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Blues’ road to the title mapped out


by Adrian Capstick


THE road ahead is all mapped out for Clitheroe. And with just four


games left until the end of the season, manager Lee Sculpher now knows what is required to complete the Blues’ journey to the championship trophy. Three wins from those


four games is the clear cut aim, and nothing less will do to guarantee the top spot. And the Blues boss is


ready and waiting to tack­ le those remaining games head on. He said: “I t won’t be


easy but we know what we have to do. “All of the last four


sides, Congleton Town, Ramsbottom United, Newcastle Town and Nantwich Town, are a much of a muchness and will all raise their games against us as the season comes to a close. “They all have great


aspirations to finish as high up the table as possi­ ble as most of them have had good runs in recent games. “Not one of the sides is


by Adrian Capstick


A EACE against time ensued for motorsport enthusiast Richard Casey before he even climbed into his winning motor. The Whalley based sheet metal


worker had to build a race-going Ford Fiesta in just three weeks, after his old car proved a right off after crashing in practice. But after putting in eight-hour


nights, the hard work paid off as, as with the help of brother Nick, he com­ pleted the car on time to win the first round of the British Racing and Sports Car Club Ford Fiesta Challenge at Snetterton in Norfolk. A total of 22 1800 Zetec-engined


r ^ . i


Fiestas took part in the tarmac circuit race, and Richard successfully beat the rest of the field with a time of 22 min­ utes 17 seconds, a full two seconds ahead of his nearest rival. “I t ’s been tiring but all worthwhile


to get it ready,” said the Fiesta racer. “We’re going for an all-out attempt


to win the championship this season.” Richard, who lives at Brockhall Vil­


lage in Old Langho, followed his father John into the sport and has seen suc­ cess in Fords, Minis and various other saloon cars in his 13 years of racing. Fourteen years ago the former Fence


resident won the Fiesta XR champi­ onship, and after moving his business and home to the Ribble Valley eight years ago, he has gradually re-entered the sport.


And this year he aims to feature


highly in allT4 championship races that take in 10 venues across the coun­ try - his next race being on Saturday on the Brands Hatch GP circuit. Richard would like to express his


thanks to Gordon Birtwistle of Clitheroe firm Proflex for their invalu­ able technical support. The company are world renowned


specialists in shock absorbers and sus­ pension design, and have proven very knowledgeable on test days. He would also like to mention that is


winning car.


always on the lookout for sponsors for future race ventures. Richard is pictured with his race­


(B070404/5


better than the other, so it all hangs on how we play on the day.” A wounded Congleton


Town face Clitheroe at Shawbridge on Saturday


(kick-off 3 p.m.), just seven days after the Blues took three points off the Cheshire side at Booth Street, and Sculpher expects an arduous game. He said: “Congleton will


be looking for revenge after last week’s tussle. “We'll need to keep it


tight at the back and be looking to score an early goal.


“They’ll be happy to sit


behind the ball all after­ noon just to frustrate us. “We have the ability


though to unlock their defence.”


However, the Clitheroe


manager is boosted by the fact that Congleton have to play tonight in the Mid- Cheshire Senior Cup against Witton Albion. And he hopes that will give his side the advantage


by Adrian Capstick A .vv'S''


If won’t be easy but we know what we have to do. All of the last four sides are a much of a muchness and will all raise their games against us as the season comes to a close. Not one of the sides is belter than the other, so it all hangs on how we play on the day. LEE SCULPHER


of being fresh for Satur­ day’s game. And as last week’s meet­


ing over the Easter week­ end proved a physical encounter, tired legs could take their toll. “They were both tough


games, but I was pleased with four points,” said Sculpher on his side’s Easter exploits. “Saturday against Con­


gleton was difficult having not played for a few weeks, but an early s ta r t from Gary Jackson with two goals put us in the driving seat.


“Things went a bit awry


after that, but we buckled down and showed charac­ ter to take the game 3-2.” Then on Bank Holiday


Monday, the game away at Curzon Ashton could have reaped much more


JUST 38 seconds - that’s how long it took Michael Bisping to dispose of his opponent in his very first cage fighting event. Over 40 people from


Clitheroe witnessed the Pride and Glory II Ulti­ mate Fighting spectacle, as the 14 and a half stone fighter from Low Moor took to the cage at New­ castle’s Eldon Square. And his victim, Steve


Mathews from Catterick Garrison Army Base, did­ n’t know what hit him. The fight was over


before it really started. The pair squared up to one another, and Michael.


Michael connected twice more before knocking the


than a 0-0 draw. “I was a little disap­


pointed on Monday as the three points were there for the taking,” said Sculpher. “We defended well and


had two good opportuni­ ties and could have achieved more. “I t would also have


helped that bit more going into these final four games. “But then again, when


have we ever made it easy for ourselves?” The next game on


Clitheroe’s travels is against Ramsbottom United on Tuesday night, a side th a t have been I involved in a number of high scoring games recent­ ly against Curzon Ashton, winning 4-1, and Salford City, losing 4-3.


^ So Sculpher knows his '*


defenders will have to stand firm in order to see Clitheroe attain the neces­ sary points. He said: “Ramsbottom


have been knocking goals in regularly lately, having scored over six goals in their last two games. “I t will prove to be a


tale of two defences ,and we know that we have to go out and make that game ours. “Ideally we don’t want


the outcome of the season to hang on the last game | away at Nantwich Town.” ® Match reports and Blues Eye View - page 70. O League tables - page 69.


Seconds out — Michael’s a winner!


29-year-old heavyweight clean out. Speaking after the


event, Michael was really pleased with'how many people took in the journey to support him. He said: “ I ’d like to


landed a couple of punch­ es before taking Mathews down. And, with the man from


Catterick pinned to the floor, the 25-year-old British kickboxing cham­ pion truly knocked the wind out of his challenger. When Mathews man­ aged to get to his feet,.


thank everyone who turned up.


“The support really


made a difference as the Clitheroe fans had to be the loudest of the 1,000 people there.


“I ’m just sorry the fight


didn’t last longer.” Michael’s next Ultimate


Fighting showdown is in June a t Birmingham’s NEC indoor, arena, fol-.


lowed by a similar compe- o| tition at Wembley Arena in July. In the meantime,'


Michael will be dividing , his time between his new mixed martial arts class, th a t is set to s ta r t two weeks today, and a period of intense training that sees the Clitheroe fighter take in a trip to America. For further details on '


the mixed martial arts , classes, please contact Michael


Bisping, (07743707845). 724903365096 9 77096 365096 16


4


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