Avon Calling - Town back on top

Last Updated : 20-Oct-2002 by

Stuart Barlow - hat trick for Tranmere
Huddersfield had led the league for most of the season, but had found themselves displaced the previous week on goals scored by Sheffield United. The Blades turned up on Wednesday evening with what they claimed was their “strongest reserve line-up in years”. Carl Asaba was included in a team with only one player lacking first-team experience.

Town themselves also had a wealth of experience, and it was from these ranks that the match-winner emerged, with Kenny Irons scoring the game’s only goal from the spot shortly after halftime. Kevin Gallacher, incidentally, was not on show. Having earned himself a weekly contract at Town following his goalscoring feats in the reserves at the start of the season, he then failed to score in the next nine games. He was released last week as part of the Terriers’ attempts to reduce their £6 million debt.


Performance of the week must go to another veteran, Tranmere’s Stuart Barlow. He hit a hat-trick as the Rovers came from behind to beat Preston 3-1 at the Rivacre Stadium, Ellesmere Port. Tyrone Mears was on target for the Lilywhites, slotting the ball past the 40 year-old Eric Nixon early on.

Walsall put in another fine home performance on Tuesday afternoon. This time Barnsley were the victims, going down 3-1. Andy Bishop, Nick Smith and Spaniard Pedro Matias were on target for the Saddlers, with Isiaiah Rankin (experience) replying.

We moved out of the bottom two on Tuesday night with that fine 1-0 win in Antartica; however, Rotherham promptly dumped us back in the relegation zone with an easy 3-0 win at Bury’s Radcliffe Borough home. Andy Monkhouse, Jose Miranda and Mark Robins (more experience) scored for the Millers, who had John Mullin in their line-up.


With most teams playing in the Cup next week, there are only a couple of fixtures. Needless to say neither involves the Clarets who are next in action on Wednesday, October 30th at home to Tranmere.

Next week’s league games (Wednesday, October 23rd):

Preston v Wolves

Walsall v Bury

Leading scorers:

6 Gareth Seddon (Bury)

5 Paul Macari (Huddersfield)

4 Laurens Ten Heuvel (Sheffield Utd)

4 Stuart Barlow (Tranmere)

3 Kevin Gallacher (Huddersfield)

3 Junior (Walsall)

3 Andy Monkhouse (Rotherham)

3 Isiaiah Rankin (Barnsley)


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 04.09.02

349 Huddersfield v Walsall 18.09.02

Avon Insurance Premier Division League Table

Burnley's Fixtures and Results