Shock op for Sparrow… (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Shock op for Sparrow…

9:25am Friday 30th September 2005 in Sport By Dennis Aris

PAUL Sparrow, the former Lancaster City captain who was brought in to form the backbone of Kendal Town's defence, is recovering in Westmorland General Hospital after a serious operation.

Town manager Tony Hesketh said that Sparrow went in for tests last week and was recalled for surgery on Wednesday.

"We wish him a speedy recovery, but he will obviously be out of action for some time," said Hesekth.

The blow has forced Hesketh to move quickly to seek a replacement and he said: "We have put in seven days notice to talk to Lancaster City player Stuart Howson. He is a 22-year-old central defender or left back who has played every game for Lancaster this season was formerly with Blackburn Rovers."

Injury-hit Town have struggled to raise a full squad in recent matches and on Tuesday Hesketh had midfielder Stuart Cliff and winger John Osborne on the bench as: "the more able of our walking wounded."

"Cliff has played no games since he broke a bone in his foot back in July and he came on as a sub and did very well. He could have won the game for us in the last minute, but mistimed his shot, never-theless it was a bonus getting him back."

Striker Chris Ward resumed training this week, said Hesketh, and he could be back on the bench next Tuesday, when Ricky Mercer starts the first of a three-match suspension.

"There was big improvement in both our performance and discipline during both games this week," said Hesketh. "We picked up a couple of bookings in both games, but they were for committed challenges. There was no sign of the petulance or dissent of previous games.

"At Woodley it was difficult to go from two defeats to play on their new artificial pitch - a rubber base with long strands of carpet like plastic, the likes of which I have never seen before - but it did take a stud and played ok.

"We adapted well and were compact in our formation, relying on the breaks of Foster and Ashcroft rather than trying to apply concerted pressure. It worked well and we took the lead twice before conceding goals for a disappointing draw.

"Paul Osborne has broken a bone in his foot, but on Tuesday, at Chorley, we were able to bring in Ian Kilford against to play alongside Kenny Mayers in centre midfield.

"We dominated the game for long periods, but we are lacking both the killer touch we had early in the season and a little bit of confidence on the ball.

"During the game we began getting it back. Deter-mination shone through and we more than deserved Kenny Mayers' equaliser.

"Having got our foundation we are going to Shepshed this weekend looking for three points, but next Tuesday's home match against league leaders Fleetwood is a very good early season six-pointer.

"Fleetwood were beaten on Tuesday and have lost players through injury and a red card. If they are beaten this weekend confidence could drain away.

"There is plenty of football left in the season, you don't get any trophies at the end of September and everyone will suffer from poor form at some point."