League reveal a ray of hope for Weaver's Town
THE Football Conference has revealed there may be only one team in Blue Square North relegated this year, after the league comes to terms with a turbulent few months off the pitch.
Chester City’s expulsion and Farsley Celtic’s demise has created a potential get out of jail card for Harrogate Town who any other season would be staring down a barrel.
However this season has been like no other. Now there will be a straight shootout between teams at the bottom of the Blue Square South and Blue Square North according to league spokesman Dave Boddy, the loser dropping down to the UniBond or its equivalent next season.
If Town finish second bottom they will survive if they have a better points tally than the third bottom side in Blue Square South, which is currently Lewes.
Boss Simon Weaver said he will keep a close eye on the situation and was buoyed when told Lewes have only amassed 25 points to Town’s 22 this season, and more importantly have played four games.
It could be another chink of light for the Wetherby Roaders.
As could the news Northwich and Blue Square Premier outfit Salisbury are also struggling financially.
Northwich were slapped with a 2,500 fine by the Football Conference last month after misleading the league
in respect to default in payments to football creditors.
The club were warned to settle all outstanding football creditor payments to the satisfaction of the league by March 31 or face an additional 7,500 fine and a ten-point deduction.
Salisbury meanwhile like Victoria have had to overcome a ten-point deduction after going into administration. The club had faced debts of around 200,000 to HM Revenue & Customs.
However they were on the brink of coming out of administration last month after a court approved a debt payment plan.
“At the moment two clubs will go down in Blue Square North,” said Boddy.
“But this could change due to other factors. Northwich are currently in trouble, Salisbury are also in trouble, if they don’t pay their creditors by May 2 they will be out of the league too.”
On the pitch Town face a stern test of their survival credentials tomorrow when top of the table Fleetwood Town visit the CNG Stadium (3pm ko).
The west coast outfit are a whopping 44 points in front of Town and are currently going toe-to-toe with local rivals Southport for the title.
Striker Tom Cahill is unavailable for the clash due to the agreements of his loan deal with The Cod Army.
Town drew 2-2 with Fleetwood earlier in the season thanks to a double strike by Scunthorpe United loanee Rory Coleman.
New signings Roy Stamer and Lee Ellington from Farsley are in line to make their debuts tomorrow. Liam Shepherd (striker) and defender Josh Radcliffe also from Celtic played on Saturday.
Striker Dave Syers who has bagged nine goals this season- is suspended. He's back for Tuesday.
“We’ve got to be positive, we’re in with a real fighting chance now,” said Weaver.
“Who cares if it’s other circumstances that keep us up this year, we will take it. It’s not easy building the side up when the cupboard’s are bare.
“I’ve been put in the deep end but I’ve learned so much. I’m a much better manager because of it and I think that can only be good for next season if we stay up.”
Town are in home action on Tuesday when Workington make the long trip to North Yorkshire (7.45pm ko).
“We’re struggling for strikers on Saturday,” added Weaver.
“But on Tuesday we’ve got Dave Syers, Peter Knox, Lee Ellington and Tom Cahill available, that’s four good attacking options. For the first time this season I can think ooh yeah I’ve got some good attacking options.”
On Saturday Town failed to exact revenge on Stalybridge Celtic for their poor 4-0 defeat at home seven days’ previous when they slipped to a 3-0 defeat away at Bower Field.
Town were 1-0 down at the break thanks to a Jody Banim strike. A second half brace by Connor Jennings then sealed the points for the home side.
Blue Square North (bottom five)
PPts
Hyde 30 34
Redditch 32 34
Gloucester 3031
Vauxhall Motors 35 28
Harrogate Town 29 22
Blue Square South (bottom five)
PPts
Hampton & Richmond 32 36
Worcester 35 32
Lewes 33 25
Weston-S-Mare 34 20
Weymouth 34 18
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Harrogate
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
