FORMER York City centre back John Fielding may be joining UniBond League premier division outfit Barrow.

He played in a prestigious friendly for the Cumbrians against a Leeds United XI on Friday night to mark the Holker Street club's centenary.

Fielding, 20, was once of several guest players in the Barrow line-up which defeated Leeds 2-1 in front of a crowd of over 2,000.

The Leeds side included England international Jason Wilcox, Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen McPhail and England Under 21 centre back Michael Duberry - all of whom may be on the move from Elland Road this summer.

Leeds' goal came from Australian international Jacob Burns. Their Aussie Olympic goalkeeper Danny Milosevic was carried off injured after a heavy fall and was replaced by Shaun Allaway.

Barrow's goals were netted by Gary McCutcheon and Lee Duncan.

Should Barrow take on Fielding it will be a disappointment for Harrogate Town boss John Reid who was keeping tabs of Fielding after his release from Bootham Crescent at the end of the season.

Mark Patterson at Macclesfield has claimed the groundsman of the year award for Division Three.

Mike Heather (Cheltenham Town) and Dave Brown (Hartlepool United) were highly commended.

NESTL Rowntree's last-ever West Yorkshire League game saw them put in the sort of performance that has made them one of the areas top non-League teams although they didn't quite get the result.

Lee Bond scored their only goal as they drew 1-1 with Aberford Albion, although Trees, who will now fold their WYL side due to financial constraints, missed a host of second-half chances.

Updated: 11:54 Monday, May 06, 2002