Division One Preview
Fri 30th January 2015 | General | By Ian Templeman
The month of January has seen the top two cement their places ahead of the chasing pack, whilst the play-off positions have also begun to take shape.
The leaders Atherton Collieries entertain Chadderton at Alder House. Formidable is perhaps the best word to describe Colls this season, and five wins on the trot means that they have a two point advantage over Cammell Laird 1907 with two games in hand.
Last week they visited Eccleshall, with a Mark Battersby hat trick sealing a 3-1 victory (Battersby now has an incredible 41 goals this season). However, Chadderton are unbeaten since the end of September in the league, and now that their fairytale FA Vase run is over, they can use that as a platform for the league.
Behind Colls in second is Cammell Laird 1907, who are entertaining 4th placed Daisy Hill. It has all the ingredients of a high-quality match, Lairds narrowly beating Daisy Hill at New Sirs in November, and both sides going into the match on a high.
The Wirral-based outfit have won ten out of their last eleven in the league, and in the week, beat NWCFL Premier Division Winsford United 3-2. Opponents Daisy Hill meanwhile won 2-1 last time out with a Craig Haynes double giving them victory over Rochdale Town.
The game of the day may well be AFC Darwen vs Holker Old Boys – both sides have serious top six ambitions. Visitors Holker are on an excellent run of form (unbeaten in six) and Gary Fawcett certainly has them well organised.
Only the top two and Darwen have conceded less goals. AFC Darwen have beaten Holker twice in cup competitions this season, but have lost two of their last three games.
Another interesting match will take place at the Select Security Stadium, where Widnes take on Barnton. The hosts look to be outsiders for a top 6 finish, but a win is essential to try and reduce the seven point deficit between them and a play-off position.
New boys Barnton have had no problems settling in at this level, lying in 3rd place, seven points ahead of seventh placed Atherton LR.
Hanley Town are also in action, as they visit Wigan Robin Park. A 3-1 win at AFC Darwen made them only the second side to win in Lancashire. The result was much needed after three league games without a win.
The fact that they have 26 goal man Theo Stair makes them a very dangerous outfit, and he would be forgiven for relishing a tie at Wigan RP, who have conceded 26 goals in their last five games.
However, John Neafcy’s men are a better side than their form suggests, and an Andrew Simm double helped them to a 2-1 win at Hanley earlier in the season.
Cheadle Town entertain bottom side Oldham Boro at Park Road.
Cheadle have been quietly pushing for the top 6, and although they have played more than those from 4th to 6th, lie just two points outside the play-offs. Boro will have to find a way to deal with Nathan Neequaye, who has 18 goals this season and if they can do that they will have half a chance.
They have had some very difficult games recently, but in their last game, they played well for periods at Lairds, so will provide a tough test for Cheadle.
The game between Northwich Flixton Villa and Ashton Town at Valley Road is a chance for both teams to reignite their season. NFV were on the cusp of the play-offs a couple of weeks ago, but four games without a win has resulted in a six point gap.
Visitors Ashton were unlucky last Saturday to lose 2-1 to Lairds, and each of their last five games has been decided by the odd goal. Lethal finishers Yousif Yousif of Villa, or Sean Robinson of Town may provide the difference in that game.
Litherland REMYCA will host Eccleshall at Litherland Sports Park, hoping for a repeat of the result in their last home game, when they beat Rochdale Town 6-2. A draw last week at NFV continued their progress under Phil Stafford, and they are sat comfortably in 10th place.
Steve Lloyd’s Eccleshall will hope to continue moving in the right direction following improved results and performances recently.
Finally, Irlam will make the trip from South-West to North-East Manchester, as they visit Rochdale Town. Hosts Town have been on an awful run of form, and they are without a win since the start of November, whilst Irlam have been inconsistent this year – they have taken four points from their last four games.
With the weather predicted to take a turn for the worse, Atherton LR may not be the only side not in action. But let’s hope that the weather doesn’t cause too much havoc!
Division One Preview
Fri 30th January 2015 | General
By Ian Templeman
The month of January has seen the top two cement their places ahead of the chasing pack, whilst the play-off positions have also begun to take shape.
The leaders Atherton Collieries entertain Chadderton at Alder House. Formidable is perhaps the best word to describe Colls this season, and five wins on the trot means that they have a two point advantage over Cammell Laird 1907 with two games in hand.
Last week they visited Eccleshall, with a Mark Battersby hat trick sealing a 3-1 victory (Battersby now has an incredible 41 goals this season). However, Chadderton are unbeaten since the end of September in the league, and now that their fairytale FA Vase run is over, they can use that as a platform for the league.
Behind Colls in second is Cammell Laird 1907, who are entertaining 4th placed Daisy Hill. It has all the ingredients of a high-quality match, Lairds narrowly beating Daisy Hill at New Sirs in November, and both sides going into the match on a high.
The Wirral-based outfit have won ten out of their last eleven in the league, and in the week, beat NWCFL Premier Division Winsford United 3-2. Opponents Daisy Hill meanwhile won 2-1 last time out with a Craig Haynes double giving them victory over Rochdale Town.
The game of the day may well be AFC Darwen vs Holker Old Boys – both sides have serious top six ambitions. Visitors Holker are on an excellent run of form (unbeaten in six) and Gary Fawcett certainly has them well organised.
Only the top two and Darwen have conceded less goals. AFC Darwen have beaten Holker twice in cup competitions this season, but have lost two of their last three games.
Another interesting match will take place at the Select Security Stadium, where Widnes take on Barnton. The hosts look to be outsiders for a top 6 finish, but a win is essential to try and reduce the seven point deficit between them and a play-off position.
New boys Barnton have had no problems settling in at this level, lying in 3rd place, seven points ahead of seventh placed Atherton LR.
Hanley Town are also in action, as they visit Wigan Robin Park. A 3-1 win at AFC Darwen made them only the second side to win in Lancashire. The result was much needed after three league games without a win.
The fact that they have 26 goal man Theo Stair makes them a very dangerous outfit, and he would be forgiven for relishing a tie at Wigan RP, who have conceded 26 goals in their last five games.
However, John Neafcy’s men are a better side than their form suggests, and an Andrew Simm double helped them to a 2-1 win at Hanley earlier in the season.
Cheadle Town entertain bottom side Oldham Boro at Park Road.
Cheadle have been quietly pushing for the top 6, and although they have played more than those from 4th to 6th, lie just two points outside the play-offs. Boro will have to find a way to deal with Nathan Neequaye, who has 18 goals this season and if they can do that they will have half a chance.
They have had some very difficult games recently, but in their last game, they played well for periods at Lairds, so will provide a tough test for Cheadle.
The game between Northwich Flixton Villa and Ashton Town at Valley Road is a chance for both teams to reignite their season. NFV were on the cusp of the play-offs a couple of weeks ago, but four games without a win has resulted in a six point gap.
Visitors Ashton were unlucky last Saturday to lose 2-1 to Lairds, and each of their last five games has been decided by the odd goal. Lethal finishers Yousif Yousif of Villa, or Sean Robinson of Town may provide the difference in that game.
Litherland REMYCA will host Eccleshall at Litherland Sports Park, hoping for a repeat of the result in their last home game, when they beat Rochdale Town 6-2. A draw last week at NFV continued their progress under Phil Stafford, and they are sat comfortably in 10th place.
Steve Lloyd’s Eccleshall will hope to continue moving in the right direction following improved results and performances recently.
Finally, Irlam will make the trip from South-West to North-East Manchester, as they visit Rochdale Town. Hosts Town have been on an awful run of form, and they are without a win since the start of November, whilst Irlam have been inconsistent this year – they have taken four points from their last four games.
With the weather predicted to take a turn for the worse, Atherton LR may not be the only side not in action. But let’s hope that the weather doesn’t cause too much havoc!
