Gameweek 22: Preview

Sat 21st December 2024 | Match Previews | By Ben Wilkinson

Bury all but cemented their place at the top of the tree in time for Christmas last night with an impressive 5-2 victory over Chadderton at the Whitebank Stadium, Djavan Padro with a whopping FOUR goals for the Shakers and a penalty tucked away by Bryan Ly rounded off a five-star performance. In Friday’s other fixture, Stafford Town continue to march on in the First Division South as they overcame Market Drayton Town 1-0 to extend their lead at the top to five points.

Attention now swiftly turns to Saturday’s action as the rest of the Premier Division do battle and there’s a smattering of games in the First Divisions too. While Ramsbottom United would need a huge victory to overhaul Bury at the top, they would go level on points (with a game in hand) should they pick up maximum points away at Stockport Town ahead of the big match on Boxing Day. It’s been well over three months since Rammy last tasted defeat in the league but Town will be no pushovers having picked up a solid three points away at FC Isle of Man last time out.

FC IOM themselves head to Lower Breck for an early kick off on Saturday (13:30) as 4th host 5th whilst Cheadle Town host Pilkington at the same time. The other early kick off is at Adie Moran Park where basement club Prestwich Heys welcome Longridge Town, 14:00 start there. Heys have struggled this term, having only picked up two league wins so far with the last one of those coming in August. The ‘Ridge have also had a rough time of it recently and they have sunk to 19th place after a good start to the campaign.

FC St Helens have fallen off the pace recently, having only won two of their last seven league games heading into their home clash with Squires Gate. Gate are one of the two sides they have beaten recently; a 93rd minute goal from Christopher Hill snatched 3 points for St Helens at the Brian Addison Stadium in mid-November. Also in play-off contention are Padiham and they have a chance to break in to the top five when they welcome Burscough to the Ruby Civil Arena. The Storks have won their last six in the league while Burscough’s recent form has been perfectly mixed with three wins and three defeats.

Just one fixture in the First Division North and it comes at the Riverside where Garstang take on Steeton in a battle at the bottom of the table. The ‘Stang have lost their last three without scoring a goal while the visiting ‘Chevvies’ sit two places and seven points above their hosts after two wins and a draw in their last five. Two games in the First Division South round out Saturday’s action; 3rd-placed Alsager Town make the short journey over to Abbey Hulton United. The visitors will be hoping that last weekend’s 5-2 win at Shawbury United is a sign of a turned corner after five league games without a win prior to that while Abbey Hulton secured an impressive 4-2 home win over Droitwich Spa in the FA Vase last Saturday.