Division One Preview - Saturday 5th September 2015
Fri 4th September 2015 | General | By Patrick Burke
With six First Division teams competing in the FA Vase this Saturday, the knock-on effect for the league is that only five fixtures take place. The ten teams in action may seek to use this as an opportunity to get some points on the board and climb the table.
In the case of Barnton, August’s First Division Club of the Month will be hoping to move five points clear at the top as they entertain Northwich Manchester Villa in the first of three meetings between the sides over the next month or so.
With the hosts winning five of their first six games, and inflicting a first home defeat upon Whitchurch Alport on Wednesday courtesy of their 6-1 win, they have lived up to their billing as promotion favourites. Sitting in 14th place, Villa will have a tough task to replicate last season’s 2-2 draw at Townfield, though a repeat of the performance that saw them beat Atherton LR 3-0 a fortnight ago may give them a fighting chance.
Moving on to the early kick-off, ‘the two W’s’ (Widnes and Whitchurch Alport) go head to head at the Select Security Stadium at 1pm. Both have had a slow start to their campaign, with the hosts lying second bottom after five games.
New boys Alport are just a point and a place above them, though have taken creditable draws from three of their first six games. Their away form may need improving (they are yet to take a point on their travels), but having played just two games on the road at NWCFL level, that will come in time no doubt.
Meanwhile at Crilly Park, 9th entertain 7th with Atherton LR hosting Holker Old Boys. In midweek, Laburnum Rovers took what may turn out to be a good point against an Ashton Town side who have impressed thus far, lying second in the table. Another good side are the visitors in the form of Holker Old Boys – Gary Fawcett’s men have won three of their first four league games, so will be hoping to build on last season’s play-off appearance.
Down in Staffordshire, Chadderton are the visitors to the southern-most team in the league - Eccleshall. The home side have been extremely unlucky so far, losing by the odd goal against last season’s play-off semi-finalists Hanley Town and Holker Old Boys, and second placed Ashton Town (though the win at Daisy Hill sees them in 15th place).
Chaddy’s start has been a little underwhelming after their strong finish in the last campaign, but the first win at home to Daisy Hill last weekend may spell better times to come.
Finally, it will be a first ever meeting between Daisy Hill and Stockport Town at New Sirs; the Daisies will be looking for a first point at home after a tough start that puts them at the foot of the table. Town have had a better start with impressive wins against Hanley Town and Bacup Borough, and sit 11th in the league.
The table is still taking shape, but sides in the bottom half will be seeking to gain a psychological advantage by moving up the table, and likewise those in the upper reaches will seek to put the pressure on the teams above them who are inactive in the league at the weekend.
Division One Preview - Saturday 5th September 2015
Fri 4th September 2015 | General
By Patrick Burke
With six First Division teams competing in the FA Vase this Saturday, the knock-on effect for the league is that only five fixtures take place. The ten teams in action may seek to use this as an opportunity to get some points on the board and climb the table.
In the case of Barnton, August’s First Division Club of the Month will be hoping to move five points clear at the top as they entertain Northwich Manchester Villa in the first of three meetings between the sides over the next month or so.
With the hosts winning five of their first six games, and inflicting a first home defeat upon Whitchurch Alport on Wednesday courtesy of their 6-1 win, they have lived up to their billing as promotion favourites. Sitting in 14th place, Villa will have a tough task to replicate last season’s 2-2 draw at Townfield, though a repeat of the performance that saw them beat Atherton LR 3-0 a fortnight ago may give them a fighting chance.
Moving on to the early kick-off, ‘the two W’s’ (Widnes and Whitchurch Alport) go head to head at the Select Security Stadium at 1pm. Both have had a slow start to their campaign, with the hosts lying second bottom after five games.
New boys Alport are just a point and a place above them, though have taken creditable draws from three of their first six games. Their away form may need improving (they are yet to take a point on their travels), but having played just two games on the road at NWCFL level, that will come in time no doubt.
Meanwhile at Crilly Park, 9th entertain 7th with Atherton LR hosting Holker Old Boys. In midweek, Laburnum Rovers took what may turn out to be a good point against an Ashton Town side who have impressed thus far, lying second in the table. Another good side are the visitors in the form of Holker Old Boys – Gary Fawcett’s men have won three of their first four league games, so will be hoping to build on last season’s play-off appearance.
Down in Staffordshire, Chadderton are the visitors to the southern-most team in the league - Eccleshall. The home side have been extremely unlucky so far, losing by the odd goal against last season’s play-off semi-finalists Hanley Town and Holker Old Boys, and second placed Ashton Town (though the win at Daisy Hill sees them in 15th place).
Chaddy’s start has been a little underwhelming after their strong finish in the last campaign, but the first win at home to Daisy Hill last weekend may spell better times to come.
Finally, it will be a first ever meeting between Daisy Hill and Stockport Town at New Sirs; the Daisies will be looking for a first point at home after a tough start that puts them at the foot of the table. Town have had a better start with impressive wins against Hanley Town and Bacup Borough, and sit 11th in the league.
The table is still taking shape, but sides in the bottom half will be seeking to gain a psychological advantage by moving up the table, and likewise those in the upper reaches will seek to put the pressure on the teams above them who are inactive in the league at the weekend.
