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May 1st 2000 |
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Reporter Kevin Motley There was much rejoicing at Wetherby Road as the season came to a close on the May Day Bank Holiday, however most of it came from the visitors, who sealed promotion with this victory in only their second season in the Unibond League. Nigel Smith was the only change from the side which lost to Ashton United 48 hours earlier, replacing Andy Ullathorne, but they were up against a fresher Burscough who hadn’t played on Saturday, unbeaten away from home this season and, more importantly, were sitting on top of the table. As expected, the visitors started the hungrier. They ran siege on the Harrogate goal, at times helped by the Town defence themselves, and should have scored on 12 minutes when Mark Wilde was let in by the defenders, but Paul Allen blocked the shot. Burscough got the important goal on 19 minutes, Billy Knowles picking up the ball inside the Town penalty area, before turning and hitting an excellent shot pass Allen from 10 yards. Unfortunately for the large Bank Holiday crowd of 325, it turned out to be the only major shot of the game. The Burscough defence, well marshalled by their captain Ged Nolan, ensured Harrogate never even got a sniff on goal, and although Burscough looked the more dangerous in attack, Allen was never really tested. Despite a dire second half, made up mainly of late tackles and poor passing, it did come to life in added time. First substitute John Lawless, who replaced first substitute Robbie Talbot when he only lasted 7 minutes, broke clear and, as he tried to round Allen, the goalkeeper tripped him up and it was no surprise when referee Richard Hewitt showed him the red card after awarding the penalty. Ryan Lowe, the division’s leading marksman, composed himself as Town sorted themselves out and put Lee Murphy in goal, but with already 13 penalties to his name this season, Lowe easily knocked the ball wide of the keeper to ensure his sides promotion. However there was one final twist to the tale. Six minutes of added time had elapsed when Town won a corner, Nigel Smith put it over to the edge of the area for Eamon Elliott to shoot, keeper Paul Blasbery could only parry the ball to substitute John Francis, who knocked it in from close range. Seconds later it was all over, Burscough were promoted, and Harrogate had finished with a run of four successive defeats, which not only cost them 9th place to Stocksbridge Park Steels, but also the 10th spot to Eastwood Town. Saturday will determine whether Burscough will go up as champions, as Accrington Stanley need to beat Farsley Celtic in their last game to give them the crown, anything less and Witton Albion will be promoted.
TOWN
BOOKING: Alex Nesovic (64 minutes – foul) ATTENDANCE: 325 TOWN: Paul Allen, Nigel Smith, Dave Merris, Scott Bairstow (Capt.), Jamie Featherstone, Pav Singh, Eamon Elliott, Jason Ryan, Iain Dunn, Alex Nesovic, Nicky Hey; Subs John Francis, Bryan Brooks & Lee Murphy.
TOWN
FINAL RECORD:
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