THE THIRD DEGREE - Week Ending 21st September

WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 21 2003

Boston = Neil Thompson was a relieved man after his Boston side ground out a narrow win over Bury at York Street. "We needed this win," he admitted. "A lot of our fans were disappointed when we lost to Cambridge. We wanted to go out there and show them that we deserve their support and I think we did that."Bristol Rovers = John Still told 19 year-old rookie Lewis Haldane "Your chance will come" "He's certainly done enough in reserve games to warrant a chance. Now it just depends on when it comes along."Bury = Defender Matthew Barrass faces a long spell on the sidelines following a knee operation. Chairman Albert Doweck has said, "We [Bury] are not far away from being a decent team. At the moment though, we are too up-down, consistently inconsistently if you like."Cambridge = Norwich and Cambridge are both tracking highly-rated Newmarket Town forward Alex Rhodes. Manager John Taylor hailed Cambridge's 3-0 win over Cheltenham as a "complete performance." "When we looked back at Wednesday, we did soak up some pressure in that game, but this afternoon was a complete performance."Carlisle = Paul Simpson has been appointed as manager, he had previously been acting as a caretaker manager. John Ward has joined as assistant manager on a temporary basis.Cheltenham = Manager Bobby Gould and Bristol City manager Danny Wilson have reached an agreement for loan players Kevin Amankwaah and Darren Jones to stay at Whaddan Road for a second month.Darlington = Winger Neil Wainwright will out of action for up to six weeks after breaking a bone in his foot against Torquay. Midfielder Gary Pearson starts a four-match ban on Saturday after his second sending off of the season.Doncaster = Boss Dave Penney was delighted after his side had won their first game in 7 matches "We played more like we did when we were winning matches at the start of the season."Huddersfield = Huddersfield Town manager Peter Jackson was unhappy with the referee's decision to send Paul Scott off in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Swansea. "Scott should never have been sent off," "He hardly made a tackle all afternoon and the referee should have used his common sense as the second booking was never warranted as Trundle made a meal of the challenge." "The dismissal of Hughes I do have to agree with as he lost his head completely and kicked out at Trundle." "Swansea are a good side and if they can keep their players then they have as good a chance as anyone come the end of the season."Hull = On loan keeper Michels Kuipers has return to Brighton after 3 matches because of an injury to Brighton's other goalie Ben Roberts. Hull moved to second place after an impressive win against Orient. "After our draw with Leyton Orient I'd told the players they needed to improve," said Taylor. "I thought our first half was good and we deserved to be ahead at the break. I'm delighted with the win. I knew this would be a very hard place to come and get a result but two goals in quick succession really helped us."Kidderminster = Ian Britton called for Kidderminster to show more battling qualities after a 2-1 defeat at home to Lincoln made it seven games without a win. He said: "The confidence is low. We need strong people and strong players and the side I put out in next Saturday's game at Hull will reflect that." "The problem is we haven't got leaders out there. What we need are 11 players to work very hard and stop the opposition playing." The Harriers have signed Oldham's Mickael Antoine-Curier on a non-contract basis.Leyton O = Loanee Alan McCormack is keen to extend his spell at Leyton Orient after enjoying his initial period at Brisbane Road. Paul Brush says Leyton Orient did not play well enough in their game with Scunthorpe despite grabbing a late equaliser to salvage a point at Brisbane Road. "They're a decent side and they didn't make it easy for us but we didn't play as well as on Tuesday."Lincoln = The Imps have agreed to sign Peterborough striker Francis Green on a permanent deal, Green is currently on loan with Lincoln. Manager Keith Alexander is looking to add another striker to his squad. He also said he would like to keep on loan Hartlepool striker Marcus Richardson permanently. Lincoln City boss Keith Alexander thought his improving side should have won by more goals following the Red Imps' 2-1 victory at Kidderminster. "I thought we had good shouts for two penalties and a couple of other chances. I think 4-1 would have been a fairer result," he said after the victory.Macclesfield = David Moss tried to bring Southend winger Steven Clarke on loan but the Shrimpers rejected the deal. Striker Neil Ross has joined Northwich Victoria on loan.Mansfield = Midfielder Leroy Williamson is to undergo surgery on a damaged cartilage while he serves a three match suspension. Mansfield boss Keith Curle refused to use his side's injury problems as an excuse for the 1-0 defeat at home to Yeovil. "We were down to the barebones but we still could and should have got something out of the game." "For the first time this season, I thought we looked lethargic and a bit leggy."Northampton = Cobblers boss Martin Wilkinson has heaped praise on striker Marc Richards following his powerful performance against Carlisle United on Tuesday. "We have got a lot of young lads and I am just pleased for Marc Richards who came into the team on Tuesday," said Wilkinson. "I thought he was outstanding against Carlisle and he was initially brought in as cover for the other strikers at the club. I think now he is commanding a first team place and I am very, very pleased about that."Oxford = Oxford United boss Ian Atkins heaped praise on Dean Whitehead after the midfielder's outstanding display at Cheltenham on Tuesday - his first league start of the season. Ian Atkins will scrutinize the video of Oxford United's 2-0 defeat at Doncaster before deciding whether to take further disciplinary action against striker Julian Alsop. U's boss Atkins said: "Certain individuals let us down, and let us down badly." "When someone is sent off two minutes into the second half, it gives you a mountain to climb." "But if he has given the elbow, he'll have to face the consequences."Rochdale = Rochdale's appeal against Paul Connor's red card at York has been unsuccessful. Rochdale boss Alan Buckley admitted his side never looked like scoring after watching them go down 2-0 against Hull at Spotland. "We played some good football in the first half especially but didn't look like scoring all day."Scunthorpe = Scunthorpe manager Brian Laws could not hide his dismay after he was sent off from the touchline in the 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient. Laws said: "I didn't think their penalty was just and that's why I was sent off. Nathan Stanton was standing literally 12 inches from their player, who kicked the ball, so to suggest he deliberately put hand to ball? You have to be kidding."Southend = Goalkeeper Andy Petterson has signed for The Shrimpers from Rushden & Diamonds. Disappointed Southend manager Steve Wignall believed his side should have earned all three points in the 2-2 draw with Carlisle (In which Southend missed their 4th penalty of the season). He said: "We can have no excuses for failing to win." "We were two goals ahead and apparently coasting but were made to pay for a lack of awareness in the second half."Torquay = Centre back Mike Williamson has joined on a one month loan from Southampton. Torquay boss Leroy Rosenior criticised his side for conceding two goals at home in a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Darlington. Rosenior said: "I am very, very disappointed we have given them two free headers. We had numerous chances to put the game out of sight."Yeovil = Captain Terry Skiverton will be ready to play for their reserves against Oxford next week. The centre half has been sidelined since the start of the season. Yeovil are still waiting to hear a firm reply from Hereford United concerning their bid for winger Paul Parry. However, it looks unlikely that the Glovers will increase their offer for a player who has never played in the Football League.York = Defender Richard Hope has agreed a new three-month contract at York City. York boss Chris Brass admitted it was important City had beaten Bristol Rovers 2-1 after failing to win any of their previous four games. He said: "It was a very, very big win against a good Bristol side."

THE THIRD DEGREE IS COMPILED BY MATTHEW PHILLIPS

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