Division One Preview
Fri 27th March 2015 | General | By Stewart Taylor
The feature matches this weekend are the semi-finals of the Reusch First Division Cup, whilst a number of clubs continue in their efforts to gain league points in the quest for a play off position.
The first of the semi-finals pits AFC Darwen against Ashton Town.
Form favourites for this one are the home side, although a 1-0 defeat to Chadderton in the midweek league match will not have been welcome preparation. Much the same could be said about the visitors as they suffered defeat by the odd goal in three at Wigan Robin Park on Tuesday.
The crowd at the Anchor Ground are used to seeing plenty of goals by the home side this season and will be hoping that will continue, although semi-finals are never easy matches.
Atherton Collieries are having a great season with promotion to the Premier Division all but assured and a place in the MEN United Cup Final booked, following a narrow win over Premier Division outfit Runcorn Town last Saturday.
League newcomers Litherland REMYCA provide the opposition at Alder House as Colls look to continue their winning ways. Litherland are on the fringes of the play off positions, but such is the competitiveness of the First Division this season they found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline in midweek at home to Eccleshall. Odds on the home side for this one but you just never know.
In the League the battle for play off places intensifies. With Colls and Cammell Laird 1907 pretty much assured of their places in the Premier Division, interest in the season will be extended right to the very end, as up to 10 clubs will fancy their chances of filling one of the four play-off berths come the end of the regular season.
Third placed Hanley Town travel to North Manchester to take on Chadderton who currently lie in eighth position. Hanley are on a five match unbeaten run during which leading scorer Theo Stair has notched up eight goals.
A comprehensive victory over play off hopefuls Barnton in midweek will breed confidence in the side as they take on a Chadderton side who are also in good form. A notable win against Cammell Laird 1907 last Saturday and the midweek victory over AFC Darwen are the recent highlights for Chaddy who will look for home advantage to count in this one.
Barnton, with new Manager Leon Knight at the helm, travel to sixth placed Cheadle Town. Barnton have had some tough matches against other play-off contenders recently and have seen something of a dip in form.
However, with the recruitment of some experienced players over recent weeks they will be hoping to consolidate a play-off place even though they have played more matches than their rivals.
Cheadle Town moved up into the final play-off position having registered a win against lowly Oldham Boro in midweek. Terry Hincks’ side have been inconsistent all season, but three straight wins have set them up nicely and they will be confident of keeping up their recent form.
Another side having an inconsistent season are Eccleshall. They currently lie in 13th place and are clinging on to hope of a play–off position at the end of the season. A consistent run of victories would be required to achieve any ambitions which remain in that department but the lack of a consistent goalscorer will not help the cause.
Daisy Hill provide the opposition in Staffordshire. Good early season form has deserted the New Sirs outfit since Christmas with the last win in any competition coming back in January. That early season form needs to return and return quickly if a play-off place is to become a reality.
Another of the First Division’s inconsistent sides is Northwich Flixton Villa. One or two good wins are regularly followed by unexpected defeats, a situation which leaves them currently 11th in the League table.
A 4-1 win in midweek will help but that result needs to be backed up with further wins. Atherton LR make the journey to Valley Road and are currently one place above their hosts but only on goal difference. A 3-0 win at Irlam last Saturday has helped the cause but LR are another of our sides who need a good consistent run of results to get into the top six.
The programme is completed this Saturday with matches featuring sides towards the bottom of the League table.
Oldham Boro are the visitors to Silver Street to face an Irlam side who had a great run in the Manchester Premier Cup earlier in the season, beating two sides from several levels higher in the pyramid, but have not been able to find any consistent form in League matches.
Oldham Boro had a fine win at home to Eccleshall last Saturday but failed to back that up losing away at Cheadle Town in midweek to remain rooted to the foot of the table.
In our final match, Wigan Robin Park welcome Rochdale Town to the Robin Park Arena. The Robins registered their first win in any competition since mid October when they overcame Ashton Town in midweek. The end of the long barren spell will give them encouragement ahead of the visit of a Rochdale Town side, who play good football and certainly live up to their motto – never say die.
It would be remiss to end this preview without mention of the passing on Monday of Holker Old Boys Secretary and League Management Committee member John Adams. A real gentlemen and great servant to Holker Old Boys and the League, John will be much missed across the whole of the NWCFL. Condolences to his family and many friends, and there will be a minute's silence at all the games across the League on Saturday in memory of John.
Division One Preview
Fri 27th March 2015 | General
By Stewart Taylor
The feature matches this weekend are the semi-finals of the Reusch First Division Cup, whilst a number of clubs continue in their efforts to gain league points in the quest for a play off position.
The first of the semi-finals pits AFC Darwen against Ashton Town.
Form favourites for this one are the home side, although a 1-0 defeat to Chadderton in the midweek league match will not have been welcome preparation. Much the same could be said about the visitors as they suffered defeat by the odd goal in three at Wigan Robin Park on Tuesday.
The crowd at the Anchor Ground are used to seeing plenty of goals by the home side this season and will be hoping that will continue, although semi-finals are never easy matches.
Atherton Collieries are having a great season with promotion to the Premier Division all but assured and a place in the MEN United Cup Final booked, following a narrow win over Premier Division outfit Runcorn Town last Saturday.
League newcomers Litherland REMYCA provide the opposition at Alder House as Colls look to continue their winning ways. Litherland are on the fringes of the play off positions, but such is the competitiveness of the First Division this season they found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline in midweek at home to Eccleshall. Odds on the home side for this one but you just never know.
In the League the battle for play off places intensifies. With Colls and Cammell Laird 1907 pretty much assured of their places in the Premier Division, interest in the season will be extended right to the very end, as up to 10 clubs will fancy their chances of filling one of the four play-off berths come the end of the regular season.
Third placed Hanley Town travel to North Manchester to take on Chadderton who currently lie in eighth position. Hanley are on a five match unbeaten run during which leading scorer Theo Stair has notched up eight goals.
A comprehensive victory over play off hopefuls Barnton in midweek will breed confidence in the side as they take on a Chadderton side who are also in good form. A notable win against Cammell Laird 1907 last Saturday and the midweek victory over AFC Darwen are the recent highlights for Chaddy who will look for home advantage to count in this one.
Barnton, with new Manager Leon Knight at the helm, travel to sixth placed Cheadle Town. Barnton have had some tough matches against other play-off contenders recently and have seen something of a dip in form.
However, with the recruitment of some experienced players over recent weeks they will be hoping to consolidate a play-off place even though they have played more matches than their rivals.
Cheadle Town moved up into the final play-off position having registered a win against lowly Oldham Boro in midweek. Terry Hincks’ side have been inconsistent all season, but three straight wins have set them up nicely and they will be confident of keeping up their recent form.
Another side having an inconsistent season are Eccleshall. They currently lie in 13th place and are clinging on to hope of a play–off position at the end of the season. A consistent run of victories would be required to achieve any ambitions which remain in that department but the lack of a consistent goalscorer will not help the cause.
Daisy Hill provide the opposition in Staffordshire. Good early season form has deserted the New Sirs outfit since Christmas with the last win in any competition coming back in January. That early season form needs to return and return quickly if a play-off place is to become a reality.
Another of the First Division’s inconsistent sides is Northwich Flixton Villa. One or two good wins are regularly followed by unexpected defeats, a situation which leaves them currently 11th in the League table.
A 4-1 win in midweek will help but that result needs to be backed up with further wins. Atherton LR make the journey to Valley Road and are currently one place above their hosts but only on goal difference. A 3-0 win at Irlam last Saturday has helped the cause but LR are another of our sides who need a good consistent run of results to get into the top six.
The programme is completed this Saturday with matches featuring sides towards the bottom of the League table.
Oldham Boro are the visitors to Silver Street to face an Irlam side who had a great run in the Manchester Premier Cup earlier in the season, beating two sides from several levels higher in the pyramid, but have not been able to find any consistent form in League matches.
Oldham Boro had a fine win at home to Eccleshall last Saturday but failed to back that up losing away at Cheadle Town in midweek to remain rooted to the foot of the table.
In our final match, Wigan Robin Park welcome Rochdale Town to the Robin Park Arena. The Robins registered their first win in any competition since mid October when they overcame Ashton Town in midweek. The end of the long barren spell will give them encouragement ahead of the visit of a Rochdale Town side, who play good football and certainly live up to their motto – never say die.
It would be remiss to end this preview without mention of the passing on Monday of Holker Old Boys Secretary and League Management Committee member John Adams. A real gentlemen and great servant to Holker Old Boys and the League, John will be much missed across the whole of the NWCFL. Condolences to his family and many friends, and there will be a minute's silence at all the games across the League on Saturday in memory of John.
