Avon Calling - Terriers hang on to top spot

Last updated : 13 March 2003 By Peter Heywood

Former Claret Micky Mellon was in the Tranmere team
Dimitri Papadopoulos’ brace not only closed the gap between ourselves and Oldham to three points with a game in hand, but also placed him amongst the league’s leading scorers with five goals in only five appearances. In fact, as he’s been substituted in four of those games having done his job, his goals have effectively come in the equivalent of three games, possibly the best strike rate in the division.

At the other end of the table crisis club Huddersfield are still top, but only just. Last week they fought out a creditable 1-1 draw at Walsall, with Peruvian striker Gianfranco Labarthe scoring again; but then they lost 2-0 at Sheffield United on Wednesday afternoon to leave the rest of the division breathing down their necks. Dutchman Laurens Ten Heuvel scored both the Blades’ goals.

Preston took the opportunity to draw level with the Terriers on Wednesday night at Deepdale when they beat Tranmere 6-3. Simon Lynch got a hat-trick, trialist Andrew Bell scored twice, and Pawel Abbott completed the rout for the Lilywhites who led 5-1 at halftime. Hay, Hinds and Gray replied for the Rovers who had ex-Claret Micky Mellon in the side.

Not for the first time this season Preston are mistakenly reporting that the win "cemented North End’s position at the top of the league table". Minor points such as goal difference don’t seem to bother our friends at Deepdale.

Walsall gave their title hopes a boost at Oakwell last night with a fine win. 2-0 down at the interval through goals from Dean Gorre and Isiaiah Rankin, they came back to claim the three points with goals from youngsters Hawley, Smith and Taylor. Ex-Clarets Gavin Ward and Danny Sonner featured for the Saddlers.

Rotherham seemed to have secured their place in this division following another win at the Don Valley Stadium on Monday afternoon. They beat doomed Bury 2-1 with a team containing mostly first-teamers. So angry was Ronnie Moore with the performance at Brighton on the Saturday that he banished most of the team to the reserves. John Mullin and Alan Lee featured, with Mullin getting the first goal. Warne scored again for the Millers with Porter on target for the Shakers.

Finally, away from league action Oldham’s reserves advanced to the final of the Manchester Senior Cup, beating a youthful KKMC 1-0 at Hyde United’s Ewan Fields ground, Michael Clegg the scorer. As this cup competition is on a league table basis with the top two contesting the trophy, the Latics could meet up with KKMC again in the final, or Manchester United.

Forthcoming fixtures:

Wednesday, March 19th:

Bury v Tranmere
Wolves v Walsall
Doncaster v Barnsley (Avon Insurance League Cup Quarter Final)

Leading scorers:

7 Joe O’Neill (Preston)
7 Paul Warne (Rotherham)
6 Gareth Seddon (Bury)
6 Griff Jones (Barnsley)
6 Isiaiah Rankin (Barnsley)
6 Paul Macari (Huddersfield)
6 Scott Vernon (Oldham)
6 Mark Robins (Rotherham)
6 Laurens Ten Heuvel (Sheffield United)
6 Simon Lynch (Preston)
5 Dimitri Papadopoulos (Burnley)
5 Jimmi Leee Jones (Wolves)
5 Andy Robinson (Tranmere)
5 Jonathan Stead (Huddersfield)
5 Andy Monkhouse (Rotherham)

Avon Insurance Premier Division Table