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So tight is it at the top that a win for the Blades would have put them in pole position. On Monday, they had done themselves and us a huge favour in beating Oldham 3-0, with goals from youngsters Anthony Tansley, Lewis Killeen, and Rob Nugent. But the slip up against Preston could prove costly.
Previous leaders Huddersfield were inactive, although not of course off the field. These are desperate times indeed at the McAlpine, and on Wednesday their beleaguered chairman David Taylor sacked manager Mick Wadsworth. On Monday Town face a petition to go into administration, lodged by the players who are owed hundreds of thousands of pounds in unpaid wages. With debts of over £6 million, the chances of this famous club playing league football next season at the moment look remote.
Other title challengers to falter were Black Country chums Wolves and Walsall. The Wanderers travelled to a deserted Don Valley Stadium on Wednesday evening where Rotherham secured another home win, 1-0. The Millers fielded a young side against experienced opposition, but it was their two oldest players, Paul Warne and Darren Byfield who combined for the latter to head the second half winner.
The Saddlers went down 3-1 to Tranmere at Vauxhall Motors Rivacre Park. Gary Birch had given them the lead, but just before the break former Clarets transfer target Andy Parkinson volleyed an equaliser following a free kick from ex-Claret Micky Mellon. Two goals from Jamie McGuire then gave the Rovers the points. Watching Northwich Victoria supremos must have been impressed with McGuire, for the next day the 19 year-old midfielder left for the Vics, on loan until the end of the season.
Last week Tranmere had presented Bury with only their second win of the season, but knock me down with a black pudding if the Shakers didn’t only go and repeat this feat on Wednesday beating Oldham 2-1. Bury dominated, and David Borley and Chris Porter had put them two up before a late Craig Fleming goal gave relegation-haunted Latics some consolation. Bury are doomed, but at least are going down fighting. Oldham on the other hand are in free-fall.
All of which leaves us with the final league match of the week, our sensational game at Barnsley. To paraphrase Lady Bracknell: "To lose one goalkeeper may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both seems like carelessness!"
The Reds’ reserve team coach Colin Walker was still fuming the following day after seeing his two goalies sent off (correctly) by Leeds ref Mr Storrie. "I think it is fair to say that what was a good game was turned into a farce by the referee," he gasped. "We had two kids – Shackleton and Flinders – making their debuts for the reserves and they had that spoiled by a referee who looked as though he wanted to get to higher places very quickly…I do feel sorry for Marc and Scott because they really could not believe what happened."
Perhaps, Colin, they would have better understood if you had explained to them the laws of professional football, particularly Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct (Sending-Off Offences), sections 4 and 5.
Next week cup commitments (which of course would never have affected us) restrict the reserve fixture list. However the Clarets do have a vital match on Wednesday evening at home to Rotherham. A win will take us out of the relegation positions, and still have games in hand. So, no excuses. Get along to the Turf and give the second string both your physical and vocal support for what is a crucial game.
Next week’s fixtures:
Monday, March 31st:
Preston v Barnsley
Walsall v Birmingham (Birmingham Senior Cup Semi-Final)
Tuesday, April 1st:
Moor Green v Wolves (Birmingham Senior Cup Semi-Final)
Wednesday, April 2nd:
Burnley v Rotherham (7pm: be there!)
Huddersfield v Bury
Leading Scorers:
7 Joe O’Neill (Preston)
7 Paul Warne (Rotherham)
6 Gareth Seddon (Bury)
6 Griff Jones (Barnsley)
6 Isaiah 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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