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18th October 2008
Review Of The Week

HEDNESFORD TOWN went five points clear at the top of the Premier Division when beating BUXTON on Tuesday to make it five wins in their last six games whilst the latter have taken just one point from the last fifteen and are four games without a goal as they slumped to next to bottom.

MARINE edged ahead of ILKESTON TOWN on goal difference when the "Mariners" took advantage of the Derbyshire club's absence on FA Cup duty by beating BOSTON UNITED 3-1 which was the "Pilgrims" third game on the bounce without a point.

Ilkeston, however, have three games in hand on the top two. KENDAL TOWN moved in to fourth with victory at FC UNITED of MANCHESTER which was the Lake District side's fourth successive three pointer on their travels and WHITBY TOWN continued their upward movement despite being held by the Division's draw specialists FRICKLEY ATHLETIC.

The 2-2 draw extended Whitby's unbeaten run to seven after losing their first five whilst Athletic were registering their seventh stalemate of the league campaign. NANTWICH TOWN ended a run of six games without a three pointer when winning at ASHTON UNITED whilst at the bottom WORKSOP TOWN ended their goal drought stretching back six games hitting three against bottom club PRESCOT CABLES but the "Tigers" still couldn't win as Cables made the long midweek trip home sitting on a point.

OSSETT ALBION went three points clear at the top of the First Division North when they just got the better of a seven goal affair at home to WOODLEY SPORTS whilst in diluted fixture list due to the FA Trophy both MOSSLEY and WAKEFIELD secured 3-0 home wins over ROSSENDALE UNITED and CHORLEY respectively.

Two other First Division North clubs met in a delayed League Challenge Cup tie and although FC HALIFAX TOWN equalised in the last minute CURZON ASHTON went on to grab a stoppage time winner. In the First Division South surprise package of the season SHEPSHED DYNAMO moved in to second with a 4-3 win at LEEK TOWN and have yet to lose in the league whilst RETFORD UNITED lost the chance to go top when held at BELPER TOWN.

New GRANTHAM TOWN boss Phil Starbuck saw his side get off to a flyer at WILLENHALL TOWN with three goals in the first twenty minutes before running out 4-2 winners whilst LOUGHBOROUGH DYNAMO take the final play-off spot after a 2-0 victory over GRESLEY ROVERS.

In the FA Trophy WARRINGTON TOWN at MATLOCK TOWN, CLITHEROE at BRADFORD PARK AVENUE and STAMFORD at home to KENDAL TOWN all turned over Premier Division opposition whilst SPALDING UNITED held top tier NORTH FERRIBY UTD and RADCLIFFE BOROUGH only went down to a stoppage winner at FC UNITED of MANCHESTER.

Nine Within Touching Distance

Eastwood Town's midweek replay victory at Harrogate Town completed a hat-trick of successes for UniBond League clubs over Conference North opposition in the 3rd Qualifying Round of this season's FA Cup and gave the League nine representatives (compared to just four last season) in the next Round which is the last hurdle to clear before the Football League clubs enter the fray in the First Round Proper.

However, the draw has not been kind to the UniBond clubs left standing and with none of them paired together they will have to again be on their best giant-killing form to secure their place in the First Round Proper draw.

Eastwood's reward for their midweek win is a trip to former Football League club Wrexham whilst Boston United have drawn a cracking home tie against another ex Football League side Cambridge United. Newcastle Blue Star have also drawn Conference National opposition in Altrincham as the North East side attempt to reach the competition Proper for the first time in almost twenty-five years whilst Durham City possibly face the toughest test of all at home to Conference play-off contenders Histon.

The other five clubs all meet Conference North opposition with Retford United the only one to be drawn at home when they face Alfreton Town. Curzon Ashton have to travel to Hinckley United, Belper Town to Droylsden, Sheffield FC (after inflicting Premier Division Guiseley's first defeat of the season in Tuesday's replay) to probably the most famous FA Cup giant-killers of all time Blyth Spartans and Nantwich Town hit the road to Fleetwood Town. Ties to be played next Saturday apart from the Newcastle Blue Star game which is on Sunday.

In appreciation of Eastwood Town's substantially increased support this season the "Badgers" Chairman Rob Yong is offering free coach places to every fan who travels to Wrexham.

A combination of the extra success enjoyed this season by the UniBond clubs and an increase in the prize money on offer has seen £267,000 come in to the League so far this year compared to £164,750 for the whole of last season's competition in which Harrogate Railway Athletic made it through to the Second Round Proper.

Three UniBond Players In Contention

Three UniBond League players are amongst the five nominated for the "E-ON Player of the Round" awards following their side's excellent FA Cup achievements last week. Boston United 'keeper Martyn Margarson defied Conference North leaders Southport with the twenty year old keeping a clean sheet despite Boston's opponents enjoying 80% possession and having twenty shots on target.

Durham City's excellent 6-1 win at Stalybridge Celtic was masterminded by a hat-trick from Gavin Cogdon who levelled matters up after his side had gone behind and then scoring two headers either side of the interval. Nantwich Town's Michael Lennon is also included in the short list of five after bagging four of his side's five goals at Whitley Bay. It would appear that Lennon just deals in hat-tricks or better as the only other time he has been on the scoresheet prior to his four timer last Saturday was a hat-trick in his side's second game of the campaign when they beat Worksop Town 4-0!

Duke Of Durham

First Division newcomers Durham City who pulled off that stunning FA Cup away win at Conference North high flyers Stalybridge Celtic last week have signed former Darlington defender David Duke. The Scotch born 29 year old made around two hundred and fifty appearances in the full time game with just over two hundred of them coming at his second club Swindon Town whom he joined after failing to make it through to the first team at Sunderland.

Grantham Appoint Starbuck

Grantham Town have appointed Phil Starbuck to their vacant manager's job and he will have with him as his number two Gresley Rovers player Chris White who was with Starbuck at Arnold Town in 2004.

Now aged 39 Starbuck made his debut for Nottingham Forest in the top flight of English football in December 1986 as an eighteen year old and scored against Newcastle United repeating the feat against Liverpool a few days later on his second outing. He made over 250 appearances in his full time career scoring almost fifty goals before moving in to management in the UniBond League in 2002 at Hucknall Town after which he managed Leigh RMI in the Conference. He then had a stint at Arnold Town but was back on the UniBond scene in 2007 with Hednesford Town.

Starbuck, who is working at Leicester City's Academy, will be under no illusion about the size of the task ahead as he watched his new charges from the stand in Tuesday evening's President's Cup defeat at home to Stamford on Tuesday where they shipped yet another four goals taking the goals against column to 36 in 9 games with, strangely, a goalless draw against one of the top sides Retford United in amongst those nine matches!

Busy Time At Eastwood

It was a busy few days this week at Eastwood Town where the dressing room door was revolving even as the club celebrated their progress to the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with their 2-0 away win at Harrogate Town. Going on loan to Shepshed Dynamo is Craig Swinscoe who, as captain, lifted the UniBond League Challenge Cup last season against Skelmersdale United.

Also released is Danny Brooks who is one of six players to sign for Phil Starbuck's new look Grantham whilst in the arrivals lounge is twenty year old striker Dean Oliver following his release by Sheffield United. Although he never made the first team during his two years on contract with the "Blades" he did make his Football League when on loan to Torquay United.

Unlucky Thirteen

It was definitely a case of unlucky thirteen for Ashton United's Danny Caldecott who fractured his jaw in three places during Monday evening's game against Nantwich Town. It was Caldecott's thirteenth game of the season and the injury happened on the 13th day of the month!

Just a month earlier he had also been injured against Prescot Cables in an Ashton United line up that contained no fewer than eight ever presents. Only a month later just Haydn Eames holds on to that status such has been the "Robins" bad luck with injuries and suspensions.

Sheffield Aid Poppy Appeal

The world's oldest club Sheffield FC will be wearing shirts embroidered with large poppies in their scheduled league match against Glapwell on 1st November to help the annual Poppy Appeal. After the game the shirts (1-17) will be auctioned off to the highest bidders to raise money for the charity. Football followers anywhere can help by calling the club on 01246 292622 or e-mailing info@sheffieldfc.com (minimum bid £20) and saying what number shirt they are bidding for.

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