Sport in association with


01:282 4240/11 Thursdaj^ March 31th; 2005


BvER^5 pos tel: 01200 424888


: Clitheroe www.emeraldspa.co.uk with your sports tearn of Edward Lee, Chris Bodeh, Phil Simpson and Adrian Capstick Party over for Blues? by Adrian Capstick


'«*& day's 4-2 defeat against Mossley - forcing injured and unwell players to make up the numbers. Friday's 1-0 defeat at


available to the Shaw- hridge supremo for Mon-


CLITHEROE boss Paul Byron has attacked his side's commitment to the cause following a dismal turnout over the Easter Bank Holiday. Just 11 fit players were


down to the bare bones of 11 at both Christmas and Easter - a lot of things need sorting out as there is a distinct lack of profes­ sionalism. “I t leaves us with no


able for 40 weeks and should only be unavailable if injured or due to out-of the-ordinary circum- stances.” He added: “We need a


lot of changes. I t took these lads five years to win the North West Counties League, and it's perhaps time that the party was broken up a bit, as some of the things that go on wouldn't be found at ama­ teur clubs.


strength or depth and that is more disappointing to me than any result. “Players must be avail­


thought we played well, but in all honestly it’s not the games that are disap­ pointing, but players being unavailable at important periods in the season. “Its unacceptable to be


Willenhall Town was bet­ ter, but Byron isn't happy that this is the second time he has been left exposed by a “lack of professional- ism. He said: “In patches I


to play on the bench, and it didn't help Toddy get­ ting an injury 10 minutes in, but all credit to Adam Gardner, he came on with his foot still sore and he filled in. “Gary Jackson on his


fuelled this opinion, although he found praise for several players: “Defensively we were a shambles - all four goals were mistakes, it was just terrible. “I had two lads unable


verance and endeavour, but consistency is his problem, as if he's not playing regularly, he loses his match fitness. He has done well these last three games though, has looked sharp and hard to handle, making both of Monday's goals from nothing.” Availability for this Sat­


urday's game at home to Brigg Town, much to Byron's frustration, sees the squad near enough back to full strength, with only Russell Clark (sus­ pended) certain to miss.


day is one of the best strik­ ers in the league - but he picks his days. “He showed great perse­


the club, which is some­ thing I've discussed with the chairman, but that's besides the point.” Monday's game only


leged people who should take a hard look at the work that goes on off the pitch by the committee who, unlike them, don't get paid. “Wages aren't high at


STRIKE TWO: Gary Jackson beats Mossley's Andy Thackery to slide home Clitheroc's second goal. A2803054/Gc


A DEPLETED Clitheroe suffered a third defeat of the season against Mossley on Easter Monday. It looked as if a heavy


Clitheroe .........................2 Mossley ........................... 4


formance from Gary Jack- son, scorer of both of the Blues’ goals, gave the locals any credibility. With centre half Chris


defeat was on the cards as two defensive calamities in the first 16 minutes saw Mossley 2-0 up. Only an impressive per­


who is recovering from a fractured foot, had to come on at right back in the second half. Chris Whittingham was


only half fit having missed Friday's game due to food poisoning, and Paul Stans- field was drafted straight back in on his return from honeymoon. Mossley's first strike was


Nestor out injured - Neil Reynolds was forced to step in - and Russell Clark suspended, Clitheroe's defence was not in the best of shape. Even Adam Gardner,


■ 'N E X T , . ' MATCH


Saturday; April-2nd ; Kick-off 3 p.m.


Glifheroe v.Brigg Town:


UniBond League ■ First Division


a soft effort. Danny Wood- head pushed an initial shot from Leon Mike out for a comer, hut a lack of mark­ ing at the front past enabled Chris Downey to slot home. The second just eight


Downey was poorly dealt with, allowing Joshua Howard time to bring the ball down and smash a stunning strike past Wood- head. A third should have been


scored by Mike on 20 min­ utes when he was put clean through, only to cannon his


minutes later was equally as embarrassing. A left wing cross from


shot off the under side of the bar from six yards out. But Mossley's relentless


again rose to the occasion to net a second, and, although a result was beginning to look futile, he had two more similar opportunities to draw the scores level. He made his second by


beating the outcoming Wilcock to a long ball, before beating last last man Andy Thackery to slide the


spilled a pass, and the glancing ball swung direct­ ly into the path of Rhodri Giggs, who had time to pick his spot. After the break Jackson


a glint of hope for the Blues, Stuart Todhunter gifted Mossley a third before half-time. The acting left back


attacks were quietened midway through the half when a delightful piece of skill from Jackson saw the Blues striker take down a long ball, and race behind the defence before firing past Ian Wilcock. Just as there looked to be


important enough to some of them, they treat it too much as a hobby or a kick about in the park. “These players are privi­


“I t doesn't appear Blues Eye View


' A-DISAPPOINTING Easter weekend should be : put into context before we start to worry too much about our long-term future. . ^ The defeat to Willenhall on Friday was perhaps


■


" ^'The performance of Willenhall, though, does show just how open this league actually is.


■ . ’Anyone who witnessed the game would have to


: be disappointed by the lack of quality football dis­ played by. Willenhall,. who actually scored with their.only real shot bn goal of the whole game.


■haps didn’t bring the deserved rewards. : -Monday, though, saw a complete turnaround^ as defensively we were shocking.: :


:


more than our performance deserved. ■ *.■: ■ .- The absence ofiRaul Crompton was a big loss for both games as. we had no balance to the side, and ;with Chris Whittingham having to play on Mon- . day despite hot'.being fully fit, it is again perhaps no real surprise that we gained nothing.- ’ -, - ■: Gary Jackson has worked hard in both-these two games and fuUy dese^ed his goals against iMossley, and with aibit^&ore application from the front man, he could "perhaps offer the club so much more. .We still;have our destiny in our own hands and


poor defending; and -with any sort of composure on the day, we could have maybe gained a point. • ' Having said that thoughiut would have been


All four: Mossley goals were gifted to them by


will still:continue to pick up points between now and the end of the season to ensure UniBond foot­ ball for, next season. ;


league champibiis in (WillenhaU lastweek, we really should have little to fear for next season in what will be another.vnde open league..


And lets; not forget,, after seeing the possible :


ball home. His next effort forced a


save, and then the ball just eluded him at full stretch in the six-yard box. Unfortunately Mossley


weren't done, and Giggs popped up again in the box after George Curwen's attempted clearance rolled perfectly to the Mossley striker's feet to complete a miserable Easter for the Blues.


Whalley name pro •V •' mPw


WHALLEY Cricket Club have appoint­ ed Phil Thornton as their professional for the forthcoming Ribblesdale League season. Phil, who is a hard


hitting top order batsman, has played all his senior cricket for Morecambe in the Northern League, captaining the club for the last seven seasons. He has been


selected for the Northern League representative team a number of times.


and captained that side on a couple of occasions also. But he can’t wait


to start a new chap­ ter in his playing career with Whalley in the Ribblesdale League: “I am really looking forward to this new challenge. “I hope I can help


to lift Whalley’s playing fortunes from the position they finished last year, as well as make a positive contribu­ tion to the club off the field.” Whalley first


m


team captain Mar­ tin Davies also eagerly awaits Thornton’s first appearance at Sta­ tion Road: “We all wish Phil the very best of luck in his new challenge as Whalley’s profes­ sional for the new season. “I am looking for­


valuable addition to the club.”


ward to working with hiin and draw­ ing upon his vast cricketing experi­ ence. ' “He will be a


lone: 01282.426161; 'ax: 01282 439863-^


!£-mail; eln.sporKa'^ asilancsne\vs:co;ufc|


977096336510213 S _______ __ MADDEST MARCH OFF£:


.- 'The-Blues turned up attempting to frustrate the home side, and an excellent defensive display per-


not surprising,- as our hosts are still looking a good bettogainpromotioni- ' : ■ ’ ■


■f


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