Alliance Affairs - Carlisle off bottom

Last updated : 02 April 2003 By Peter Heywood

Oldham's Craig Fleming - scored against Bradford
Notts County rediscovered their form against the Clarets on Saturday with a 2-1 win in what Terry Pashley described as a tough encounter. The Magpies had warmed up for this clash with an impressive 4-3 win at Walsall during the week to reach the final of the Midlands FA Youth Cup. But against us they had to do without the services of their joint top scorer, Leon Best, sold to Southampton for £50,000 on transfer deadline day. Gordon Strachan had been watching the 16 year-old Irish youth international striker all season, and clearly sees him as one for the future.

Oldham produced the weekend’s most impressive performance, thumping previously-unbeaten Bradford City 4-1. Craig Fleming, Danny Forde, Chris Bass and Chris Hall got the goals with Clifford on target for the Bantams for the second successive game.

Carlisle finally ended their losing streak with a 1-0 victory over Lincoln City, although with the young Imps having to set off at 6am for the fixture in Cumbria it’s hardly surprising they lost.

The remaining game took place yesterday afternoon when Stockport and Chester played out a goalless draw at County’s Manor Farm training ground. The game was played in dreadful weather conditions with a howling gale making it difficult for the players to control their footing, never mind the ball. No doubt they would have agreed with the occupants of George Orwell’s Manor Farm that in such conditions "Four legs good, two legs bad" was never more appropriate.

Finally, with our Youth Conference adversaries Tranmere now playing in the First Division of the Merit League, we haven’t made mention recently of the more-impressive of the two teenage phenomena on Merseyside, Chris Dagnall. So to update you, the 16 year-old reached a mere 37 goals for the season with all four in the 4-2 win against Preston on Saturday.

Perhaps we might be interested in him when he reaches 37 years of age.

Forthcoming Fixtures:

Friday, April 4th:

Doncaster Rovers v Carlisle United

Saturday, April 5th:

Bradford City v Stockport County
Burnley v Grimsby Town (11am)
Chester City v Oldham Athletic
Lincoln City v Notts County

Leading Scorers:

6 Carlos Roca (Oldham)
4 Kris Nurse (Notts County)
4 Leon Best (Notts County: now Southampton)
4 Dean Buckley (Chester)
3 Damien Hindle (Burnley)
3 Craig Fleming (Oldham)

Merit League Division Two Table