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Table-toppers hold no fear for Blues!
by Adrian Capstick
v'f'BLUES boss Lee Sculpher has some dif ficult selection decisions to make ahead of Satur- day's game away at Gresley Rovers. But for the first time
this season, it is a posi tion he relishes. Sculpher has a full
squad to choose from to take on the Derbyshire side, who went joint-top of the UniBond First Divi sion on Tuesday night with a 4-1 win over Kids-
,^^^grove Athletic. ■ " And after last Satur
day's excellent 2-1 win over second-placed North Ferriby United, Sculpher believes his squad have nothing to fear in such a compact league. He said: “We can com
pete against anybody, it is a tight league and we cer tainly haven't been out classed in the league by any side. “It doesn't matter about your league position,
vri-whether you're playing the top or the bottom you've just got to perform well on the day. “It is about consistency, and tha t message is now
^ h itting home with the players. “They're preparing
themselves better for games and now know exactly what is required of them.” I
place in midfield. “And then there is Gary
Jackson and Lee Cryer fit and ready to play up front, which gives me some tough decisions. “Danny Woodhead has
also been excellent for iis, made the necessary saves and proved th a t he is a quality goalkeeper - it just leaves me with another difficult decision when Kris Richens returns this Saturday.” He added: “It's difficult
with everyone being avail able. We've a squad of 19 to 20 players and they are all good enough to be included in the starting 11, but that is a big bonus. “I've now enough quali
Danny Woodhead In past weeks, injuries
and suspensions have hin dered Sculpher's selection process, but at the same time made life simpler, but come Saturday there will be nearly two men for every position on the pitch. “There is real competi
tion for places throughout the team, with Ryan Parr joining us from Great Har wood and Russell Clark being free of suspension, so there are two lads there pushing for a place in defence, as well as Stuart Todhunter, John Paul Fagan and Chris Whit- tingham all vying for a
ty to throw into the side if any problems crop up, whereas in times gone by we haven't had th a t strength and depth.” “It is disappointing for
the lads that miss out, but I'm not one to over rotate, and if players are on top of their games, then they should keep their place.” Gresley have won 10,
drawn four and lost only two of their games this season, and have by far the best goals against record in the league, having only conceded nine goals in 16 games - so Sculpher would happily settle for a point. He said: “ I t's a good
game to look forward to on the back of last Saturday's win.
“They're at the top and
have the best defensive record in the league. Their goals for record is similar to ours, so they must win a lot of games 1-0, so it will definitely be tough. “We are going to have to
work very hard, and if we get a draw from there I will be delighted.” Looking back on Satur
day's win against leaders North Ferriby, the Blues boss is happy to admit that a good deal of luck aided his side to victory, but at the same time was full of praise for his two goalscorers. He said: “Paul Stans-
field did very well for the equaliser, but it was some thing of a comedy of errors, and I'm sure Neil Spencer will readily admit that he was going to cross the ball rather than shoot, but little things like that do help. “I'm not bemoaning our
luck, biit we haven't had a lot of it this season, so per haps this is a bit of a turn ing point. “Credit has to be given
to Neil as he's played well over the last few weeks and Saturday probably saw his best performance in two to three years. “He looked hungry, he
looked sharp and used his body strength to full effect. “The defence just could
n't handle him, and hope fully he will continue to perform like that, and if he
does, then he'll be in for a few goals to help us climb the table.” Meanwhile, Sculpher is
a t a loss as to why Clitheroe's mid-week results are still suffering. But he aims to address
the issue next Tuesday when Warrington Town are the visitors to Shaw- bridge. “For some reason in
mid-week it just doesn't come off for us, and I can't quite put my finger on the reason. “ I've tried different
things but it just doesn't work. “Meals may be a factor,
as the players may not be eating the right things or getting the opportunity to
'eat at all, with away trips setting off at 4-30 p.m. “But like I've said to the
players, the opposition have to work as well. “It's just one of those
quirks in football that we just have to try and over come.”
NEXT
MATCHES Grcslcy Rovers v Clitlieroc Saturday
.Kick-off3p.m. , .Clithcrocv
Warrington Town . Tbesday
Kick-off 7-45 p.m.
Andrew’s part in the classic Greek marathon
o 1 if
WHALLEY resident Andrew Ronnan ran the classic Athens marathon recently in a creditable time of five hours, 17 min
utes. The long-distance runner pushed
through the pain barrier to reach the fin ish line in the Panathinaiko Stadium on the course where Paula Radcliffe broke down in this summer's Olympics. And the Ribble Valley runner readily
admits that it is by far the toughest race he has ever competed in, but well worth the effort: “I t was easily the hardest marathon course I have ever encountered, with a 10-mile steady climb from just
under half way along the course. “However, the finish in the classic
Panathinaiko Stadium was worth the pain as every fininisher was cheered into the stadium.” The course was exactly the same as the
one run in the Olympics between Marathon village, the home of the 26.2 mile race, and the centre of Athens, and saw 4,000 runners from all around the world compete in it. Andrew, pictured with his medal, has
now set his sights on three more marathons next spring, starting with Rome, then Paris and finally London in April.
Jessica leads by example!
AT the end of the day, there is nothing like lead ing by example. And Clitheroe personal
trainer Jessica Cunliffe has done just that. The 26-year-old became
Fix UK Shelter City Health Club Games cham pion, as part of a gruelling run of sporting achieve ment. The gym-based charity
challenge comprised of a one-mile treadmill run, a 2,000m row, a 5km bike, a two-minute maximum press-up challenge and a maximum abdominal plank task. The original challenge,
attracting 250 competitors, was open to anyone up and down the country, with the top 10 participants com peting in the grand final at Champneys in London. And Jessica was present
ed her award by former England rugby skipper 'Will Carling, as well as Sydney Olympics rowing gold medallist Steve Trap- more. That victory came just
one week prior to her com pleting her first marathon in Snowdonia, in a time of 3 hours and 55 minutes. Jessica, who is the Lan cashire 400m hurdle cham
pion, has switched to road and trail running for the winter. And it had an immediate
effect, as she won the Stan- dish Hall 10km race and finished 11th from 500 in the Cardiff half-marathon. And she detailed her
training regime: “I like to lead by example when training others, and I have to have my own goals so tha t I stay super fit and motivated. “I find that my love of
exercise, the outdoors and enthusiasm for all aspects of fitness rubs off on my clients.”
O ^ Jessica is set to run in w
two 10km races next ^ month, including a charity w event in aid of the Brain Research Trust and North West Air Ambulance. That takes place on
December 19th, before she attempts the 'Tough Guy ^ event in Staffordshire in W the New Year. Jessica is pictured receiv-
ing her award from Will ^ Carling, (s)
^ 9770963365096
www.roefieldco.uk CdllntockvforafreelourofourFaciSbs Thursday, November 18th, 2004 with your sports team of Edward Lee, Chris Boden, Phil Simpson and Mrian (^pstiek;,..,.:^^^ '72> a
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