4th October 2000  

Reserves win

THERE was good news at last for Andy Ritchie last night as Mark Allott and Matthew Tipton got back among the goals for Athletic. Allott, dropped to the reserves after finding the net just twice in 14 senior games, opened the scoring in a 3-0 win against Rotherham. And Tipton boosted his own chances of a recall by netting the other two, including a stunning 20-yard volley, to round off a lively performance up front. As Athletic prepare for the vital league match at Rotherham on Sunday, the strikers’ efforts give manager Ritchie a welcome dilemma. Carlo Corazzin is away with Canada, but he can now call upon two players whose confidence has received a much-needed lift. Allott has been Athletic’s top scorer for the last two seasons and is the likely favourite to partner Craig Dudley at Rotherham. But, as Athletic seek to end their miserable run of nine games without a win, Ritchie won’t be afraid to ignore reputations. 

Tipton posed a greater threat last night and, as well as scoring twice, he also made a number of chances for team-mates. In defence, Paul Jones skippered the side and showed signs of emerging from his dip in form. Jones will be back in contention, while Shaun Garnett has the pin taken out of his broken hand tomorrow and is hoping for an instant return. Though Garnett has missed six matches, he has been in full training and can play with a special cast. Athletic have been allocated over 2,000 seats for Sunday’s match, which kicks off at 1pm, and it is all pay on the day.

FORMER Latics midfielder Paul Bernard has been placed on the transfer list by Aberdeen in a bid to generate cash at the club. Bernard — who cost then manager Roy Aitken £1million in 1995 — is one of the Dons’ top earners, but he has been told by boss Ebbe Skovdahl that he has no future at Pittodrie — which could pave the way for Blackburn’s Billy McKinlay to head north on a loan deal. Skovdahl said: ``I have informed Paul that he was not part of my long-term plans and that it would be in the best interests of both parties if he was allowed to leave now. ``I believe it would be best for Paul and the club if he could find a move before his contract expires in the summer. We won’t be difficult to deal with.’’

ATHLETIC will hope for a result as convincing as this one when these two clubs meet again for the main feature on Sunday. They cruised to victory in the Avon Insurance League premier division to provide some light relief in a week of turmoil at Boundary Park. Mark Allott and Matthew Tipton shared the goals, but it was Phil Salt who really caught the eye as he ran the game from midfield. Salt, gradually regaining his best form after serious injury, was taken off in the second half, possibly in readiness for a first-team start. In a solid team performance, others to stand out were centre-back Paul Jones, 17-year-old defender Will Haining, who is returning from a double hernia operation, and striker Ryan Sugden — playing at left wing-back. The one disappointment for Athletic was that trialist Colin Pluck didn’t play because his international clearance was delayed. Athletic went ahead after eight minutes when Tipton pounced on a poor clearance and fed Allott, who rifled home powerfully from 10 yards.

They might have had a penalty when Allott was brought down, while the striker also had a shot well blocked. Jones sent a free header wide after some trickery from Salt and, in the 32nd minute, Rotherham should have equalised when Mark Hotte dragged back Simon Barraclough in the area. Danny Hudson, however, blazed his penalty over Jamie Campbell’s crossbar. Four minutes later, Athletic went 2-0 up thanks to a fabulous first-time strike by Tipton. They were disappointed not to get a spot-kick when Sugden was challenged, but Tipton smashed home the loose ball on the volley when it reached the edge of the box. In a well-contested second half, Salt, Joe Doran and Rotherham’s Barraclough all forced decent saves. Tipton completed Athletic’s win after 87 minutes when he slotted in clinically for his second of the night.

Teamtalk Oldham

 The Latics reserves beat Rotherham's second string 3-0 on Tuesday night, and left Andy Ritchie with a selection headache. Out-of-touch strikers Mark Allott and Matthew Tipton were given a game and both responded by finding the net. Allott got the first and Welsh under-21 international Tipton weighed in with a couple of beauties. And boss Andy Ritchie admitted: "They took their goals well and it has left me with problem, but the sort I can handle. "I will be giving it a lot of thought between now and Sunday's league game at Rotherham. "Somebody is going to be disappointed, but that is the name of the game. "They shouldn't be playing for a place in a reserve team game -- they should be playing to keep it when they are in the first team." Ritchie was also happy with the way the Latics defence coped with the lively visitors. He added: "They tackled well although their distribution could have been better. "Overall it was a good display and there were a number of pleasing individual performances." Mark Hotte, Paul Jones and Phil Salt also did no harm to their chances of a first team recall. Allott put the reserves ahead in the 8th minute and Tipton followed up with his strikes in the 36th and 87th minutes.

 The Latics are trying to get international clearance for trialist Colin Pluck. The 22-year-old former Watford defender has been at Boundary Park for more than week. He has been playing in Iceland with first division club K A and can't turn out for any other club until their Football Association bosses confirm he is free to move. Pluck has been recommended to Andy Ritchie by former team-mate Toddy Orlygsson, who is now a player-manager back in his homeland. The Icelandic season has just ended and he rated Pluck as his best player in a successful campaign which saw them just miss out on promotion to the Premiership. In fact, Orlygsson admires the players skills so much, he is keen to take him back next season. The Latics hope to get the necessary clearance before weekend so Ritchie can check out Pluck in match action in two reserve team games next week. If he impresses he could be offered a short-term contract until the end of the season, which would enable him to return to Iceland.

Striker Carlo Corazzin flew home to Canada on Wednesday and will complete a personal milestone on Sunday. While the Latics are playing Rotherham at Millmoor, the 28-year-old will be on the international stage. And he will pick up his 50th cap when Canada take on Panama in a World Cup qualifier. Corazzin also hopes to set up another personal best when he returns -- a century of league goals. The Latics top scorer currently stands on 94 and, with any luck, he should reach his target before the season is out.

Aberdeen Press & Journal

Aberdeen manager Ebbe Skovdahl yesterday placed record signing Paul Bernard on the transfer list. It could be a contract move rather than a reflection on Bernard's abilities, with the 27-year-old free to walk away from Pittodrie in the summer. Bernard is nursing an injury and has been unable to make a lasting impression. The midfielder is one of the highest earners at the club. A transfer fee for Bernard would help the Dons in contract talks with Eoin Jess. Bernard arrived at Pittodrie in September, 1995, from Oldham for an initial fee of £850,000 with the deal rising to £1million after a certain number of appearances.

Skovdahl said yesterday: "I informed Paul today that he is not part of my long-term plans and that it would be in the interests of both parties if he was allowed to leave now. "I believe it will be best for Paul and the club if he can find a move before his contract expires in the summer and we won't be difficult to deal with." Bernard won Scotland caps against Ecuador and Japan in the Kirin Cup. He has made 121 league and cup appearances in five years at Pittodrie and has scored eight goals. Meanwhile, Aberdeen captain Derek Whyte believes Blackburn Rovers midfielder Billy McKinlay would prove an excellent signing for the Dons. The Dons have made an initial approach to Graeme Souness's team regarding taking the 31-year-old on loan.

Like Bernard, McKinlay is out of contract in the summer and Blackburn are keen to cash in on the player before he is available under freedom of contract. However, Premier League rivals Motherwell and English clubs Leicester City, Coventry City and Wolves are also keen on the Scotland international. The major stumbling block for the Dons is McKinlay's wage demands. Whyte and McKinlay have kept in touch since playing schoolboy football together with Hamilton Thistle. Whyte said: "I spoke to him a couple of days ago when Graeme Souness said he could go to Motherwell. "If Aberdeen asked my opinion I would say yes, as I would love to have him here as you cannot have too many good players at the club. "He says that money is not important to him and that he just wants to get back playing again. Billy is only 31 and he still has a lot to offer."