Premier Division Preview
Fri 30th January 2015 | General | By Patrick Burke
What a round of fixtures we have to look forward to in the Premier Division this Saturday! In particular, there are some mouth-watering ties at the top of the table.
They don’t come much bigger than Glossop North End vs 1874 Northwich.
Hosts GNE, and in particular striker Jason Carey, will start in high spirits after a 2-0 win at Squires Gate on Tuesday night, and a 1-0 win over Worksop Town last Saturday to put them into the last 16 of the FA Vase, ex-Formby man Carey scoring all three of those goals.
Having been beaten 3-0 at home to Glossop in the FA Vase in December, 1874 know what a tough test they face. Their recent form will be a concern, having lost back-to-back league games, but what better way to end that run than with a win at GNE.
There is another clash between two sides in the upper reaches, as leaders Runcorn Linnets visit Colne. Linnets have won their last four league games by the odd goal, and a trip to Colne will be a tricky game.
The Lancashire side are sixth in the league and have won their last three outings by comfortable margins, so will relish the chance to test themselves against Linnets, who know that they can’t afford to drop many points as Glossop have five games in hand.
3rd placed Ashton Athletic have been on an indifferent run of form in their last six games: three wins, two draws and a defeat. AFC Liverpool are the visitors to Brocstedes Park, and Paul Moore’s men are not on the greatest of runs themselves – they have not won in five outings, losing three of them. However, they have a real weapon in Ryan Cox, who is the division’s top scorer, so it should be a fascinating battle.
Squires Gate will be delighted with their season so far – they lie in 5th place. Tuesday’s defeat at home to Glossop was the first since mid-November, so they will hope to bounce back when they visit Abbey Hey. It’s been a frustrating campaign for the hosts who lie 17th (but 15 points clear of the drop zone).
First Division Champions Nelson are currently 8th, but aren’t too far behind the likes of Squires Gate. After beating Linnets in November, their progress has stalled and they have won just one in four. A home game against Congleton Town provides an opportunity to reverse their fortunes.
The Bears have lost five on the bounce in the league, but the 5-1 win at Northwich Flixton Villa in the Cheshire Senior Cup on Tuesday should boost their confidence.
In contrast to that game at Nelson, the game at Pavillions is between two in form teams as Runcorn Town host Bootle. Town have won three out of four in the league, and showed their quality with a 6-1 win at Barnoldswick Town last Saturday - Curtis Cummins from Daisy Hill has proved a shrewd signing and he scored twice in that game.
Bootle have won five out of six in the league, but were beaten Town won 2-0 at the Merseyside club in November.
On to the games affecting those at the bottom. Bacup & Rossendale Borough may only have six points, but can take heart from their last outing at Runcorn Linnets, and the fact that they have games in hand on the teams above them. Though the defeat at Linnets was a seventh consecutive one, they pushed the leaders all the way, and actually took the lead in an eventual 3-2 Linnets win.
If they take the positives into this home game, they could stand a real chance against an inconsistent Maine Road side (who beat 1874 Northwich, then lost to AFC Blackpool in their next game).
Barnoldswick Town are third from bottom, and visit mid-table Alsager Town. Town know that they have to start winning games but Alsager have taken seven points from their last three games so this will be a real test.
Also in a relegation battle, AFC Blackpool are one place and four points above the dotted line, although a 1-0 win at Maine Road last time out was a great victory. Mid table visitors Silsden have won their last three (all against teams in a similar position), so that promises to be an intriguing game.
Finishing off the weekend’s round of fixtures is Winsford United v West Didsbury and Chorlton. Both sides are on 36 points – 20 points above the drop zone. Winsford have won two of their last three games, whilst WD&C’s triumph over St. Helens Town last Saturday was a first in four games.
All being well, the weather will not prove too much of a disturbance but my expert advice would be to put a waterproof on and wrap up warm!
Premier Division Preview
Fri 30th January 2015 | General
By Patrick Burke
What a round of fixtures we have to look forward to in the Premier Division this Saturday! In particular, there are some mouth-watering ties at the top of the table.
They don’t come much bigger than Glossop North End vs 1874 Northwich.
Hosts GNE, and in particular striker Jason Carey, will start in high spirits after a 2-0 win at Squires Gate on Tuesday night, and a 1-0 win over Worksop Town last Saturday to put them into the last 16 of the FA Vase, ex-Formby man Carey scoring all three of those goals.
Having been beaten 3-0 at home to Glossop in the FA Vase in December, 1874 know what a tough test they face. Their recent form will be a concern, having lost back-to-back league games, but what better way to end that run than with a win at GNE.
There is another clash between two sides in the upper reaches, as leaders Runcorn Linnets visit Colne. Linnets have won their last four league games by the odd goal, and a trip to Colne will be a tricky game.
The Lancashire side are sixth in the league and have won their last three outings by comfortable margins, so will relish the chance to test themselves against Linnets, who know that they can’t afford to drop many points as Glossop have five games in hand.
3rd placed Ashton Athletic have been on an indifferent run of form in their last six games: three wins, two draws and a defeat. AFC Liverpool are the visitors to Brocstedes Park, and Paul Moore’s men are not on the greatest of runs themselves – they have not won in five outings, losing three of them. However, they have a real weapon in Ryan Cox, who is the division’s top scorer, so it should be a fascinating battle.
Squires Gate will be delighted with their season so far – they lie in 5th place. Tuesday’s defeat at home to Glossop was the first since mid-November, so they will hope to bounce back when they visit Abbey Hey. It’s been a frustrating campaign for the hosts who lie 17th (but 15 points clear of the drop zone).
First Division Champions Nelson are currently 8th, but aren’t too far behind the likes of Squires Gate. After beating Linnets in November, their progress has stalled and they have won just one in four. A home game against Congleton Town provides an opportunity to reverse their fortunes.
The Bears have lost five on the bounce in the league, but the 5-1 win at Northwich Flixton Villa in the Cheshire Senior Cup on Tuesday should boost their confidence.
In contrast to that game at Nelson, the game at Pavillions is between two in form teams as Runcorn Town host Bootle. Town have won three out of four in the league, and showed their quality with a 6-1 win at Barnoldswick Town last Saturday - Curtis Cummins from Daisy Hill has proved a shrewd signing and he scored twice in that game.
Bootle have won five out of six in the league, but were beaten Town won 2-0 at the Merseyside club in November.
On to the games affecting those at the bottom. Bacup & Rossendale Borough may only have six points, but can take heart from their last outing at Runcorn Linnets, and the fact that they have games in hand on the teams above them. Though the defeat at Linnets was a seventh consecutive one, they pushed the leaders all the way, and actually took the lead in an eventual 3-2 Linnets win.
If they take the positives into this home game, they could stand a real chance against an inconsistent Maine Road side (who beat 1874 Northwich, then lost to AFC Blackpool in their next game).
Barnoldswick Town are third from bottom, and visit mid-table Alsager Town. Town know that they have to start winning games but Alsager have taken seven points from their last three games so this will be a real test.
Also in a relegation battle, AFC Blackpool are one place and four points above the dotted line, although a 1-0 win at Maine Road last time out was a great victory. Mid table visitors Silsden have won their last three (all against teams in a similar position), so that promises to be an intriguing game.
Finishing off the weekend’s round of fixtures is Winsford United v West Didsbury and Chorlton. Both sides are on 36 points – 20 points above the drop zone. Winsford have won two of their last three games, whilst WD&C’s triumph over St. Helens Town last Saturday was a first in four games.
All being well, the weather will not prove too much of a disturbance but my expert advice would be to put a waterproof on and wrap up warm!
