Division One Preview - Saturday 7th May 2016
Fri 6th May 2016 | General | By Patrick Burke
286 matches gone and only three to go. Way over 1100 goals have been scored so far; how many more will be squeezed in before 5pm on Saturday?
A thrilling NWCFL Division One regular campaign draws to a close this weekend, with games featuring newly-crowned champions Hanley Town, and a Bacup Borough side now assured of a place in the play-offs.
Dean Owen’s Hanley will end a memorable season with their longest journey in the form of a trip to Holker Old Boys. The hosts looked destined to finish in a play-off spot for the second consecutive season, but a run of just three wins from their last sixteen games has seen them slip to 9th and they are now mathematically out of contention.
That said, their last match at Rakesmoor saw them record a 6-0 victory against Northwich Manchester Villa, showing how difficult a trip up to Cumbria can be.
The visitors should still be in buoyant mood after the win at St Helens Town on Thursday saw them clinch the title. They were made to work hard for it by a talented Irlam side, who went on an unprecedented run of form in the second half of the season, but after narrowly missing out on promotion in the last two seasons, no one can begrudge the Staffordshire based side the championship this time around.
A run of seven wins from their last eight games – including a 5-1 triumph over Saturday’s opponents Holker – is evidence if any was needed that Hanley are worthy winners!
6th placed Bacup Borough are also in action on Saturday. Brent Peters’ side host Daisy Hill safe in the knowledge that their play-off spot is already in the bank. A pair of wins against Ashton Town over the past seven days took them clear of their rivals, but Bacup will be striving for a win here to ensure that they go into a tricky semi-final away from home with some momentum.
A point or more against Daisy Hill will see them finish 5th and give them a tie at Stockport Town; a defeat will keep them where they are, and send them to Barnton in a few days’ time.
Having been beaten 3-0 in the reverse fixture, Bacup will be sure not to underestimate a Daisy side sitting comfortably in 12th place. Six defeats from the visitors’ first seven games ultimately dispelled any play-off prospects, but they have been a tough opponent since then, beating four of the current top six, including Hanley Town and Irlam away from home. Saturday’s game looks an intriguing one.
Finally for this season, Chadderton welcome Ashton Town to Andrew Street. ‘Two teams with nothing but pride to play for’ would be an accurate description for this one, though you can certainly say that pride is one thing that you can guarantee in Division One!
The home side haven’t hit the heights of last season, when they earned a play-off berth, sitting 15th in the table. However, they have beaten Atherton LR 6-0 and Eccleshall 3-0 on home turf over the past month or so. Another win would be a good way to end their season.
John Brownrigg’s visitors are 11th in the table. It represents a decent turnaround from their 17th place finish in 2014/15, but they have more reason than most to curse the weather! Town looked well on course for the play-offs, but more than two months without a league fixture mid-season crushed any momentum, and they have been unable to get their rhythm back. A win here would see Ashton record a league double over Chadderton after a 4-0 win at the end of March, and it would end their campaign on a high note.
One more Saturday of action before a tense week for Barnton, Stockport Town, Cheadle Town and Bacup Borough in the play-offs. Who will be joining Hanley and Irlam in the Premier Division, and who will have to try again next season? It looks impossible to call, so fine margins could make such a dramatic difference!
Division One Preview - Saturday 7th May 2016
Fri 6th May 2016 | General
By Patrick Burke
286 matches gone and only three to go. Way over 1100 goals have been scored so far; how many more will be squeezed in before 5pm on Saturday?
A thrilling NWCFL Division One regular campaign draws to a close this weekend, with games featuring newly-crowned champions Hanley Town, and a Bacup Borough side now assured of a place in the play-offs.
Dean Owen’s Hanley will end a memorable season with their longest journey in the form of a trip to Holker Old Boys. The hosts looked destined to finish in a play-off spot for the second consecutive season, but a run of just three wins from their last sixteen games has seen them slip to 9th and they are now mathematically out of contention.
That said, their last match at Rakesmoor saw them record a 6-0 victory against Northwich Manchester Villa, showing how difficult a trip up to Cumbria can be.
The visitors should still be in buoyant mood after the win at St Helens Town on Thursday saw them clinch the title. They were made to work hard for it by a talented Irlam side, who went on an unprecedented run of form in the second half of the season, but after narrowly missing out on promotion in the last two seasons, no one can begrudge the Staffordshire based side the championship this time around.
A run of seven wins from their last eight games – including a 5-1 triumph over Saturday’s opponents Holker – is evidence if any was needed that Hanley are worthy winners!
6th placed Bacup Borough are also in action on Saturday. Brent Peters’ side host Daisy Hill safe in the knowledge that their play-off spot is already in the bank. A pair of wins against Ashton Town over the past seven days took them clear of their rivals, but Bacup will be striving for a win here to ensure that they go into a tricky semi-final away from home with some momentum.
A point or more against Daisy Hill will see them finish 5th and give them a tie at Stockport Town; a defeat will keep them where they are, and send them to Barnton in a few days’ time.
Having been beaten 3-0 in the reverse fixture, Bacup will be sure not to underestimate a Daisy side sitting comfortably in 12th place. Six defeats from the visitors’ first seven games ultimately dispelled any play-off prospects, but they have been a tough opponent since then, beating four of the current top six, including Hanley Town and Irlam away from home. Saturday’s game looks an intriguing one.
Finally for this season, Chadderton welcome Ashton Town to Andrew Street. ‘Two teams with nothing but pride to play for’ would be an accurate description for this one, though you can certainly say that pride is one thing that you can guarantee in Division One!
The home side haven’t hit the heights of last season, when they earned a play-off berth, sitting 15th in the table. However, they have beaten Atherton LR 6-0 and Eccleshall 3-0 on home turf over the past month or so. Another win would be a good way to end their season.
John Brownrigg’s visitors are 11th in the table. It represents a decent turnaround from their 17th place finish in 2014/15, but they have more reason than most to curse the weather! Town looked well on course for the play-offs, but more than two months without a league fixture mid-season crushed any momentum, and they have been unable to get their rhythm back. A win here would see Ashton record a league double over Chadderton after a 4-0 win at the end of March, and it would end their campaign on a high note.
One more Saturday of action before a tense week for Barnton, Stockport Town, Cheadle Town and Bacup Borough in the play-offs. Who will be joining Hanley and Irlam in the Premier Division, and who will have to try again next season? It looks impossible to call, so fine margins could make such a dramatic difference!
