Young guns in cup defeat

A YOUNG and inexperienced Athletic side slipped out of the Lancashire Cup at the second round stage, losing 2-0 at Bury.

Coach Tony Philliskirk, who had seen an already injury-ravaged side exit the FA Youth Cup at home to Rochdale, put out a side comprising first-year scholars and schoolboys and was pleased with some of the football the team produced.

David Mellor, playing as a holding midfielder, excelled and the visitors were also denied a clear-cut penalty.

Bury won the game thanks to two goals from set-pieces — a free-kick and a corner — underlining the defensive problems Athletic's youngsters have had this season.

This weekend Athletic are at home to Rochdale in the Football League Youth Alliance, a game which will be presided over by Centre of Excellence manager Mick Priest.

Philliskirk is heading to Ireland to cast his eye on potential candidates to follow in the footsteps of wing pair Kirk Millar and Philip McGrath.


CHRIS O'Grady continued his impressive scoring run for in-form Rochdale on Tuesday night at Bradford.

The striker, on loan from Athletic until January, netted an eighth goal of the season in a 3-0 win at Valley Parade which took Dale to the top of League Two.