Wetherby braced for Bardsey battle
BOSS Des English admits WETHERBY ATHLETIC will face a Bardsey side hell-bent on revenge come Wednesday evening (kick-off 6.15pm at The Ings).
Bardsey have all but lost their tag as champions and one result that seriously damaged Steve Larner's side was the shock 2-0 loss to Wetherby back in December.
Athletic could record a memorable double but English admits a psyched up Bardsey will take some stopping.
"They'll be coming looking for revenge and it will be a tough affair," warned English.
"We're not under any illusions - they are not getting the results at the moment but they are still one of the top two or three sides in the division and we're under no illusions.
"It will be a tough game, we'll be looking for a result but Wednesday nights are always a bit of a lottery with what side you have out."
Wetherby won their first league game in five on Saturday as goals from Chris Traverner and Mark Waterhouse eventually saw off visiting Aberford 2-0.
English now wants Wetherby moving up another place in the table with victory at Street Work Soccer tomorrow (2.30pm).
"We've got a good chance of trying to move up the table and I've said to the lads 'we've got seven games left, let's see how many points out of the 21 we can take and see where we are then," said English.
Meanwhile, chairman Graham Hopton is urging injury-hit BARDSEY to find their form fast before their County Cup Final.
Bardsey take on Barnoldswick Town on May 2 but Wednesday's 3-2 win at Ripon was only their first victory in three.
Jamie Thompson (thigh) and Mick Mills (ankle) have also joined Rob Dickinson and Mike Longfellow on the treatment table but Hopton feels it imperative that Bardsey hit a purple patch ahead of tomorrow's visit to Whitkirk (2.30pm) and Wednesday's trip to Wetherby.
"They're all wrapped up in cotton wool at the moment and the physiotherapy room is like a scene from M.A.S.H," said Hopton.
"Steve and Martin had them down training last Thursday but they were not letting anybody kick a ball - it was like a ghost town.
"It is a problem at the moment but having said that we need to get back to winning ways and go into the County Cup Final with some momentum and confidence.
"We need to get a couple of victories under our belts."
Hopton also admits that Wednesday's clash with Wetherby takes on added significance with revenge very much an issue.
"We need to beat Wetherby as they've got a bit of a hold over us at the moment," he admitted.
"They beat us in the final and they beat us in the league quite easily at Keswick Lane but Des is a friend of mine and I'm sure he'll give us an easy game to send us on our way!"
Over at SHERBURN, boss Nick Peacock is looking forward to tomorrow's visit to fourth placed Field (2.30pm).
Sherburn stuffed Boroughbridge 5-0 on Wednesday, Alex Booth (2), Marc Bradley, Jamie Wainwright and Scott Williams on the mark with 16-year-old James Beaston having an impressive debut.
Now Peacock feels he can mastermind a crucial win away at Field.
"It's a big game for finishing in the top four but Field are one of the teams in the league that play a 3-5-2 and that is the easiest system to destroy," said a confident Peacock.
"It's so easy to destroy, Premiership teams try to play it but nobody can play it and it's so old hat.
"All you do is go 4-4-2 with a diamond or 4-3-3 with out and out wingers."
Peacock was also delighted with Wednesday's win adding: "It was one of our best performances of 2008 and it was one of those nights where everything just clicked."
In Division Two, BOSTON SPARTANS boss Chris Conway remains hopeful of promotion despite Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Wyke.
Spartans missed the chance to go three points clear of their promotion rivals - Nathan Christopher putting Boston in front but Wyke rallying in the second half.
However, Spartans have five games remaining starting with Featherstone at home tomorrow (2.30pm) and Conway remains optimistic.
"I'm still pretty confident really and they will have other mid-weekers where they could drop points," said Conway.
"Mid-week we are a lot stronger.
"On Saturday we just couldn't get it going and maybe it's a little bit of fatigue getting the guys as they play on Friday and Sunday."
Fatigued or not, Conway admits victory at home to Featherstone tomorrow is absolutely essential, adding: "They are there or thereabouts so it's important we keep going and getting the wins."
Spartans also drew 2-2 at Swillington on Wednesday while TADCASTER MAGNET ended their season with a 5-0 loss at home to Featherstone Colliery.
LATEST TABLE
West Yorkshire Premier P Pts
Carlton Athletic 27 69
Sherburn White Rose 26 53
Knaresborough Town 25 48
Field AFC 25 47
Bardsey 22 45
Beeston St Anthony's 24 43
Whitkirk Wanderers 27 37
Boroughbridge 24 34
Ripon City 27 31
Street Work Soccer 26 30
Pool 23 29
Wetherby Athletic 24 28
Howden Clough 22 23
Rothwell Athletic 26 18
Ossett Common Rovers 27 17
Aberford Albion 25 16
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Last Updated:
17 April 2008 4:21 PM
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Source:
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Location:
Harrogate