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Avon Calling - Top three in action

Last updated : 29 November 2002 By Peter Heywood

Saltergate, Chesterfield where 75 turned up to watch Sheffield United v Wolves
The Terriers took a trip to Radcliffe Borough’s Stainton Park on Wednesday afternoon to take on bottom of the table Bury. Both clubs fielded experienced sides, and it was Bury who came away the more satisfied with a 1-1 draw. Town dominated much of the game but failed to convert the many chances they created. The Shakers’ Matty Morris rocked them with a second half goal, but Doni Clarke spared the Yorkshire club’s blushes with an equaliser soon afterwards.

Bury don’t report their attendance figures, presumably out of embarrassment, but surely even they were able to muster more than the 75 diehards who turned up for Sheffield United versus Wolves at Saltergate that same afternoon. This is certainly the lowest reported reserve attendance of the last two seasons, and probably an all-time Avon Insurance League record (previous holders Huddersfield for an attendance of 90 against Preston last season).

The match itself turned out to be quite entertaining. Jimmi Lee Jones put Wolves ahead early on, but two second-half goals in the space of three minutes seemed to have given the Blades the points. Both came from Grant Smith freekicks just outside the area and were converted by Danny Wood and Australian Kevin Murphy. However, Wolves were awarded a late penalty and Adam Proudlock, back at Molineux after his loan spell at Tranmere, converted for a 2-2 draw.

Surprise of the week was at Oakwell, and not for the fact that here was a team actually playing reserve games at home. Preston were the visitors and came away with a 1-0 win courtesy of a goal from our own Knocker O’Neill’s brother Joe. He could have had a hat trick as he later missed two good opportunities. Preston now have risen to fourth in the table; no mean feat as they have scored only five goals in eight games!

Again next week we are without a fixture due to some game against Manchester United taking precedence, so the next action is December 11th when we travel to Walsall to admire the new Purple Stand at the Bescot. Kick off is 2pm.

Next week’s fixtures:

Huddersfield v Barnsley (2pm)

Oldham v Walsall

Tranmere v Wolves

(all Wednesday, December 4th)

Leading league scorers:

6 Gareth Seddon (Bury)

5 Paul Macari (Huddersfield)

4 Laurens Ten Heuvel (Sheffield Utd)

4 Stuart Barlow (Tranmere)

4 David Zdrilic (Walsall)

4 Moreira Herivelto (Walsall)

4 Jimmi Lee Jones (Wolves)

Top reported attendances:

720 Walsall v Wolves 21.08.02

594 Huddersfield v Preston 28.08.02

496 Burnley v Huddersfield 21.08.02

402 Burnley v Sheffield Utd 4.09.02

Avon Insurance League Premier Division Table


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