Wintry conditions have already decimated the weekend's fixture schedule; at the time of publishing no fewer than 17 of Saturday's games have fallen by the wayside, while both of Friday's games succumbed to the weather earlier today. There are still some great games in store for us though, but we would strongly advise all spectators to check the status of your planned fixture before travelling as further postponements are a near-certainty.

 

 

One of the three FA Vase Fourth Round ties involving one of our clubs has already been called off; Atherton LR's Crilly Park pitch being deemed unsuitable to host their clash against Hallam. West Didsbury & Chorlton make the trip up to the North East to play North Shields of the Northern League Division One. The 'Robins' currently sit 8th in their division, one place and two points below former NWCFL side Kendal Town. They have got the better of Redcar Town, Billingham Town, Wakefield AFC, Charnock Richard and Redcar (not Town) to reach this stage of the competition. There is a 9.15am pitch inspection up at the Daren Persson Stadium tomorrow morning. Abbey Hulton United have home advantage in their tie; they welcome Heanor Town of the United Counties League Premier Division. Heanor have won three away ties to reach this stage, including a 3-2 win against Sandbach United back in the Second Round in November. We wish our three clubs well (whenever they may play their cup ties!) as they bid to reach the last eight.

 

It's a complete wipeout in the Premier Division as all ten scheduled fixtures have been called off over the course of Friday's pitch inspections.

 

It's a slightly better picture in the First Division North where just two fixtures are still left standing. Droylsden are yet to taste defeat at home in the league this season and are back at the Butchers' Arms on Saturday, Daisy Hill the visitors this time. These two played out a 1-1 draw at Daisy's New Sirs ground back in August - their first ever meeting! It is their home form that has lifted the Bloods into a title race in the debut season in the First Division North, building on an impressive 5th-placed finish in the South division last time out. The other game is at the Anchor Ground where Darwen come up against Maghull. Darwen's Connor Hughes picked up December's Player of the Month award this week and he will hope to continue to make an impact for his club as they look to possibly mount a late play-off charge after a turbulent start to the campaign. Maghull currently find themselves 11 points clear of the drop zone in their first season back at Step 6 in the 21st century, proving that they aren't just here to make up the numbers.

 

The picture in the First Division South is even better still with four fixtures remaining as of 5pm on Friday. Stafford Town's defeat last time out ended a long unbeaten run and they are now only top of the table on goal difference - and they've played a game more than 2nd-placed Winsford United. Winsford's postponement gives Town an opportunity to restore some breathing space and Saturday's opponents at Evans Park are 7th-placed Ashville. Two defeats and a draw in their last three fixtures have stuttered Villa's play-off challenge however a big three points here would throw them right back into the mix as the season approaches the business end. 

 

 

There's a smattering of Premier Division and county cup ties to keep everyone entertained during the week; the highlight being Padiham and Ashton Athletic facing off at the Ruby Civil Arena on Tuesday night with a place in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy semi-finals at stake. The visitors cruised past Atherton LR 6-0 in the last round while the Storks did even better and hit Colne for eight without reply back in November. In the 2nd Round of the Cheshire Senior Cup, Cheadle Town travel to 1874 Northwich of the Midland League Premier Division. 1874 were members of the NWCFL between 2013 and 2021 and have spent three seasons in the NPL West before relegation in the summer. At the same stage of the Liverpool Senior Cup, another one of our sides play away as South Liverpool visit another former member in Warrington Rylands 1906. Rylands currently sit 13th in the NPL Premier following three promotions in four seasons between 2018/19 and 2021/22, winning the FA Vase along the way. South receives a bye to this stage of the competition and go into this tie on the back of two straight wins (notwithstanding Saturday's scheduled fixture against Abbey Hey).