Gameweek 15: Preview
Fri 1st November 2024 | Match Previews | By Ben Wilkinson
It's a big weekend of action in the Counties this week as 56 of the 60 clubs take to the pitch either tonight or tomorrow, with a sprinkling of midweek games in the mix too.
FRIDAY 1ST NOVEMBER
We'll start with tonight as two Premier Division games get the weekend going. FC St Helens and Chadderton lock horns for the first time since the 2022/23 First Division North Play-Off Final. Chadderton edged that one on penalties to win promotion before FC St Helens followed them up the season after in impressive fashion, topping the table nine points above their nearest challengers. The other game tonight sees Burscough visit Lower Breck. Breck are still holding onto 3rd place but have struggled for wins recently and have only won one of their last five games, while you have to go back seven games for Burscough's last maximum, a 3-0 win away at Colne in early October.
SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER
The rest of the Premier Division are in action over the course of Saturday afternoon, with Cheadle Town and Squires Gate getting the day's proceedings underway with a 2pm kick off at The Ground Up Solutions Stadium before eight fixtures kick off at the standard 3pm. Bury host Pilkington in their first Saturday home league game since August thanks to two good cup runs while Ramsbottom United visit Glossop North End with the potential to extend their lead at the summit to eight points, albeit with the chasing pack having games in hand. At Mossie Park, Charnock Richard and Stockport Town play each other for the first time since the 2016/17 season with both sides looking to push towards the play-off positions with a win.
It's 6th v 7th at Brookburn Road where in-form West Didsbury & Chorlton host AFC Liverpool. West battled back from 2-0 down to take a point away at Prestwich Heys during the week while AFC Liverpool went down 2-1 at Runcorn Town in the Liverpool Senior Cup. Colne still occupy the foot of the table and they host 20th-placed Litherland REMYCA in a big game in the relegation battle. The away sides came out on top in both fixtures last season - the first time the two clubs had met. Rounding out the day, FC Isle of Man play Abbey Hey in the usual 6pm slot at The Bowl in Douglas.
There's a full schedule in the First Division North as the division ticks over into the second half of the campaign. The current top two go head-to-head at Crilly Park where Holker Old Boys would leapfrog opponents Atherton LR should they pick up all three points. Nelson are just a point further back (albeit having played two more) and they host a Thornton Cleveleys side that have lost their last 4. These two went up against each other back in July on the opening day when the Admirals came out on top in a five-goal thriller. Daisy Hill make the short trip up the M61 to play-off chasing Euxton Villa. Villa have been inconsistent recently and now sit five points off the top 5 while the Cutters are eight points further back and have lost their last four on the road.
Seven fixtures in the First Division South and again the top two do battle, this time at Evans Park as the seemingly unstoppable Stafford Town machine welcomes Winsford United. The home side have won 14 of 16 league games this term and their lead over the visitors currently stands at five points. Winsford won this fixture a staggering 7-2 last season and I'm sure they would gladly take the same this time round! Elsewhere, New Mills host Abbey Hulton United at Church Lane where a win would take them above Ashville into the play-off places as their season reaches halfway. There's a big game down at the bottom end of the table too when Allscott Heath and Cammell Laird 1907 will both be vying for a crucial win in their bids to remain outside the bottom three.
THE WEEK AHEAD...
There's only a handful of games during the week with some rearranged Premier Division games alongside a county cup clash. Stockport Town v Chadderton is the sole Monday night fixture with Bury v FC St Helens looking to be the standout clash on Bonfire Night - hopefully without any fireworks! Charnock Richard and Squires Gate are also at home as they host Barnoldswick Town and West Didsbury & Chorlton respectively. Glossop North End make the trip over the Pennines to Dronfield Town in the 2nd Round of the Derbyshire Senior Cup. Dronfield currently sit 17th in the Northern Counties East League Division One (Step 6) and last faced one of our clubs way back in September 2021 when South Liverpool dispatched of them 4-1 in the FA Vase.
Gameweek 15: Preview
Fri 1st November 2024 | Match Previews
By Ben Wilkinson
It's a big weekend of action in the Counties this week as 56 of the 60 clubs take to the pitch either tonight or tomorrow, with a sprinkling of midweek games in the mix too.
FRIDAY 1ST NOVEMBER
We'll start with tonight as two Premier Division games get the weekend going. FC St Helens and Chadderton lock horns for the first time since the 2022/23 First Division North Play-Off Final. Chadderton edged that one on penalties to win promotion before FC St Helens followed them up the season after in impressive fashion, topping the table nine points above their nearest challengers. The other game tonight sees Burscough visit Lower Breck. Breck are still holding onto 3rd place but have struggled for wins recently and have only won one of their last five games, while you have to go back seven games for Burscough's last maximum, a 3-0 win away at Colne in early October.
SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER
The rest of the Premier Division are in action over the course of Saturday afternoon, with Cheadle Town and Squires Gate getting the day's proceedings underway with a 2pm kick off at The Ground Up Solutions Stadium before eight fixtures kick off at the standard 3pm. Bury host Pilkington in their first Saturday home league game since August thanks to two good cup runs while Ramsbottom United visit Glossop North End with the potential to extend their lead at the summit to eight points, albeit with the chasing pack having games in hand. At Mossie Park, Charnock Richard and Stockport Town play each other for the first time since the 2016/17 season with both sides looking to push towards the play-off positions with a win.
It's 6th v 7th at Brookburn Road where in-form West Didsbury & Chorlton host AFC Liverpool. West battled back from 2-0 down to take a point away at Prestwich Heys during the week while AFC Liverpool went down 2-1 at Runcorn Town in the Liverpool Senior Cup. Colne still occupy the foot of the table and they host 20th-placed Litherland REMYCA in a big game in the relegation battle. The away sides came out on top in both fixtures last season - the first time the two clubs had met. Rounding out the day, FC Isle of Man play Abbey Hey in the usual 6pm slot at The Bowl in Douglas.
There's a full schedule in the First Division North as the division ticks over into the second half of the campaign. The current top two go head-to-head at Crilly Park where Holker Old Boys would leapfrog opponents Atherton LR should they pick up all three points. Nelson are just a point further back (albeit having played two more) and they host a Thornton Cleveleys side that have lost their last 4. These two went up against each other back in July on the opening day when the Admirals came out on top in a five-goal thriller. Daisy Hill make the short trip up the M61 to play-off chasing Euxton Villa. Villa have been inconsistent recently and now sit five points off the top 5 while the Cutters are eight points further back and have lost their last four on the road.
Seven fixtures in the First Division South and again the top two do battle, this time at Evans Park as the seemingly unstoppable Stafford Town machine welcomes Winsford United. The home side have won 14 of 16 league games this term and their lead over the visitors currently stands at five points. Winsford won this fixture a staggering 7-2 last season and I'm sure they would gladly take the same this time round! Elsewhere, New Mills host Abbey Hulton United at Church Lane where a win would take them above Ashville into the play-off places as their season reaches halfway. There's a big game down at the bottom end of the table too when Allscott Heath and Cammell Laird 1907 will both be vying for a crucial win in their bids to remain outside the bottom three.
THE WEEK AHEAD...
There's only a handful of games during the week with some rearranged Premier Division games alongside a county cup clash. Stockport Town v Chadderton is the sole Monday night fixture with Bury v FC St Helens looking to be the standout clash on Bonfire Night - hopefully without any fireworks! Charnock Richard and Squires Gate are also at home as they host Barnoldswick Town and West Didsbury & Chorlton respectively. Glossop North End make the trip over the Pennines to Dronfield Town in the 2nd Round of the Derbyshire Senior Cup. Dronfield currently sit 17th in the Northern Counties East League Division One (Step 6) and last faced one of our clubs way back in September 2021 when South Liverpool dispatched of them 4-1 in the FA Vase.
