Five Things We Learned - w/e Saturday 19th March 2016
Mon 21st March 2016 | General | By Ian Templeman
An unlikely goalless draw - part one
Going into the game at the Stockport Sports Village on Saturday, looking at the form book, the least likely outcome from the Reusch First Division Cup semi-final between Stockport Town and Barnton was a goalless draw.
Barnton have consistently had one of the best goals per game ratio in the First Divsion all season, and came into the game on the back of a 6-0 win at Atherton LR, the fourth time they have scored six goals away from home this season.
Town are no slouches in front of goal themselves, averaging over two a game in all competitions, and yet after 120 minutes of end to end action, neither side had broken the deadlock and the tie was decided on penalties.
If nothing else, it just goes to prove the old adage that the form book goes out of the window in cup ties.
An unlikely goalless draw - part two
Going into the game at the Millbank Linnets Stadium on Saturday, looking at the form book, the least likely outcome from the game between Runcorn Linnets and West Didsbury & Chorlton........you get the picture.
Linnets are top of the table, West are in red hot form, neither side has been involved in a goalless draw all season - and yet the game finished goalless.
There are plenty of twists and turns to come yet in the Premier Division title race, but it's hard to see many more goalless draws involving either club, based on form so far this season.
Town's hot goalscoring streak
St Helens Town have certainly displayed impressive goalscoring form in the past week, with eight goals in the space of 77 minutes across their two games.
Once Ellis Mavers opened the scoring in the 25th minute of their game at Holker Old Boys on Tuesday night, his team mates contributed four more to wrap up a 5-0 win, and they picked up from where they left off at Bacup on Saturday, with three goals in the opening 12 minutes.
Unfortunately for Town, a hat trick from Bacup's Matthew Barlow meant they had to settle for a point in the end, but if they maintain that sort of firepower until the end of the season, they will be a decent shout for a place in the Division One play offs.
Alsager revival continues
Alsager Town's relegation battle continues to gather momentum, with a vital 1-0 win at Silsden on Saturday moving them off the bottom of the table for the first time since August.
With 11 games left to play, the Bullets are now just four points away from safety, and it's tempting to suggest that any talk about their forthcoming fixtures should be accompanied by the theme tune from "The Great Escape" playing in the background.
Early and late shows from Winsford United
A few weeks ago on these pages, we commented on Winsford United's ability to hit the ground running early in games, when Ryan Mellor opened the scoring for the Blues after just eight seconds against Congleton Town in a game that ended 2-2, and then a few days later against AFC Blackpool, Daniel Hudson hit the back of the net in the second minute of the game that they won 2-1.
However, on Saturday they proved that they can be just as deadly late in the game, when Daniel Egan and Ryan Hibbert both scored in the last two minutes to snatch a 2-1 win at AFC Darwen.
Whether it's the first minute or the last, the Blues' strike power clearly can't be underestimated.
Five Things We Learned - w/e Saturday 19th March 2016
Mon 21st March 2016 | General
By Ian Templeman
An unlikely goalless draw - part one
Going into the game at the Stockport Sports Village on Saturday, looking at the form book, the least likely outcome from the Reusch First Division Cup semi-final between Stockport Town and Barnton was a goalless draw.
Barnton have consistently had one of the best goals per game ratio in the First Divsion all season, and came into the game on the back of a 6-0 win at Atherton LR, the fourth time they have scored six goals away from home this season.
Town are no slouches in front of goal themselves, averaging over two a game in all competitions, and yet after 120 minutes of end to end action, neither side had broken the deadlock and the tie was decided on penalties.
If nothing else, it just goes to prove the old adage that the form book goes out of the window in cup ties.
An unlikely goalless draw - part two
Going into the game at the Millbank Linnets Stadium on Saturday, looking at the form book, the least likely outcome from the game between Runcorn Linnets and West Didsbury & Chorlton........you get the picture.
Linnets are top of the table, West are in red hot form, neither side has been involved in a goalless draw all season - and yet the game finished goalless.
There are plenty of twists and turns to come yet in the Premier Division title race, but it's hard to see many more goalless draws involving either club, based on form so far this season.
Town's hot goalscoring streak
St Helens Town have certainly displayed impressive goalscoring form in the past week, with eight goals in the space of 77 minutes across their two games.
Once Ellis Mavers opened the scoring in the 25th minute of their game at Holker Old Boys on Tuesday night, his team mates contributed four more to wrap up a 5-0 win, and they picked up from where they left off at Bacup on Saturday, with three goals in the opening 12 minutes.
Unfortunately for Town, a hat trick from Bacup's Matthew Barlow meant they had to settle for a point in the end, but if they maintain that sort of firepower until the end of the season, they will be a decent shout for a place in the Division One play offs.
Alsager revival continues
Alsager Town's relegation battle continues to gather momentum, with a vital 1-0 win at Silsden on Saturday moving them off the bottom of the table for the first time since August.
With 11 games left to play, the Bullets are now just four points away from safety, and it's tempting to suggest that any talk about their forthcoming fixtures should be accompanied by the theme tune from "The Great Escape" playing in the background.
Early and late shows from Winsford United
A few weeks ago on these pages, we commented on Winsford United's ability to hit the ground running early in games, when Ryan Mellor opened the scoring for the Blues after just eight seconds against Congleton Town in a game that ended 2-2, and then a few days later against AFC Blackpool, Daniel Hudson hit the back of the net in the second minute of the game that they won 2-1.
However, on Saturday they proved that they can be just as deadly late in the game, when Daniel Egan and Ryan Hibbert both scored in the last two minutes to snatch a 2-1 win at AFC Darwen.
Whether it's the first minute or the last, the Blues' strike power clearly can't be underestimated.
