Coventry Telegraph - Pink Online

Leamington set to appoint new manager

2009-11-11T10:30:36Z

LEAMINGTON are expected to announce their new manager within the next 48 hours and in time to take charge of the side for the away trip to Cambridge City on Saturday.

Chairman Jim Scott and his board of directors have a few minor details to sort out before releasing the name of the man to take over from caretaker Wayne Powell, who has filled the role since the dismissal of Jason Cadden last month.

Scott said: "We are very close to making the appointment.

"Hopefully everything will be ready and in place by tomorrow so the new manager can meet players at training the same evening."

Colkin aims to bring in fresh talent at rock-bottom Rugby Town

2009-11-11T10:29:24Z

NEW team boss Lee Colkin has little time to waste in getting a winning mentality at Rugby Town if the rock-bottom Zamaretto Premier Division club are to claw their way out of the relegation zone.

Colkin, who was appointed last week along with his assistant Michael Love, to succeed Tony Dobson in the Valley hot-seat, was keen to get the message over to the current staff that they would be given every chance to impress and be part of their plans.

However, Colkin did confirm he'd be looking to bring in new players ahead of his first game at the helm against Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday.

He said: "Of course, we will be looking to bring in some new faces - as numbers are a bit light anyway, but the slate is clean as far as the current squad is concerned and it is up to them to show us they want to be a part of the club."

Atherstone Town 1 Burnham 3

2009-11-11T10:27:43Z

A FOURTH consecutive home defeat left Atherstone disappointed as fourth-placed Burnham continued the Sheepy Road blues for Daren Fulford's young side.

Burnham took the lead on 16 minutes when the unchallenged Will Dunlop netted with a close-range header. The lead was doubled near the half hour as the luckless Tom Guiney put through his own goal.

Adders, for whom Grant Roscoria and Luke Keen both went close, battled tenaciously and got back into the game on 77 minutes through Roscoria's fierce 20-yard strike. But in time added on, Jordan Dowdican sewed up the win for the visitors.

Duncan McKenzie to speak at fundraiser in aid of Boyd Carpenter Cup

2009-11-11T10:25:40Z

FORMER England striker Duncan McKenzie takes centre stage at Coventry's Merrick Lodge on Friday at a fundraiser to boost the coffers of the Boyd Carpenter Cup.

McKenzie, a popular speaker on the sporting after-dinner circuit, takes to the stage along with a top Lancastrian comedian and the £35 ticket price includes a three-course meal.

Competition treasurer Peter Cox said: "Duncan is among the top speakers. He's funny, interesting and some of his stories of his career are both interesting and intriguing.

"All the proceeds from the night will go into a fund that will be distributed between many of the good local causes."

Kick-off is 7pm to 7.30pm, tickets are still available. Call Peter Cox on 024 7655 2490 or 07948 362349.

The Boyd Carpenter Cup has also taken on board new sponsors this season with the Ashton Lodge Hotel at Stretton-under-Fosse backing the competition, one of the oldest on the area's junior football scene.

* Quarter-final draw: Cherry Tree v Woodlands, Witherley Utd v Bermuda, AEI Rugby v Massey Ferguson, Mount Nod v Copsewood. Ties to be played on November 28.

Paul Spacey looking on the bright side as Nuneaton Town bid to recover from FA Cup downfall

2009-11-11T10:20:42Z

CLASSY midfielder Paul Spacey was one of Nuneaton Town's shining lights in their 4-0 FA Cup loss to Exeter City at the weekend but he believes the club's first home defeat of the season at Fortress Liberty Way will ignite, rather than dampen, Boro's promotion bid at Swindon Supermarine tonight.

Spacey says the Exeter demise has not hurt the team's confidence and would be disappointed if Boro failed to reap a positive outcome from their first visit to Hunts Copse in Wiltshire.

Certainly, the side's second-half exploits on Saturday emphasised the quality, desire and commitment within Kevin Wilkin's squad as Boro dominated proceedings but found their League One opponents too disciplined and organised to squander a four-goal interval advantage.

Spacey said: "Exeter were a very good side and it was no disgrace to go out of the FA Cup to them. Maybe the occasion did get to us in the first half, but I thought we played really well in the second and had them at full stretch for long periods.

"Unfortunately, the goals didn't come but our football at times was excellent. We carved out chances and made them defend desperately and it's those pluses we must take out of the tie and put to good effect at Swindon.

"We were disappointed in the dressing room afterwards as we felt we could have done better before half-time but there's a tremendous spirit among the lads and I'm certain we shall bounce back."

He continued: "You are always learning and Saturday was brilliant for me - despite the result. I really enjoyed matching my skills against good Football League opposition. A few things came off and a few didn't but that's how you improve your own game.

"Getting Boro's man-of-the-match award showed the fans appreciated my efforts and hopefully that's the same at Swindon but fingers crossed with a better outcome."

Boro are not expected to make many changes to the starting line-up although Wilkin looks sure to recall on-loan Adam Walker to midfield. He was forced to sit out the FA Cup game as his parent club, Coventry City, didn't want the well-regarded 18-year-old cup-tied.

Walker has impressed in both outings so far, the cup wins at Coventry Sphinx and Romulus, and will by looking to make an impact on his Zamaretto League Premier Division debut. Rob Foster is definitely out as are long-term absentees Simon Forsdick, Matty Collins and the suspended Kyle Storer.

Hinckley flourish sinks Kenilworth

2009-11-11T10:19:14Z

TWO converted tries in the final 10 minutes saw Hinckley cement a commanding 49-24 win against Kenilworth after the visitors had looked competitive for the best part of an hour.

Joe Glover converted a try by centre Steve List and then landed a penalty to give Hinckley an excellent start. But Kenilworth responded in kind - Russell Clarke kicking a penalty before converting a Sam Viggers try - and it took an opportunist touchdown by influential fly-half Guy Swadling to nudge the Leicestershire outfit into a 15-10 interval advantage.

That nip-and-tuck pattern persisted at the start of the second half as Hinckley right-winger Sam Swift twice grabbed tries, the second converted by Glover, but Kenilworth retaliated each time with Clarke upgrading scores by Sam Overton and Tristan Wati.

It was at that stage, however, that Hinckley stamped their authority on the game - Glover to the fore as he slotted home a penalty before converting three further tries, his own effort sandwiched by Rich Harris and Steve Harvey.

* Injury-ravaged Leamington gleaned some solace from their 68-14 grilling at Dudley Kingswinford - a promising debut from winger Lee Hopkins and a robust comeback by prop Danny Phillips.

The Spa men also logged a couple of handsome consolation tries - Matt Cooper dashing home between the posts and Mark Baldwin benefitting from a splendid Hopkins break - Patch Northover converting both for a 29-14 interval scoreline.

* Barkers Butts translated a 17-0 interval lead into a 24-7 decision at Newbold-on-Avon.

Given an early fillip by Nathan Tilsley's penalty, Barkers rammed home their advantage with converted tries by Dean Thompson and Chris Cove.

Newbold closed the first period in promising style and trimmed the deficit when a well-sustained attack featuring Simon Ferriss and Danny Facer was rounded off by Ben Harrison and Glenn Bond added the extra points.

But Barkers re-established their pack supremacy and wrapped it up five minutes from time when Loz Reidy crossed and Tilsley claimed another conversion.

Berkswell & Balsall outscored Earlsdon by three tries to one but were eclipsed 25-20 as Tom Kendal racked up six penalties and a conversion for the hosts.

His deadball expertise meant that Earlsdon led 22-3 at the interval - Jamie Knott landing the solitary Berkswell penalty - but the visitors staged an impressive packled rally in the second period.

Craig Mills claimed a pushover try, Roman Coombes barrelled through for a handsome score converted from the touchline and - after another Kendal pot - Knott dribbled through soccer-style for replacement Will Varnham to haul the Bs within touching difference.

* Southam were punished for a woefully sub-standard performance when they went down 45-0 at Shipston.

The visitors' fluidity was scarcely helped by eight enforced changes, but that doesn't explain why they were so far off the pace.

Old Leamingtonians piled up 10 tries - two apiece for high-speed wingers Steve Dealtry and Rob Ridler - to overwhelm Edwardians 54-10.

Apart from a brief loss of concentration in the first half - when OLs' lead slipped from 15-0 to 15-10 - the Crofts squad was always in control and the second half produced a major bonus as Adam Canning converted his own try on his much-anticipated return to active service.

Liam Jones and Mark Foley also collected tries.

* Keresley logged their third successive league win with a 29-14 win against Rugby Welsh.

Three first-half tries put the home side in control - Giles Rowlson making the early breakthrough, Ant Collins getting the final touch in a pushover from a scrum, and Spencer Atkins claiming his fourth of the season.

And although that advantage was slashed when Welsh picked up two converted tries, Neil Hannah upgraded efforts by Tom McKnight and man-of-the-match Rowlson to give Keresley some breathing space.

Alcester player-coach Steve Lea turned in a heroic stint at tabletopping Evesham when he went on as a tight-head replacement.

But despite his efforts Alcester slipped to a 33-6 defeat, Max Biltcliffe supplying their consolation points with a brace of first-half penalties while some exemplary sportsmanship by the home touchjudges saw two further home tries chalked off.

Coventry Welsh saw off Stoke Old Boys 27-5, although they had to work harder for their points than the scoreline suggests.

Finishing sharpness made all the difference as Welsh surged into a 17-0 lead at half time, Luke Horan opening his account with a penalty before converting tries by brother Liam and No.8 Matt Carrier.

To their credit the Old Boys battled back to trim that deficit with a Gary Brewerton try.

But their scrum dominance was offset by some excellent Welsh defence and the home side tightened their grip when Luke Horan converted Chris Neal's try before slotting over another penalty.

* Coventrians nosed in front with an 80th-minute penalty by Duncan Keenan and then stood firm during a nerve-shredding 10- minute spell of injury time to edge out Wellesbourne 16-15.

The home side trailed 15-8 at the interval - a Duncan Keenan penalty and a pushover try credited to veteran No.8 Dick Potter - but hauled themselves within striking range when scrum-half Stuart Kirk opened his path to the try line with a slick dummy scissors.

Premier Warriors beat Aylesford Hawks 101-41 at the Moat House Centre

2009-11-11T10:03:24Z

EIGHT-TIMES Division One champions Premier Warriors beat Aylesford Hawks 101-41 in a ruthless display at the Moat House Centre.

Hawks, minus top-scorer and playmaker Alex Birch and sleek centre Erik Zimmerman, ripped Warriors apart and had spectators drooling.

In the final minutes Dami Fakunle - probably the most athletic player to grace the Warwickshire Basketball League - rose to slam in three spectacular dunks. If the heart had been knocked out of an Aylesford side, who themselves were former champions, it was truly broken by this trio of killer blows.

Warriors led 33-7 after only one quarter. It continued to rain baskets with Fakunle, Luis Romero and Mark Maynard scoring regularly to hit the 'ton' with seconds to spare and send Hawks to a fourth defeat.

Onley Outlaws, recipients of a permanent 20-point handicap in Division One games, tasted success for the first time with a 69-53 win over bottom side Warwick University. Northampton kept a 100 per cent record intact as Tile Hill Trojans were on the receiving end; they stayed with Neptunes until the third quarter but could not hold the home side at the University of Northampton and receded from 45-52 to 50-77 before losing 92-76.

Tamworth Tigers defeated the previously-unbeaten GAC by 80-75.

In Division Two, Tile Hill Trojans 3 had a first league win since December 2007, beating Stratford Tornadoes 49-44. Their second team came up against in-form Ernesford Eagles who won 70-45.

Leaders Nuneaton Knights lost at Westwood, 38-44, putting Warwick Juniors top after a 68-56 win over Arden Griffins at The Bridge. Woodway Nuggets taught RC Rebels a lesson with a convincing 82-42 win.

Copsewood open Coventry League season with narrow win in group stages of the Huxham Cup

2009-11-11T10:00:35Z

THE Coventry League season got under way with some tense matches in the group stages of the Huxham Cup.

The closest was between Beechwood 'B' and Copsewood, with the latter winning by 378-376.

In the league, promoted Phoenix Britons were brought down to earth by the Phoenix first team in the first week of matches.

The Britons could not rise to the challenge as Phoenix ran out 10-0 winners.

What looked like the match of the week on paper was between St. Georges A and St Georges B and despite some close games, the B side won 10-0 including a hat-trick from last season's under-14 champion, Loz Sweeney.

Division Three champions JDC Fords came up against Copsewood B in their first match in Division Two and came out with a creditable 5-5 draw. Man of the match honours went to Dave Smith of JDC, who won his three matches without losing a set.

Phoenix Okimo started their campaign with a 9-1 win against Copsewood D while Massey A picked up seven points against Phoenix Spice.

Last season, Copsewood G finished bottom of Division Three but the team has mixed youth with experience this season and it seems to have started well after picking up two wins.

New side Phoenix Huns started their season with a 5-5 draw against the Goths and a 7-3 defeat against Massey B, who are possible contenders for the title.

Atherstone Town bid to add bite at home as unbeaten Burnham visit Sheepy Road

2009-11-10T11:42:03Z

ATHERSTONE Town's vulnerable home record will come under serious scrutiny tonight when the only undefeated Zamaretto Midland club comes to Sheepy Road.

Burnham, who boast the best defence in the division with just four goals conceded, have won six and drew four of their ten outings seeing them rise to fourth in the table.

But Adders' opposition have not been so hot in attack netting just 11 times - the joint worst in the flight.

After losing 2-1 at leaders Hitchin at the weekend where Grant Roscorla missed a last minute penalty for Daren Fulford's men, Town have just one win in their last four league outings but what's puzzling for the Adders boss is that his side have won just once in front of their own fans all season.

"Our performance at Hitchin was excellent and it was frustrating not to return with something for our efforts," insisted Fulford. "Hitchin are not five points clear at the top for nothing yet we gave them a real fright and had it not been for the late penalty miss we would have pinched a deserved point."

"But now we need to bring something to the table at home. It's frustrating we can't get it right at Sheepy Road but the players are giving me their all and I cannot ask for any more."

Hitchin boss Colin Payne admitted: "We were lucky there's no doubt about it."

On the team front, Luke Edwards returned to the starting line-up at Fishponds Road and is expected to continue alongside Luke Keen.

Beaconsfield 1 Bedworth United 0 (abandoned 68 mins - fog)

2009-11-10T11:40:27Z

THICK fog brought a premature end to Bedworth's clash with Beaconsfield at Holloways Park midway through the second half as they trailed through a Kurt Morales strike on 42 minutes.

The Greenbacks were down to ten-men at the time after striker Jerome Murdock was sent off for head-butting a rival just minutes earlier.

Bedworth secretary Graham Bloxham said: "The referee did his best to get the game finished but in the end it was an impossible task. We now have to re-arrange the fixture inside the next six weeks."

Nuneaton Boro must bounce back from FA Cup defeat says boss Kevin Wilkin

2009-11-10T11:33:26Z

NUNEATON Town have little time to dwell on their FA Cup exit as they return to the bread and butter of the Zamaretto Premier Division tomorrow night and try to turn games in hand into points on the board.

Manager Kevin Wilkin accepted Boro could have few excuses about their 4-0 FA Cup demise at the hands of Exeter but couldn't hide the fact he was plenty disappointed with his team's poor defending - something that must improve immensely if they are going to get back in the title race.

Having games in hand on most sides above them in the table, Boro go to Swindon Supermarine with plenty of incentive to get back in the championship mix in what is their first league outing in more than a month following eight consecutive cup ties.

"It's been a while since our previous league match but I remember it well, a 2-1 loss at Bedford, where again our defending was not at it's best," said Wilkin.

"The lads know we need to tighten things up, especially from set-plays. We conceded twice from corners against Exeter and that's not like us. Our marking was poor and we just didn't attack the ball like I know we can.

"Admittedly, Guy Hadland's own-goal was unlucky and keeper Darren Acton's been beaten by a 30-yarder that took a deflection, but overall we didn't look convincing at the back."

Wilkin is looking for his men to bounce back quickly from the setback at fourth-bottom Supermarine's expense.

"This is the club's first visit there and we need to make it a winning one," he said.

"The players must show a positive reaction. The FA Cup is over and done with, tomorrow is about picking up three points and nothing less.

"We need to be out of the blocks smartly and stamp our authority on the game unlike Exeter, where we let them dictate to us.

"It wasn't until after the break we began to believe in ourselves, so hopefully we can dust ourselves down and carry on where we left off with that second-half performance at Liberty Way on Saturday."

No further injuries came out of the cup tie, although Rob Foster looks certain to miss out again while on-loan Adam Walker returns.

Hanson strike seals Coventry City Ladies FA Cup victory

2009-11-10T11:32:16Z

COVENTRY CITY Ladies booked their place in the second round of the FA Cup courtesy of a convincing 2-0 win away to Long Eaton United Ladies.

Hazannah Parnell opened the scoring for the Sky Blues with a well taken goal on her debut before Emily Hanson added a second late on.

Manager Paul Cudby handed first starts to Centre of Excellence graduate Stacey Christie and new recruit Parnell as first-team regulars Jade Formaston, Helen Dermody and Natalie Wilcox took a well-earned day off. Parnell justified her selection with a lobbed effort from the edge of the box that caught Long Eaton goalkeeper Cairo Hopewell off guard.

The 15th-minute opener came after good work from Nicole Tinto, who expertly picked out her strike partner after a period of sustained Coventry pressure.

Hopewell performed heroics to keep her side in the game while Netty Manca was a virtual spectator in the Sky Blues' goal. For all their possession, Coventry struggled to find a second goal to kill off their plucky hosts.

Leanne McKenna rattled the crossbar with a piledriver from deep before substitute strikers Robyn James and Hanson combined in the 86th minute.

With Tinto and Parnell hobbling, James came off the bench to lay on a perfect square ball for Hanson to take the net off its moorings and ensure that the Sky Blues went into the hat for the second round. "It was a professional performance," said Cudby. "We created a lot more chances in the second half than we'd managed in the first but their keeper had an excellent game and the longer they held the score at 1-0 the more they grew into the game. They're a good team and made it very difficult for us."

The Sky Blues are in cup action again on Saturday as they face Knowle in the second round of the County Cup.

Hawkes win tense shoot-out

2009-11-10T11:30:14Z

HAWKES MILL squeezed into the quarter-finals of the Coventry Telegraph Junior Cup when a penalty shoot-out settled their thrilling duel with Kenilworth Wardens.

It was 5-5 at the end of extra-time, home doubles by James Morgan and Mark Kingham offsetting Ashley Clark's hat-trick for Wardens, but Mill triumphed 5-4 in the spot-kicks decider.

Zac Fotheringham's hat-trick put Fillongley on course for their 5-1 verdict against Hartshill but Ian McVitie's double for Dunlop was mere consolation value as visitors Copsewood eased through 5-2.

Chris Adams and Mark Friend logged two apiece as Whitnash saw off Coventry Amateurs 7-1 and Martin Coleman (4) and Nathan Walker (2) did the bulk of damage as Collycroft overwhelmed Bermuda by the same margin.

Two-goal Ashley Jackson spearheaded Christ The King's 3-0 win against Mount Nod, Ambleside saw off Jaguar-Daimler 3-1 and Peugeot pipped Stockingford 3-2.

Mount Nod in 3-1 victory over Dunlop

2009-11-10T11:24:37Z

MOUNT NOD sharpened up their challenge for the Coventry Alliance's Premier Division title with a 3-1 verdict against Dunlop.

Goals from Nick Kirk, Craig Woodfield and Martin Taylor secured Nod's sixth win in seven starts which nudged them ahead of Witherley United on goal difference and keeps them in hot pursuit of top two Christ The King and Alvis.

Witherley mounted a fierce challenge to unbeaten Kings but were finally foiled 3-2 as Andy Morris, Mary Ryan and Neil Rowe eclipsed a Mark Latham double. Second-placed Alvis, meanwhile, trimmed Bedworth Ex-Service 3-1, Tommy McGuire bagging two.

Andy Wood's hat-trick took pride of place as Potters Green Reserves saw off Coundon Court 5-2 in Alliance Two but a treble from Anthony Bowell couldn't spare Christ The King III from a 4-3 reverse against title hopefuls Church Lawford.

Rugby remain three points clear in Alliance Five after Frankie Anderson's double led them to a 4-1 verdict at Brinklow Reserves.

Coventry Copsewood in 3-0 win over Brocton

2009-11-10T11:20:20Z

COVENTRY Copsewood turned in arguably their best result of the Midland Combination, Premier Division season on Saturday with an impressive 3-0 defeat of high-flying Brocton Town.

The success stretched their unbeaten league run to three games, four in total, while Carl Nolan's improvers have yet to concede in that spell either.

The three points takes them into the top half of the table and looking a side to be taken serious following their unconvincing start to the campaign.

Top marksman Curtis Jackson gave them the perfect start with a fourth minute goal before Matty Fowler headed in a Dave Scarr corner to double the advantage just prior to the hour and it was Calvin Thompson's 81st minute effort, converting from Gary Mead's defensive splitting pass, that sealed the spoils.

Nolan said: "It's going well but we must keep working hard and stay focused. It was a tough game and we had to defend really well with centre-backs Tom Murphy and Lee Hunt outstanding."

Nuneaton Griff slipped up at wet and dreary Meir KA where an Andy Teague goal ten minutes from the interval was enough to see off the challenge of Steve Farmer's side.

Callum Peake was robbed in midfield and when Teague gained possession his angled drive flew beneath keeper Dave Needham's body and into the net.

Chances came at both ends but in the last quarter Griff pressed forward relentlessly with Andy Millan flashing a shot wide while in injury time keeper Needham moved forward and his header from a corner gave Milan an opportunity but his rising drive flew disappointingly over the bar.

Southam United netted twice late on to earn a 2-2 draw at second placed GSA Sports but Massey Ferguson were not so fortunate, losing out 3-1 to Walsall Wood despite Sam Manoochehri powering The Tractormen ahead midway through the opening period.

However, the lead was short-lived as two-goal Ryan Allmark levelled within five minutes and the same player fired the visitors in front a quarter of a hour from time while Ian Purvey's completed the job for Walsall late on.

Racing Club Warwick continue to struggle and dropped to the foot of the table after losing 5-1 to Continental Star at Hampton Road where the sole crumb of comfort for the hosts was Ryan Cranton's consolation goal.

On target for Star were Franklin Hazell, Tony Green, Aaron Moses, Mujahid Aziz and Ashley McDowell.

Stockingford AA booked their passage into the last 16 of the Endsleigh Challenge Cup with a 3-2 win at Littleton, securing them a home tie on December 3 against top flight Brocton.

Alex Naughton, Ben Ashby and Michael Husselbury were the marksman for Cabbage.