Merit League Matters - and some cup success for Tranmere

Last updated : 25 March 2003 By Peter Heywood

Lincoln coach John Schofield - said that one or two Bradford players tried to rough them up
At Gawthorpe, the surviving fit members of our first, second and third year scholars took on a team made up of Centre of Excellence starlets and recent youth team trialists. Coach Terry Pashley will need to make decisions very soon about next year’s intake of scholars, so this will have been another important opportunity to run the rule over his future charges.

Elsewhere, in the league Doncaster Rovers took the opportunity to move up into third place with a 1-0 win at Grimsby. Adam Frazer got the goal which condemned the Mariners to their fourth defeat in a row.

Bradford City remain the only unbeaten side following their third 1-1 draw, this time away at Lincoln. A young Imps side led for most of the game courtesy of a goal from their famously-named 14 year-old defender Jack Hobbs, but the Bantams rescued a point with a late equaliser from Clifford.

Following our comments about Bradford’s somewhat "aggressive" approach in our game a couple of weeks ago, it was interesting to see Imps’ youth coach John Schofield remark: "We stuck to our task excellently by dealing with their approach, with one or two of their lads trying to rough our lads up a bit…They came for a battle and it took us 75 minutes or so to get on top and win that battle."

Away from league action, and Tranmere made it through to the Football League Youth Alliance Cup Final to play Northampton or Cardiff, beating Preston 2-1 in the northern final. Chris Dagnall (who else?) and Karl Tremarco scored for the Rovers, with Mark Jackson replying with a penalty for the Lilywhites. In a couple of weeks these two will be reunited in cup action when they meet again in the semi-final of the Lancashire FA Youth Cup.

This Saturday our youth team return to action with a tough away fixture at leaders Notts County. Their striking partnership of Kris Nurse and Leon Best have already scored four each, so Captain Liam will need to have his troops well-marshalled to keep them at bay. The game kicks off at 11.30, and will be played at the Boots Sports Ground, Holme Road, West Bridgford, just along from the City Ground. So any Nottinghamshire Clarets (including the Baldwin family) try to get along and cheer the Clarets on to three more points.

Saturday, March 29th:
Carlisle v Lincoln
Notts County v Burnley (11.30)
Oldham v Bradford
 
Tuesday, April 1st:
Stockport v Chester
 
Leading scorers:
 
6 Carlos Roca (Oldham)
4 Kris Nurse (Notts County)
4 Leon Best (Notts County)
4 Dean Buckley (Chester)
3 Damien Hindle (Burnley)

Merit League Table