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Avon Calling - Black puddings all round as Bury win

Last updated : 21 March 2003 By Peter Heywood

The 5'12" Jean-Phillipe Javary
Wolves, with games in hand over the teams above them, gave their championship hopes a big boost with a 2-1 defeat of Black Country rivals Walsall in the "local derby" played at Telford. Cousin Michael Branch put Wolves ahead from the penalty spot after only five minutes, but after sustained pressure the Saddlers finally drew level just before halftime through Kris Taylor. However, in first half stoppage time a Branch cross was turned in by Ashley Vincent for the winner. Wolves though, with trialist Australian goalie Adam Federici in fine form, managed to hold out until the final whistle for three invaluable points.

187 fans turned up at Buck’s Field for this game, in stark contrast to the attendance of 720 for the earlier encounter at the Bescot (since abandoned by Walsall for Hednesford Town of course, although Aston Villa’s reserves now play there!). That game, an evening fixture between two local rivals at the home of one of the participants, is still the highest reported reserve attendance this season.

"Reserves WIN!" screamed the headlines after doomed Bury managed to record only their second success of the season. It’s been a long time since the Shakers beat our youth team 2-1 back in September, but goals from manager Andy Preece and generous opponent Neil Ashton ensured a similar scoreline against an embarrassed Tranmere Rovers side on Wednesday afternoon at Radcliffe Borough’s Stainton Park. Tranmere’s misery was compounded by the fact that Bury finished the game with only nine men, Cramb and Borley having both been shown two yellows by an over-zealous official.

Dave Harrison scored for the Rovers, but this did little to ease the pain of their return to the Wirral, as with collars turned up and hats pulled down they slunk onto the team bus, their shame compounded no doubt by the champagne and black pudding fuelled cries of jubilation echoing from the home team dressing room.

The Avon Insurance League Cup reached its quarter-final stage this week. Two of our Premier League rivals have made it to this stage, but unfortunately neither will progress any further. Barnsley were beaten 3-0 by Doncaster Rovers’ reserves, Steve Burton (2) and Danny Bent the scorers (Bent incidentally had replaced the legendary Don Goodman at halftime), and Sheffield United lost 2-1 to Chesterfield.

Don Goodman in action for Doncaster reserves
Such is the bizarre nature of much of reserve team football that this game, played at Saltergate, the home of Chesterfield, was a "home" tie for the Blades who play all their reserve games there. Although Frenchman Jean-Phillipe Javary (curiously described as 5’12" tall on the official website) gave United an early lead the Spireites came back to win through Mark Smith and Glyn Hurst. No doubt, in keeping with the prevalent mood in the country at the moment, Javary’s teammates later blamed him for the defeat.

The Clarets are back in action next week with a vital game at Barnsley. Earlier this season a young Reds’ side gave us the runaround at the Turf, so Ronnie Jepson’s charges should need no motivating to exact revenge. Kick off is 7pm at Oakwell on Wednesday, so South Yorkshire Clarets make sure you are there to cheer the lads on to an important three points.

Forthcoming fixtures:

Monday, March 24th:

Sheffield United v Oldham

Wednesday, March 26th:

Barnsley v Burnley (Oakwell, 7pm)
Bury v Oldham
Rotherham v Wolves
Sheffield United v Preston
Tranmere v Walsall

Leading scorers:

7 Joe O’Neill (Preston)
7 Paul Warne (Rotherham)
6 Gareth Seddon (Bury)
6 Griff Jones (Barnsley)
6 Isaiaih Rankin (Barnsley)
6 Paul Macari (Huddersfield)
6 Scott Vernon (Oldham)
6 Mark Robins (Rotherham)
6 Laurens Ten Heuvel (Sheffield Utd)
6 Simon Lynch (Preston)

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