MICKY BARTHOLOMEW is fast becoming the Robbie Fowler of non-League football!

The striker has been relegated to third choice up front at NWCL Second Division leaders Stand.

The forward is not happy about warming the bench and Bacup and another local side have both put seven days on the player.

Stand manager Nick Davis said he won't stand in the way of the player. "He can make his own mind up. Lee Wilkinson scored four on Saturday against Oldham Town and Chris Denham is Chris Denham," said the Stand chief in praise of his precocious teenage talent, who has been the subject of an unsuccessful bid from Bamber Bridge already this season.

"He's not happy sat on the bench and it is not surprising, because he is a quality striker.

"As for him being the non-League answer to Robbie Fowler - I wouldn't mind if he was worth 11million! I'd even give him a lift!"

Stand meet Oldham Town again this weekend just seven days after a 6-1 thrashing.

"The gulf wasn't that big really," said Davis of last weekend's game. "6-1 sounds like a right hammering but it was 2-0 early on and then Tommy Allen saved a penalty."