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With matches in hand over the rest of the division, and averaging five goals a game (a statistic neatly maintained in their 5-0 away win at Northwich Victoria in the FA Youth Cup the previous Wednesday), Tranmere look set to overtake the once seemingly-invincible Preston in the near future. Wigan are possibly the only side with a realistic chance of keeping them in sight, but even they would probably admit that yet again the Conference is a race between two very familiar horses.
Preston were also in action at the weekend, although this time it was the Alliance Cup. Having won their group, which included the Clarets, this was the first game in the knockout stage. True to form they hammered York City (victors over Bradford, Rotherham and Halifax) 5-2 at home with the goals shared amongst Paul Cahill, Fola Onibuje, George Curwen, Mark Cromwell and Kelvin Langmead.
The Lilywhites had to do without the services of one Paul Forker for this game, even though selected. So excited was the lad at the prospect of facing the Minstermen that he tripped whilst getting out of the minibus and gave the club carpark a Barnsley kiss. Fortunately, there was no lasting damage done, except to the lad’s ego, and rumour has it that he is now known amongst his teammates as Stupid Forker.
The FA Youth Cup second round games must be completed by this weekend. When the draw for the third round is made the young Clarets will feature, as will all other First Division and Premier League clubs. Unlike the Alliance League and Cup competitions, which are open to under 19s, the FA Youth Cup is for players who were under 18 as at midnight on the 31st of August. Consequently players such as James Salisbury, Damien Hindle, Joel Pilkington, Mark Rasmussen, Matthew O’Neill and Liam Eves will be ineligible. Instead, youngsters such as Michael Hale, Darryl Avery, Neil Trotman and Marc Pugh should get their chance to shine.
It’s not a competition we’ve done well in for a while. Last season the Clarets made a quick exit, 4-0 at Maine Road, so let’s hope for better things this time round.
This weekend’s fixtures:
Blackpool v Tranmere
Carlisle v Burnley
Preston v Oldham
Stockport v Bury
Wigan v Rochdale
Leading reported league scorers:
9 Kelvin Langmead (Preston)
8 Paul Robinson (Tranmere)
5 Lee Hamilton (Carlisle)
4 Matthew Blinkhorn (Blackpool)
4 Michael Kewley (Preston)
4 Chris Dagnall (Tranmere)
League Table
Burnley's Fixtures and Results