Five Things We Learned - w/e Saturday 23rd April 2016
Mon 25th April 2016 | General | By Ian Templeman
White hot from the spot
On these pages a couple of weeks ago, we made mention of the penalty kick prowess shown by Runcorn Linnets' Michael White, and once again his accuracy from the spot proved to be vital for his side on Saturday.
With the game tied at 1-1, it was the League's leading spot kick scorer who stepped up to the mark once more, and scored with a penalty for the eighth time this season to secure what could be a highly significant 2-1 win over 1874 Northwich, and keep his side at the top of the table.
Goalscoring in general for Linnets has not been a problem all season, but time will tell how important the successfully converted penalties will prove to be.
Irlam promoted
Celebrations began in earnest at Irlam on Saturday, as they clinched automatic promotion with their victory over Chadderton at Silver Street.
At the start of the season, two defeats in the opening five league games kept them under the radar as far as promotion contention was concerned, but as the season wore on, they continued to progress and consistency improved.
As others began to drop points, their recent run of form, eight straight wins and 13 wins from their last 15 moved them ahead of the pack, and original thoughts of a play off place were soon replaced by the target of an automatic promotion spot, which was finally achieved with the 2-0 win over Chadderton on Saturday.
A gradual build up of momentum in the end proved to be key for Steve Nixon's men, who can now look forward to Premier Division football next season.
Hanley Town promoted
Hanley Town also put to bed what had looked to be inevitable for several weeks, as they also clinched automatic promotion with their 2-1 win over Ashton Town at the Abzorbed Arena.
Dean Owen's men have occupied one of the automatic promotion places for pretty much the whole season, and in recent weeks survived the loss of captain and leading scorer Theo Stair through injury to keep their winning run going and banking the points.
A win against Irlam on Wednesday night followed another win from one of their last three games will clinch the title for Town, and help make up for the disappointment of defeat in last season's play off final.
Ten for Town
When you are in the chase for a promotion play off spot, and know that in your last three games you face fellow promotion contenders, one thing you need is a good morale boosting win to take you into those games full of confidence.
St Helens Town certainly achieved that in style on Saturday, with a club record 10-0 win over Whitchurch Alport.
A tricky run in, with games against fellow play-off contenders Bacup Borough and Barnton, as well as a home game against already promoted Hanley Town, will be a challenge, but Town certainly head into the games in good goalscoring form.
Eccleshall throw a spanner in the works
Eccleshall may have been at the wrong end of the Division One table for a long period of the season, but they are certainly finishing the season in style.
In the past few weeks, the Staffordshire side have put a large dent in the hopes of three promotion contenders, with two wins over Litherland REMYCA, the latest on Saturday, a win over Stockport Town, and a draw with Barnton.
Well done to the players and management team at the Adverc Stadium for showing impressive commitment right to the end of the season.
Five Things We Learned - w/e Saturday 23rd April 2016
Mon 25th April 2016 | General
By Ian Templeman
White hot from the spot
On these pages a couple of weeks ago, we made mention of the penalty kick prowess shown by Runcorn Linnets' Michael White, and once again his accuracy from the spot proved to be vital for his side on Saturday.
With the game tied at 1-1, it was the League's leading spot kick scorer who stepped up to the mark once more, and scored with a penalty for the eighth time this season to secure what could be a highly significant 2-1 win over 1874 Northwich, and keep his side at the top of the table.
Goalscoring in general for Linnets has not been a problem all season, but time will tell how important the successfully converted penalties will prove to be.
Irlam promoted
Celebrations began in earnest at Irlam on Saturday, as they clinched automatic promotion with their victory over Chadderton at Silver Street.
At the start of the season, two defeats in the opening five league games kept them under the radar as far as promotion contention was concerned, but as the season wore on, they continued to progress and consistency improved.
As others began to drop points, their recent run of form, eight straight wins and 13 wins from their last 15 moved them ahead of the pack, and original thoughts of a play off place were soon replaced by the target of an automatic promotion spot, which was finally achieved with the 2-0 win over Chadderton on Saturday.
A gradual build up of momentum in the end proved to be key for Steve Nixon's men, who can now look forward to Premier Division football next season.
Hanley Town promoted
Hanley Town also put to bed what had looked to be inevitable for several weeks, as they also clinched automatic promotion with their 2-1 win over Ashton Town at the Abzorbed Arena.
Dean Owen's men have occupied one of the automatic promotion places for pretty much the whole season, and in recent weeks survived the loss of captain and leading scorer Theo Stair through injury to keep their winning run going and banking the points.
A win against Irlam on Wednesday night followed another win from one of their last three games will clinch the title for Town, and help make up for the disappointment of defeat in last season's play off final.
Ten for Town
When you are in the chase for a promotion play off spot, and know that in your last three games you face fellow promotion contenders, one thing you need is a good morale boosting win to take you into those games full of confidence.
St Helens Town certainly achieved that in style on Saturday, with a club record 10-0 win over Whitchurch Alport.
A tricky run in, with games against fellow play-off contenders Bacup Borough and Barnton, as well as a home game against already promoted Hanley Town, will be a challenge, but Town certainly head into the games in good goalscoring form.
Eccleshall throw a spanner in the works
Eccleshall may have been at the wrong end of the Division One table for a long period of the season, but they are certainly finishing the season in style.
In the past few weeks, the Staffordshire side have put a large dent in the hopes of three promotion contenders, with two wins over Litherland REMYCA, the latest on Saturday, a win over Stockport Town, and a draw with Barnton.
Well done to the players and management team at the Adverc Stadium for showing impressive commitment right to the end of the season.
