Reserves beat Vale
Noppi on trial

Manager Sam Allardyce, himself a rugged central defender in his playing days, said: "Erik did fine, though he is probably not what we are looking for at the moment. "He would probably do a good job for a club in the second division." Noppi is not the only central defender Athletic have on trial as Andy Ritchie looks for cover for long-term injury victimes Stuart Thom and Shaun Garnett. Paul Jones, a 21-year-old from Unibond League club Leigh RMI, played for the reserves in last night's 4-1 victory against Port Vale. Jones, who turned out for Leigh the previous night, impressed Ritchie, who intends to play him again in the reserves next week. 

Steve Whitehall and Matthew Tipton both scored two goals last night to increase pressure on Mark Allott and Craig Dudley, Athletic's first-choice strike pairing. Paul Beavers and David McNiven returned after injury lay-offs as competition hots up for front places. John Sheridan, who has missed the last two matches because of 'flu, is back in training, though it is too early to say whether the influential midfield player willl be ready for Saturday's FA Cup-tie against Chelmsford. Athletic have four players under treatment for what Ritchie describes as "niggles", but he expects Craig Dudley, Paul Rickers, Mark Hotte and Andrew Holt to recover in time. Athletic will receive a £10,000 cash windfall when their match at Wigan is screened live on Sky Sports. The league clash has been brought forward to Friday, January 7.

MATTHEW TIPTON and Paul Beavers were the dual driving force behind Athletic’s stylish victory in the Pontins League premier division last night. Tipton continued his good form for the reserves with two goals and a clever performance in midfield. Beavers, meanwhile, never stopped working and showed the kind of target-man qualities which persuaded Athletic to sign him permanently. The 21-year-old also created three of his side’s four goals against a strong Vale outfit and, at his current rate of post-injury progress, can’t be far off competing for a place in the first team. With Steve Whitehall scoring twice and David McNiven making a successful comeback from ankle problems, Athletic should soon have plenty of attacking options. At the other end, there was a tidy display from trialist Paul Jones, who played as one of three centre-halves in his first game for the club. Beavers had a goal ruled out for offside early on, but it didn’t take the industrious striker long to make another impact as he set up the opener after 11 minutes. His through ball was perfect for Tipton, who finished in style.

Beavers’ growing confidence also saw him go close with two long-range efforts. It was 2-0 after 18 minutes when Whitehall robbed a defender and hit a superb 25-yard shot just inside the post. Vale hit back with an equally-fine strike from wing-back Paul Donnelly and should have equalised when former Manchester City man Carl Griffiths managed to miskick totally from inside the six-yard area. Tipton’s second ­ a 38th-minute tap-in after good work by Beavers and Danny Boshell ­ helped Athletic to clinch victory. They began to contain Vale much more easily and, just past the hour mark, Whitehall completed the scoring with a near-post header from Beavers’ excellent cross.

ATHLETIC: Miskelly, Jones, I McLean, Swan, Futcher, Boshell, Tipton, Walsh, Beavers (Sugden 76), Whitehall (Wardle 78), D McNiven (Clitheroe 81). Subs (not used): Campbell, Wharton.