Thatcham Town Football Club

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PREMIER DIVISION:

SALISBURY CITY - City have been handed an away trip to Blue Square Bet Premier side Darlington in The FA Trophy Quarter Final.

FULL DRAW:
Blyth Spartans AFC or Droylsden V Gateshead
Eastbourne Borough or Guiseley AFC V Luton Town
Darlington V SALISBURY CITY
Chasetown V Mansfield Town or Alfreton Town

LEAMINGTON - Neil Barnfield has signed from Zamaretto League Premier Division rivals Evesham United. Paul Holleran was delighted to get the midfielder on board at the New Windmill Ground, saying: “Neil is a player we have watched closely in the last six to 12 months. He has put in some tremendous performances whilst at Evesham United, who tried very hard to keep him, but he wanted to join us and be a part of what we hope to achieve here. “He is the right age for the squad we are building, puts his foot in and is a good passer of the ball, and we are happy to have signed him before other clubs started to take notice.” Barnfield was at West Bromwich Albion as a youngster, and enjoyed spells at Rushall Olympic, Sutton Coldfield Town, Kidderminster Harriers and Alvechurch before signing for the Robins last summer, and played in both the league and cup fixtures against Brakes this season. He will be a welcome addition to the squad at this busy stage of the season, the club’s website is reporting.


HEDNESFORD TOWN - Town bosses Rob Smith and Larry Chambers have bolstered their squad in view of Danny Quinn’s injury. The management duo have pulled off a major coup, bringing in last season’s Player of the Year at AFC Telford United, Liam Blakeman, the club’s website is reporting. Blakeman arrives on loan from his current club, Southport.


DIVISION ONE CENTRAL:

BURNHAM - Chairman Bob Breen believes he has appointed the perfect boss to guide the club through troubled times. Martin Stone has been named as the new boss, replacing Jamie Jarvis who resigned last week. He will be assisted by the experienced Lawrie Craker, who has enjoyed stints at the likes of Chesham, Flackwell Heath and Marlow. Breen told the Maidenhead Advertiser: “I know Martin from way back when I was working at Slough and we were in the Conference, he was a squad player at that time. “I’ve known both of them for a long time so when they put themselves forward over the course of the last few days, I was very happy to sit down and discuss it with them. “After that, we discussed it at board and committee meeting on Monday and we feel confident they are a team who will work extremely hard over the remaining games to make sure we maintain our Southern League status.”


BEDWORTH UNITED - Manager Bernie Cope has been told his job is safe – but skipper Jai Stanley could be about to walk out. Dave Allen has taken over the reins as chairman of the club until the end of the season following the resignation of David Taylor last week. Cope told Nuneaton News: “You always wonder what will happen when a new man comes in but I’ve spoken to Dave Allen and he’s told me my job is safe. He’s taken over till the end of the season and he was vice chairman anyway. “We needed that stability so it’s good to have him take over.” Cope is not leaving but Stanley might be after the central midfielder was left out of the last three games. “He’s not happy. He’s keeping his options open,” the boss said. “I don’t want him to go, but the two lads in the middle Craig Civzellis and Dean Rathbone have done well. I told the lads that if they play well they keep the shirt and I don’t want to go back on that. “Jai’s got a couple of seasons left in him and he’s got to do what’s best for him. Whatever he does he’ll do it with my blessing.”


HITCHIN TOWN - Town hotshot John Frendo has been hit with a five-match ban. The suspension is as a result of his sending-off in Hitchin’s 1-2 home defeat at the hands of Rugby Town. The suspension starts on February 15. Frendo’s discipline this season has been poor – he was dismissed while playing for Ryman Division One North side Ware against AFC Sudbury earlier this season.