Premier Division Preview - Saturday 13th February 2016
Fri 12th February 2016 | General | By Patrick Burke
Mid-February, and the title race is increasingly looking like a three-horse race between Runcorn Linnets, Atherton Collieries and Colne.
There’s no love lost (forgive the terrible pun on Valentines weekend) between fans and the weather, but let’s hope the rain stays off so we can get all ten Premier Division matches on!
There is also MEN United Cup action on Saturday, as Ashton Athletic and 1874 Northwich seek to book a quarter-final trip to Barnton.
This tie has epitomised the troubles with the weather, as seven previous attempts to play the match have been called off. However, 11th placed Athletic will be hoping for a repeat of the fixture in the league at Brocstedes Park, when they picked up one of their best results of the season in a 4-0 win.
Ian Street’s 1874, sitting in 4th place, will be aiming to build on Matthew Beadle’s late winner last time out against Abbey Hey.
On to the league action, and the leaders Runcorn Linnets face a tough test in the form of AFC Darwen. Linnets were defeated 2-0 in their last match at Congleton Town, but late drama saw them edge out Nelson last time at the Millbank Linnets Stadium, Antony Hickey scoring the only goal in the last minute.
The visitors – seven points clear of the drop zone in 18th - were defeated 7-3 at home to Atherton Collieries on Wednesday night. Going forward, they look a real threat, but the Lancashire-based side have conceded more league goals than any other club.
2nd placed Colls showed how unstoppable they can be on Wednesday, as they made it ten straight league wins. Mark Battersby and Dave Sherlock both notched up hat-tricks as Colls become the joint-top scorers in the league.
They travel to an Abbey Hey side who, after an impressive run which sees them 8th in the table, have stalled a little lately, winless in four matches. Luke Gibson’s team will be eager for a response to Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at Alsager Town.
Colne are not even halfway through their league schedule, so it is testament to Steve Cunningham’s men that they remain 3rd in the table.
A defeat to Chorley in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy surely won’t detract from their superb league results, and after a good win at West Didsbury & Chorlton a fortnight ago, they will aim for three more points against 19th placed Squires Gate.
The 3-1 win against AFC Liverpool two weeks back puts Danny Penswick’s side well on course for survival, and they took Colne to extra-time in November’s Men United Cup meeting.
5th placed Runcorn Town will want three points from their game at Nelson to take advantage of 1874 being in cup action.
However, that will be no easy task against an in-form side whose 3-1 win against Silsden in their last match moved them up to 13th, and who won 4-0 at Pavilions on the opening weekend. Town, meanwhile, haven’t played a game since beating Padiham 2-0 three weeks back.
A tough game to call is at the Silentnight Stadium, as Barnoldswick Town take on Bootle.
9th placed Barlick were beaten at Alsager in their last match, but beat 1874 Northwich 2-1 in their most recent home fixture. Bootle’s form has slowed a little – without a win in their last four league matches – but it goes without saying that any game against a team in 6th place will be a tough test.
A game against a team in 7th isn’t much easier, and West Didsbury & Chorlton will look to build on last week’s impressive 6-2 dismantling of AFC Liverpool when they welcome Silsden.
It’s been a difficult campaign for the visitors, as they lie 20th - five points from safety. However, they will be hoping that recently appointed manager James Gill can preside over a change in fortunes. The Cobbydalers will also be aware that there are plenty of games – 22 to be exact - left to turn their season around.
AFC Liverpool will be aiming for a response to last week’s aforementioned heavy defeat, going to an Alsager Town side who can justifiably be described as resurgent.
Back-to-back league wins means that the picture for the bottom side looks nowhere near as bleak as it did a couple of weeks ago, even if they remain 11 points from safety. New AFC Liverpool manager, Kevin Dally, will hope to arrest a run of four straight defeats, aware that his side are the joint-highest scorers in the division.
A promising Maine Road side, lying 12th in the table, face a visit to second-bottom AFC Blackpool on Saturday.
After salvaging a late point against Bootle last time out three points would be ideal for the hosts. They got exactly that in the match at Brantingham Road, winning 2-0, but Chris Hirst’s side showed their capabilities in their last victory: 4-3 against AFC Liverpool.
Perhaps the 3-1 defeat at Padiham a couple of weeks ago highlights the need for greater consistency if they are to progress.
The final two clashes of the weekend are crucial in terms of league position, with 14th going head-to-head with 17th, and 15th doing likewise with 16th.
Firstly, Congleton Town welcome Padiham, having performed exceptionally to defeat Runcorn Linnets in their last match. Steve Wilkes’ visitors picked up their first win of 2016 against Maine Road, with the challenge now to pick up three points from this tricky away fixture.
Separated by one place and goal difference, Cammell Laird 1907 host Winsford United, aiming to build on a win against Macclesfield Town in their last home match (Paul McNally’s side have lost 3-1 at Atherton Collieries since then).
Winsford will be no pushovers. The sides played out a close 2-2 draw in August, and the 4-2 win at Abbey Hey in the away side’s last match was an excellent three points.
Important matches affecting the top, middle and bottom of the table on Saturday should provide plenty of entertainment – let’s hope that the weather allows the players to deliver!
Premier Division Preview - Saturday 13th February 2016
Fri 12th February 2016 | General
By Patrick Burke
Mid-February, and the title race is increasingly looking like a three-horse race between Runcorn Linnets, Atherton Collieries and Colne.
There’s no love lost (forgive the terrible pun on Valentines weekend) between fans and the weather, but let’s hope the rain stays off so we can get all ten Premier Division matches on!
There is also MEN United Cup action on Saturday, as Ashton Athletic and 1874 Northwich seek to book a quarter-final trip to Barnton.
This tie has epitomised the troubles with the weather, as seven previous attempts to play the match have been called off. However, 11th placed Athletic will be hoping for a repeat of the fixture in the league at Brocstedes Park, when they picked up one of their best results of the season in a 4-0 win.
Ian Street’s 1874, sitting in 4th place, will be aiming to build on Matthew Beadle’s late winner last time out against Abbey Hey.
On to the league action, and the leaders Runcorn Linnets face a tough test in the form of AFC Darwen. Linnets were defeated 2-0 in their last match at Congleton Town, but late drama saw them edge out Nelson last time at the Millbank Linnets Stadium, Antony Hickey scoring the only goal in the last minute.
The visitors – seven points clear of the drop zone in 18th - were defeated 7-3 at home to Atherton Collieries on Wednesday night. Going forward, they look a real threat, but the Lancashire-based side have conceded more league goals than any other club.
2nd placed Colls showed how unstoppable they can be on Wednesday, as they made it ten straight league wins. Mark Battersby and Dave Sherlock both notched up hat-tricks as Colls become the joint-top scorers in the league.
They travel to an Abbey Hey side who, after an impressive run which sees them 8th in the table, have stalled a little lately, winless in four matches. Luke Gibson’s team will be eager for a response to Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at Alsager Town.
Colne are not even halfway through their league schedule, so it is testament to Steve Cunningham’s men that they remain 3rd in the table.
A defeat to Chorley in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy surely won’t detract from their superb league results, and after a good win at West Didsbury & Chorlton a fortnight ago, they will aim for three more points against 19th placed Squires Gate.
The 3-1 win against AFC Liverpool two weeks back puts Danny Penswick’s side well on course for survival, and they took Colne to extra-time in November’s Men United Cup meeting.
5th placed Runcorn Town will want three points from their game at Nelson to take advantage of 1874 being in cup action.
However, that will be no easy task against an in-form side whose 3-1 win against Silsden in their last match moved them up to 13th, and who won 4-0 at Pavilions on the opening weekend. Town, meanwhile, haven’t played a game since beating Padiham 2-0 three weeks back.
A tough game to call is at the Silentnight Stadium, as Barnoldswick Town take on Bootle.
9th placed Barlick were beaten at Alsager in their last match, but beat 1874 Northwich 2-1 in their most recent home fixture. Bootle’s form has slowed a little – without a win in their last four league matches – but it goes without saying that any game against a team in 6th place will be a tough test.
A game against a team in 7th isn’t much easier, and West Didsbury & Chorlton will look to build on last week’s impressive 6-2 dismantling of AFC Liverpool when they welcome Silsden.
It’s been a difficult campaign for the visitors, as they lie 20th - five points from safety. However, they will be hoping that recently appointed manager James Gill can preside over a change in fortunes. The Cobbydalers will also be aware that there are plenty of games – 22 to be exact - left to turn their season around.
AFC Liverpool will be aiming for a response to last week’s aforementioned heavy defeat, going to an Alsager Town side who can justifiably be described as resurgent.
Back-to-back league wins means that the picture for the bottom side looks nowhere near as bleak as it did a couple of weeks ago, even if they remain 11 points from safety. New AFC Liverpool manager, Kevin Dally, will hope to arrest a run of four straight defeats, aware that his side are the joint-highest scorers in the division.
A promising Maine Road side, lying 12th in the table, face a visit to second-bottom AFC Blackpool on Saturday.
After salvaging a late point against Bootle last time out three points would be ideal for the hosts. They got exactly that in the match at Brantingham Road, winning 2-0, but Chris Hirst’s side showed their capabilities in their last victory: 4-3 against AFC Liverpool.
Perhaps the 3-1 defeat at Padiham a couple of weeks ago highlights the need for greater consistency if they are to progress.
The final two clashes of the weekend are crucial in terms of league position, with 14th going head-to-head with 17th, and 15th doing likewise with 16th.
Firstly, Congleton Town welcome Padiham, having performed exceptionally to defeat Runcorn Linnets in their last match. Steve Wilkes’ visitors picked up their first win of 2016 against Maine Road, with the challenge now to pick up three points from this tricky away fixture.
Separated by one place and goal difference, Cammell Laird 1907 host Winsford United, aiming to build on a win against Macclesfield Town in their last home match (Paul McNally’s side have lost 3-1 at Atherton Collieries since then).
Winsford will be no pushovers. The sides played out a close 2-2 draw in August, and the 4-2 win at Abbey Hey in the away side’s last match was an excellent three points.
Important matches affecting the top, middle and bottom of the table on Saturday should provide plenty of entertainment – let’s hope that the weather allows the players to deliver!
