Hall keeping cool as Barlick roll on

Taken from The Lancashire Telegraph, published 11/01/2012

Manager Ben Hall is refusing to talk up Barnoldswick Town's chances of promotion, despite his side picking up a pair of victories over the festive period.

 

Town, who currently sit third in the North West Counties Premier Division, picked up wins over Padiham and Congleton Town either side of New Year, and are three points behind leaders Bootle with four games in hand.

 

Despite their seemingly strong position, Hall still believes there is a long way to go in the battle for promotion to the Evo-Stik League, saying "We're not thinking about the title at the minute, there's about five teams who can still win it and we're just going to take every game as it comes."

 

Amongst the sides who can rival Barnoldswick for promotion are Ramsbottom United, but Hall doesn't believe that there is any animosity between the two sides.

 

"There isn't really a rivalry between us and Ramsbottom, we're just looking to win as many games as possible and get promoted" he said.

 

Hall was pleased with the way his side performed over the Christmas season as they bounced back from defeat at Glossop North End to win 3-1 against a Padiham side who currently sit in mid-table.

 

Rob Smith bagged a brace to give Town an early 2-0 lead, whilst top scorer Spencer Jordan grabbed a third late  on, despite Sam Heap pulling one back for the visitors.

 

Hall was unhappy that his side gave their opponents a chance to get back into the match, but was pleased with that his side were able top pick up a vital three points.

 

After a postponed match against Colne, goals from Liam Garbutt and Jordan secured a 2-0 win over Congleton, a game which gave Hall a great deal of pleasure.

 

"We weren't at our best against Padiham, but we were excellent against Congleton in what was a tough game" he said.

 

With 2012 now well and truly underway, Hall and his co-managers Stewart Aidrie and Kevin Richardson moved to bring in Chris Ridehalgh from Padiham and Hall admits he is still looking to improve his squad, saying "Chris has come in and done well, and although we can't afford some of the players that we want, hopefully we'll be able to bring in some new faces."

 

The manager's attentions must now move onto their match on Saturday against lowly St Helens Town, a game which could kickstart a run towards promotion for Hall and his side.

Season Preview 2011-12: Leeds United Interview

Taken from It's Round and It's White, published on 6/8/2011

As everyone in football knows, Leeds United are a big club, and they will tell you they belong in the Premier League. However, after coming close last season and after being beaten to the final play-off spot by Nottingham Forest on the last day of the season, manager Simon Grayson will have work to do to get them challenging again, especially with people questioning the clubs ambition following the sale of Kasper Schmeichel.

Do they have what it takes to compete this season? We asked Leeds fan Tom Maston (@maston91) for his opinion.

What would be a dream season for you?

Promotion would be the obvious aim, and after the disappointment of just missing out on the play-offs last season, if we can go one step further then it will be a fantastic achievement. However, I would like to see us finish in the top two, as we don’t have the greatest record when it comes to play-off campaigns.

What would be your worst nightmare?

After our three seasons in League One, I can’t even contemplate dropping down to the third level of English football again. Relegation is every club’s main fear, and after a summer of limited spending, my fellow Leeds fans are scared it could be a real possibility.

What do you think of your club’s summer transfer activity?

After the loss of Kasper Schmeichel, Bradley Johnson and Neil Kilkenny, I felt that we needed to bring in five or six players. However, Ken Bates seems reluctant to spend a lot of money on the squad, and despite the additions of Andy Lonergan, Paul Rachubka and Michael Brown, I still feel we are short in a couple of positions, namely central midfield and left back. Injuries to Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma has left us with a limited amount of firepower, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we were to bring in a striker on a loan deal before the end of the window.

Who will be your most important player/s this season?

The front three of Becchio, Robert Snodgrass and Max Gradel will be key if we are to score the same amount of goals that we did last year, whilst new captain Jonny Howson has another massive season on the cards. Paddy Kisnorbo’s return from injury could be like a new signing, and if he can continue his form from before he got injured, he could be the man to sure up our leaky defence.

Any players you would happily see the back of?

Fede Bessone was the major disappointment of last season, and it seems only a matter of time before he leaves. Otherwise, I am pretty happy with the players we have, if not with the actual make-up of the squad as a whole.

Do you have the best manager for the job?

I think so. Simon Grayson gets some unnecessary stick from sections of our supporters, but as a fan himself, he always puts the club’s fortunes first.

Opposition players that you respect?

In the Championship, there are a many experienced players who maybe should be playing at a higher level. West Ham have a number of these kinds of players i.e. Kevin Nolan and Scott Parker. Other players who I think should be plying their trade in the Premiership include Shane Long, David Stockdale and Barry Ferguson.

Opposition players that you despise?

There aren’t many in the Championship that immediately spring to mind, but if we were to be drawn against that team from Old Trafford, it would be more taxing to find someone who I didn’t absolutely hate.

Best away fans/ground in your league?

There are a number of fans who tend to help the atmosphere at Elland Road, including Leicester, Cardiff and Middlesbrough. I’m sure the relegated teams will also bring large followings, whilst a trip to Upton Park will probably be the highlight for many of the fans.

Which teams do you really want to beat this season?

If we beat West Ham and Leicester then hopefully we won’t be far away from being promoted, whilst beating our “local” rivals Barnsley, Hull and Middlesbrough would also be quite sweet.

Finally, where do you honestly think you will finish?

I honestly can’t see us finishing above mid-table, and a poor start could see us facing a difficult season.

AFC Fylde Season Review

After just missing out on promotion, AFC Fylde can look back with pride on a very successful season. Victory in the LFA Trophy final at the Reebok Stadium was the undoubted highlight, and only defeat at Chorley in the play-off final cost Kelham O'Hanlon's men a perfect season.

As part of my work with the club, I created this review of the season for the End of Season Awards Dinner:

Promotion beckons for Chester FC

Yesterday, I spent my Easter Monday afternoon at Kellamergh Park, the home of AFC Fylde. Throughout the season I have been providing match highlights and post-match interviews for the club's website, and yesterday marked the end of the regular season for the Coasters, with a fixture against Chester FC.

Chester have consistently been the most
impressive team in the Evo-Stik
Division One North this season

Chester are currently playing in their inaugral season and have impressed in the new surroundings of the Evo-Stik Division One North.

They went into the match knowing a win could ensure them a maiden title if other results went their way, and almost 1000 fans converged on the small town of Kirkham to cheer their team on to what could turn out to be a famous victory.

Chester FC were formed last year after ex-Football League side Chester City were wound up in March 2010.  A phoenix club was formed by fans and City's former ground, the Deva Stadium, was leased to the new club by the council.

The club then applied for league status, and were accepted into the eighth tier of English football, where they would face teams such as Radcliffe Borough, Cammell Laird and, of course, Fylde; a far cry from their days in the higher echelons of the English football pyramid.

Since the start of the season, Neil Young's side have been the standout performers in the league, and by the end of February were twelve points clear at the top of the league. However, after a poor run of form through March, their lead was cut to just one point by Skelmersdale United. Both sides have since dropped points, with Chester going into their penultimate game of the season at Fylde with a three point lead over their rivals in the race for automatic promotion.

Fylde themselves have also had a good season, and went into the match sitting in 4th position and assured of a play-off place regardless of the result. However, with the play-off semi-finals consisting of only one match, a win was imperative if they were to stand any chance of gaining home advantage for next week's match.

Kelham O'Hanlon rested full-back Matt Lawlor whilst Matt Mahoney, Joe Booth and top-scorer Tom Cahill all missed out through injury, meaning Kevin Townson again led the line for the home team.

After 35 minutes of little incident, it was former Macclesfield and Rochdale striker Townson who gave Fylde a shock lead as he fired home from the edge of the box after Paul Jarvis' free-kick was blocked.

Chester looked devoid of ideas, and with news filtering through that Skelmersdale were 3-1 up at half-time in their match at Prescot Cables, their large hoards of supporters were beginning to become a bit twitchy.

Young brought on Chris Simm at half-time, and he began to provide a spark that was missing in the first-half as his pace began to cause the home side's defence a few problems.

Townson gave Fylde the lead with his first goal in 14 matches

The second-half was 17 minutes old when Chester finally got the equaliser they deserved when Michael Powell headed in a corner from close range. It was the midfielder's third goal in as many games, although the Fylde players complained ferociously that goalkeeper Lewis Edge had been fouled as he tried to come and collect the ball.

Four minutes later Chester were in front as Michael Wilde headed in his 37th goal of the season. The goal brought about scenes of jubilation with players, staff and fans all joining in with the celebrations.

Conceding two goals in such a short space of time knocked the stuffing out of Fylde as they struggled to forge any attacks of note due to the strong wind that was aiding their visitors.

With time ticking down the visitors made the points safe as Robbie Booth fired home from close range, and minutes later the referee blew the final whistle to spark a pitch invasion of around half the travelling supporters.

Skelmersdale hung on for a victory that meant that Chester cannot yet be 100% sure of promotion, but with one game to play they have a three point lead at the top of the table and have a far superior goal difference.

Chester now need just a point to guarantee promotion when they travel to Garforth Town on Friday afternoon, and I don't feel anyone would begrudge their fans a first title since City won the Conference in 2004.

As for Fylde, the result leaves them 5th in the table and almost assured of playing away at Skelmersdale next Monday afternoon, with victory setting up another away tie in the final, against either Chorley or Curzon Ashton.

After the match, O'Hanlon spoke to me about the game and the forthcoming play-offs:

JN2053 Skills Tests: Video

As part of my university course, I interviewed Everton fan Ell Bretland regarding the Toffees' season thus far. Ell travels around the country with his beloved Everton, and is hoping they can improve on their current league position.

JN2053 Skills Tests: Audio

Vox Pop Edit by maston91

Preston North End have endured an awful start to the season, finding themselves bottom of the Championship table and six points away from safety. I spoke to the fans before their game against Hull City to find out what had been going wrong at Deepdale.

AFC Fylde 5-2 Radcliffe Borough

AFC Fylde moved back into the play-off positions after taking all three points from an absorbing encounter at Kellamergh Park.

After an enforced two week break, the home side took some time to get into their stride as neither team seemed able to string any meaningful passing moves together. Despite this, Fylde had the better chances as Jamie Milligan twice had long range efforts saved by Nick Culkin, whilst Kevin Townson cut in from the right to test the ex-Bristol Rovers stopper.

The deadlock was finally broken midway through the first half as Townson was felled just inside the box, leaving the referee no choice but to award a penalty, which was coolly dispatched by captain Milligan. However, the lead lasted less than two minutes as David Sherlock latched onto a good through ball to slot past Lewis Edge in the Fylde goal.

This did not deter the Coasters, as Tom Cahill restored their lead after turning in a low Michael Barnes cross. The lead was then doubled moments later as centre-back Phil Doughty won the ball in the centre circle before playing in Townson who made no mistake with the finish.

As half-time loomed young midfielder Mike Nolan stung the palms of Culkin, but there were to be no more goals before the break.

Whatever was said by Radcliffe manager Gerry Luczka in the dressing room had an immediate effect as Adam Roscoe beat Edge at his near post from a near impossible angle. This galvanised the visitors, and they began to control the game, despite not creating any clear-cut chances.

Borough were made to pay for not turning their possession into goals as Townson tapped in his second and Fylde's fourth after a Barnes shot ricocheted off two Radcliffe defenders. That was to be the former Macclesfield striker's final action as he was replaced by Matt Walwyn, whilst Andy Bell continued to make his comeback from injury, replacing Cahill.

It did not take long for Walwyn to make an impact, with the striker picking the ball up just inside the visitors half before unleashing an unstoppable drive from 30 yards which many of the world's best keepers would have struggled to keep out.

With a three goal lead established, Fylde began to relax and the remaining 25 minutes did not bring many chances, although Bell and fellow substitute Matty Kay both tested Culkin before the 90 minutes were up.

AFC Fylde 7 - 1 Warrington Town (26/10/10)

After Saturday’s 1-1 draw between the two sides, many were anticipating another tight game at Kellamergh Park on Tuesday night, but it was anything but.

Kelham O’Hanlon made three changes from the weekend, with Matt Walwyn, Mike Nolan and Leon Gierke all coming into the side. However, it was the away side that started the brightest, with Tony Evans and Anthony Hickey both firing over, whilst Kevin Townson fired wide from range for the home team.

It took a moment of brilliance to break the deadlock, and captain Jamie Milligan duly delivered, as he swept home a Gierke lay-off from twenty yards.  This opened the floodgates for Fylde, as Townson continued his excellent recent form, scoring a brace of brilliant goals. His first was a powerful drive into the top corner from outside the area, whilst his second found the same corner as he curled it around the goalkeeper with his left foot. The former Rochdale striker has scored six goals in his first four games for O’Hanlon’s side, and his recent form has vindicated the decision to sign him after his return from Australia.

As the opening 45 minutes came to an end, Rick Mercer added a fourth as he got the final touch on a Phil Doughty’s goalbound header. The half-time whistle couldn’t come soon enough for Warrington, as arguments between their players threatened to get out of hand.

Townson was substituted during the interval, with former Manchester United youngster Mike Barnes his replacement, and it didn’t take him long to make an impact. The pacy winger embarked on a mazy run through the away sides defence before crossing for top scorer Walwyn, who tapped in for his 10^th goal of the season. Walwyn was impressive throughout, and could have had more, as he saw a shot cleared off the line, whilst he also missed a virtual open goal from another Barnes cross.

At 5-0, the away side eventually began to come to life, and Hiskey’s consolation was no more than they deserved, as he fired in an angle drive which hit the post on its way in. However, it wasn’t long before Fylde regained their 5-goal advantage as Nolan scored his maiden first-team goal, prodding home from substitute Tom Cahill’s cross. It was then left to Cahill to complete the scoring in injury time, as he fired home from a Walwyn cross.

The victory sees Fylde into the third round of the President’s Cup, a competition the club last won in 1995, and many associated with the team will hope that the success of fifteen years ago can be repeated.

JN2053 Skills Tests: Images

As part of my university course, I was tasked with taking pictures of a famous landmark in Preston. From a list of five possibilities, I chose Deepdale, the home of Preston North End. The stadium lies just outside the centre of Preston, and is the longest continually used football ground in the world.

As part of the task, I was asked to take an original image of the ground and then re-size and crop it three times. Below is the original image followed by the three edited versions.

This is my original image. It shows the main entrance to the ground's Sir Tom Finney stand. The club's emblem can be see at the top of the stand, whilst at the bottom vehicles parked in the stadium's main car park are visible.

My first edit has re-sized the image to a 400px x 300px image. I have cropped the image down so it still shows the club logo and the large floodlights which are a staple of modern stadia. However, I have cropped out the vehicles at the bottom of the image, as I feel they do not add anything to the image for the audience.

The above image is my second crop of the image. It has been re-sized to 200px x 500px. I aimed to make the club logo the focal point of the picture, and therefore cropped the image accordingly. This therefore meant taking out the floodlights, but for an image of this size this had to be done.

The final image has been cropped to a 100px x 100px thumbnail. I aimed to keep all the main points of the image in the thumbnail, whilst again taking out the vehicles at the bottom.