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NEWSLETTER NO. 216 OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 1
Caretaker duo take Saints reins
Former assistant manager Ivan Finch and coach Iain Parr have been confirmed as joint managers of St Neots following a successful spell in caretaker charge.
The duo took charge on a temporary basis after Scott Houghton resigned for personal reasons late in September after nine months in charge at RowleyPark.
Finch, a widely travelled midfielder on the non league circuit, arrived at RowleyPark from ArleseyTown as Houghton’s assistant in January while Parr is a former St Neots player who enjoyed plenty of success with the championship winning reserve side last season before linking up with the first team management in the summer.
After four wins in caretaker charge Finch and Parr’s appointment was made permanent on 13 October and they retained the ‘midas touch’ in their first two games as permanent bosses, steering the Saints to wins over Yaxley and Wootton and a five point lead at the top of the Premier Division.
New faces on the field are two former Saints, one time Peterborough United goalkeeper Jon Chatfield and midfielder Chris Garwell who scored three goals in his first two matches back in Saints colours, plus Wootton defender Ishmael George.
Change at the helm for Kempston
Newly promoted AFC Kempston have had a torrid time back in the Premier Division. The loss of the bulk of the promotion winning squad gave new manager Neil Trebble a major rebuilding job and pressure of work forced him to step down at the end of September, with a consequent loss of several players recruited by the outgoing boss.
Head coach Clive Black took the reins on a temporary basis until the Walnut Boys were able to unveil Lee Bearman as their new manager. The 38 year oldplayed for Kempston between 2000 and 2001 and has seen service with Olney, Newport Pagnell, Potton, Stotfold, Cogenhoe, Long Buckby and St Neots on the UCL circuit as well as BedfordTown, Milton Keynes and Stony Stratford.
Black will continue his coaching role in the Hillgrounds management team.
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NEWSLETTER NO. 216 OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 2
Creasey steps down at Holbeach
Summer appointee as co-manager of Holbeach, Dick Creasey, has stepped down from the Tigers helm due to pressure of work, leaving Shaun Keeble in sole command once more.
The Tigers have continued to add to their squad in recent weeks. They have signed Andy Lodge, a Conference winner with Boston United a few years back, from Mildenhall, and former Spalding skipper Dan Holyoak, who has first team experience with MansfieldTown.
Milestones for Bull and Poachers
BostonTown’s visit to Premier Division champions Deeping Rangers on 16th October ended up with two milestones being achieved.
Poachers’ record goalscorer Gary Bull netted his 100th goal for the club in just 112 matches in Boston colours while the 2-2 draw was Town’s first in the league since 12 September 2006 when they shared eight goals at Yaxley. 44 matches in between had seen the Poachers win on 35 occasions and suffer just nine defeats.
Including cup fixtures, and treating last season’s Knockout Cup final as a win, albeit in a penalty shootout, and the sequence without a stalemate had reached 59 matches!
Player movement at Tattershall Road has seen striker/midfielder Jonny Rowan link up with Blue Square North neighbours Boston United and midfield warhorse Steve Appleby take up the post of assistant manager at Wisbech. Joining the squad is former GrimsbyTown and Stamford striker Garath Pritchard who has been playing for Spalding this term. His debut for Boston has been delayed by an ankle injury. A familiar face rejoining the club is front man Lee Orrey who scored goals galore for local side Croft in the Boston League last season.
Wellingborough announce link up with Bee Bee Developments
WellingboroughTown have joined forces with development company Bee Bee Developments to investigate relocation opportunities for the club.
The parties are looking at the possibility of a purpose built stadium up to Blue Square standard and also the provision of grass and third generation artificial surfaces for youth and community use.
On the field new arrivals at the Dog & Duck are Newport Pagnell top scorer Vinny Shrieves and midfielder Dan Spaughton from neighbours Whitworths.
Desborough retain unbeaten record
The last unbeaten record in the top flight belongs to Desborough who extended their fine start to nine league matches without defeat by drawing 0-0 at Cogenhoe on 16th October. This represents Ar Tarn’s best start since they were undefeated in their first ten matches of the 1996-97 season.
Desborough’s 9-0 FA Vase defeat of Bugbrooke was their biggest win since an 11-2 defeat of Eynesbury in December 1967!
Manager Steve Noble continues to add to his squad, strengthening in all areas. Recent arrivals are defender Paul Malone from Corby, Huntingdon midfield man Joe Cossey and front runner Michael Sneddon from Wellingborough.
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NEWSLETTER NO. 216 OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 3
Champions add to squad
Reigning champions Deeping have found the defence of their title tricky so far and last season’s defeats tally of three was equalled in the first five games of the current campaign.
Rangers scored six at Stewarts & Lloyds and five at Newport Pagnell but have otherwise struggled for goals, and manager Tuncay Korkmaz moved swiftly to strengthen his attacking options by recruiting Mark Lovelace from Bourne and Kevin Ward from Wellingborough.
Defender Dave Cornell, an influential figure in last season’s title success, has now returned to the squad after being sidelined by work commitments.
Spencer nearing full strength
Northampton Spencer’s squad is near to full strength after the return of goalkeeper Shaun Markie and defender Dan Chilton from lengthy suspensions.
Front runner Darren Frost is about three weeks away from a return to action following his ankle injury while manager Steve Jelley’s attacking options have already been increased by the recruitment of experienced campaigner Kevin Slinn from Long Buckby.
Former boss joins Potton as a player
Jim Benton, who briefly managed Potton along with Dean Chapman over the summer, only to step down before a ball was kicked in anger, has now signed for the Royals as a player. The former NorthamptonTown professional will add much needed experience to the youthful Potton side.
Another recent recruit is last season’s Player of the Year at Buckingham, Jamie O’Grady, who has been playing in the BGB League for Aylesbury this term.
Jones back between the posts for Shopmates
Raunds manager Colin Ridgway is now able to concentrate on his dugout duties after last season’s first choice keeper Chris Jones completed a long suspension. The boss had been deputising between the sticks in the absence of Jones and the injured Mike Hearn.
New arrivals at KilnPark are Thrapston defender Mark Chilton, Irchester pair Marcus Wharton and Dean King and former Shopmate Gavin Fitzgerald from Rushden & Higham.
Snippets
Blackstones striker Ashley Stevens is about to undergo surgery on a foot injury….Bourne reserve boss Darren Munton recently fulfilled a lifelong ambition, scoring twice for Rutland Veterans at Wembley. The Vets won a competition held by magazine Four FourTwo to play against a team from the magazine and Umbro. Fellow Wakes man John Morton scored the winner as the Rutland side ran out 3-2 winners….Cogenhoe have recruited defender Adam Knight from Leamington….Long Buckby have signed Gokhan Ulker from Turkish club Ankara Demirspor….St Ives have striker Tom Fielding back in action after an ankle injury….Sleaford have signed former Blackstones defender Darren Glover while 16 year old striker Tom Siddons has impressed with three goals in three games since breaking into the senior squad….Stotfold goalkeeper Brad Gillham has been sidelined with a rib injury….Wootton defender Tom Hole has put his career on hold due to a leg injury. The latest addition to the club’s Polish contingent is Jaroslav Korman….Yaxley have signed defender Anthony Thomas from Peterborough Sports and have star man Mark Paul back in action after recovering from an ankle injury. Midfielder Lee Blewett and the versatile Ian Edge are also nearing returns to action.
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NEWSLETTER NO. 216 OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 4
Huntingdon strengthen squad
Huntingdon have continued to add to their already powerful squad in recent weeks.Defender Andy Brown has arrived at JubileePark from BGBLeagueRothwellTown, while midfield man Robbie Maddox has been recruited from CorbyTown. Former Blackstones midfield prospect Callum Papworth is another new face in Huntingdon colours while midfielder Brett Bellamy is now available after completing a suspension held over from last season. An interesting recruit is Portuguese midfielder Jose Andre, signed from Godmanchester but a former junior with Sporting Lisbon and Belenenses in his native land. Another overseas capture is Joseph Mutamba from Swedish club IFK Sollentuna.
Lengthy injury list tests Sileby resources
Sileby are looking forward to the return to action of a number of key players who have been missing from the squad in recent weeks.
Seven week bans deprived Rangers of the services of midfield pair Dean Tew and Nicky Ling, while Matty Cox, Damon Black, Barry Mead, Ryan Suter and Ryan Tapp have all been on the treatment table for long spells but are nearing a return to action.
November funding date for Whitworths
Whitworths’ application for funding to progress the planned ground improvements at London Road will be heard in November.
Dan Spaughton has become the latest member of the title winning side to move on from the Flourmen while last season’s Reserve Division One leading marksman Carlton Ellwood has left the club after work commitments restricted his availability for training.
A new addition to the Whitworths squad is Rushden & Higham midfielder Ian Symington.
Three new faces for Star
Peterborough Northern Star continue to recruit new faces in their bid for Division One honours.
Manager Tommy Cooper has signed Peterborough Sports midfielder Scott Quinney, a Boston United trialist in pre season, while Alconbury striker Gary Gibbs has teamed up with brother Karl in the Star attack. Another new attacking recruit is one time Yaxley striker Adam Scotcher.
McCormick quick to make an impression for Robins
After struggling for goals at the start of the campaign, the recruitment of Newport Pagnell’s Joel McCormick appears to have been a masterstroke by Buckingham manager Tony Joyce.
McCormick netted a debut hat trick at Huntingdon on 22nd September and followed up with two more seven days later as Buckingham thrashed hosts ON Chenecks 8-2.
Another Buckingham capture is midfielder Jonathan Mills from Slough.
Turner back in Corinths colours
Former Sergeant’s Lawn favourite Jason Turner is back in action for Rothwell Corinthians. As a teenager he played his first senior football with Corinths before enjoying spells with RothwellTown, Kettering, Stamford and Grantham. Illness has kept Turner on the sidelines this term although he recently signed for Grantham in the UniBond League. His Corinths comeback saw him score twice in a 2-1 victory over Irchester on 6th October. Other recent arrivals are Rushden & Higham goalkeeper Liam Flecknor and Irchester defender Greg Arnold.
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NEWSLETTER NO. 216 OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 5
Snippets
Division One basement boys Burton Park have signed midfielder Gary Clark from Whitworths….Table toppers Daventry Town have Tim Orford back in training after a wrist injury, Adam Confue available after suspension and a new recruit in attack, Tony Burkett from Woodford….One of Irchester’s youngest supporters, eleven year old John Squire has raised £165 for the club to put towards ground improvements….Utility player Matty Curtis has joined Rushden & Higham from Wellingborough while another addition to the Lankies squad is Buckingham front man Stefan Morris….Thrapston midfielder Sam Duxbury faces a six week lay off after suffering a broken nose against Rothwell Corinthians on 13th October, while 16 year old youth product Jack Petty has impressed at Chancery Lane after breaking into the senior side.
Great escape for Sleaford
The month’s three Knockout Cup First Round ties saw 22 goals scored and two giantkillings narrowly averted.
St Ives needed extra time to see off Division One strugglers BurtonPark6-4 at Westwood Road – hard luck on Burton hat trick marksman Michael Coles. Extra time strikes from Dan Moyes and Liam Kennett took the Premier high fliers through after a scare.
Olney also did the lower grade proud before bowing out 4-3 to Sleaford at East Street. The Nurserymen were leading 3-1 as the contest moved into the 90th minute but Sleaford defender Kris Jones twice came forward to score and Tom Siddons won the tie for Sleaford in extra time.
Division One champions Whitworths exited 3-2 to league rivals Huntingdon at London Road. The visitors had Andy Brown sent off after half an hour but still progressed with goals from Chris Caswell, Adam Taylor and Mark Burrows.
The most eye catching result in the Reserve Knockout Cup so far was Wellingborough’s 11-3 win over Reserve Division Two rivals Wootton at the Dog & Duck. Cornell Haughton and Marc Harrison both hit hat tricks in the Doughboys’ success. There was a lower grade triumph at the Abbey Lawn as goals from Jamie Plastow, Gary Gibbs and Mohammed Sohail saw Peterborough Northern Star to a 3-1 success against Bourne.
Stotfold FA Cup adventure over
Stotfold’s FA Cup adventure came to an end at the Third Qualifying stage with a 5-0 defeat against Ryman Premier side Tonbridge Angels, but the Eagles could take great satisfaction from their best ever run in the national competition which earned them prize money of £7,500.
Two goals from Hamid Barr and a hat trick from Jon Main gave Tonbridge a comfortable victory at Roker.
In the Second Qualifying Round Stotfold had claimed the scalp of BGB Midland Division Chesham – the first win by a club over higher grade opposition in the competition this term.
Joel Mason’s eighth FA Cup goal of the season earned the Eagles a 1-1 draw in the first meeting at Chesham and the replay saw Stotfold run out 2-1 home winners. Mason took his Cup tally to nine with Stotfold’s first half opener and after the visitors had levelled, Stotfold clinched a famous victory through Paul Garrett.
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NEWSLETTER NO. 216 OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 6
Eight still on Wembley trail
Eight clubs still have dreams of Wembley alive as the FA Vase moves towardsits Second Round stage next month.Exempt pair Cogenhoe and Potton join the six clubs who successfully made it through the First Round. Of the three clubs exempt to that stage only Boston Town progressed, beating league rivals Holbeach 3-2 at Tattershall Road with Lee Orrey netting the Poachers’ extra time winner. The Tigers had previously overcome Godmanchester 2-0 in the Second Qualifying Round with Kevin Childs and Matt Oswin their marksmen.Deeping exited 2-1 to Woodbridge with Wellingborough bowing out 1-0 at Stanway in a replay.
The other all domestic tie in the First Round saw Desborough beat Bugbrooke 9-0 with Michael Byrne scoring four times and Jamie O’Neill three. Ar Tarn had earlier survived a late Hoddesdon comeback to win 4-3 in the Second Qualifying Round, Byrne scoring twice and stand in keeper Tom Rix thwarting the visitors with a last gasp penalty save. The Badgers had surprised Biggleswade Town 4-3 in the previous stage with Adam Baptist the Badgers’ matchwinner in extra time Division One interest ended with Daventry United losing 4-2 in extra time at Barking, earlier conquerors of Sileby, but United could reflect on an earlier 2-1 victory at former winners Stansted with Tommy Waldock and Tony Burt on the scoresheet.
St Ives enjoyed two wins on the east coast, beating Kirkley 1-0 with a Liam Kennett goal and following up with a 3-0 success at Gorleston, Kennett joining Jamie Blackwell and Barry Albone on the scoresheet. Blackstones also claimed two Ridgeons League victims, beating Norwich United 3-0 in a replay with Graeme Epps, Liam Harrold and Richard Jones on target, and then disposing of former winners Diss 3-0 with Harrold scoring all three.
There were contrasting fortunes for the league’s two Vase debutants. Thrapston lost 3-1 to Harpenden at Chancery Lane in the Second Qualifying Round, but Sleaford have progressed through two rounds with a brace of victories over Ridgeons opposition. They turned a three goal deficit into a 4-3 win at Felixstowe, Micky Stones scoring twice, and in the first ever Vase match at Eslaforde Park Walsham le Willows were handed a 5-1 drubbing with Jamie Shaw hitting a hat trick. Completing our First Round winners were Long Buckby who edged out Welwyn Garden City 3-2 in extra time with Ben Foster netting the decider. Earlier Buckby had beaten Broxbourne 2-0 with Carl Holmes and Jason Lee the marksmen.