Division One Preview
Fri 19th December 2014 | General | By Ian Templeman
Although the last Saturday before Christmas is traditionally a day when football attendances take a dip, there’s plenty of games in Division One to tempt supporters away from Christmas shopping.
No one could dispute that the game of the day is at Alder House, where Atherton Collieries take on Cammell Laird 1907.
League leaders Lairds are four points ahead of second placed Colls, although Colls have four games in hand, so although Lairds will remain top irrespective of the final result, it could be a game that has a decisive impact on the promotion and title chase.
Throw in the fact that Lairds’ only defeat in the league this season was at home to Colls on the opening day of the season, and you have all the ingredients of a pre-Christmas cracker.
Around three miles away from Alder House, another tasty game takes place at New Sirs when third placed Daisy Hill face Holker Old Boys, whose recent good form has moved them up into seventh place.
This game has added spice as a week last Monday, the two sides met at the same ground in the quarter final of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy, with Holker emerging with a 5-3 win in a thrilling game thanks to two late goals.
Barnton’s home defeat to Atherton Colls last time out ended their excellent unbeaten run that has propelled them up into fourth place. However, they host Northwich Flixton Villa, whose goalscoring form of late is among the most impressive in the league.
However, at the start of November, Barnton won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Valley Road, and will be looking to complete their third league ‘double’ since joining the league in the summer.
Chadderton’s first outing since the FA Vase exploits in the early part of the month sees them welcome Litherland REMYCA to Andrew Street. The first ever meeting between the clubs should be a cracker, with the visitors coming into the game on the back of a six match unbeaten run, and victory for either side should take them to within a few points of a play off spot.
Atherton LR, in fifth place travel to Rochdale Town, who sit five places and five points behind them, but with Town having three games in hand, victory would see them close in on a play off place.
However, LR won a close fought encounter at Crilly Park 2-1 earlier in the season, and it’s unlikely to be any different this time out.
The enigmatic Hanley Town are in sixth place, and will no doubt be cheered by the thought of a trip to Oldham Boro. Town’s away form has been far more impressive than their home form so far this season, and with their only league defeat arising in their first game of the season in early August.
The form guide suggests they will be favourites to pick up the points against a Boro side who remain rooted to the foot of the table.
AFC Darwen have played fewer games than any other side in the division, and will be hoping to get another game under the belt at Irlam, where victory would keep them in touch with the chasing play off pack.
Cheadle Town are a side that have been in good goalscoring form of late, with 16 goals in their last four games, not including the four they scored against Atherton LR last Saturday before the Park Road floodlights failed, causing the match to be abandoned.
Ashton Town are the visitors this weekend, looking for their first league win since mid-September.
The closeness of this division is never better illustrated when looking down the table and finding Widnes in 15th place, who host an Eccleshall side one place behind.
With both teams having games in hand on others who currently occupy a play off spot, a win at the Select Security Stadium for either would not only keep them in touch with the top teams, but also provide a welcome boost after a run of poor results.
Division One Preview
Fri 19th December 2014 | General
By Ian Templeman
Although the last Saturday before Christmas is traditionally a day when football attendances take a dip, there’s plenty of games in Division One to tempt supporters away from Christmas shopping.
No one could dispute that the game of the day is at Alder House, where Atherton Collieries take on Cammell Laird 1907.
League leaders Lairds are four points ahead of second placed Colls, although Colls have four games in hand, so although Lairds will remain top irrespective of the final result, it could be a game that has a decisive impact on the promotion and title chase.
Throw in the fact that Lairds’ only defeat in the league this season was at home to Colls on the opening day of the season, and you have all the ingredients of a pre-Christmas cracker.
Around three miles away from Alder House, another tasty game takes place at New Sirs when third placed Daisy Hill face Holker Old Boys, whose recent good form has moved them up into seventh place.
This game has added spice as a week last Monday, the two sides met at the same ground in the quarter final of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy, with Holker emerging with a 5-3 win in a thrilling game thanks to two late goals.
Barnton’s home defeat to Atherton Colls last time out ended their excellent unbeaten run that has propelled them up into fourth place. However, they host Northwich Flixton Villa, whose goalscoring form of late is among the most impressive in the league.
However, at the start of November, Barnton won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Valley Road, and will be looking to complete their third league ‘double’ since joining the league in the summer.
Chadderton’s first outing since the FA Vase exploits in the early part of the month sees them welcome Litherland REMYCA to Andrew Street. The first ever meeting between the clubs should be a cracker, with the visitors coming into the game on the back of a six match unbeaten run, and victory for either side should take them to within a few points of a play off spot.
Atherton LR, in fifth place travel to Rochdale Town, who sit five places and five points behind them, but with Town having three games in hand, victory would see them close in on a play off place.
However, LR won a close fought encounter at Crilly Park 2-1 earlier in the season, and it’s unlikely to be any different this time out.
The enigmatic Hanley Town are in sixth place, and will no doubt be cheered by the thought of a trip to Oldham Boro. Town’s away form has been far more impressive than their home form so far this season, and with their only league defeat arising in their first game of the season in early August.
The form guide suggests they will be favourites to pick up the points against a Boro side who remain rooted to the foot of the table.
AFC Darwen have played fewer games than any other side in the division, and will be hoping to get another game under the belt at Irlam, where victory would keep them in touch with the chasing play off pack.
Cheadle Town are a side that have been in good goalscoring form of late, with 16 goals in their last four games, not including the four they scored against Atherton LR last Saturday before the Park Road floodlights failed, causing the match to be abandoned.
Ashton Town are the visitors this weekend, looking for their first league win since mid-September.
The closeness of this division is never better illustrated when looking down the table and finding Widnes in 15th place, who host an Eccleshall side one place behind.
With both teams having games in hand on others who currently occupy a play off spot, a win at the Select Security Stadium for either would not only keep them in touch with the top teams, but also provide a welcome boost after a run of poor results.
