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March, 2007 |
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March, 2007 |
Above: Lewis Chalmers receives congratulations after scoring
Above: Billy Jones scores Exeter's winner from the penalty spot.
Match report here.
Saturday 31st
This is Exeteralso claims that "Altrincham boss Graham Heathcote has upped the ante ahead of Exeter City's visit to Moss Lane tomorrow, saying: 'There is an awful lot riding on this game'. The Grecians are hoping to muscle their way back into the promotion picture, while Alty have set their sights on avoiding relegation... 'The league has something hingeing on every game at the moment - whether it involves the play-offs or relegation', said Heathcote. 'Everyone has a fight on their hands and it is impossible to predict who is going up and down at this stage. We went to Stevenage last weekend and nobody would have predicted we would win down there. This is the part of the season where you get some strange results. The one thing we learned from last year is that you don't get teams having an off day now as there is something at stake for everyone. They are a full-time outfit and we are a part-time outfit. Given the hectic nature of this month in terms of games, the advantages are always with the full-time clubs. Our preparation has been simple - rest. We are literally not able to train at the moment because of the volume of games. But every game is massive for us at the moment. We have given ourselves a chance, whereas three or four weeks ago our hopes were looking relatively slim', he added.'But that's all we have done because it is so tight down there. We have six games left and we have to try to perform in all of them, it's as simple as that. We are expecting a tough game because they are one win outside the play-offs and I am sure they are expecting a tough game because we are scrambling to get over that finishing line. So there is an awful lot riding on this game... We would love to get the points as quickly as possible but no one is going to come and give them to us, that's for sure. You have to go out and earn them and that's what will be trying to do... Our home form paints a similar picture to Exeter's away form', he said. 'All it does when you suffer that sort of run is to make you more determined to put an end to it as soon as you can. It actually switches you on and I am sure they will want to put an end to their run of results'.
Meanwhile, "Assistant boss Paul Buckle is confident Exeter City can halt a sorry sequence of away defeats by overcoming Altrincham... Four successive away defeats is the worst run of league results on the road since the Grecians dropped into the Nationwide Conference four years ago. Manager Paul Tisdale labelled his side's defending 'woeful' following their 2-1 midweek defeat at Forest Green Rovers... 'We have to turn this away form around, starting tomorrow [Saturday]' warned Buckle. 'By hook or by crook, we need to get a win. This time of the season is all about winning games - it doesn't matter how you win them. People need to step forward and take responsibility. We haven't got 30-odd games to put it right, it has to sink in now if we are going to be successful. We are not going to start blaming individuals. What we have got to do is regroup, look at what went wrong on Tuesday night and put it right... The goals and the first half display at Forest Green weren't good enough and it isn't going to happen again. It is all about learning from those mistakes and learning very quickly... Come Saturday, at a quarter to five, if we have got three points in the bag then the whole picture will change again... Being positive and upbeat is the only way forward. There isn't any other way to look at it because we have got seven games left and they are all massive games... They are all must-win games between now and the end of the season... Every tackle, every header, they are all must-win situations. We cannot afford to make any more mistakes because we can't afford to lose any more ground'.. The biggest dilemma facing [manager Paul] Tisdale is which two strikers to select... All five strikers have been given ample opportunity to stake their claim for a regular place, but all have been inconsistent in their form. Other than Jon Challinor, who has bagged 10 goals - eight of which came from midfield - no other striker has come close to a double-figure tally... Tisdale continually rotates his strikers in a bid to find his best combination...
Steve Tully, who has been sidelined for the last three games with a gashed ankle, may come back into the side after coming through Wednesday's Wesintsure St Luke's Challenge Bowl win over Tiverton Town. Tully reckons 'It all comes down to communication. With myself and Paul Buckle being out, we have missed that voice on the pitch. We are both big talkers and, especially in away games, you need your big players to stand up and be counted... I have said to the gaffer I am fit to play, so it is down to him now. Hopefully I can bring a voice back into the side because we have seven games left and we have to start picking up points on the road, otherwise we won't be going anywhere near the play-offs... We came away from Forest Green feeling like we owed the fans and the club a good performance on Saturday... I played up at Altrincham with Weymouth and it is a horrible little place to go and play. But these are the games you have to get something out of'".
In the form table over the last 6 games, Altrincham are second, behind Dagenham whilst Exeter are 17th .
Alty will still be without long-term injury absentees Val Owen and Gary Scott for Saturday's game. Scott is at least another week away from full fitness while Owen was due to have a scan on his injured foot on Friday to determine how long he will be out. Stephen Rose will also be missing from the Robins' defence as he starts his three-match ban for the red card he picked up against Stafford in midweek.
Meanwhile, Exeter should welcome back Steve Tully after injury and he should replace Patrick Ada at right back. But midfielder Paul Buckle is still out with strained knee ligaments".
The BBC adds that "Either Adam Stansfield or Richard Logan could make way for Jon Challinor or Lee Phillips up front. Altrincham striker Rod Thornley is available again after being away with England in his role as team masseur". Steve Aspinall is the likely replacement for the suspended Rose.
From This is Staffs we learn that "Stafford Rangers have been hit by further injury problems as they prepare for yet another survival scrap at Southport tomorrow. Four players were on the Marston Road treatment table this week after Rangers' crucial 1-0 win at Altrincham on Tuesday. And they were joined by new loan signing Andy White, who was hurt in a reserve match on Wednesday night. Among the worries are midfielder Levi Reid, who missed the midweek match with a groin strain, and skipper Wayne Daniel, who has reported a back strain. Also suffering back problems is winger Danny Edwards, while Craig Lovatt has a thigh injury" More surprising news, perhaps, is that " Striker Guy Madjo, though, is expected to make a full recovery after being carried off as a result of a collision with Altrincham's goalkeeper".
"Gravesend and Northfleet manager Liam Daish insists he is committed to the club and will not be leaving. The Fleet boss has been linked with the vacant manager's posts at fellow Conference sides Aldershot and Woking. Daish told BBC BBC Radio Kent: "I have been talking to the board over a contract and they have offered me a new deal. I don't see myself going anywhere. I'm here, I've got a job to do and I just want to focus on my next game and I've agreed a contract with the club'".
At York City "Manager Billy McEwan is hoping to extend the loan spell of Chesterfield defender Janos Kovacs. Kovacs, 21, reaches the end of his first month's stay with the Minstermen after Saturday's game against Gravesend and Northfleet. McEwan told the York Press: 'We are trying to keep as he's done well and has adapted well to the Conference'".
This is Glos says that "Forest Green Rovers chairman Colin Gardner has told Conference rivals Aldershot Town to forget about poaching manager Jim Harvey. Harvey is on the Hampshire club's shortlist to replace Terry Brown... 'Jim has heard some whispers that they are interested, and I have told him that no one is allowed to approach him, they come through me', said Gardner. 'If they want to talk, the first compensation figure is £250,000, and we can go from there. He is under contract until the end of next season, and no one is allowed to talk to him directly. If they do, I will come down hard on them. Jim is the best manager I have ever come across', said Gardner. 'He is the man I wanted, I got him here and he's not going anywhere, simple as that... We will not go down this season, I am confident of that. Trevor Horsley (Rovers vice-chairman) said the other day that he is not nervous for the first time in a few seasons'". Meanwhile Harvey said, "Ideally, I would like to keep the majority of the players we've got here. If we could keep the bulk of what we have and add two or three more quality players over the summer then I'd be very happy with that. At the moment we've only got 19 on the books, which is a bit thin, so we'll certainly need to bring in some new faces. But I feel we've got a nice balance of players who are improving all the time and could certainly do well next year". Gardner added: "Jim already has his budget for next season, and he knows where the club is going" <> FGR's "Recent arrivals Ryan Robinson, Adriano Rigoglioso and Danny Carey-Bertram are all contracted to the club until 2008, as are midfield pair Jamie Pitman and Simon Clist. But key individuals such as Darren Jones, John Hardiker, Kevin Nicholson and skipper Michael Brough have yet to commit to deals beyond the end of this season, not to mention a crop of non-contract players... Harvey believes "Another couple of wins would probably put us safe and of course it would be nice if we could get those in the next two games".
Tony Kempster runs an excellent website on which he "has predicted lineups for next season based on current league positions, with the playoff place given to the team in the highest playoff position. His predicted line up for Conference North (based on positions as of 24th March)" includes current National sides Cambridge United and Southport". His full list comprises: AFC Telford United, Alfreton Town, Barrow, Blyth Spartans, Burscough, Cambridge City, Cambridge United, Farsley Celtic, Gainsborough Trinity, Harrogate Town, Hinckley United, Hucknall Town, Hyde United, Moor Green (to be Solihull Moors next season), Nuneaton Borough, Redditch United, Southport, Stalybridge Celtic, Vauxhall Motors, Worcester City, Workington, Worksop Town".
The League Two side, which is just above the relegation zone, has been fined £12,000 by the Football League with half of that sum suspended. A club statement said: 'Accrington are satisfied with the outcome of the case. We may have been guilty of technicalities that breached regulations. But, we have never sought to cheat or circumvent the rules'. The statement added: 'We accept the fine for the breaches and we now look forward to the remaining seven games this season'. Stanley were charged with fielding two ineligible players - work experience Preston striker Chris McGrail and young goalkeeper Martin Fearon in games which yielded seven points".
Altrincham fans well know that you have as much chance of forecasting all six balls correctly in the National Lotto as predicting the punishment to be meted out by the FA in player registration cases but they should now sit down with a stiff drink before reading the following prose from Accrington Stanley, who pronounce themselves "delighted to finally be in a position to release full details of the cases brought against us".
They explain" The club had known about the charges brought against us for the last couple of months, however we had always felt that it was always better to keep the story out of the media to prevent struggling clubs attempting to put pressure on the Football League.
Of course this was demonstrated when the story did break with an individual from one club threatened with relegation urging the Football League to take points from us through the press and radio, somewhat disappointing as we would like to think that as a club we would have been supportive of a club of a similar size to ourselves who were threatened with a points deduction for such a technicality, or at least to have kept quiet if we had a clouded history ourselves. We have always believed it important to remember that Accrington Stanley has never sought to cheat or to bypass the rules of the game, let alone the laws of the land.
As a club we don’t try to hide things unnecessarily and at the end of the day people who come to the games and pay money to the club should be entitled to know what is going on, however when the story did break we were advised by our legal team to issue the short statement that we made on our website and then wait till after the hearing before putting our side of the story out to the press. It was actually very difficult not to be able defend the club’s position, particularly in light of what we felt were minor technicalities that could perhaps have been dealt with quickly and simply by pointing out our error and allowing us to rectify the situation...
Accrington Stanley are satisfied with the outcome of the case. We may have been guilty of technicalilties that breached regulations however we have never sought to cheat or circumvent the rules of the competition or the laws of the game. We accept the fine for the breaches and we now look forward to the remaining seven games this season".
So Altrincham supporters now know why there was a deafening silence from Accrington over the Robinson affair.
The Northwich Guardian reported this morning that the Northwich Victoria "Trust board are due to meet tonight, Friday, in an emergency meeting. They will issue a statement, which will be published here, as soon as possible afterwards". This comes amidst rumours about chairman Mike Connett's continued involvement with the club. At the moment the official website has no mention of this development and the unofficial forum and the supporters' site are unavailable due to technical reasons.
The contract of Peter Thomson (right) has been paid up by Altrincham FC and he has now left the club. Thomson, signed from Stafford in the close season, failed to established himself in the first team and missed much of the early part of the campaign through injury. He started three games, was a used sub in six matches and scored once whilst at the Club.
Alty's next away opponents are St Albans City. The St Albans Observer says that "Four wins from their last seven games is what Colin Lippiatt believes St Albans City FC need to avoid relegation from the Nationwide Conference... City are seven points from safety... The Saints travel to Aldershot on Saturday before hosting Morecambe on Tuesday night, and Lippiatt knows his side need to put their best run of the season together to avoid falling through the Conference trap door. 'We need to win four of our last seven games, that's what I feel is the minimum requirement', said the manager. 'It's no good keep drawing. It's better to lose one and win one than pick up two draws. Our position is perilous and it's a massive ask but we've got to be positive. We haven't learnt how to win regularly this season and we must start doing that sooner rather than later'".
Right; Chris Senior got the better of his giant marker, Luke Oliver, to net Alty's winner at Stevenage on Saturday and was centre-stage for different reasons against Stafford last Tuesday.
After Tuesday's defeat by Stafford, SAM says that "Altrincham got the boot at Moss Lane on Tuesday night - or, more precisely, Chris Senior did. The Robins suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to relegation rivals Stafford and the little striker's decision to pick his right boot up off the turf proved to be the defining moment. It may seem like a completely innocuous decision but that's not how referee Guy Stretton saw it. He took Conference officiating to new levels of pettiness by penalising Senior for the offence and handing Stafford a free kick - one from which they went on to score the game's only goal... To make matters worse Stephen Rose was sent off for a reckless second half challenge on former Alty man Ged Murphy and will now face a three-match ban... Teams like Stafford always bring the worst out in Alty. To call them direct would be a vast understatement. Their midfield only appear to be there to make up the numbers because they spent most of the evening watching the ball whizz over their heads. But, while it may not be pretty to watch, it's hard to condemn them for their style of play because, quite simply, it works. The quick and powerful Cameroonian Madjo forms a formidable partnership up front with wily veteran Neil Grayson and when the ball was launched down the channels, they caused the Alty defence all sorts of problems... And with Murphy - a man quite obviously pursuing a vendetta - whining, moaning and hacking his way around the pitch, it made life very difficult for the Conference's form team... The relegation fight is still well and truly on".
"It was referee Guy Stretton who faced the wrath of the Alty boss as his side were plunged right back into the relegation dogfight. Mr Stretton's shocking decision to penalise Chris Senior for picking his boot up off the turf effectively decided the match.... 'The game wasn't decided by the teams as far as I'm concerned', he said after the game. Someone needs to explain to me how having your boot off is a free kick. He gave a free kick against Chris Senior for having his boot off and never in my life have I seen a free kick given for that. He decided the game, it's as simple as that. But he'll go home and have his dinner thinking he's had a good game and once again officialdom will be right and the rest of football will be wrong'... Stephen Rose deserved to be sent off, it was a ridiculously reckless tackle and I have no qualms with the sending off because you can't throw everything in like that, it's just stupidity. Ged [Murphy] did a lot of squealing from the first tackle but the players have got to be more professional than that, they fell for it. He's squealing away like a banshee and obviously Rose has lost his rag and committed a bad tackle and you can't defend that. But I can understand his frustration with being wound up'... And Heathcote's frustrations boiled over following the final whistle as he criticised Rangers' approach over the two games. 'They just lumped it like they did at their place and they won 1-0 there too, but I wouldn't want to play football that way', he added. 'They gain points that way and I suppose they'll be happy but that's not the way I see football. It's alehouse football that's effective and that's how I see it. I feel sorry for the supporters because as a spectacle it was poor. People pay to watch football games. It's no wonder they're only getting 600 people watching them because I wouldn't pay a penny to watch them, I could see that on the parks on a Sunday. There was a lot of things there tonight that I don't think football should be about'".
Meamwhile "Former Farnborough and Stevenage boss Graham Westley would be keen to talk to Aldershot about the vacant manager's position, according to BBC SCR. Terry Brown left the Shots after five years earlier this week with assistant manager Martin Khul taking charge in a caretaker role. Khul told BBC SCR he also wants the job: 'I've worked with youth, reserve and first-teams. I think I'm ready. The club can't promise me anything but I'd love to give it a go'". More routinely, "Out of favour Woking defender Simon Jackson has extended his loan spell at Fisher Athletic. The 21-year-old full-back will now stay with the Conference South side until the end of the season."
The Romford Recorder says that "Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Sam Sloma has insisted he cannot see the club throwing away the chance to seal a place in the Football League for the first time in their history. Overturning an 11-point lead with six matches remaining and having played a game more, is the task facing nearest challengers Oxford United, who were denied victory over Daggers at the Kassam Stadium on Monday night by the left-sided player's 90th minute equaliser... Daggers, currently on 82 points, require three more victories to seal an unprecedented promotion to League Two... 'I cannot see us losing more than two games max for the rest of the season if I'm honest' [presumably one of these is against Alty!] said Sloma... 'I don't feel Oxford are out of it. We've a little bit to do... But we're closer and closer... Many of us have come from non-league football and there has been discussion about the league and how well we might do', said Sloma... 'We're top of our league and there's not much in it between the top half of the Conference and the bottom half of League Two', he suggested. Daggers' stranglehold on the leadership of the Conference has been reinforced by Oxford's slump and Sloma conceded their demise may have been triggered by complacency. 'Perhaps they believed it would be too easy, but that's impossible because of the number of games. We knew they'd slip up at some stage'".
"Gravesend manager Liam Daish says his side need to be stronger after their 2-1 defeat at Tamworth. Fleet have tended to perform better against the top sides in the Conference but struggle against those further down the table. Daish told BBC Radio Kent: 'We don't do well against teams who are physical and are scrapping for their lives. We need to get steel in our defence and midfield because at the moment we have too much of a soft underbelly'".
"On-loan Kidderminster midfielder Andy Ferrell has returned to Hereford to receive treatment on a groin injury... Ferrell joined Harriers on loan on 22 March and has played only one game for Mark Yates' side" states the BBC.
From This is Weymouth says that Terras' "player-manager Jason Tindall is hopeful of increasing Ishmael Welsh's loan stay at the club. The Yeovil Town winger has started the Terras' last eight games and has been an integral part of their recent upturn in fortunes... Welsh's current deal is due to expire after Saturday's clash at Cambridge United. Tindall said: 'Ishmael has been superb for us over the past month and I am hoping to keep him. I have spoken with him and he really wants to stay. I have also spoke to Russell Slade (Yeovil boss) and they would like to have him back as well so they can monitor him in their reserves but hopefully we can come to an agreement. f we can get him until the end of the season, which is what we would like to do, they can still call him back in 24 hours anyway, so hopefully we can find a happy medium'. Another loan player who is enjoying life at the Wessex Stadium is Conal Platt. The AFC Bournemouth man was sent-off at Halifax Town on February 20 in only his second game for the club but since his return from suspension he has been in fine form. Platt said: 'I am enjoying it. When I got sent off I was gutted so when I got back in the team I just wanted to hold my place. I feel I can still do better and at the moment I am working on my fitness and strength. Once that gets to the level I want it to then hopefully my performances will improve.My loan has been extended by another month and after that we will just have to see what happens. As for Jason, he is quality. He is decent and I get on with him really well. There is also a great buzz around the place at the moment. Even when we get beat and we are gutted everyone helps to pick each other up again which is great'".
Altrincham FC Reserves' manager Neil Brown is arranging another charity match in aid of Christie's Hospital with May 8th the provisional date. More details to follow.
Last June, an Altrincham team comprising first-teamers, reserves, youth teamers, club officials and a supporter played a friendly charity game for Christie Hospital against a Houldsworth Arms side at East Levenshulme. In an entertaining game, Alty won 4-2. Geoff Goodwin scored with a fine volley early in the second half and he is seen above, celebrating.
Brief match report in Reserves' section
ALTRINCHAM F.C. JUNIORS: Formerly Hale Barns Utd JFC
Altrincham FC are pleased to announce their development into “grassroots” football from season 2007/2008 when they are joined by Hale Barns United Junior Football Club.
Hale Barns United has been established in the local community since 1971, offering competitive junior football to both girls and boys. They currently have 14 teams accommodating in the region of 200 players ranging from under 8 to under 18s. They are long standing members of the Timperley and District Junior Football League and are affiliated to Cheshire FA. Following this merger they will be known as ALTRINCHAM FC JUNIORS.
Players needed
Altrincham FC Juniors will have a limited number of spaces for young budding players. If you are interested please e-mail Paul Roberts (address below) in the first instance or print and complete the player enquiry form and return it back by e-mail or to: Paul Roberts, Altrincham FC, Moss Lane, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 8AP.
You will then be invited to a training session and guided into the appropriate team.
A new website page for the Altrincham FC Juniors is here.
On This is Staffs Robinson adds that "The lads worked tremendously hard. We created a lot of chances in the first half and, though we had to hang on at times in the second, the players stood firm".
This is York says that "On-loan striker Rob Elvins will play no further part in City's season after returning to the Hawthorns. McEwan said: 'He helped us out when we needed a striker but it's not fair to keep a young lad who won't start league games. He's better off playing for West Brom reserves rather than York City's'".
The Kidderminster Shutle says that "Confirmation that Kidderminster Harriers will play their FA Carlsberg Trophy final against Stevenage Borough at the new Wembley Stadium is a fairytale come true, according to the club's life president Colin Youngjohns. 'It'll be a tremendous occasion', said delighted Youngjohns. 'It's absolutely fantastic for the supporters. If it was going to be at a regional ground it would still have been great, but nothing like the kudos that you get from playing at Wembley. The revenue raised from it being there as opposed to a regional stadium is going make a tremendous difference. It's so much more valuable to both clubs to play at Wembley'... Happy Harriers were officially told on Tuesday that the May 12 showdown will be staged at the new national stadium'". Manager Mark Yates added, "We've still got 27 points to play for now... We haven't given up hope of the play-offs".
The Gravesend Reporter states that "No amount of clowning around with poor results and half-hearted draws seems to be able to put the play-off dream to bed. I guess we can be grateful to our fellow contenders for having calamities of their own (thank you Stevenage for that most unexpected reverse at home to Altrincham), which has proved enough to keep the Fleet clinging desperately to the cliff-edge. But like in those Hollywood movies where some nasty villain steps on your fingers and you plummet to your death, it really is only going to take the twist of a boot from Tamworth or York and we'll be over the edge quicker than a suicidal lemming... But our sudden drop in form is alarming... in the bottom six of the form table and with one win in seven games... If we don't win this week, it's bye-bye to the season".
Meanwhile This is Glos reports that "Forest Green manager Jim Harvey felt his side fully deserved [Tuesday's] 2-1 victory over Exeter City at the New Lawn... Harvey said: 'Don't forget, when I first turned up here we were losing a lot of leads in the last few minutes rather than winning games, so that's a big turnaround for us'". This is Exeter adds that "Exeter City boss Paul Tisdale slammed his side's 'woeful' defending after they gifted Forest Green a 2-1 victory... Rovers' defender John Hardiker twice punished atrocious marking at corners to send the Grecians crashing to defeat. 'The defending was woeful', fumed Tisdale. 'They were just two flighted balls into the middle of the box and our defending was simply not good enough. But it is no surprise as we have given away a few like that lately... We only have ourselves to blame. The first half hour was sub-standard and the team have gone out and kidded themselves that is good enough, kidded me that is good enough and kidded our supporters that is good enough... The players are kidding themselves if they think that is good enough because it is not'". The report goes on, "City have now lost their last four matches on the road and their inability to gather points away from St James's Park is seriously jeopardising their promotion hopes. And with their next two fixtures throwing up trips to Altrincham and Aldershot, manager Tisdale must find a solution... Schoolboy defending will get punished at this level and City must now pick themselves up ahead of the weekend. Tisdale named an unchanged team from the York game. That meant Bertie Cozic continued in the centre of midfield in place of the injured Paul Buckle while Pat Ada played at right back with Steve Tully still sidelined with a gashed ankle. Tisdale decided to keep faith with the strike partnership of Adam Stansfield and Richard Logan with Jamie Mackie, Lee Phillips and Jon Challinor all having to be content with a place on the bench".
Match report here
Right: Colin Little's expression sums up Alty's night as he leaves the pitch on Tuesday night.
For its part SAM quotes Graham Heathcote on the Stevenage game. "It was a very similar win to the one we got at Morecambe. We managed to get ourselves in the lead and then defended resolutely for the rest of the game. Credit to Stevenage though, they are possibly the best side in footballing terms that I have seen in the Conference. They had two wingers who were allowed to stay in naughty positions and didn't have to do much defending so they caused us plenty of problems. I expected that from a team who have just got to Wembley in the FA Trophy though. It was a really tough ask". SAM's Connor Murphy adds, "With matters in the bottom half of the Conference table still tighter than Tom Jones's trousers, Heathcote is not about to take anything for granted. He said: 'Looking at how it's gone recently, it makes you realise that if we hadn't got these results we would be right in the mire. It's given us a good chance of getting over the finishing line but that's what we have to do, we can't afford to rest on our laurels. [The Stafford] game will be very different to the Stevenage one. We know what to expect... 'If we drop below the levels of concentration we have shown in the last few weeks we will come unstuck. If we can win five out of six, we could just as easily lose five out of six, that's the way I look at it. We aren't setting any points targets because I don't think anyone can guess what total of points anyone will need to stay up. It's just about getting as many points as you can as quickly as you can'".
After the official business, there was a brief question and answer session. During this Barry Pond revealed that plans are afoot to replace the floodlights at Moss Lane in time for next season. Though the existing lights meet the Conference lux standards, they are more than 40 years old and their design is such that it is difficult to replace bulbs. It is also hoped to erect a new toilet block for next season in the Golf Road/Moss Lane corner of the ground. The sewers will connect to the new sewers currently being laid in Golf Road. Andrew Shaw confirmed that the club had put in its request for party walls with the impending building development on the car park at Moss Lane.
Meanwhile, "Stafford Rangers' important win over Grays Athletic on Saturday has come at a cost after teenage goalkeeper Robbie Duggan suffered a shoulder injury. The loanee from Stoke suffered a serious shoulder injury after a reckless first-half challenge from Grays' Matt Bodkin, who was booked as a result. 'I think it deserved a red card', said manager Phil Robinson of the incident which floored Duggan, who is the third Rangers keeper to be injured this season. Midfielder Levi Reid also had to be substituted after just nine minutes after picking up a groin strain, with both players now battling to be fit for their match at Altrincham on Tuesday night. Robinson praised his players for their 4-2 win over Grays, which lifted them into 15th place on the Nationwide Conference table. He told the Express and Star: 'It's such a different feeling at Marston Road now, back-to-back victories, an away draw sandwiched in between, and we're enjoying that feeling. We played some good stuff going forward and looked like scoring quite a few times. Guy Madjo caused them a lot of problems and got in a lot of good positions'" reports the Football Conference.
Altrincham fans need no reminding that our club had 18 points deducted last season when James Robinson's former club (Accrington Stanley) failed to get international clearance for him before he left them and joined us. So, one wonders what the "specific and unusual circumstances" may be in the AFC Wimbledon case; surely the fact that Newcastle United supporter and prime minister Tony Blair expressed his support for AFC recently in the House of Commons has nothing to do with it? Has it? Of the points deduction, Mr Blair told the House of Commons, "it's a daft rule and someone should change it". And also, why were Altrincham fined £1,000 not £400?
Whilst delighted that AFC Wimbledon have had their sentence lightened where is the consistency in this? Most importantly, it was so obvious when we were made an example of by the FA last year that the problem would rear its head again yet the FA has even now done nothing of practical worth to prevent it re-occurring. And re-occur again, it has... and ironically, it has happened to none other than Accrington Stanley. Stanley, we read, are fighting the rulebook on two fronts for they have not only "lodged an appeal against the dismissal of striker David Brown in Saturday's vital 2-0 victory over Hereford United... Accrington hope to get the decision overturned" but also "Accrington face a hearing on Friday to answer the League's charge of fielding ineligible players". Seven points were gained whilst Stanley played these two ineligible players but what sort of measures can we expect against Stanley? And Burscough, too, managed by Liam Watson, the Southport manager at the time of our points deduction, also face a points deduction for similar reasons. Will there be mysterious but "specific and unusual circumstances" in these cases too?
So Altrincham are left with a record that shows them as having finished bottom of the league last season with 23 points when they actually finished 18th with 41 points - will the FA do anything about righting that wrong or were there no "specific and unusual circumstances" in a situation where Altrincham acquired a player whose last club had been in England yet were punished for not obtaining international clearance?
It's enough to make you want to follow a proper sport where outcomes are actually decided on the field of play and not in some secret inner sanctum, where decisions are determined by inconsistent interpretations of flawed rules. And, finally, will AFC Wimbledon now be reinstated in the Trophy, from which they were expelled?
Confguide says that "Aldershot striker John Grant has given his clearest indication that he intends to stay at the Recreation Ground and is keen to renew his contract. With 18 goals this season, the 25-year-old is the Shots' top scorer this season and has been linked with a move to League One side Brentford. There were rumours that Grant would be unwilling to stay at the club following manager Terry Brown's intention to step down before the end of the season to care for his sick wife, but those have now been quashed. '"I want to stay at the club 100%. I am sure we will sort out a new contract soon', Grant told Sky Sports. 'The fans and everyone at Aldershot have been great to me and if I was to leave it wouldn't be anything to do with me', he added.
"Cambridge United manager Jimmy Quinn has targeted four more wins to make sure of survival following his side's impressive 4-0 win at Northwich. Robbie Simpson was the star of the show as he hit his first hat-trick for the U's to help his side record their first win in four games and climb out of the relegation zone. Quinn believes Sunday's victory at Victoria Stadium has provided them with the perfect platform to build on to make sure they stay clear of the drop zone. 'I said if we can get a couple of wins we could put daylight between ourselves and the bottom four', the U's boss told BBC. 'We probably need three, maybe four, wins to be sure'".
TheFootball Conference says that "York City have increased their goalkeeping options with the signing of Nottingham Forest youngster Paddy Gamble. The 18-year-old has linked up with manager Billy McEwan's squad in time for their Tuesday night kick-off against Stevenage Borough at Kit Kat Crescent. The Minstermen were granted special dispensation by the Conference to sign the Nottingham-born stopper as they only have one other recognised goalkeeper".
So far this season Altrincham have named 26 players for their Conference matches. Of these 26, four have not started a game (Bowler, Collins, Hendley, Hussin) whilst another four have made three or fewer appeareances (Lugsden, McFadden, Andy Scott, Thomson), leaving just 18 players who have started four or more games.
Robbie Lawton is the only Altrincham player to have started all 39 matches this season in the Conference. Although Warren Peyton has also appeared in as many games, he started one match as a substitute.
Meanwhile, "Kidderminster Harriers striker Andy White had joined Stafford Rangers on loan until the end of the season. He was an unused substitute against Grays Athletic and has been allocated the number 33 shirt. Utility player Anje Lorougnon has also joined Stafford on a work experience loan spell from Coventry City and [on-loan goalkeeper] Robert Duggan can stay with the club as long as required. "
Altrincham get little credit for their win from their opponents Stevenage Borough's match report which says: "Quite how Stevenage failed to run up a cricket score at Broadhall Way on Saturday was a puzzle to the 1,913 spectators who witnessed the one-sided contest. From first minute to last the home side laid siege to the Altrincham goal but a mixture of poor finishing, bad luck and dogged defence meant that a rather fortunate goal from Chris Senior midway through the first half sent Borough crashing to their second defeat of the week... Despite the result, however, there was some solace from an enterprising performance that saw Borough regain much of the zest, tempo and enthusiasm that heralded such an impressive run over the winter months".
From the other side SAM reports that after Alty took the lead, "despite heavy pressure Alty saw out the remainder of the game thanks to a mixture of good goalkeeping from Stuart Coburn and poor finishing from the home side".
After the game in the NL Paper, Graham said, "I don't know how many points we need to be safe but I do know that four teams are too many to go down. Every team in the bottom half of the table is still worried. We have battled away, got bodies behind the ball and fought very hard for a point. We are frustrating teams. It's all about results at this time of the season and they are a very good side, so we are pleased".
Boro boss Stimson agreed, saying "It's a strange part of the season because all we are interested in now is results. The result didn't go our way but the performance was first class. It was the best we have played for a few weeks. In the first half we could have had three or four goals but there were just last-minute blocks. And in the second half we came out and did the same".
The NL Paper's reporter claims that "Stevenage were in absolute control from start to finish... Altrincham somehow managed to scramble a lead... [through] a seemingly offside Chris Senior".
Altrincham are now top of the Conference form guide with five wins and one defeat in their last six games.
If we do stay up then Graham's done a great job. He's working on a shoestring budget but he's performed wonders and he really deserves the recognition. When you see the kind of money clubs in the Conference North are throwing around just to get to this level it just makes you realise how difficult Graham's job is. I bet you he won't even be on the shortlist for manager of the year though because we just aren't a fashionable club. People don't pay us much attention".
Please contact Anne or Derek Wilshaw on 928-1045 or Jackie on 904-9936. Alternatively you can drop off your donation to the office at the club between 9am and 5.30pm. Many thanks for your support.
Chris Senior, centre, partly hidden by goalkeeper Julian, nets the Altrincham goal.
Altrincham completed an unexpected double in bleak weather conditions at Stevenage and, in doing so, recorded their third successive away victory after previously going 11 months without a win on the road. Alty's winner was scored from six yards by Chris Senior, after Joe O'Neill had had two shots charged down (24 mins). Despite plenty of pressure by the home side, Alty defended well in the second half, aided by poor Stevenage finishing.
Results:
The BBC says that "Ronnie Henry will continue to deputise for Stevenage defender Santos Gaia, who completed a three-match ban. Steve Guppy could return after missing the defeat at Dagenham, Adam Miller is still doubtful with a knee injury". As reported here yesterday, the BBC adds that" Altrincham boss Graham Heathcote will be without Rod Thornley, who is the masseur to the England team and away on international duty. Midfielder Val Owen is struggling with a foot problem, Gary Scott is likely to miss out with stomach problems".
Above is Gavin Rathbone's excellent shot of Joe O'Neill evading Grays Athletic's Ashley Nicholls. More of Gavin's images are on his GR Photography website.
And on Sunday, 6th May (2 pm), Moss Lane hosts a charity match for the Bikes for Africa campaign, between an Altrincham FC side and the Altrincham Grammar School for Boys Staff, at which the "guest celebrities" include former Manchester United full-back Denis Irwin and actor Michael Le Vell. Tickets are £3.50, but 12 year-olds and under cost just £1. Tickets are available from the School and the Football Club
The Cambridge Evening News reports that Cambridge United's shareholders vote on changes to the club's constitution "at an extraordinary general meeting on Monday. Director Paul Barry, vice-chairman Johnny Hon and American businessman Adrian Hanauer have pledged to inject £600,000 into United over two years if their proposal is passed. They are calling for the 20 per cent cap on shareholding to be axed, the value of shares to be slashed from 50p to 5p and increasing United's share capital from £2.5million to £5million by expanding the pool of shares to 50 million. In a statement, the board said: 'Shareholders should not fear the new money as it can only serve to strengthen their company. The board remain determined to avoid accepting investment from any parties not fully committed to supporting and enhancing the club... The board also stated while share values would be cut if the moves are agreed, each member's shareholding would remain the same. The amended notional value of the shares takes account of the undeniable drop in value of the club since the start of the decade... All of our fans and shareholders know that the club urgently requires new investment in order to give the best possible chance to reverse the decline in the club's fortunes experienced over recent years. The directors want to put in place a framework which will encourage significant investment necessary to take the club forward'... The supporters' trust, United's second biggest shareholder, voted in favour of backing the planned changes at their annual meeting last month. Fans' director Brian Attmore said: 'These proposals are crucial to the future of Cambridge United. If they fail to get the backing of 75 per cent of shareholders then there is a very real chance the club will go out of business. This is the most important meeting in the club's history'".
The Kidderminster Shuttle says that "Two-time Conference title winner Jon Brady is the third player to join Harriers ahead of the transfer deadline with the Cambridge United winger arriving at Aggborough on-loan until the end of the season. Dead-ball specialist and wide-man Brady joins fellow new signing Glenn Wilson and Andy Ferrell in the Harriers squad for Saturday's league game at St Albans City".
The Northants Evening Telegraph says that Rushden boss Garry Hill "admits it would take 'an unbelievable run' if Diamonds are to push toward the play-offs. But the boss was still a win and a draw away from his 50-point survival target as he prepared for [Friday's] Nene Park showdown with Crawley Town – the side who would replace Diamonds in the top half of the table if they end a 10-match unbeaten league run. From a mid-table position Diamonds are actually closer to the bottom than the top five – although Hill hasn't yet given up hope on a thrilling finish to the season which could even mean a showpiece final at the new Wembley Stadium. Hill said: 'We've got to be realistic. It would take an unbelievable run to turn around and get into the play-offs. But while there's a chance we've got to keep going. We're in an encouraging position and we must make sure that we continue our recent form. The unbeaten run has given us a lot of confidence and belief. The spirit is very good at the moment and everything around the club is very positive. It's a great pleasure to see that response from the players over the past three weeks. We've got people talking about the possibility of the play-offs or dropping back down towards the relegation zone over the last 11 games. Hopefully between now and the end of the season we will get ourselves in a safe position where we can also monitor some of the younger lads in the squad. If the time is right I will certainly give them an opportunity'".
The St Albans Observer states that "Colin Lippiatt believes his side need to collect maximum points from their next two games if they are to stand a chance of beating the drop. City entertain Kidderminster Harriers, the FA Trophy finalists, at Clarence Park on Saturday, before making the trip to The Recreation Ground to face an Aldershot side who put five past them earlier in the season. The midweek results have left City second from bottom and six points from safety. That gap could be nine should fifth-bottom Tamworth win their game in hand. 'Draws are no good to us anymore', admitted Lippiatt. 'We need to win our next two games, it's as simple as that. The games are starting to pass us by really quickly and time is running out. It's going to get more and more difficult to pick up wins, so we need to start doing it sooner rather than later. If we lose both games our fate still won't be decided until April, but if we can win both games then it puts us in a much better position'".
Another club desperate for points are Southport and IC Southport reports that "Some supporters say that the fat lady’s lungs are already bursting into song, but Southport boss Peter Davenport remains confident he can keep the songstress gagged. Davenport said: 'We are running out of games and we are in a dogfight. Quite simply, we have to start winning. We have given away too many silly points and now we are paying the price'. The Port have lost 16 points in the final five minutes of matches this season. Davenport added: 'We will keep going until it is mathematically impossible for us to stay up. In most of our recent matches, apart from Dagenham, we have been in a position to get a result. There comes a time when you can’t always play pretty football. If we have to play ugly football to get the right results, then we will. We could have comfortably beaten Weymouth last Saturday but we either didn’t take, or missed, our chances. There are some great lads in the squad and I’m sure we have the capability to dig out some results. Considering the position we are in, the lads are still buoyant and ready to give their all'... With the loan transfer window now closed, the big question is: ‘Can that squad can keep the Port afloat?’.
This is Staffs reported on Friday that "Stafford Rangers manager Phil Robinson was striving to strengthen his squad ahead of tomorrow's relegation duel with Grays at Marston Road and last night's loan transfer deadline.Robinson has been looking for a new recruit since the departure of on-loan striker David McNiven, who was recalled by Morecambe. The Rangers' boss would not disclose his potential targets and has given the current strike pair Neil Grayson and Guy Madjo a thumbs-up. 'We started the season very well with those two in partnership. Neil has had a little bit of a rest recently, so hopefully he'll be nice and fresh for the games coming up'... The game against Grays, who were beaten by Stevenage in the semi-final of the FA Trophy last week, is the first of three further relegation six pointers - on Tuesday they go to Altrincham and next weekend visit bottom of the pile Southport. 'Every game we're playing is important, although we're aware that we're up against teams in the lower part of the table and I expect them to be tight', said Robinson... Stoke's on-loan teenager Robbie Duggan is set to continue in goal as regulars Danny Alcock and Dean Williams are still recuperating from injuries".
"York City boss Billy McEwan made a triple swoop ahead of last night's loan transfer deadline.The City boss has recruited Darlington left-back Craig James, Gainsborough Trinity right-back Ben Purkiss and Whitley Bay striker Phil Bell until the end of the season which would include any possible play-off fixtures, McEwan has moved quickly to bring in full-back cover with Darren Craddock ruled out for the rest of the season and Nathan Peat doubtful for tomorrow's trip to Exeter and then unavailable for the next two matches because of suspension... Satisfied City boss McEwan said: "I'm pleased with all the business we have done. Craig James has been around a bit with Port Vale and Sunderland but he's out of the frame at Darlington and is another left-sided defender, which we needed. Phil Bell has done well and it's a chance for him to come in and do some full-time training with us. The same applies to Ben Purkiss'... Bell, aged 22, has scored 21 goals this season, spearheading Whitley Bay's Northern League title challenge. The 6ft 5in striker has also attracted interest from Derby County, Norwich, Stockport and even Premiership neighbours Newcastle United, although Toon chief Glenn Roeder was understood to be put off by his age... Purkiss signed for Gainsborough after being released by Sheffield United in 2003" reports This is York.
"The Conference Board of Directors have announced that Dennis Strudwick has been appointed the new General Manager of the Competition with effect from 4 June 2007. Mr Strudwick, widely experienced and respected in the game, has been the Company Secretary and Treasurer of The Southern Football League since 1981. John Moules, the present Operations Director, has reverted to the role of Chief Executive and once again, John's vast experience in the game will be invaluable in dealing with sponsors, commercial and special projects and taking The Football Conference forward".
At Oxford, This is United says that "One year after he took over from Firoz Kassam, chairman Nick Merry insists Oxford United Football Club is now in a far healthier position than it was under its previous regime. Although the team lost their place in the Football League after a 44-year stay, and are now in the Nationwide Conference, so many improvements have been implemented behind the scenes that the club's foundations now seem solid again. In many ways, the club is back with the fans again as supporters have returned in big numbers, and among them there is much more a sense of belonging. Perhaps most important of all, the reputation of Oxford United, which had been greatly tarnished both in football circles and within the local business community, has been gradually restored, thanks to a lot of hard work and bridge-building... It was on March 22, 2006 that Merry, a successful businessman from Woodstock, announced that he had bought Kassam's 89 per cent shareholding in the club... His company, Woodstock Partners Ltd, bought the club for just over £2m from Kassam's Firoka Group, which effectively broke down to a nominal £1 purchase, plus taking on its debts... Tens of thousands of pounds have been spent on the new training ground, on players, on an extensive backroom team of coaches, fitness trainers and medical people, on travelling, various overnight accommodation and the right food for the team – everything, in fact, to make the football club professional, and, as Jim Smith put it, 'to take away the excuses' from the players... Oxford United's gates have increased by 41 per cent. In their 24 home league games played since March 22, 2006, the U's have pulled in 160,717 spectators, averaging 6,696 in that time". Meanwhile on the pitch, "Mickey Corcoran has extended his loan with Oxford United for a further month. But fellow Cardiff City teammate Gregg Coombes has left the U's"
There is yet another new face at debt-ridden Crawley Town, who "have signed youngster Jack Obersteller on work experience from Millwall. Obersteller, 18, is a highly-promising young left-sided player that came through the Millwall youth setup alongside Jack Macleod and former Red Michael Bostwick. By the end of the 2005/6 season, he had forced his way into the Lions reserve side... Coach John Yems said: 'With all the injuries we have got at the moment, it was really important to add an extra pair of legs, and I’m really pleased to get Jack down here. I’ve known the lad since he was knee high to a grasshopper'".
The Altrincham squad for the match at Stevenage is expected to be unaltered from that which was named against Grays. Val Owen and Gary Scott are both likely to remain sidleined by injury. Goalkeeper Richard Acton (right) is expected to be named in the squad for all of the remaining games. Richard's presence does not signal any doubts about Stuart Coburn's fitness but simply the manager's wish to have goalkeeping insurance on the bench as we enter the crucial run-in phase. So far this season Alty have only four times had a substitute goalkeeper on the bench in Conference games. In addition to those four occasions, Richard has started 8 Conference matches this campaign. Rod Thornley is unavailable as he is serving as masseur to the England team in Israel this weekend.
At Stevenage match day admission Prices are
From Gavin Rathbone we have the above wonderful shot from last Saturday of Stuart Coburn facing up to Oxford's Marvin Robinson. More of Gavin's images are on his GR Photography website.
The Player of the Year Race Night hosted as usual by Toni of Fun Racing and compered as ever by George Heslop, will be held on Saturday 28th April 2007 (after last home game v. Aldershot) in the Noel White Suite at Moss Lane.. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start. Entry will be free to all, the player of the year presentations will take place half way through and there will be the usual chance to win a fortune on the tote table...it's always a great night and raises a handy amount for the club's close season so make the date in your diary now!
Buy your horses for a fiver each and sponsor races for £25 by seeing Paul Daine in the club shop (STAR Desk) at the Stafford game before and at half time....pledge to buy a horse or race by e-mail and Paul will catch up with you. Player of the year forms will be available on the turnstiles at forthcoming home games or e-mail Mark Murray with your three choices (1,2,3 with 1 being your favourite player of the year)
STAR are appealing for someone to take over from Steve Foster and sell the treble chance at forthcoming home games. This scheme is always popular as it carries a £100 prize for a £1 stake and normally raises about £400 for the club.....Steve will provide you with the chart.....can you help? E-mail Mark Murray to volunteer your services.
Right: Stuart Coburn's commitment to the Alty cause is never in doubt as he shows when he leaves the pitch after the win over Grays last Tuesday.
SAM reports on Alty's win over Grays. "There were some hairy moments - what would an Alty game be without them? - but ultimately they were good value for the three points. It was a strangely subdued night at Moss Lane. An eerie quiet descended upon the ground right up until kick off and even then the atmosphere was surprisingly flat". It was Alty's smallest home gate of the season but the Golf Road End was singing well.
The Aldershot News & Mail reports that "Despite a vibrant display at Christie Park, the Shots slipped to their 14th defeat of the season". Shots' boss Terry Brown stated “'The boys were fantastic, played their football and were the better side on the night but we were hit by two wonder goals... March has turned into a nightmare month for us and this defeat has effectively ruled us out of the play-offs. However, until it is mathematically impossible, we will still fight for every result'... Brown is set for talks with Aldershot chairman John McGinty this week, but told the News that the most important thing is to keep the core of the side together".
From The Romford Recorder we learn that "The re-arranged home game against in-form Stevenage, allowed Daggers to stretch 12 points ahead at the top... They sprang something of a surprise in their selection, dropping both their wingers - Sam Saunders and Sam Sloma - and fielding a 4-3-1-2 formation that had Ben Strevens playing behind the front two. 'We had Stevenage watched and thought we might surprise them with that line-up', said manager John Still afterwards - he was certainly right!... The home side's progress faltered around the 20 minute mark when central defender Jon Boardman picked up a nasty looking injury - later diagnosed as ankle ligament damage - and had to be helped off. Daggers re-organised, Jake Leberl dropping into the back line where he has impressed so often this season and a recovered Paolo Vernazza, who had played just an hour in a Daggers' first-team shirt, before being sidelined for two months with a knee injury, replaced him".
This is Exeter says that on Tuesday "The Grecians' eighth away defeat of the season [at Northwich] saw them slip to fifth in the Conference table... City manager Paul Tisdale admitted his side did not play well enough and said: 'We were too defensive in the first half and didn't get the ball down and pass it. I thought we were getting on top in the second half but then they got the penalty. We have been a bit inconsistent on the road and that is our third straight away defeat. It is difficult to put your finger on why because we were so good away last year'". And "Skipper Chris Todd has warned that Exeter City's away form must improve if they are to claim a play-off place... City have taken just 22 points from 18 matches on their travels, giving them the worst away record of the top eight sides in the Conference... The Grecians have taken 39 points from 19 home games and only leaders Dagenham & Redbridge can boast a better record on their own patch... With three successive away games - against Forest Green, Altrincham and Aldershot - after [Saturday], Todd knows City must start winning on their travels... 'The away form is a concern', admits the City captain. 'I can't quite put my finger on what we are doing wrong at the moment'".
Another team with three successive away games on the horizon is Halifax Town. After a draw with Oxford on Wednesday, Halifax Today says that "The point enabled Town to move a couple of places up the table and they still have at least one game in hand on all their rivals apart from Northwich. The key now will be how they go in three successive away games at Southport, where they go on Tuesday, Grays and Gravesend. 'The table does still not look great and it will possibly look worse at the weekend', said Wilder... Wilder's next target is to see the club's off-field problems sorted out for the sake of himself and the players. 'I just want to manage a football club', he said. 'I don’t want to be involved in politics, but I will not sit back and be trodden on and I won’t allow my players to be trodden on. It is my responsibility to look after them and hopefully someone will look after me. I think I deserve that after what has gone on at this club in the last four and a half years'".
The Northwich Guardian says that "Vics have added two midfield men to help them through their fixture back log. Port Vale hard man Christian Smith and Rochdale prospect Callum Warburton have both signed short term loan deals. Smith, 19, has spent two previous spells at Cambridge United this term, but Vale boss Martin Foyle recalled him to Vale Park at the beginning of the week".
The Tamworth Herald reported that "With Simon Weaver (knee ligaments) likely to be out of action for another fortnight at least and Adie Smith (groin) struggling with a groin problem, Mills is looking to bolster his squad for the run-in. 'I am delighted with my defence, they have been unbelievable', Mills said. 'But I think we need to add to the squad as a precaution. If I don't act now and we pick up injuries in the last couple of games, it would leave us a bit short of bodies'... Former Manchester United trainee Matty Williams (knee) is set to return to training today". And later, The Lambs confirmed that "Gary Mills has been busy ahead of today's deadline for registering players - adding a proven goalscorer and two defenders to his squad... Front man Justin Jackson comes with a wealth of experience. A prolific striker, he has been playing in Australia but knows the Conference well and Tamworth are just waiting on international clearance... To bolster his defensive options, Mills has brought in on loan Ryan Lynch, a pro with Coventry City, and Curtis Ujah, who was with Reading but left by mutual consent in January".
At Weymouth "Chairman Martyn Harrison has opened contract talks with player-manager Jason Tindall. The 29-year-old, who watched his side throw away a two-goal lead as they lost 3-2 to Woking last night, was given the job until the end of the season in January after the Terras announced a huge cost-cutting exercise that eventually saw the departure of 11 of their first-team squad.Since then he has steadied the ship and moved the club back into play-off contention in Nationwide Conference National and it seems he could now be rewarded with a new deal".
From Gravesend & Northfleet we learn that "Fans who buy their season tickets for 2007/2008 before April 7th will be able to watch their team at home for the same prices as the current season. Fleet Chairman Jason Botley said: 'The price freeze is part of a continuing initiative to boost attendances at Stonebridge Road. We have done exceptionally well this season and we hope this move will not only attract more fans to buy what is a good value for money season ticket, but it is also a way to say thank you to the supporters who purchased season tickets for the current season'... Prices are as follows: Centre Stand: Adult £235 Concessions £117.50. Wing Stand Adult £215 Concessions £107.50. Terrace Adult £185 Concessions £ 92.50".
Following the game at Moss Lane, Grays Athletic have announced that "Glenn Poole has been released on loan to League 2 club Rochdale until the end of season". And "Ex-Weymouth FC Striker Chukki Eribenne has joined Gravesend and Northfleet on loan until the end of the season".
Cambridge United have reportedly signed Colchester United winger Craig Hughes (19) on loan until the end of season.
The BBC says that "Kidderminster Harriers' manager Mark Yates has signed Andy Ferrell from Hereford United whilst York City boss Billy McEwan has brought in three new players in a bid to boost his side's push for the play-offs. McEwan has signed Darlington full-back Craig James, 24, on loan until the end of the season. The former Sunderland and Port Vale left-back joins the Minstermen after starting 27 games for the Quakers this season. McEwan has also signed Whitley Bay striker Phil Bell and Gainsborough defender Ben Purkiss on loan". Meanwhile, "Dagenham & Redbridge have strengthened their squad with the loan signing of Peterborough defender Mark Arber. Arber, 29, has joined for the rest of the season... He played under Daggers boss John Still at Barnet".
Match report here..
The Thurrock Gazette has a match report on the Alty v Grays game. It starts, "A bad week took a turn for the worse for toothless Grays who yet again failed in front of goal at Moss Lane... At Altrincham they capitulated in a relegation showdown... It was the classic game of two halves. Altrincham held sway in the first and Grays had them on the back foot for most of the second but the visitors are a side remarkably short of finishing power". Curiously the report adds that "Not only did the fans seem somewhat lacking in get up and go' neither team exhibited the fire and passion normally associated with a clash of this nature".
Details of the Friends scheme are here. Please do consider joining, for the benefit of the Club.
"Oxford United boss Jim Smith has signed Millwall striker Chris Zebroski on a month-long loan deal. Smith landed the forward Zebroski, 20, instead joined Millwall and has scored three times for the Lions in 25 League One starts" states the BBC.
"Port Vale boss Martin Foyle has allowed... midfielder Christian Smith to leave on loan... Smith, 19, has signed for Northwich Victoria following a loan spell with Conference rivals Cambridge", claims the BBC. Meanwhile "Cambridge left-back Tommy Jaszczun has decided to retire. He has been sidelined since November with a toe injury and has been unable to return to training despite an operation... Jaszczun is the second Cambridge player to bow out of the sport this year with Richie Hanlon retiring two months ago with a knee injury".
"Kidderminster Harriers have signed defender Glenn Wilson on loan from rivals Rushden and Diamonds. Wilson, 21, has agreed a deal until the end of the season... but will not be able to play when the two clubs meet on April 14. The former Crystal Palace player joined Rushden last summer and has started 25 Conference games for the club. Meanwhile, Rushden have released former Oxford, Boston and Stevenage midfielder Jamie Cook, 28, by mutual consent" says the BBC.
From the Burton Mail we learn that "Burton Albion's out-of-favour midfielder Lee Fowler has returned to his homeland to join Newport County... on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move this summer".
The Cambridge Evening News says that "Jimmy Quinn is keen for Cambridge United's players to take the good things out of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Crawley which kept his side's head just above the relegation waters. The U's were hit with a sucker-punch, injury-time equaliser from former player Marcus Richardson which denied them all three points. However, the boss was pleased with the display from his team following 5-0 defeats to York and Altrincham. Quinn said:' There were a lot of positives and that's what we've got to build on. I'm not interested in negative things. We're in a fight for our lives and we have seven cup finals left. People can be critical, but you know we have had a problem all season. The club had hardly won a game until I got here, unless I am mistaken. Now we've won 10 and we need to stick together'".
Halifax Today says that "Winger Felix Bastians has been recalled by League One high flyers Nottingham Forest with immediate effect. The Germany youth international was due to complete his second month on loan at the Shay when Town face Oxford United tomorrow. Bastians, who is tipped to make a move to the Bundesliga in the summer, scored on his Town debut at St Albans City at the end of January and has bagged a further three goals since then. In all, Bastians made 10 appearances for the Shaymen, including one as a substitute.Bastians's departure could mean a start for [ex-Alty man] Steve Torpey in Wednesday's televised clash with Oxford".
But "supporters have pledged to clear some of Halifax Town's debts – if it will secure a deal to save the future of the club. It will mean raising £50,000 to match the cash already raised by fans. A crisis meeting of Halifax Town Supporters' Trust last night agreed to clear the club's creditors' voluntary arrangement if that would end the takeover negotiations... Fans have already raised £50,000 through the Shaymen 500 scheme and are committed to the outstanding £100,000 bill. 'In order to conclude the deal, the trust has made the offer to clear the creditors' voluntary arrangement', said [spokeswoman] Mrs Burton. 'We know we will be supported in this by our fellow supporters who share our passion and love for the club – this has been demonstrated by the £50,000'. The takeover deal has continually stalled over the repayment of loans owed to former chairman Geoff Ralph, who resigned last week".
The Northants Evening Telegraph confirms that "Midfielder Jamie Cook has been released by Rushden & Diamonds. The 28-year old midfielder has left Nene Park by mutual consent... Cook made seven starts in the league and one in the FA Trophy".
Burton have failed to land one target as the Conference North forum reports that ""Hucknall Town today completed the signing of ex-Forest striker David Johnson".
Southport report that "Peter Davenport has ended Adam Dugdale's loan at Southport. Dugdale's days on his short term loan were now limited so with Kevin Lee returning to fitness Davenport deemed it necessary not to renew the loan. Peter Davenport said 'Adam has worked hard at Haig Avenue, he started very well and has potential. Adam's appearances in the middle of his loan were limited by injury. I wish him all the best and we will monitor his progress. Crewe have been very supportive with us'".
This is United says that "The two biggest teams in the city are joining forces, with Oxford United and Oxford Cheetahs announcing a new partnership. The football and speedway teams are coming together to give discounts, special deals and ticket offers to their fans, as well as a closer relationship between the two biggest spectator sports in the city".
Dagenham & Redbridge report that "At a Special General Meeting held last night of the members of Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club, a unanimous vote was cast to transfer all the assets and liabilities of the existing members club to a newly formed limited company, limited by guarantee, in the name of Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club Limited. The decision to incorporate was made as a result of the requirement of the Football League. Football League Article of Association 4.2 requires all member clubs to be incorporated under the Companies Act. Dagenham & Redbridge FC are currently similar to the European Champions, Barcelona, in that they are a Club run by members but the vote taken last night means they can push on and meet the Football League deadline which is the last day of the season. Talks have been going on behind the scenes since before Christmas in preparation and most of the work to transfer the assets and liabilities are at an advanced stage. The existing members of the current Management Committee plus one of the existing Trustees will become the Directors of the new company. David Andrews and David Ward will remain as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively whilst Derek Almond will become the Company Secretary and Steve Thompson the Managing Director. The decision to form a company, limited by guarantee, was made in an effort to retain the ethos of the members club. All existing members will be invited to join the new company and will enjoy all the same rights as with the old members club. It is hoped that once everything is up and running new members will be sought which will strengthen the club further".