Matchday 2: Preview

Tue 30th July 2024 | Match Previews
By Ben Wilkinson

The games come thick and fast in August and no sooner have we dust ourselves down after Saturday's action, there's a full complement of fixtures taking place during the week. We covered Monday's fixtures in the first preview, so we'll move onto Tuesday and there's an East Lancashire derby in the Premier Division as Barnoldswick Town make the short journey to Colne, fresh off the back of a stunning comeback at home to Lower Breck at the weekend. Also in the east of the county, there's a big crowd expected at Padiham as Bury roll into town looking for their first win of the season after they let a two-goal lead slip at Squires Gate last time out. Gate themselves travel to Burscough for what is sure to be a good match-up.

 
Longridge Town host Charnock Richard looking to build on their late winner on Saturday, while new boys Abbey Hey hope to get their season back on track away at Ramsbottom United after going down 3-0 at FC St Helens. Other Premier Division fixtures on Tuesday evening are Glossop North End v Chadderton, Irlam v FC Isle of Man and Prestwich Heys v AFC Liverpool.
 
There are three Premier Division fixtures on Wednesday, with the all-Merseyside clash between South Liverpool and Lower Breck being the pick of the bunch - note the slightly earlier kick off time in that one if you're thinking of heading to Jericho Lane. Early table-toppers FC St Helens travel to Cheadle Town looking to continue their dream start at this level, while the other fixture sees Litherland REMYCA host Pilkington.
 
In the First Division North, both Ashton clubs are at home on Tuesday, as Town host Euxton Villa in a repeat of one of last season's play-off semi-finals and Maghull journey to Brocstedes Park to play Ashton Athletic. The visitors there will be looking to build on a stunning comeback victory over Darwen on Saturday. Droylsden v Atherton LR is the other Tuesday game in this division, both teams won 2-1 at the weekend and will be hoping to continue their 100% start while ending the others'.
 
There's a new derby on Wednesday, as newly-promoted Thornton Cleveleys head to the Mechanics Ground (by tram?) to play AFC Blackpool. Steeton make the relatively short journey over the hills to Nelson as they look to right the wrongs of a 3-0 defeat on the opening day. Rounding out the midweek action in the North division is Darwen v Skelmersdale United and Garstang v Holker Old Boys.
 
Plenty of action in the First Division South too. One of Tuesday's fixtures was a Midland League clash last term, as Allscott Heath and Shawbury United continue life in the Counties against some more familiar faces this time. The other lateral movement in Wolverhampton Sporting Community host Market Drayton Town, with Drayton looking to pick up their first league points since October 7th last year! Meanwhile, Ashville welcome Winsford United to Birkenhead and New Mills head south to Alsager Town. Stockport Georgians v Cammell Laird 1907 is the other Tuesday night game, with two fixtures taking place on Wednesday to complete the midweek schedule: Barnton v Sandbach United and Eccleshall v Foley Meir.
 
FIXTURES IN FULL:
All Tuesday 30th July 7.45pm unless stated
 
Premier Division:
Burscough v Squires Gate
Colne v Barnoldswick Town
Glossop North End v Chadderton
Irlam v FC Isle of Man
Longridge Town v Charnock Richard
Padiham v Bury
Prestwich Heys v AFC Liverpool
Ramsbottom United v Abbey Hey
South Liverpool v Lower Breck (Wednesday 31st, 7.30pm)
Cheadle Town v FC St Helens  (Wednesday 31st, 7.45pm)
Litherland REMYCA v Pilkington (Wednesday 31st, 7.45pm)
 
First Division North:
Ashton Athletic v Maghull
Ashton Town v Euxton Villa
Droylsden v Atherton LR
AFC Blackpool v Thornton Cleveleys (Wednesday 31st, 7.45pm)
Darwen FC v Skelmersdale United (Wednesday 31st, 7.45pm)
Garstang v Holker Old Boys (Wednesday 31st, 7.45pm)
Nelson v Steeton (Wednesday 31st, 7.45pm)
 
First Division South:
Allscott Heath v Shawbury United
Alsager Town v New Mills
Ashville v Winsford United
Stockport Georgians v Cammell Laird 1907
Wolverhampton Sporting Community v Market Drayton Town
Barnton v Sandbach United (Wednesday 31st, 7.45pm)
Eccleshall v Foley Meir (Wednesday 31st, 7.45pm)

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