First Division Preview
Fri 24th April 2015 | General | By Rob McKay
All eyes focus on the Play-Offs in Division One this weekend as three must become two with Holker Old Boys, Chadderton and Barnton vying for the final two play-off places. Currently leading the pack are Holker Old Boys in fifth place who take on Daisy Hill at home.
Holker were considered a lock in to make it at the end of March, but four defeats in their last seven outings, including a 1-0 loss at Daisy Hill, means they need to match Barnton’s result to ensure their play-off spot.
Daisy Hill themselves are working on a potential best ever finish in the NWCFL.
Barnton, who start the weekend outside the play off places after Chadderton’s Thursday night thrashing of Oldham Boro, take on Widnes at Townfield Lane.
Leon Knight’s side head into the game having lost three of their last five encounters and need to win and hope that both Holker Old Boys and Chadderton drop points.
Even if Barnton do miss out on the play offs, it has been a promising first season for the Cheshire club. Chadderton’s late surge to the play offs concluded on Thursday night as they ran riot at Oldham Boro running out 6-1 winners, the significance of which means that their goal difference is five goals better than Barnton’s.
They face an Ashton Town side that has had mixed fortunes in recent weeks as they’ve earned a pair of 2-2 draws against Daisy Hill and Atherton Collieries but have lost to Eccleshall, Holker Old Boys and Atherton LR.
Chadderton, having played Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday will be hoping to get over the line knowing they only need to match Barnton’s result to do so. Whilst the automatic promotion places have been decided the crucial home advantage in the play offs is still to be determined as Hanley Town and AFC Darwen enter the weekend just two points apart from each other.
Hanley Town start the weekend on 67 points with a goal difference of 28 but they face the tough trip to Cammell Laird who haven’t lost at home since the opening day of the season.
However, outside of the top two, Hanley have the best away record in the division and have won nine of their last 11 games. Hot on their tails is an AFC Darwen looking to cap off a fantastic week with home field advantage in the play-offs.
They currently sit on 65 points but have a superior goal difference of 42 goals, 14 better than Hanley. Playing in their eighth game in a fortnight they’ve hit form at the right time defeating Northwich Flixton Villa 5-4 (Sat), Wigan Robin Park 7-1 (Tue), Northwich Flixton Villa again 1-0 (Wed), Atherton Collieries 2-0 (Fri), drawing with Cheadle Town 1-1 (Sat), beating Holker Old Boys 2-0 (Mon) and Colls again 3-1 (Thurs) in the Reusch First Division Trophy Final.
Elsewhere, in a rare occurrence, both Atherton teams are at home on a Saturday (they should stagger the kick off times so people could attend both).
Atherton LR take on Oldham Boro, who will be vying to continue their good form and avoid finishing with the wooden spoon whilst LR will be hoping that they can produce the performance that saw them 3-0 at home to Ashton Town on Monday and not the performance that saw them lose 4-0 at Northwich Flixton Villa on Wednesday.
There will be celebration and champagne on hand at Alder House as Atherton Collieries will take the title but they will enter the game winless in four since winning the league.
Their amazing season has seen them playing virtually every day as they close in on a historic treble, and will want to ensure they end the season unbeaten in the league at home as they turn their attention to the Bolton Hospital Cup and the MEN United Cup Final against Glossop North End.
Looking to leap frog LR is Northwich Flixton Villa who take on Wigan Robin Park in their last ever game at Valley Road.
After their superb 4-0 win at home to LR on Wednesday night, NFV will be looking for one last win and try to capitalise on any potential LR slip to leapfrog them in the table.
Last season’s bottom club will cap off a remarkable season regardless of the result, as they are guaranteed their highest place finish ever.
Finally, two teams who will be looking to sign off their season’s with a positive note are Rochdale Town and Irlam, with the winner claiming the higher league finish of the two. A point for Irlam will see them overtake their predecessors Irlam Town in the NWCFL member total records table.
First Division Preview
Fri 24th April 2015 | General
By Rob McKay
All eyes focus on the Play-Offs in Division One this weekend as three must become two with Holker Old Boys, Chadderton and Barnton vying for the final two play-off places. Currently leading the pack are Holker Old Boys in fifth place who take on Daisy Hill at home.
Holker were considered a lock in to make it at the end of March, but four defeats in their last seven outings, including a 1-0 loss at Daisy Hill, means they need to match Barnton’s result to ensure their play-off spot.
Daisy Hill themselves are working on a potential best ever finish in the NWCFL.
Barnton, who start the weekend outside the play off places after Chadderton’s Thursday night thrashing of Oldham Boro, take on Widnes at Townfield Lane.
Leon Knight’s side head into the game having lost three of their last five encounters and need to win and hope that both Holker Old Boys and Chadderton drop points.
Even if Barnton do miss out on the play offs, it has been a promising first season for the Cheshire club. Chadderton’s late surge to the play offs concluded on Thursday night as they ran riot at Oldham Boro running out 6-1 winners, the significance of which means that their goal difference is five goals better than Barnton’s.
They face an Ashton Town side that has had mixed fortunes in recent weeks as they’ve earned a pair of 2-2 draws against Daisy Hill and Atherton Collieries but have lost to Eccleshall, Holker Old Boys and Atherton LR.
Chadderton, having played Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday will be hoping to get over the line knowing they only need to match Barnton’s result to do so. Whilst the automatic promotion places have been decided the crucial home advantage in the play offs is still to be determined as Hanley Town and AFC Darwen enter the weekend just two points apart from each other.
Hanley Town start the weekend on 67 points with a goal difference of 28 but they face the tough trip to Cammell Laird who haven’t lost at home since the opening day of the season.
However, outside of the top two, Hanley have the best away record in the division and have won nine of their last 11 games. Hot on their tails is an AFC Darwen looking to cap off a fantastic week with home field advantage in the play-offs.
They currently sit on 65 points but have a superior goal difference of 42 goals, 14 better than Hanley. Playing in their eighth game in a fortnight they’ve hit form at the right time defeating Northwich Flixton Villa 5-4 (Sat), Wigan Robin Park 7-1 (Tue), Northwich Flixton Villa again 1-0 (Wed), Atherton Collieries 2-0 (Fri), drawing with Cheadle Town 1-1 (Sat), beating Holker Old Boys 2-0 (Mon) and Colls again 3-1 (Thurs) in the Reusch First Division Trophy Final.
Elsewhere, in a rare occurrence, both Atherton teams are at home on a Saturday (they should stagger the kick off times so people could attend both).
Atherton LR take on Oldham Boro, who will be vying to continue their good form and avoid finishing with the wooden spoon whilst LR will be hoping that they can produce the performance that saw them 3-0 at home to Ashton Town on Monday and not the performance that saw them lose 4-0 at Northwich Flixton Villa on Wednesday.
There will be celebration and champagne on hand at Alder House as Atherton Collieries will take the title but they will enter the game winless in four since winning the league.
Their amazing season has seen them playing virtually every day as they close in on a historic treble, and will want to ensure they end the season unbeaten in the league at home as they turn their attention to the Bolton Hospital Cup and the MEN United Cup Final against Glossop North End.
Looking to leap frog LR is Northwich Flixton Villa who take on Wigan Robin Park in their last ever game at Valley Road.
After their superb 4-0 win at home to LR on Wednesday night, NFV will be looking for one last win and try to capitalise on any potential LR slip to leapfrog them in the table.
Last season’s bottom club will cap off a remarkable season regardless of the result, as they are guaranteed their highest place finish ever.
Finally, two teams who will be looking to sign off their season’s with a positive note are Rochdale Town and Irlam, with the winner claiming the higher league finish of the two. A point for Irlam will see them overtake their predecessors Irlam Town in the NWCFL member total records table.