|
5 to 18 September 2005 |
|
5 to 18 September 2005 |
Right: Val Owen, Alty's best player at York.
This is York adds that "City centre-backs Mark Hotte and James Dudgeon have both returned to training and are expected to be available for selection against Altrincham". However, SAM adds that "Hotte has been sent off once this year and has given away two penalties, while Dudgeon scored in both the games he played while Hotte was banned and is likely to continue in the starting line-up". Manager Billy McEwan told This is York, "There won't be many changes because we have had a couple of wins and we want to try and keep that going". McEwan added, "For the first 45 minutes, Altrincham were the better team against Dagenham and a bit unlucky not to be in front. Then, all of a sudden, they got walloped but they will be wanting to prove to their manager that it was just a blip. We know if we aren't right we will slip up. Hard work will always beat talent when talent does not work hard and any player showing any complacency will be off".
IC Cheshire reports that Chester City "were due to face Macclesfield Town in the first round of the Cheshire Senior Cup on Wednesday but the match was postponed. The Moss Rose club called the game off due to an outbreak of mumps in their squad. No new date for the fixture has yet been arranged".
Confguide says that "Stevenage Borough's Chairman Phil Wallace has responded to Confguide’s story relating to the cancellation of his side’s live broadcast game against Exeter City on Tuesday 20th September. Confguide reported that the Club Chairman turned down the opportunity to broadcast Borough’s game live over the Internet... Wallace told Webnews: ' Yes, I did refuse to allow free Internet broadcasting of our live match against Exeter and for good reason. Being one of the people instrumental in concluding the Sky TV package for the Conference, which has resulted in great exposure and hundreds of thousands of pounds for Conference clubs, why should we continue to give away the rights to our live matches for free?... If we can't sell it, then we'll wait until we can is my view... It's hard enough as it is and giving away the only asset we have - the actual live game -for free is the first nail in the coffin of survival for many clubs".
From Accrington Stanley "There was disappointing news this week about Andy Tretton and Andy Procter, both of whom now look set to face operations". Stanley physio Ian Liversedge added "Meanwhile Danny Alcock's arm is still in pot, and it will still be another few weeks before he can start training".
Forest Green "can confirm that Lewis Haldane is to continue on loan at The Lawn until Saturday 8th October whilst Mark Danks is out on loan at Bromsgrove Rovers until 9th November".
The unofficial Bullsnews reports that "Halifax striker Darren Mansaram, fresh from a spell at York, has joined Tamworth for a month's loan. Tamworth have released Simon Hollis, who has returned to Redditch, and have let Nathan Jackson join Stourport on a month's loan".
Halifax Town chairman Geoff Ralph has reportedly stated that his vice-chairman "Adrian Hall was asked by me to review his situation on the basis that he had identified to myself and the rest of the Board on more than one occasion that he was finding it difficult to have a meaningful involvement with the Club. He had personal business issues to deal with, and was not able to contribute further to the club either financially or with his time. Halifax Town clearly needs Directors who are able to spend time on the Club's matters in order to progress. Vice Presidents... have been advised that the role of Vice President is deemed to have a value, and asked if they would wish to make that contribution. If they did not wish to do this, a position of 'Life Member' was available to them at no cost" .
It is believed that the airline, Flybe, have renewed their sponsorship deal with Exeter City but a club spokesman, Dave Treharne said, "We are struggling every month to break even. People look at the attendance figures and think we are comfortably off. The fact of the matter is we are not". City are due to emerge from administration in mid-October.
The NL Paper's betting expert has York as a "home banker" against Alty on Saturday. Elsewhere in the NLP Colin Little (right) says "We need to be playing at 100% of what we are capable of every week because, if we drop below that level, we'll get beaten. We all know that. For us, it's very similar to what Alex Ferguson said about City just going to Old Trafford to get everyone behind the ball. What do they want us to do? We know that we are not up to their standard so we are not going to go there and open the game up and say, 'come and get five or six past us'... We already know our capabilities so we are going to go to the so-called bigger teams, like Hereford and York, and try and make it as hard as we can for them to beat us. If we can nick anything on the way, we'll take it". In his league career, Colin has previously scored twice against York.
However, Alty have never met York in a league match before but they have had three FA Cup encounters:
 |
 |
From This is York we read that "Recalled York City left-back Dave Merris is hoping to emulate his achievement of last season by staying in the team for the rest of the campaign. Merris, 24, sat on the bench for the first four games of the 2004/05 campaign before replacing new singing Shaun Smith. He then went on to play in every minute of every other match until the final game of the season at home to Farnborough when he was substituted and applauded off the pitch after being named the Player of the Year. City boss Billy McEwan made Merris wait an extra two fixtures before handing him his first start of the new campaign during Saturday's 2-1 victory at Forest Green Rovers but the former Harrogate Town defender is now determined to hold on to his place again. The arrival of Nathan Peat in the summer has intensified competition at left-back and, with the Minstermen's vice-captain currently sidelined by a calf injury, Merris realises he will need to be at his best to keep his starting place".
This is Winsford reports: "Winsford United manager Dave Twite has spoken about the crazy night at Barton Stadium that saw his side's Cheshire Senior Cup match with Cammell Laird abandoned at half time. The Blues had taken a 2-0 lead with goals from Rob Hanley and Rick Arnold, but Laird managed to claw one back just before the break... Craig Marshall chased a long ball, but the Laird keeper got there first and handled the ball outside the area. He was shown the red card by the referee and then took his gloves off and threw them at the official. Another Laird player [ex-Alty man Anthony Hargreaves] was sent off during protests before the referee blew for half time. Things seemed to have calmed down, but one of the Laird management team then got involved and leapt over the barrier, into the crowd, to argue with fans. Sensing trouble, the referee had no option but to abandon the game". Twite said, "I couldn't believe it when their official went over the barrier and into the crowd and their manager even came into our dressing room... Cheshire FA say it could take two or three weeks for a decision, but I believe we should be handed the tie as the game was abandoned at half time when we were winning and they had had two men sent off".
Meanwhile, "Grays Athletic striker Jamie Slabber proved his fitness as he scored two goals in a 5-0 friendly win ... [ex-Aldershot man] Bertie Brayley, who recently joined the Blues on non-contract terms, also pressed his claims for a permanent deal at the Recreation Ground with a goal".
Alty drew 0-0 at Hereford recently and "United boss Graham Turner is looking to secure a loan deal to strengthen his injury-hit strikeforce. Turner, whose side has scored just once in their last four games, is awaiting a response from two Championship clubs over potential targets".
Scarborough, whom we meet next Tuesday "have been hit by the news that leading scorer Brian Wake is facing a month on the sidelines. The on-loan Gretna striker, 23, has scored in his last three games but has been ruled out with a calf problem", says the BBC.
"Peterborough midfielder Andre Boucaud is holding talks over a possible loan switch to Aldershot Town. Boucaud, 20, has not started a game for Peterborough this season and would be allowed to leave London Road to make room for potential new arrivals".
The Conference reports that "Southport striker Neil Robinson is facing up to a month on the sidelines with an ankle ligament injury. 'Port's leading scorer was stretchered off during last Saturday's defeat at Woking and scans have confirmed ligament damage". Alty meet Southport in mid-October.
This is York rpeorts that "City boss Billy McEwan has blasted the decision to buy the land where the club's current training ground is situated. Centre-back James Dudgeon became the latest casualty of the hard surface at Wigginton Road by picking up an ankle injury on Monday, adding to McEwan's selection woes with the training ground having already claimed Mark Hotte (back) and Nathan Peat (calf) as recent victims. Should Dudgeon, Hotte and Peat all now be sidelined for Saturday's home match with Altrincham then McEwan may have to call on rookie teenager Michael Staley as on-loan defender David McGurk's centre-back partner or look to make another loan signing. The City boss said: 'Whoever put the training ground up there wants shooting. How can you put it somewhere where there isn't any water for the land. It's bone hard and is costing us players'".
Meanwhile, "The Minstermen's reserves went down 2-0 at Worksop Town to Sheffield United `B' in the Pontin's League... Former Azerbaijan under-21 international keeper Farhad Afandiyev was beaten from the spot for the first goal after conceding the penalty himself for a foul... Teenage midfielder Byron Webster limped out of the action on 32 minutes after coming off second best in a challenge. Grimsby's 6ft 1in striker Jermaine Palmer, who started the season on loan at Scarborough, replaced him and is currently on trial at KitKat Crescent... Meanwhile, Halifax striker Darren Mansaram has returned to the Shay after the end of his one-month loan spell because he is currently sidelined with a groin injury".
Scarborough boss "Nick Henry was delighted with Jake Speight who starred on his full debut in the 3-1 victory over Gravesend... Henry said: 'Jake gives us something a little different. He has pace and runs at defenders and he gave their full-back Justin Skinner a torrid time which was one of the reasons he ended up getting taken off before half-time otherwise I think he would have been sent-off'". But defender Paul Foot was sent off and his manager said, "It was unnecessary to get sent-off and it put pressure on the rest of the lads for the final half an hour so I am disappointed with him... Last season we never lost at home but we had not really got going this season so the win was vital".
The BBC adds that "Nicky Henry may move back into the loan market to bolster his squad following an injury to in-form striker Brian Wake. Wake, who is on loan from Gretna, has scored in his last three games but was in hospital with a calf injury after Saturday's win".
"Stevenage Borough chairman Phil Wallace is pleased with the progress the club are making off the pitch. Boro made an operating loss of £9,410 in the year to May 2005 - compared to a loss of £110,791 the previous year. Wallace said: "We are in good shape. Gate income now accounts for less than 25% of our £2m-plus annual income" reports the BBC.
"Dagenham midfielder Paul Bruce faces six weeks on the sidelines once he undergoes surgery on a foot injury... Meanwhile, club captain Tim Cole's recovery from a nine-month absence with a knee injury continued as he came through a reserve game".
The Crawley Observer reports that "Former England international Alan Mullery has joined Conference club Crawley Town in a consultancy capacity".
Halifax Today states that "Greg Young is ready to stake his claim for the left-back berth in the Town defence in place of Matt Doughty whose three-match ban following his red card at the weekend has been confirmed by the FA". But "Young, who can also play as a central defender, is hoping not to suffer a recurrence of his latest injury. But he knows that if he does, it could mean an operation to pin his shoulder and a lengthy spell out of the side".
Two of the Alty goals on Tuesday came from Lee Hendley who, so far this season, has scored seven goals in just 2(+1) appearances for the Reserves and 1(+1) for the first team. Graham Heathcote said, "Lee showed us the sort of things that he possesses against Woodley and he is definitely one for the future of this football club".
Chris Adams (right) kept goal for more than half an hour last night as Alty defended their Cheshire Senior Cup trophy.
Stevenage manager Graham Westley asserts "We will get better. But we have done the first important thing which is to gt into the race. I want to win the league from the front. I expect us to change gear now. Provided that we win this weekend we should get the chance to go top when we host the leaders Exeter next Tuesday".
Cambridge United have signed Craig Westcarr He is a 20-year-old forward ex-England schoolboy who was at Nottingham Forest' last season. "Craig is a striker who came through the ranks at Forest," said manager Rob Newman. The BBC say that "Forward Robert Duffy, 22, has left Cambridge after his contract agreement was terminated in order to make way for Westcarr's arrival". NL Daily adds that "Cambridge United have signed.... Leon Drysdale, 24". Newman said, "Leon is a full-back or a midfielder and he is extremely tenacious". He " made more than 60 first-team appearances for the Shrews before playing for Telford United last season".
 |
 |
Above: Two more excellent images (here reduced but even better in full size) from Gavin Rathbone. More can be seen on the STAR website and in the shop at Moss Lane where copies can be ordered. See also the GR photos website for a wide range of Gavin's products. Shown above are (left) Gary Williams and (right) James Olsen, against Dagenham.
The STAR bucket collection at the game raised an excellent £101.57.
"Reading will continue to monitor the progress of Tamworth defender Aaron Brown after playing him in their reserve side last week... Meanwhile, Tamworth have signed Reading winger Darren Campbell, 19, on loan". The BBC also reports that "Accrington Stanley have completed the signing of former Tranmere Rovers midfielder Alan Navarro... Navarro played almost 50 games for Tranmere in an injury-hit spell after converting a loan stay into a £225,000 move from Liverpool in January 2002".
Cheshire County FA Senior Cup - Round One matches this week include:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Welcome to everyone from Dagenham and Redbridge. It's nice to be able to welcome you to Moss Lane again, especially John Still, a manager I have much respect for, and we have had many a battle when I was working with Kingy.
I have to say a big thank you to you all for the wonderful support against Morecambe, and especially to all of you who got up at a ridiculously early hour to get to Hereford for the 12 o'clock kick off. The players and staff really appreciate that effort and we hope you feel rewarded with the effort that the players are putting in, game in game out. It has become quite clear to me other clubs expect us to turn up and let them win just to keep everybody happy, and when we haven't done that, they are going away and I have received numerous complaints as the secretary regarding 'This wasn't right or that wasn't right" or making up allegations of behaviour. Some of the clubs need a reality check. We are in this league on merit. We will not lie down and give them the points, and there will be teething problems with clubs taking the step up, and we will iron out any problems we may have. But may I suggest that if we also join the bandwagon on complaining over every little issue, and there have been things not done strictly correctly on some of our journeys so far, then the Conference office staff would need to double.
The pressure on these full time clubs, and the expense they are going to, to fulfil their dreams means to me they are losing sight of the fact that they are still non-league teams, and the very fact that they are full time does not give them the god given right to believe they know and do things better than us little part time clubs. We prepare as thoroughly as anyone, and like them, are looking to progress but at our own pace and within our budget. I think in maybe five years time, a lot of these clubs may start to think it's a very sensible route to take. Whilst I have enjoyed the footballing side of this league, and pitting our wits against other good managers, I have not particularly enjoyed the other aspects of the league, or I should say its clubs. They appear to me to be way above their station and quite clearly can't accept not beating us. We, over the years, long before many of these clubs were known, have proved ourselves at upsetting the applecart, all be it in the FA Cup. Every game is like a cup tie to us this season. I hope there are a lot more upsets still to come, and we can make the pundits who make us favourites to lose every week and get relegated, eat their words. Enjoy the game Graham.
The revised Youth Team fixtures for this season are accessible through the Youth Page.
Alty Youth defender, Tom Bane, and striker, Ben Deegan, have ben called up by the Cheshire FA.
Daggers' boss John Still said, "Before the game we thought we'd have a hard time. Altrincham have had some good results and I have great respect for Heathcote. I thought we just shaded the first half and I asked the players to up the tempo after the break".
The NLP statistics interestingly show that the Daggers scored from all 5 of their shots on target, whilst Alty failed to register from all 3 of theirs. Alty had 6 shots off target to the Daggers 3 and won 7 corners against the visitors 5. Also, the visitors commited 12 fouls and Alty 8, but Alty got 3 cautions and Dagenham none.
Terry Rowley informs me that yesterday's 0-5 reverse at Moss Lane was almost the exact anniversary of the last time we were beaten by that score at home. That was on 11th September 1961 in the Cheshire County League to Northwich Victoria. Terry also points out a couple of other five-goal home defeats: 1-6 on 8th January 1949 against Northwich again and 1-6 on 8th December 1956 against Tranmere Rovers Reserves. Our last 5-0 reverse anywhere in the Conference was at Hednesford in 2000.
Our CSC opponents, Woodley Sports, lost to Prescot Cables in the FA Cup yesterday. The FA made Woodley switch the game to Hyde United as Woodley now have an artificial pitch. Curiously the Cheshire Senior Cup, another FA competition, does permit artficial pitches as venues.
Right: Val Owen leaves the field ahead of a thoughtful Graham Heathcote.
SAM has a preview of the game against Dagenham. It states that "The Daggers squad remains largely unchanged from the last season after minimal transfer activity during the summer... despite losing Ashley Vickers and Paul Benson to injury and suspension respectively". It identifies their dangermen as striker Chris Moore (left-footed) and speedy winger Craig Mackail-Smith".
The BBC reports that "Gravesend & Northfleet boss Liam Daish hopes that Charlton academy star Onome Sodje can impress during his time at the Conference club. 'He's very strong, he's got decent pace and a good leap'... Sodje scored 14 goals from just 19 starts in the Under-17 FA Premier Academy League last season".
NL Daily confirms that "Cambridge United have signed former Boston United winger Courtney Pitt on a short-term deal". Manager Rob Newman said, "He's lost his way a little bit recently but he wants to do well and I think we're fortunate to get him here". Pitt "began his career at Chelsea before spending three years at Portsmouth and then joining Boston".
The Hereford Bulls News site reports how "Burton Albion have today confirmed the signing of Danny Bacon on a one month 'emergency' loan deal. With Burton apparently having 18 of their 19 man squad fit and available, and with the Conference keeping player registration matters confidential, it is wondered quite what the valid reasons for the loan are". Further grounds for questioning the word "emergency" come from The Burton Mail which confirms that "Danny Bacon is set to make his Burton Albion debut... But Brewers' boss Nigel Clough is still undecided whether to change a winning formation against Accrington Stanley... The Brewers boss said today: 'Danny's in line to start the game, and the nice dilemma is how we accommodate him. We could change the formation and play two up or we could stick with the system that worked well against Scarborough... We've even toyed with the idea of using Danny wide on the right, but we've brought him here to get us a goal or two and he needs to play up front'. The reports that "There could also be a recall for Andy Todd on the right side of midfield". Also, " Former Notts County player-manager Ian Richardson is training with the Brewers and could join on a short-term deal if he fails to get fixed up with a League club... Midfielder Andy Ducros has returned to training this week but has not fully recovered from a groin strain
Cambridge News says that United boss Rob Newman "admitted that he may have to get rid of players who are on non-contract or short-term deals if he wants to bring anyone else in. That could mean the end of the line for the likes of strikers Matt Nolan and Robert Duffy, who are both on month-to-month contracts, if they do not respond. But Newman said anyone coming in would only be offered the same terms. 'It probably upsets the players but it's a good thing where I'm concerned because it gets them out of the comfort zone'". He went on, "There could be a conveyor belt of players coming in and out, but if we see ones we like, we're prepared to move them in at the top and take people away at the bottom".
Halifax Today says that "Danny Forrest and Chris Senior are set to make their full home debuts when Town face Tamworth... The duo could form a three-pronged attack with John Grant as the Shaymen look to bounce back from defeat at Broadhall Way". Manager Chris Wilder added, "Tamworth are a big side and we will have to contain their physical threat... We will be looking to keep it nice and sharp and get it into the frontmen's feet... I don't think we are a million miles away from turning someone over well".
West Cheshire League side Mond Rangers FC have this week been informed by the Cheshire County Football Association that their application to change name to Runcorn Town FC has been approved. The decision to change the name of the club was done in order to try and attract more support from both the local community and businesses within it".
This move comes as Runcorn FC Halton continue to play their home games away from the town at Prescot Cables' ground.
The sad case of former Alty player-manager and Everton star Mark Ward is updated on the BBC website.
It says "Ex-Premiership footballer Mark Ward is facing jail after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply... He was arrested after four kilos (9lb) of cocaine were found during a raid at a house in Prescot, Merseyside, in May. Ward admitted knowing the drugs were on the premises but denied owning them. He will appear again on 4 October... A Newton hearing will be held to determine what role Ward played in the drug operation, and he will be sentenced afterwards. Such hearings take place when the defendant has pleaded guilty to the offence but on the basis of a different version of the facts. Judge John Phipps warned him: 'With an offence of this type, a prison sentence is inevitable'. Ward, who spoke only to confirm his details, has been in custody since his arrest". Ward is seen, right, confronting Dan Petrescu of Bradford City in an Alty friendly in 2000.
The Cambridge News says that "Courtney Pitt has staked his claim for a deal with Cambridge United after scoring for the reserves... United manager Rob Newman has also invited trialists Leon Drysdale, who left Telford last week, and ex-Nottingham Forest forward Craig Westcarr back to train with the squad, with the possibility that they too could be offered terms. Former Portsmouth midfielder Pitt, who was released by Boston in the summer, scored the equaliser midway through the first half... Assistant manager Tony Spearing said... United would be saying goodbye to fellow trialists, former West Ham youth centre-back Tommy Laws and ex-West Bromwich trainee Dave Briggs".
The Barking & Dagenham Post reports that Daggers' boss "John Still reckons it will take FIVE YEARS before his Victoria Road revolution reaches its peak.... Still had to answer claims yet again that his team lack a leader on the field, an experienced player who can take a stranglehold on the game and stifle the opposition". Still added, "Any building process takes time. It's not as though I can say 'next year we'll go and get four or five really experienced players' because I don't think that will be possible. So we have to take people from the lower leagues and teach them the job".
This is Essex reports that "Canvey's hopes of improving on a difficult start to the new season have been rocked by an injury blow to star striker Lee Boylan. The Park Lane goal king has undergone an operation on a groin injury and will be sidelined for up to six weeks. Although having scored five goals in six games already this term, Boylan has been troubled by the problem, known as 'Gilmore's groin' - a tear of the abductor muscle - since the start of the season... Allan Tait, the summer £2,000 signing from Crawley has been vying for the position alongside Boylan with another new arrival, Kezie Ibe".
Halifax Today "Gary Brabin will have to wait a further week before discovering whether he will be given the go ahead to resume playing. The midfielder has missed Town's last two matches after suffering knee cartilage problems... 'Gary went to see a specialist yesterday and has been told to rest for a week', said Town boss Chris Wilder. 'If not then he will have to have an operation'". Also "Skipper Steve Bushell has stepped up his training regime as he aims to rejoin the senior squad".
This is KHFC reports that Kidderminster have ""several fringe players forcing their way into boss Stuart Watkiss's first team reckoning... Gareth Sheldon fired himself into contention with a four-goal burst in the midweek 5-3 friendly win at Tamworth and could replace out-of-sorts Simon Russell. Lee Thompson also scored while Wayne Graves showed encouraging signs that he is approaching match fitness. And with loan midfielder Simon Heslop rated only 50/50 with an ankle injury, there could be a space in the centre of the park for either of those two".
Morecambe Today says that "Sean O'Connor could return to the Morecambe starting line-up... Of Michael Twiss, Jim Harvey said, "He is a tremendous footballer, but so far he has not performed in front of goal.". Harvey "had hoped to bring back Adriano Rigoglioso to Christie Park, but this appears unlikely in the near future. Club officials held talks with Doncaster before the transfer deadline last Wednesday to try to sign the striker... But a deal could not be agreed".
Woking boss Glenn Cockerill "may take up the option to request an emergency loan signing this week, in light of Ian Selley’s hernia operation, performed on Tuesday, which will keep the midfielder out of the Woking line-up for around four weeks. Selley’s absence is a huge blow for Cockerill, who has eight days from the August 31 transfer deadline to decide on whether to go down the route of attempting to add to the complement of three loan players he already has. He is allowed five in total. Two of those, Stuart Nethercott (Wycombe) and Luke Oliver (Yeovil) were drafted in last week to plug the gaps in a creaking defence, while the other Steve Reed (Yeovil), couldn’t get in the 16-man squad". Cockerill said of his squad, "Some of them aren’t performing and I know it’s hard sometimes because they get frustrated,” said Cockerill, whose son Liam has gone on loan to Lewes. "Woking have sent a letter to Accrington Stanley FC to point out the racist taunting from some fans towards keeper Shwan Jalal, born in Iraq".
This is York says that "York City are hoping wounded trio Clayton Donaldson, Mark Hotte and Nathan Peat all recover in time to make Saturday's trip to Forest Green Rovers... David Pounder, James Dudgeon and Dave Merris [are] on standby".
In games this week, Niell Hardy (Curzon Ashton), Terry Bowker (Ashton United), Peter Wright (Chorley) all scored whilst Chris Downey scored a hat trick for Mossley.
Confguide says that "the next live game is in fact on Tuesday 20th September and not 27th September (Stevenage v Exeter - KO 19.45 BST). Follow the game on www.footballconference.tv".
The BBC says that "Morecambe manager Jim Harvey may look to Sean O'Connor to ease his side's goalscoring problems against Aldershot Town on Saturday. O'Connor, 24, has made two substitute appearances this season after a year out with a knee injury".
Also, "Cambridge defender Adam Tann is close to joining a Football League club, according to his agent Richard Cody. Tann, 23, rejected a new deal at the Abbey Stadium in the summer... The former England Under-18 international had trials with Reading and Luton during the summer".
Grays Athletic confirm that "Bertie Brayley (former West Ham player) and Danny Maddix from Hornchurch have both signed for Grays on non contract terms". Brayley came on as a sub for the Shots against Alty recently. The BBC adds that "The deadline signing of former Cambridge centre-back Stev Angus and Joe Bruce's switch to centre-back have given Stimson further options". Stimson said, "This club is a massive shop window. Players have progressed with us and while we don't want to lose them if a deal is right for everyone we don't stand in their way".
"Halifax captain Steve Bushell has been given the green light to step up his comeback from a broken leg which has kept him out of action since Apriil" boss Chris Wilder told the Evening Courier. "Meanwhile, Town are waiting to see if a period of rest will stop midfielder Gary Brabin needing knee surgery".
The LDV Vans draw takes place on Saturday morning on Sky TV. The Northern section of the draw includes Conference sides Accrington Stanley, Cambridge United, Halifax Town, Hereford United, Kidderminster Harriers, Morecambe.
Former Hereford and Walsall winger Daryl Taylor is said to be joining Tamworth on loan.
There is a match report on the recent win at Leigh on the Reserves' Page as well as the Reserves's squad list for Friday's game.
This is Essex quotes Grays Athletic manager Mark Stimson: "The transfer deadline has passed and we've managed to keep the likes of Dennis Oli which gives us a chance to have a real go at this league. A few clubs have been interested, Southend the most so, but I sat him down and told him that I think he will be bigger and better than Southend".
This is Essex also reports that "Richard McKinney appears to have won the right to the number one goalkeeping shirt at Canvey Island... McKinney spent most of last season on the injured list, but was brought in when number one stopper Danny Potter was suspended for the first two games and has really made his mark... Potter has now asked to go out on loan and the Canvey management have agreed, with Ashley Harrison continuing the number two role".
The BBC states that "Southport boss Liam Watson is looking forward to the return from injury of key defender Neil Fitzhenry [who] is yet to play this season because of a knee injury... Watson explained: 'We have conceded a lot of goals. He is our main central defender so I would like to think he will eradicate some of those issues'... Southport are also set to be boosted by the return of midfielder Dominic Morley, who has been out of action since the opening day of the season with a knee problem".
The BBC also says that "Crawley defender James Donovan is facing a two-match suspension after being sent off in Monday's 3-2 defeat by local rivals Aldershot. Donovan was making his first appearance of the new Conference season, but was sent off for two bookable offences. That red card against the Shots carried an automatic one-match ban. But Donovan must serve an additional game as it was his second dismissal of the season - having been sent off in a pre-season friendly at Hastings".
"Aldershot manager Terry Brown spoke to the BBC after the Shots' first win of the season. "It was a relief, more than anything... It is looking a bit rosier but we are still a long way off being the side we are capable of. I think we are a month away from being a force".
The 13 chairs above underline Alty's injury problems this season. They were all filled at the Alty photo shoot in pre-season, where this picture was taken, but now they are empty as Aspinall, Hussin, Hilton, Munroe, Scott, McKenzie, Thornley, James, Lugsden, Norris and Hallows all missed the Hereford game through injury and Potts and Talbot both limped off before the end.
Brian Flynn's Alty Clubcall, this week, has an interview with Alty midfielder, Val Owen.
Meanwhile, the Hereford official site says that "The Bulls almost completely dominated the first half but for all their pressure and possession, couldn't make the breakthrough". In the second half "it was a case of the same old story as Altrincham persisted with ten men behind the ball and United failed to find the killer pass to unlock their stubborn defence".
Before Saturday's game This is HUFC reports that "Hereford United are already among the league front-runners in fourth position. Other clubs tipped at the start of the campaign to make a realistic dart for promotion -- Exeter, Stevenage and dark horses Grays -- were also in the top five during the week, along with outsiders Altrincham". Manager Graham Turner said, "It will be eight to 10 games before we start to see any real pattern emerging in the league".
In contrast the Exeter boss said, “The biggest thing is not managing the players but managing the expectations. I know that I am in possession of the smallest budget that any Exeter City manager has had for the last 15 years, but alongside that, the highest expectations. Sometimes it’s raising one and lowering the other that will be the trick'".
The Barking and Dagenham Post reports that "new boy Paul Benson made his first Conference start for Daggers in their 2-1 win over Canvey... The lanky striker was given his full debut in place of the injured Paul Bruce by John Still... 'The idea is to keep my place in the team now that I've got my foot in the door', added Benson'".
The BBC confirms that "Lincoln striker Danny Bacon is set to join Burton Albion for a month on loan once the window for loan signings re-opens on Wednesday. The 24-year-old has made just two substitute's appearances for City since signing from Hucknall Town in June... Imps' boss Keith Alexander told the Lincolnshire Echo: 'It will be good for him as he's found it hard to get into our first team. The Conference is a good standard and not far off League Two now'"
This is York says that "City boss Billy McEwan will run the rule over on-loan striker Darren Mansaram against Doncaster Rovers reserves on Wednesday night before deciding whether to extend his KitKat Crescent stay... McEwan said: "Then we will speak to Halifax and take it from there".
The Herts-Essex News reports that "The bad-tempered games against Tamworth and Crawley Town served as evidence that opposing teams will be intent to stop Boro' playing this season - seemingly at any cost.Both Dino Maamria and Jason Goodliffe have been issued red cards in the opening weeks of the campaign and that, along with a string of bookings, may be something of a worry... Boro' boss Graham Westley is all too aware that teams will do anything in order to achieve a positive result."We had to deal with those sorts of tactics against Crawley but the boys have been playing some exciting possession football and we can overcome it" said Westley for whom "Young Australian striker Kieron Deane has signed a contract with the club after impressing in Boro's reserve team... [He] previously played for Chester City".
This is KHFC reports that "Harriers were suspiciously quiet on transfer deadline day - and boss Stuart Watkiss will hope he does not regret that lack of activity... Watkiss admitted: 'Like most managers of other teams, I will need to keep my fingers crossed with injuries and suspensions'... Harriers still have numerous loans available to them with Walsall's Atieno, who had three goals to his name before last night's game with Canvey Island, and Barnsley midfielder Simon Heslop the only used so far".
The Argus reports that "Defender Chris Giles insists Crawley are still gunning for the Conference play-offs, despite their poor start to the season. 'We have a very strong squad and I don't see why we can't go up the table once we start playing the way we can'".
The Cambridge News says that "Rob Newman is prepared to make changes to his Cambridge United team if they cannot bounce back from Friday's 1-0 defeat at York... He said: 'Some of the previous regimes had just let things go on and on and on, losing, losing, losing and I'm not going to do that... If people are out of the team because we're losing, maybe they're not doing the right job'... Newman is having another look at the five trialists who featured in the reserves... Former Nottingham Forest striker Craig Westcarr, who scored twice in that game, will be looking to impress again... He will be joined by ex-West Ham centre-back Tommy Laws, former West Bromwich youth player Dave Briggs, 23-year-old defender Leon Drysdale and midfielder Courtney Pitt... Newman said: 'You never know, two or three of them might be just what we're looking for and will fall into my lap'".
Match report here.
Picture and more on the game in the news below...
STAR will be operating a coach to this match; details will appear here in due course.
Woking report that "Glenn Cockerill was in defiant mood after today's defeat against Accrington. 'Of course, we are 'down' but we're not going to give up... I still believe that we are a top five side and that it will come right... Our match against Southport next Saturday is a great opportunity to put us on the right path'."
It is rumoured that former Hucknall striker Danny Bacon is being loaned out from Lincoln City to Burton Albion.
