CONFERENCE: MOULES'S MIDWEEK MENTIONS

Observations from the Football Conference Chief Executive John Moules...

The midweek programme of 10 Conference fixtures was attended by just under 19,000 fans, with Leigh R.M.I. hosting their largest attendance of the season, which included around 1,000 travelling fans from Carlisle.

Despite the game's live television coverage, Morecambe recorded their highest attendance of the season with just under 1,800 at Christe Park, where the home side and visitors York City both made their Conference debut on Sky. The Conference attendance figures again show an increase on average over last season's record averages, at a time when Premier League attendances are showing a slight down-turn so far this season according to the Daily Mail.

After 11 matches, Forest Green Rovers confirmed the view new Manager Alan Lewer had that the club had now started turned things around with their first win of the season, 1-0 away victory at Woking. While Canvey Island's 4-1 victory away to Stevenage Borough was slightly dampened with the news that leading goalscorer Lee Boylan will be out for several weeks after cracking a bone in his ankle after falling awkwardly during the match.

Barnet's win over Exeter City spoilt Eamonn Dolan's farewell at the club as he departs for Reading's Youth Academy, but it was all the sweeter for Bees boss Paul Fairclough who was forced to give several youth team players their Conference debuts after featuring in last week's LDV Vans Trophy success against Stevenage Borough. With Club Captain Ian Hendon and leading scorer Giuliano Grazioli both sidelined, the youngsters emphasised the strength in depth of the club's successful youth development policy.