Latics in line for regional awards

TAKE THAT . . . Gary McDonald sinks Everton with a stunning FA Cup goal.

ATHLETIC are up for two honours in the North West Football Awards 2008.

After more than 85,000 votes were cast by fans across the region, they have been shortlisted for League One player of the year and North West goal of the season.

Mark Allott was already nominated as top player, but he has now made the final list of three candidates alongside Ian Goodison of Tranmere and Danny Livesey of Carlisle.

Allott – who had his 31st birthday celebrations ruined at Stockport on Friday night – enjoyed a clean sweep of Athletic’s awards last season.

In goal of the season, Athletic have been nominated for Gary McDonald’s stunning strike to beat Everton in the FA Cup.

McDonald scored from 25 yards as his side pulled off a major shock at Goodison Park. He later signed for Aberdeen.

This is a tough category – McDonald’s rivals are Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn), Kevin Nolan (Bolton), Elano (Manchester City), Wade Elliott (Burnley), Neil Mellor (Preston) and Liam Dickinson (Stockport).

All winners will be announced at the awards dinner in Manchester on November 17.