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EAGLE BITTER UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
EAGLE BITTER UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 220 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 1
Notley in Wakes exit
Glenn Notley has resigned as manager of Bourne Town after a disagreement with some members of the club committee concerning an internal matter involving one of his backroom staff.
Notley had been in charge of the Wakes senior side since the summer of 2006. Before that he had four years as reserve team boss, during which time he steered the second string to promotion and then the Reserve Division One title.
Reserve team manager Darren Munton has been placed in caretaker charge at the Abbey Lawn. He previously managed the first team from May 2000 to November 2002 and has also held the reins at Leicestershire Senior League outfit Cottesmore. Mark Schiavi and Steve Elger take charge of the reserves.
Buckby add marksman
Long Buckby have added to their firepower for the run in to the campaign by snapping up prolific marksman Darren Lynch from Corby Town.
Lynch made his name with Newport Pagnell and maintained his scoring feats at higher levels with clubs such as Kettering and Cambridge City, and he was quick to open his Buckby goal account, netting on his league debut for the club.
Another Station Road recruit is wide man Steve Blackwood from Wellingborough, while Jason Lee has returned to the squad after travelling in Asia.
Siddons stars in England bow
Sleaford Town’s Tom Siddons played a starring role on his England Under 18 schoolboy international debut, scoring a goal and setting up another in a 2-0 win over Australia at Shrewsbury on 27 January.
The 17 year old Carre’s Grammar School student is now looking forward to the home international tournament which culminates in a match against Scotland at Wembley on 26th April.
EAGLE BITTER UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 220 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 2
April date for Saints ground move
11th April is the latest date given for St Neots’ move to their new ground. As fixtures are scheduled at present the current campaign’s matches look set to be completed at the current Rowley Park venue.
The approach road to the new ground is being named Kester Way in memory of the club’s long serving groundsman Les Kester who died last season.
On the field the Saints have added two new forwards to their squad. Andy Findlay made a goalscoring debut after arriving from Arlesey Town, and seven days later Chris Johnson did likewise following his switch from Leighton. Adding to the Saints’ firepower is the return of top scorer Barrington Belgrave after a month on the sidelines.
The Saints surrendered their unbeaten away record at Long Buckby on 9th February – their fourteenth match on the road in the league. They had won seven and drawn six prior to their Station Road reverse.
Experienced trio link up with Stones
Blackstones have added three experienced players to their squad in recent weeks as they prepare for a hectic run in to the campaign. As well as chasing the league title they are still in the League Knockout Cup, Lincolnshire Senior Trophy and Hinchingbrooke Cup, having progressed to the last four of each cup tournament.
Striker Steve Kuhne, scorer of over 600 goals in senior non league football, has moved up the A1 from St Neots, and was quick to make an impact with a goalscoring debut against Desborough – a highlight on a day which saw Stones lose their unbeaten home record for the season.
Left back or midfielder Andy Lodge has arrived at Lincoln Road from league rivals Holbeach. He was a member of Boston United’s Conference winning side and played a handful of Football League games the season after, while centre half Jason Bonser, formerly with Stocksbridge, Worksop and Spalding, has signed to provide defensive cover. Bonser is a national prison service team mate of Danny Hussey who has recently returned to action himself after recovering from facial injuries sustained at Stotfold in November.
Poachers lose veteran striker to neighbours
One of the most eye catching player moves in recent weeks has seen Boston Town’s veteran target man Micky Nuttell, who has missed most of the current campaign through injury, leave Tattershall Road to sign for Conference North neighbours Boston United.
Town have added three new faces to their squad. Ex-Cambridge United midfielder Mbiyeye Medine has moved in the opposite direction to Nuttell, striker Gary Nimmo has scored in each of his first two matches after switching from Spalding while wide man Matthew Kennedy has been recruited from local football in Louth.
More recognition for Deeping
Deeping’s achievements during 2007 recently received further recognition from one of their local newspapers the Bourne Local. Rangers were voted the Team of the Year by readers of the newspapers while manager Tuncay Korkmaz and top scorer Danny Matson respectively finished runners up in the Coach of the Year and Player of the Year categories.
EAGLE BITTER UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 220 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 3
Desborough unveil ground plans
Desborough have unveiled plans to give their long standing Waterworks Field home a £300,000 revamp.
Football Foundation funding has been applied for to supplement funds already committed from the Maud Elkington Charitable Trust.
Work is planned on improvements to the dressing room areas and spectator accommodation at the Waterworks Field, and work on the project is expected to be started during the close season.
Defensive duo join S&L
Stewarts & Lloyds have strengthened their squad with the recruitment of two new defenders. Seasoned campaigner Stewart Marshall has been transferred from Huntingdon Town, although in the last couple of months he has been playing for Weldon in the Northants Combination. Also checking in at Occupation Road is Steve Julian who has been playing in the UniBond League for Stamford. Both new faces are former Corby Town players.
Spencer increase defensive options
Northampton Spencer have increased their defensive options in recent weeks recruiting one new face and welcoming two others back into action.
Left sided player Jamie Wright has joined the Millers from Whitworths, while Josh Urquhart has returned from a spell away for family reasons. Simon McCarthy has also returned to the squad after an absence caused by a knee injury.
Reed links up with Stotfold
Stotfold have strengthened their squad by signing Arlesey Town defender Andy Reed for the run in to the season.
As well as setting the Premier Division pace Stotfold are still chasing cup glory on several fronts – the Bedfordshire Senior Cup, Huntingdonshire Premier Cup and North Beds Charity Cup which is in its centenary season.
Recent weeks have seen the Eagles in devastating form in front of goal, scoring eight goals against AFC Kempston, seven against Wootton and six against Wellingborough.
Injuries bite deep as Shopmates slip into danger
A series of injuries to key players has hampered Raunds’ chances of evading the drop into Division One as form has dipped in recent weeks.
Ricky Chambers (broken ribs), Jon Tite (broken ankle), Callum Ridgway (leg) and Matt Peacock (ankle ligaments) have all been sidelined although Joe Rich is nearing a return to full fitness after a lengthy absence with a broken ankle.
EAGLE BITTER UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 220 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 4
Injury blow for Huntingdon midfielder
Huntingdon’s promotion bid has been overshadowed by the injuries suffered by midfield man Ben Cottingham in the Division One match at Huntingdon on 9th February.
Cottingham, recently signed from Peterborough Northern Star, suffered a dislocated knee, ruptured cruciate ligament and fractured patella and the match at Royal Oak Way was subject to a lengthy delay while the air ambulance was awaited to take the stricken player to Coventry Hospital.
Long term casualty Ricky Dear is now in rehab following his knee injury, while a young addition to the Town squad is midfielder Declan Rogers from the Peterborough United youth set up, who play their matches at Jubilee Park.
Flourmen draw a blank at last
Division One champions Whitworths suffered their first defeat under new manager Kevin Fox on 9th February going down by a single goal at Bugbrooke.
It was the first time the Flourmen had failed to score in a match since they lost 1-0 to Irchester on 8th April 2006. They found the opposition net in the three remaining league games of 2005-06, all 35 league and cup games last term and the 24 previous league and cup matches played in the current campaign – a total of 62 matches in all.
Work on the club’s new facilities is planned to start at the beginning of March.
The latest addition to the Whitworths squad is widely travelled goalkeeper Shaun Allen, most recently with Daventry United.
Injury list hampers Badgers
Bugbrooke’s promotion prospects have faded in recent months although they notched up a confidence boosting win over reigning champions Whitworths on 9th February, only their second win in eleven matches.
A lengthy injury list has eaten into the Bugbrooke resources with Dave Drinkwater, Dan Brown, Mike Anker, Tim Knowles, Adrian Spruels, Craig Minney, Adrian Chester, Nick Spruels, Gavin Richardson and Gareth Errington all sidelined.
A new face at Birds Close is goalkeeper James Bedwell who has previously been on the books of Premiership club Fulham.
Romans mourn Howorth
Football has been overshadowed at Irchester by the death of former Romans player and assistant manager Martin Howorth at the age of 29.
Howorth made 180 appearances for the club at first and reserve level over a ten year period and later assisted Glynn Cotter, Geoff Green and John Spencer with the first team management and Glyn Symons with the reserves.
Martyn Cain will be missing for the remainder of Irchester’s fixtures following his broken leg, while other absentees from the squad are Wayne Johnson (thigh), Nick Wade (foot), Chris Oakenfull (ankle) and Ryan Comery (hernia).
EAGLE BITTER UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 220 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 5
All conquering Town bolster squad
There’s been no end to Daventry Town’s winning run in recent weeks but the bad news for their Division One rivals is that manager Martyn Walker is continuing to add to his squad for the run in.
Town have signed two young midfielders, former Rushden & Diamonds youth teamer Sam Haynes has switched from neighbours Daventry Town while Brad Harris has seen first team action with Rugby Town this season.
The club are awaiting international clearance for Patrick Spada who has played for Linhares ES in the third tier of football in his native Brazil.
Debut delight for Star’s Nyang
Gambian teenager Ali Nyang notched the perfect hat trick on his first team debut for Peterborough Northern Star at Olney on 9th February – one goal each with left foot, right foot and head.
The youngster had only been earmarked for a place on the bench at East Street but a car load of players were lost in transit and Nyang made the most of his promotion to the starting line up.
Manager Tommy Cooper is spoilt for choice up front as he’s also recruited Chris Garwell from St Neots and Ricky Goodale from Yaxley in recent weeks.
United strengthen for the run in
Daventry United are making a strong bid for a return to the Premier Division at the first attempt as a bright start to 2008 has left them well placed in the promotion race.
Midfielder Matty Cox, a member of the squad in the top flight last term, has returned to Royal Oak Way following a spell with Sileby while another new addition to the squad is Todd Sawko who has found first team opportunities hard to come by at neighbours Daventry Town.
Two recruits for Chenecks
ON Chenecks have added two new faces to their squad in recent weeks. Former Northampton Spencer defender Jerry Moss has moved to Billing Road from Division One rivals Daventry United while widely travelled midfield man Simon Skipworth has also linked up with Chenecks, switching from Premier Division Long Buckby.
Newcomers bolster Sileby ranks
A number of new faces have joined Sileby in recent weeks, although young centre half James Russell, signed from Kettering Town, is now out of action following a cartilage operation. He is joined on the treatment table by Sam Scarman who has suffered a recurrence of an achilles problem.
The return of Marc Ansell to the backroom staff at Fernie Fields has seen a number of players follow him from Queen Eleanor – these include widely travelled striker brothers Craig and Lee Cotton, Charlie Wixon and Daniel Crouch.
EAGLE BITTER UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 220 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 6
Saints fly the flag
There was disappointment for three of the league’s quartet of clubs in the FA Vase 4th Round line up, as they bowed out in close ties.
Long Buckby’s long trip to Whitley Bay went unrewarded as the Northern League side went through with a lone strike from prolific marksman Lee Kerr. As the Bay went on to demolish holders Truro in Round Five Buckby can be praised for a fine display with a depleted side.
Boston Town exited 1-0 at seasoned Vase fighters Hungerford with a last gasp Shaun Baker own goal proving decisive after Boston striker Gary Bull had earlier hit the post from the penalty spot.
Blackstones went out 3-2 at Lowestoft after taking the lead through Liam Harrold. Bradley Hough levelled before the break and the home side grabbed the initiative after the interval with a Darren Cockerill free kick and Gary McGee effort. With twelve minutes remaining Harrold’s spot kick put Stones back in the contest but their late pressure went unrewarded.
Those defeats left St Ives standing alone after their tie was delayed a week. The Saints looked on their way out against Western League visitors Bitton when goals from Michael Meaker and Dave Bailey gave the Bristol side a two goal lead but Graeme Thackray put St Ives back in the tie. An 89th minute Liam Kennett leveller took the tie into extra time and a 99th minute Scott Fielding effort won the match for the Saints.
Round Five saw St Ives paired at home to Ridgeons League pacesetters Needham Market and the sides produced a thrilling contest at Westwood Road with the scores level at three goals apiece after two hours of drama.
A fine start by St Ives saw Thackray give them a sixth minute lead but Jay Denniss levelled two minutes later. A nip and tuck cup tie saw Dan Moyes fire the Saints back in front only for Bradley Wake to level in the dying seconds of the ninety minutes.
Extra time saw Barry Albone give the Saints the lead for a third time after 104 minutes but they were again pegged back six minutes later by Nathan Szyszla. In the dying seconds a brilliant save by the Needham keeper denied Scott Fielding a winner.
Giantkillers Town show top flight potential
Runaway Division One leaders Daventry Town became the first side in the semi finals of the League Knockout Cup, showing their potential for top flight football with a 3-1 quarter final win over holders Boston Town. Ady Greatrex, Tom Berwick and Danny Nelson were the Daventry scorers with Gary Nimmo scoring for Boston.
Daventry face their toughest test yet in the semis, a trip to Deeping who thrashed Northampton Spencer 6-1 at Kingsthorpe Mill. Danny Matson scored three for Deeping whose other marksmen were Adam Weston, David Cobb and Richard Thompson, Graham Cottle scoring a Spencer consolation from the penalty spot.
A Phil Stebbing effort and Liam Harrold brace gave Blackstones a 3-1 home win over St Ives who had Dan Moyes on the scoresheet. Stones will host Desborough in the last four after Ar Tarn won 3-0 at Potton with two Michael Byrne goals and one from Paul Caswell. Desborough’s win was marred by the broken leg suffered by 16 year old Royals keeper Aaron Loney.
EAGLE BITTER UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 220 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 7
All Division One Northants Junior Cup final
The 2006-07 season saw the first non-UCL winners in the Northants Junior Cup in twenty five years but the trophy will be back on display in a member club’s trophy cabinet once again at season’s end, as Division One duo Rothwell Corinthians and Rushden & Higham will contest this season’s final.
Corinths ended Kislingbury’s hopes of a second successive final with a 2-1 semi-final win at Sergeant’s Lawn. Dave Briffa and Dan Morris won the contest for Frank Ielapi’s side.
Rushden & Higham have had a disappointing league campaign but they’ve shone in the Junior Cup and succeeded where Peterborough Northern Star and Bugbrooke had earlier failed, overcoming Woodford Reserves 4-1 in the Hayden Road semi. Dave Townsend, two goal Kris Hall and Stefan Morris shared the Lankies goals with Steve Woodford replying for the Reds.
The league is also guaranteed final representation in the Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire Senior Cups. In Bedfordshire Stotfold and Potton have been paired in the semis after convincing quarter final successes. A Luke Donnelly opener and Lee Allinson hat trick gave the Eagles a 4-0 home win over Langford while Potton saw off league rivals Wootton 2-0 at Weston Park with first half goals from Sam Worthington and Shilbu Miah.
In the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup three member clubs have reached the last four. Yaxley surprised St Neots 2-1 with goals from Anthony Thomas and Ricky Hailstone securing a semi final trip to Hampton who are managed by one time Cuckoos boss Paul Humphries. The other semi is an all UCL tie with Huntingdon hosting St Ives. Huntingdon won 5-3 at Fletton in the quarter finals with two goals apiece from Chris Caswell and Eddie Mills and one from James Edwards, while holders St Ives ran in six goals without reply at Huntingdon United RGE. Will Fordham (penalty), Scott Fielding, Liam Kennett, Lloyd Howard and two goal Jamie Blackwell were all on target.
Newport Pagnell are through to the last four of the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy after thrashing Flackwell Heath 5-0 in their quarter final tie. Double strikes from Drew Mitten and Richard Armstrong and one from Martin Kelly earned the Swans a visit to Chalfont St Peter in the semis.
Northampton Spencer made their Northants Hillier Senior Cup exit at the semi final stage but were far from disgraced in a 4-2 extra time reverse at Conference side Rushden & Diamonds. A Graham Cottle penalty and Tom O’Brien effort had the Millers in front in the second half before status prevailed.
Snippets
New faces at AFC Kempston are Paul Teague from Elstow and Sam Maddix from Renhold….Newport Pagnell have goalkeeper James Howarth back in action after injury but skipper John Thorpe is set to miss the rest of the season with a slipped disc….16 year old Potton goalkeeper Aaron Loney will miss the rest of this season and the start of next after suffering a broken leg in the Knockout Cup tie with Desborough….Prolific Yaxley marksman Mark Paul will be missing from the Cuckoos line up for the next month due to work commitments in Northern Ireland, but better news at Leading Drove is the return of defender Chris Gospel who has been travelling abroad….Buckingham have signed young midfielder Tom Williams from MK Dons….Burton Park have signed Greg Arnold from Rothwell Corinthians and Steve Ratledge from Stanion….Eynesbury goalkeeper Danny Workman made his 200th first team appearance at Buckingham on 26th January….New faces at Rothwell Corinthians are Matt Coles from Burton Park and Sam Baines from Desborough.
EAGLE BITTER UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 220 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 8
Transfer trail
The last month’s activity in the transfer market has been somewhat low key although the transfer tally is on target to pass the double century mark in the next month or so.
Latest movers are as follows:-
162. Chris Garwell St Neots Town to Peterborough Northern Star 163. Jamie Wright Whitworths to Northampton Spencer 164. Phil Richardson Northampton Sileby Rangers to Irchester United 165. Ben Cottingham Peterborough Northern Star to Huntingdon Town 166. Stewart Marshall Huntingdon Town to Stewarts & Lloyds Corby 167. Matt Coles Burton Park Wanderers to Rothwell Corinthians 168. Sam Baines Desborough Town to Rothwell Corinthians 169. Steve Kuhne St Neots Town to Blackstones 170. Andy Lodge Holbeach United to Blackstones 171. Scott Lindsay Huntingdon Town to St Ives Town 172. Jerry Moss Daventry United to Northampton ON Chenecks 173. Matty Cox Northampton Sileby Rangers to Daventry United 174. Lewis Leckie Yaxley to Deeping Rangers 175. Ricky Goodale Yaxley to Peterborough Northern Star 176. Todd Sawko Daventry Town to Daventry United 177. Greg Arnold Rothwell Corinthians to Burton Park Wanderers 178. Steve Blackwood Wellingborough Town 2004 to Long Buckby 179. Dan Dalmonego Bugbrooke St Michaels to Cogenhoe United 180. Simon Skipworth Long Buckby to Northampton ON Chenecks 181. Shaun Allen Daventry United to Whitworths 182. Anthony Hull Irchester United to Raunds Town 183. Sam Haynes Daventry United to Daventry Town
Saints duo and Walker win January awards
The first Manager of the Month awards of the new year were won by St Ives co-bosses Warren Everdell and Jez Hall in the Premier Division and Martyn Walker of Daventry Town in Division One.
The Saints collected four points from two January league matches but in addition they made progress in three cup competitions, the League Knockout Cup, Hinchingbrooke Cup and most notably the FA Vase, flying the league flag into the last sixteen of the national competition with a win over Western League Bitton.
Daventry Town chief Martyn Walker won his second award of the campaign for Town’s January performances. They continued their record breaking run of league victories with a maximum nine point haul from their three matches, but more eye catching still was a win over Premier Division Newport Pagnell which took the Division One leaders into the last eight of the League Knockout Cup.
Daventry duo share Goalscorer award
For the first time this season the Goalscorer of the Month award was shared, it was a unique feat as the two winners were Daventry Town team mates Tom Berwick and Danny Nelson with five goals apiece from four games.
Nelson edged out his team mate two to one in the first match of the month against Bugbrooke and the Knockout Cup success at Newport Pagnell saw the pair net two apiece. Four days later Berwick scored two at Chenecks with Nelson netting once to leave the pair tied on five goals, and both players drew a blank in Town’s last January match against Rothwell Corinthians.
EAGLE BITTER UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 220 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 9
Cups round-up
League Knockout Cup
Quarter finals Northampton Spencer 1 Deeping 6; Daventry Town 3 Boston Town 1; Blackstones 3 St Ives 1; Potton 0 Desborough 3. Semi finals Deeping v Daventry Town (tba); Blackstones v Desborough (tba).
Reserve Knockout Cup
Second Round – outstanding tie Northampton Spencer v Peterborough Northern Star (20/2) Quarter finals Deeping v Northampton Spencer/Peterborough Northern Star; Thrapston 1 St Neots 1 aet, St Neots won 3-2 on penalties; Blackstones v Stotfold (16/2); Wellingborough 5 Rushden & Higham 0. Semi finals Deeping/Northampton Spencer/Peterborough Northern Star v St Neots; Blackstones/Stotfold v Wellingborough.
F.A. Vase
Fourth Round Whitley Bay 1 LONG BUCKBY 0; Hungerford 1 BOSTON TOWN 0; ST IVES 3 Bitton 2 aet; Lowestoft 3 BLACKSTONES 2. Fifth Round ST IVES 3 Needham Market 3 aet. Replay: Needham Market v ST IVES (16/2)
Bedfordshire Senior Cup
Quarter finals WOOTTON 0 POTTON 2; STOTFOLD 4 Langford 0. Semi final (19/3) STOTFOLD v POTTON.
Bedfordshire Intermediate Cup
Quarter final 61 FC Luton Reserves 0 STOTFOLD RESERVES 3. Semi final (1/3) STOTFOLD RESERVES v Crawley Green Reserves.
Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy
Quarter final NEWPORT PAGNELL 5 Flackwell Heath 0. Semi final (by w/c 14/3) Chalfont St Peter v NEWPORT PAGNELL.
Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup
Fourth Round Stony Stratford 2 OLNEY 0 (played at Olney).
EAGLE BITTER UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE
NEWSLETTER NO. 220 FEBRUARY 2008 PAGE 10
Cups round up – continued
Huntingdonshire Senior Cup
Quarter finals Huntingdon United RGE 0 ST IVES 6; AFC Fletton 3 HUNTINGDON TOWN 5; YAXLEY 2 ST NEOTS 1. Semi finals Hampton v YAXLEY (1/3); HUNTINGDON v ST IVES (tba).
Huntingdonshire Premier Cup
First Round – outstanding tie Ely v HUNTINGDON (19/2). Quarter finals |
