Episode 7 Late Kick Off North West

No short cuts are taken and we make sure our guests are well`prdpared.

Make sure you cover that spot. Just keep your head straight, will you?

Coming up on tonight's Late Kick Off: There's no mention of the P

word in Burnley. But after Saturday's stumbld, is

that word promotion or panic? We have been here too many timds

before. You get used to the disappointment.

More worries for Morecambe. On the road with the shrimps as thdy try to

stop that slide down the table. I am always worried because I thhnk one

team drops like a stone and I hope it is not Markham.

And the joy of six. All the weekend's goals including Preston's

happy half dozen. With me in the studio tonight,

former North End and Wigan midfielder Kevin Kilbane, and a

striker who lists Bury and Crewe as former clubs but is now scoring

goals for Tranmere, it's Ry`n Lowe. Now, most football fans are

pessimists, often fearing the worst even in the best of times. Burnley

fans take that pessimism to new levels, brought on by years of under

achievement and false dawns. On Saturday the Clarets hosted

Middlesbrough knowing if thdy won and rivals Derby didn't, thdy'd be

back in the Premier League. But still few could bring themsdlves to

say the P word, promotion. A big day of prospects, as the club

could be promoted this afternoon. Throughout the season, the lanager

has refused to look beyond the next fixture and says that has to be the

mantra once again. Everyone else mentions the word promotion. We do

not know what we are doing on a weekly basis. We just do not speak

about that, to be honest. Wd just take each game as it comes, and we

look forward to that game and trying to get the three points. He got the

players to buy into this earlier on in the season. It is in tot`l

contrast to Leicester. Here, everybody is just playing it down,

it is the mantra of one gamd at a time, it is even a hash tag. The

word from within the club, don't mention the word promotion. But what

about the fans? They are full of beans and thinking today just could

be the day. What about the word promotion? We're not talking about

emotion yet. They need to whnd these games. They just go by what the

manager says. We have been here too many times before. You get tsed to

disappointment. We were ten points clear in 96 and we were going to

wind the league and it does not happen. If it happens it happens, if

it does not, it does not pastor Mark successful times me busy tiles,

especially if promotion happens We're talking about the word

supplement. I not going to get too much sleep tonight. Everythhng has

to be written by 11 o'clock tomorrow morning. They have proved they are

the most consistent side. This is the best team, certainly, whthin the

last 40 years. Their fate is out of their own hands to an extent, but a

win might lead to asset using the words Premier League and promotion.

`` lead to us using. Hoping something truly special can be

achieved. Back post! Over the bar. He comes forward. Middlesbrough take

the lead! A quick break, ond end to the other. It has gone just wide.

Just wide somehow. An increasingly bad tempered game

has come to the end. Now we go to a new Field Road, needing to get in

the Premier League. It is some of the best football I have sedn played

all season today. You can't fault the effort, and that is what it is

all about. Fingers crossed. We will get there hopefully. When the game

at a time, and when we do it, we can mention promotion. Until it is

proven... You cannot mention that word, but your destiny is at least

in your own hands. For myself, there is only so far you can go. Xou have

an eight point gap. We know there is work to be done, of course. We are

prepared to do that work. Sometimes the official is having an off day,

let's say. I was hoping one of those would go in even on the replay. You

can recognise fans of Burnldy, you can tell by their fingernails. I

think they have responsibilhty to try and relax. I know it will not be

easy. They can be the real driving force for the team, being promoted.

It is going to translate onto the players on the pitch and thdy will

get nervous. How would you feel if you were a Burnley player? Hf you

are not of a `` if you're not a fan, can you divorce yourself? And

then Elizabeth of pressure `` there will be a little bit of pressure but

there may not be too many Btrnley fans there.

You can see Burnley are awax at Blackpool. Derby have the bdtter

run. I cannot see them winnhng four games. They are looking at dvery

game, game by game, and thex are not going to look ahead. It is

realistic. It is not a statdment that the players cannot do ht, but

it is about looking forward to Blackpool on Friday night, the

pressure will be off of thel. Burnley and 83 points at thd moment.

They need to winds to guarantee a promotion. Come Friday night, I

think we could see them back in the Premier League. I could kiss you! I

think there are some winnable games there. I think they are destined

back for the premiership very soon. I will hold you to that.

Disappointment at Turf Moor and at Wembley too at the weekend, where

Wigan came up agonisingly short against Arsenal in their FA Cup semi

final. They went ahead throtgh Jordi Gomez's penalty but then lost on

spot kicks after extra time. And no, Latics fans, we aren't being arty

with the photos, we don't h`ve the rights to show FA Cup action on Late

Kick Off. They played reallx well. The game hinged... There were all

sorts of problems being caused. If you got one on one, there wdre

problems for Arsenal. One player went off and then we get lost

momentum. The window they played, for the Oeste 60 or 70 minutes, ``

the way that they played for the first 60 or 70 minutes...

Birmingham and vibrant are hn the run in. We should still fancy them.

`` Burnley are in the run`in. There is good bonding with the pl`yers by

the manager and the targets have been set. They could be up there as

well. Thank you. This week larks the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough

disaster. It was one of our clubs in `ction at

the stadium on Saturday, Bl`ckburn making the trip across the Pennines,

and boss Gary Bowyer joined his Sheffield Wednesday counterpart

Stuart Gray in laying a wre`th in memory to the 96 Liverpool fans who

lost their lives. Well, the action went ahead after

those poignant scenes. With all the Championship goals starting with

Rovers, here's Howard Booth. Championship goals starting with

This was really two points dropped for Rovers in their late pl`y off

push and left Gary Bowyer bdmoaning defending. They took the le`d when

Jordan Rhodes made the most of some hapless home defending and rounded

Chris Kirkland to score his 24th goal of the season. Even Lewis

Buxton's equaliser on the h`lf hour didn't appear to hold them back as

they were back in front just six minutes later. Craig Conway powered

forward and drove home from distance. They were 3`1 up `t the

break, Micheal Keane heading in to put this side firmly in control The

second half was a different story and was really all about Wednesday's

goal. Paul Robinson could only parry Antonio's cross and he almost raised

the Hillsborough roof five linutes into injury time with the epualiser.

Rovers failed to clear their lines and paid the price, much to the

manager's displeasure. We wdre not cute enough in the last couple of

minutes to see the game out. We should have run the ball into the

corner and we have `` and wd should have been as professional as

possible. We had a chance to win the game and we didn't.

Bolton are building nicely for next season and got the better of

struggling Barnsley to stretch their good run to just one defeat in 2.

Jermaine Beckford scored thd only goal of the game just beford half

time. Wanderers caught a lucky break late on when Alex Baptiste conceded

a penalty for the third successive game. Former Rochdale strikdr Chris

O'Grady took it but hit the woodwork to leave Barnsley bottom of the

table. Blackpool's plight is well summed up when you realise they re

just six points better off `fter a fourth defeat in five games. The

players insisted this week that they have pride in the Seasiders shirt

but they had no answer to former Crewe midfielder Luke Murphx, who

scored both goals for Leeds to the leave the visitors just two points

off the relegation places. Crewe midfielder Luke Murphx,

If we look at the table, we can see Burnley needing those five points

for promotion and Wigan looking play off certainties. The bottom half is

looking increasingly perilots for Blackpool whose final four games are

at home to Burnley and Charlton and away at Wigan and Brighton. Ouch.

The first of those comes with the derby against Burnley on Good

Friday. Elsewhere Blackburn host Yeovil, Bolton go to Charlton and

could do Blackpool a big favour there, Wigan are at home to one of

their play off chasing rivals, Reading. All the best cover`ge on

your BBC local radio station. Radio Lancashire is on air tntil

eight to cover the Seasiders`Clarets, which kicks off

at 5:15. As 2013 flicked over into 2014,

Fleetwood and Morecambe werd level on points, both on the fringes of

the League Two play`off places. But while the Cod Army are still up

there and challenging for attomatic promotion, the shrimps have been in

freefall and are now desper`te for points to retain their placd in the

Football League. On Saturdax, Alex Worsick joined the travelling

Morecambe fans as they faced Fleetwood at Highbury.

20 points now separate the clubs who were neck and neck at Christmas

Fleetwood are three points off the automatic promotion places. The

shrimps are looking anxiously around them at the other end of thd table.

I am always worried, becausd I always think that one team drops

like a stone, and they have designed Morecambe. We do not want the site

to limp over the line, we w`nt them to get over the line and take it

from there and get those pohnts It is not easy being a fan. Fotr months

ago, they were flirting with the playoffs. On Boxing Day, thdy beat

Fleetwood at home. Since thdn, Morecambe have dropped down and R

five points above the releg`tion zone.

We have had some injuries and bad spells. We have got to get goals.

The problem we have got his cash. Too many teams have a lot more money

and can buy the players and pay them more money. That is the biggest

problem we have got. Any le`gue team at the minute. He is there. Corner.

The post. The keeper made a real hash of that.

The fans want more. I've thought it was a blatant dive. Good frde kick,

though. I am quite happy with what we are doing so far. We havd to get

a last`minute goal. In theory, he gets the ball over the line and

brings Fleetwood back level. We have letters us down a lhttle bit

by not winning the game. Thdre are still plenty to play for and we know

we have to make up before the scheme of the season.

What happened at Christmas that has led to you dropping down thd leaks

automatically? It happened the last two se`sons. We

start we have a relatively small squad. All the big clubs ard at the

top because they have the fhnancial clout. It is a battle for a club of

our size to remain in the football league but it is a challengd we

always rise to. No idea why he was wearing `

kangaroo outfit. Answers on a postcard. He is right, stayhng in

the league is an immense achievement. Are they capable?

Clubs like these are knackered Stanley will always find it

difficult. I seen them play an effort to organise and diffhcult to

break down. Since Christmas they have been in freefall. But they have

got enough about them to st`y up I think.

That in two seasons running. You get the sense that when he has got

everything at his disposal he can do a great job, but injuries t`ke their

toll. Financially, Morecambe are not in a

position come January to get to a three loan signings are couple of

youngsters from Championship. But Jim has a great character about him.

He'll have those lads fired up. He is definitely not going to get

relegated. When the season hs over he'll see what body say can get for

the next season. They have got some good players, they will be find this

season. A valuable point for Morecalbe, a

costly couple dropped for Fleetwood. With the rest of Saturday's League

Two action, here's BBC Radio Manchester's Jack Dearden.

While Rochdale kicked off at Field Mill head of the League Two table,

they finished the match down in second, sunk by a hat trick of

headers. Both Riley and Rhe`d converted James Jennings corners

while Dale succumbed to another set piece when Tafazolli headed in a

stoppage time free kick. Scunthorpe take over at the top but

only by a point thanks to another fine performance from in`form Bury

who twice came from behind to earn an excellent point. After P`ddy

Madden's opener, they got b`ck on terms through Tom Soares. D`nny

Mayor's challenge just eight minutes later led to them going behhnd again

from the spot. Brian Jensen kept out Paul Hayes' initial effort, but the

striker was first to the rebound. But this Bury don't give up and

on`loan Danny Rose curled home a cracker five minutes into injury

time to stretch their unbeaten run to six games.

Accrington have lost just one of their last six after also scoring a

last gasp goal on their travels They went behind after an hour at

York, Kayode Odejayi adjudgdd to have handled and Michael Cotlson

converting from the spot. It was harsh on an enterprising St`nley who

secured a deserved point in injury time when substitute Shay McCartan

headed home Lee Molyneux's corner. Well, if we study the top of the

League Two table we see Rochdale still title contenders desphte that

defeat and Fleetwood still with that game against Chesterfield on the

final day of the season. Into the bottom half and Morecambe's plight

is all too plain. They have games at home to leaders Scunthorpe `nd

in`form Bury and away trips to Wimbledon and Hartlepool, too.

Morecambe`Scunthorpe is the crucial fixture on Good Friday. It goes

without saying that a Shrimps win would be great for them and Rochdale

who host Phil Brown's Southdnd. Bury are at home to Plymouth, it's

Stanley`Mansfield and Fleetwood go to Cheltenham. All of our BBC local

radio stations have special Good Friday football programmes.

Let's talk League One. UK c`me in at the start of the series. Since

then, your manager has been sacked, the takeover talks have enddd, you

got a new Chief Executive and you're still in relegation trouble. What

happened? Nothing is happened as such for the

players. It is business as tsual. At the end of the day it is about those

players on the pitch. We got to perform, and the things that happen

upstairs are down to the people who work upstairs. All those lads can do

is keep believing, keep working hard, and the last couple of wins,

our first back`to`back wins at the weekend, so all we can do is keep

playing and keep winning gales. Let's have a look at your goals from

the weekend. This was a crucial win, wasn't it?

As you can see, Jean`Louis has come back from Bury, a loan stint, and

he's been immense the last couple of games. Something we've needdd,

something a little different on the wing.

he's been immense the last couple of Young lad Junior Brown has come

along from Fleetwood. He fotnd it tough the first couple of wdeks but

as you can see there... I ndarly claimed that one! Great finhshing.

You didn't involve in the goal celebrations.

Every time the ball goes on the net and I don't score, I don't get it

and kick it out of the ground. It's just a habit I've got. But H was

there later on. So the mood at the club are still

fine? We can't go into detahls about Ronnie Moore, but he was sacked for

betting irregularities. Has a head the team?

Not really, he has been awax for a while. The players don't re`lly take

in what has happened, we have just got to worry and focus about our

battles on the field. Off the field we have got to stick togethdr and

that's what we have been dohng. It shows on the pitch.

Thanks. We will have a look at Tranmere's relegation woes hn a

moment. An important three points for

Tranmere, then, but another defeat for Crewe at home to Wolves who

clinched promotion as a restlt of their 2`0 win. It just wasn't

Crewe's day as they went down to a deflected effort from Kevin McDonald

and a second half goal from David Edwards.

If we take a glance at the table, then we can see Crewe third from

bottom but only in the relegation zone because of that poor goal

difference. If we take a glance at the table,

Tranmere with a three point cushion. Up to the top half and Preston our

sole representative and all but certainties for the play`offs.

North End gave their goal dhfference a handy boost at the weekend,

thrashing Carlisle at Deepd`le. So Preston fans, sit back and dnjoy BBC

Radio Lancashire's Charlie Lambert and the joy of six.

Gallagher comes forward, corals it in, the header goes on! Stu`rt

Beavon has scored for Preston North End on his return from the team

Excellent free kick by Gall`gher and well read by heaven. Holmes for

Preston, goes past one, passed a second. There is a chance, `nd the

ball is in the back of the net! Goal for Alan Browne on his first full

start for the club. O'Hanlon clipped the ball hhgh into

the box, the goalkeeper comds out, he has dropped it. The could be a

chance here. It is Holmes who buries it in the far left corner. Ht comes

into Davies, Davies with thd shot, blocked, second attempt, and the

ball has gone into the net. Plays the ball infield and it could be a

chance for Browne. Goes across the face of the goal, and it is in the

back of the net by Craig Davies It is five for Preston North End. A

simple finish for the strikdr. Kevin Davies knocks it on, looking for

Craig Davies. The could be ` chance for the hat`trick. The ball is in

the back of the net! It is ` hat`trick! It is a hat`trick for

Craig Davies. What an afternoon for him, and all three coming in the

second half of the match. Great day at Deepdale.

There are some really big g`mes in League One this week, starthng

tomorrow night when Tranmerd make that long Tuesday trip to Crawley.

They continue on Friday, Prdston go to second`placed Brentford while

it's next`to`bottom Shrewsbtry versus third`bottom Crewe. Oldham

and Tranmere face long trips to Colchester and Gillingham, BBC

Radio's Manchester and Mersdyside will be making those journexs, too.

You got some mileage ahead of year. We're going train tomorrow `nd the

coach will be waiting for us. We will prepare rice, to the hotel

chill out and have some food. But have a look at the bottom of

League One. You have five g`mes left. I noted, Ryan, but only one of

them are in the top ten, so that's not bad.

Sometimes, with all due respect to the teams at the bottom, yot play

better with the teams that `re up there because you know you have a

fight on your hands and thex have a bit more quality players. Wd'll take

each game as it comes and hopefully the wins should keep us safd.

I'll get out you as a present van? You must have been chuffed.

Delighted. We will probably be in the play`offs

now, but I am nervous, becatse our play`off record is not great.

Simon Grayson had no time for the hoodoo, he just said, this hs now.

Two new signings, so they do have quality in the squad.

For most of this series of Late Kick off, we've been reporting on

relegation worries down at the JD Stadium. But recent results have

seen Bury bounce into the top half of League Two. Good news for The

Shakers and good news for you! It means that the time was right for

the One`on`One team to pack the buzzers and hit the M66. On your

left Andrew Tutt, politics buff Chris Hussey is on your right.

Which town is known as the home of black pudding?

Blackpool. Byrne. Bury. Bury's club crest features two

stars. What do they signify? Promotions. League Two. Winning the

cup. FA Cup. Which cricket team is the Rdd Rose

County? Yorkshire. LAUGHTER.

Can you give us some clues? They play at Old Trafford. Lancashire.

Here's a Bury question given to us by a senior figure at the spuad Who

is the worst trainer in the squad? Danny Mayor.

What is a baby seal called? I don't know. A fowl.

It begins with a P. A puffin. What is the second line of the

national anthem? God save. God save the Queen.

Long live our gracious Queen. Long live our gracious Queen.

Nearly, nearly. It's Long lhve our noble Queen. Spelling questhon.

Spell definitely. D, E, F, I, N... D, E, F, I, N,

T... Don't ask me about spelling.

Who is the leader of the UK Independence Party.

Nigel Farage. Is that right?

The best thing about that w`s when Andrew was looking for is logo even

looked at the wrong side. You know Chris Hussey. Is your polithcs

both? He is an intelligent boy, Chris

Hussey. Guys, thank you very much. Ht's a

great weekend for football with fixtures on Good Friday and Easter

Monday, so why not get out `nd support your team? We give way to

the Football League Show next week, but if you miss us or just want to

watch again then remember wd're on the BBC iPlayer. Until April 28th,

from all of the Late Kick Off team, goodnight.