worcester City 2 Welling United 1.

P W D L F-A Pts
Tamworth..................40 23 12 5 73-37 81
Kettering Town............39 24 6 9 71-39 78
Crawley Town..............40 21 9 10 64-44 72
Havant & Waterlooville....38 20 9 9 70-45 69
Tiverton Town.............40 17 10 13 68-59 61
Worcester City............40 16 12 12 65-52 60
Stafford Rangers..........40 16 8 16 66-61 56
Newport County............38 16 8 14 52-47 56
Moor Green................39 17 5 17 60-59 56
Weymouth..................40 15 11 14 58-62 56
Ilkeston Town.............39 13 14 12 56-60 53
Folkestone Invicta........39 14 11 14 47-52 53
Chelmsford City...........39 13 11 15 62-68 50
Hinckley United...........39 12 12 15 61-62 48
Welling United............38 12 10 16 66-63 46
Cambridge City............38 10 15 13 55-64 45
Hednesford Town...........38 13 6 19 54-65 45
Newport (IW)..............38 12 9 17 38-60 45
King's Lynn...............38 11 11 16 41-49 44
Bath City.................40 11 11 18 53-65 44
Merthyr Tydfil............40 10 8 22 48-69 38
Salisbury City............40 6 8 26 34-80 26


LOOK BACK AT THE 1977-78 NPL SEASON
From Terry Kendall

December 3 1977, Barrow 0 Frickley Athletic 2, FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round
Barrow let their chance slip.
Barrow: K. Thomas, Lyle, Wynn, Large, Foster, Graham, Cook, Betts, R. Thomas, Wilson, McManus. Sub: Hubbold.
Frickley: Meehan, Long, Johnston, Yates, Robb, Brannan, Senior, Murray, Whiteley, Hamilton, Charlton. Sub: Lewis.
Goals: Hamilton 73, 77.
Ref: G. Alpin (Kendal). H/t: 0-0. Att: 353.