Premier Division Preview - Easter Monday 2016
Sun 27th March 2016 | General | By Martin Fallon
Happy Easter to all our readers! What better way to get over indulging in a hearty roast dinner and an assortment of Easter Eggs on Sunday than by visiting a NWCFL game on Monday afternoon. John Reid's magic as Fixture Secretary sees him conjure up ten fixtures in the Premier Division, most of which have a local derby feel about them, so we will take a closer look at these games.
I will start with the Runcorn Derby, Linnets v Town at the Millbank Linnets Stadium. The home side will be looking to take a big step towards the Premier Division title with a win over their rivals, and they are in great form at the moment. Linnets have 14 wins from their last 16 league games, whilst at home its even better with eight wins and a draw from their last nine league games.
Runcorn Town's form has been the polar opposite with just one win in their last ten league games, a run that has seen them fall from fourth place to seventh. However that win came on Saturday at AFC Blackpool, so they will be hoping that the corner has been turned. Its Simon Burton's last derby as manager of Town, so he will be hoping for a win. Town have never beaten Linnets at the Millbank in the league, although they did win the last meeting there in the Cheshire Senior Cup in January 2015.
Another side in great form and looking to continue that is Colne who face Silsden at home. Colne are currently second in the league behind Linnets and top of the form table after six wins and a draw from their last seven games. What will be more pleasing to manager Steve Cunningham though is that his side has kept four clean sheets in those games. Up front, striker Jay Hart has six goals in his last six games, whilst recent signing Ben Wharton made it two goals in two games with his goal on Saturday,
Colne may be top of the form guide, however Silsden are level bottom with a solitary draw their only point from their last six league games. More concerning will be the fact that they have only found the net three times in this time, although James Gill can take comfort that his teams last eight goals have been scored by different players, indicating they can score from all over the field. They are second from bottom in the league at present so need a win, although history suggests a Colne win with Silsden only winning once at the XLCR Stadium, that coming back in December 2007.
One loss in their last eleven games has propelled Atherton Collieries into the Championship race as well as the MEN United Cup Final, and they will be looking to celebrate reaching the Cup Final on Saturday as they turn attention back to the league. Colls are difficult to contain, highlighted by the goals running thoughout the team and they are by some distance the leading goalscorers with 92 goals from their 31 league games.
Luke Gibson's Abbey Hey side have fallen to 11th place in the league table courtesey of just one win in their last 11 games, ironically that coming against Colls back in February. Their best finish in the Premier Division is 11th in 2005/06, so they will be looking to finish this season as high as possible. This fixture stretches back to the 1999/2000 season, and Abbey won the last meeting at Colls 5-2 back in September 2012.
Perhaps the most local of derbies on Monday takes place at the Barton Stadium in Winsford, with the Landlords playing the Tenants. Its Winsford United who will be in the away dressing room, with 1874 Northwich looking to continue their recent good form and cement their top four position. Two losses in three games for 1874 was a hammer blow to their title aspirations, but they have bounced back to pick up seven out of their last nine available points, with Matty Beadle scoring in all three games.
Winsford had also been in good recent form with three wins, two of which came on the road, but Saturday's 4-1 loss at home to Squires Gate will have been concerning for manager Lee Duckworth. It will be a busy week for the Blues as they also travel to AFC Blackpool on Wednesday, and they can climb into the top ten should they win. And they could well do so as the away side has won every fixture between these sides when they have met in the league, this being the fourth meeting.
Looking towards the bottom of the division, two sides with real relegation worries are AFC Blackpool and Squires Gate, and they meet in the Common Edge Derby on Monday at Squires Gate. Blackpool sit bottom of the table at present with just five wins all season, and they have lost four of their last five games. However they have been in contention in all those games, with late goals conceded the main reason for dropping points in most of them.
After a great season last year, it has been a surprise to many to see Squires Gate down the bottom this year, but they have pulled themselves out of the relegation zone and sit five points clear of the drop zone in 18th. They have just won one of their last six games though, that a surprise 2-1 win over high flying 1874 Northwich, and they need to pick up a few more wins to be sure of retaining their Premier Division status. The last time these met at Gate it was 1-0 to the home side thanks to a Mark Buchan goal - a scenario they would take once more on Monday.
Alsager Town have been bottom for most of the season, but manager Harry Houdini - sorry Scott Dundas - has worked wonders and they sit third from bottom now having picked up three wins in four games, all have which have come with clean sheets. They travel the short distance to Congleton Town, looking for a win that could see them outside of the relegation zone should other results go their way.
Congleton have been in good form though recently themselves, and currently sit in sixth place in the Premier Division after six wins and three draws from their last nine games. This resurgence has produced some impressive results including a home win over Runcorn Linnets, with Brian Matthews scoring seven goals in this run. Its an intruiging tie between two sides in good form, with Alsager winning on their last two visits to Congleton.
Should Alsager win then AFC Darwen could drop into the bottom three should they not pick up points at home to Padiham. Darwen have had a torrid time since winning last seasons First Division PlayOffs, and they have won just one of their last 13 games in a run stretching back to November. Fighting spirit is required at Darwen, and they showed glimpses on Satutday as they came from 2-0 down to grab a draw thanks to Luke McKenna's last minute goal.
Padiham themselves are almost safe I would say, thanks largely to a good recent run that has seen them unbeaten in their last five games where they have picked up nine points. Their last two away wins have seen them win impressively at Bootle and Winsford, and they will be looking for a win that will virtually secure safety. This is the first ever meeting between the two sides, and they play each other again next month.
In the South Manchester Derby, there is lots to play for as West Didsbury & Chorlton face Maine Road. West currently sit in fifth place in the Premier Division, a wonderful first season under Steve Settle, and they will be looking for a strong finish where they can set several club records such as most points, most wins, most goals and highest ever position. West are in great form also, eight games unbeaten with six wins in that sequence, and they have kept four clean sheets in five games.
Maine Road will want to retain their status as South Manchester's highest ranked club, and they come into the game with one loss in their last five games. They sit in tenth place at present, although they have lost four of their last five games on the road. Curiously West Didsbury have never beaten Maine Road at home, but they will be looking to complete a first league double after an away win in December.
In Merseyside, its AFC Liverpool v Bootle at the Marine Travel Arena. AFC Liverpool have fallen down the table after just one win in their last 17 league games, although they have drew five of their last six. Bootle are also struggling for form with one win in their last 13 league games, and they have lost three out of the last four.
Kevin Dally and Joe Doran, managers of both teams, will very much be looking towards next season now, but they will be looking to finish this season strongly. The teams played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in February at Bootle with Tom Peterson hitting a last minute equaliser for the home side, but Bootle will be confident after winning 1-0 in the last game played at Marine on Boxing Day 2014.
Barnoldswick Town face Nelson in another Lancashire Derby. Barnoldswick were unlucky on Saturday losing 2-1 at home to Colne in attrocious conditions, but they will take much comfort from that despite winning just one of their last ten league games. Their superb start though has given them safety, and they are another that will be planning for next season.
The incentive for Nelson will be that they will go ahead of Barlick with win, and they will be looking to complete the double after winning in September. Nelson have won just one of their last seven themselves, although all but one of their defeats since the start of December have been by the odd goal, suggesting that they are competitive in every game. In only three previous meetings, its the home side that has won - can Nelson buck this trend?
The final match of the day is actually being played on Tuesday, as Ashton Athletic host Cammell Laird 1907. This is due to St Helens Town being at home on Monday (see Gary's review!). Ashton have won one of their last six, although three have been draws, with Isaac Kusaloka scoring in four of these games.
Lairds have been in good form though, winning four of their last five games, and they have lost just one of the last seven. Adam Hughes is the man in form, scoring six goals in seven games. Its a first meeting between the sides at Brocstedes Park, with the only previous meeting between the two being a 2-2 draw at the start of this month.
Premier Division Preview - Easter Monday 2016
Sun 27th March 2016 | General
By Martin Fallon
Happy Easter to all our readers! What better way to get over indulging in a hearty roast dinner and an assortment of Easter Eggs on Sunday than by visiting a NWCFL game on Monday afternoon. John Reid's magic as Fixture Secretary sees him conjure up ten fixtures in the Premier Division, most of which have a local derby feel about them, so we will take a closer look at these games.
I will start with the Runcorn Derby, Linnets v Town at the Millbank Linnets Stadium. The home side will be looking to take a big step towards the Premier Division title with a win over their rivals, and they are in great form at the moment. Linnets have 14 wins from their last 16 league games, whilst at home its even better with eight wins and a draw from their last nine league games.
Runcorn Town's form has been the polar opposite with just one win in their last ten league games, a run that has seen them fall from fourth place to seventh. However that win came on Saturday at AFC Blackpool, so they will be hoping that the corner has been turned. Its Simon Burton's last derby as manager of Town, so he will be hoping for a win. Town have never beaten Linnets at the Millbank in the league, although they did win the last meeting there in the Cheshire Senior Cup in January 2015.
Another side in great form and looking to continue that is Colne who face Silsden at home. Colne are currently second in the league behind Linnets and top of the form table after six wins and a draw from their last seven games. What will be more pleasing to manager Steve Cunningham though is that his side has kept four clean sheets in those games. Up front, striker Jay Hart has six goals in his last six games, whilst recent signing Ben Wharton made it two goals in two games with his goal on Saturday,
Colne may be top of the form guide, however Silsden are level bottom with a solitary draw their only point from their last six league games. More concerning will be the fact that they have only found the net three times in this time, although James Gill can take comfort that his teams last eight goals have been scored by different players, indicating they can score from all over the field. They are second from bottom in the league at present so need a win, although history suggests a Colne win with Silsden only winning once at the XLCR Stadium, that coming back in December 2007.
One loss in their last eleven games has propelled Atherton Collieries into the Championship race as well as the MEN United Cup Final, and they will be looking to celebrate reaching the Cup Final on Saturday as they turn attention back to the league. Colls are difficult to contain, highlighted by the goals running thoughout the team and they are by some distance the leading goalscorers with 92 goals from their 31 league games.
Luke Gibson's Abbey Hey side have fallen to 11th place in the league table courtesey of just one win in their last 11 games, ironically that coming against Colls back in February. Their best finish in the Premier Division is 11th in 2005/06, so they will be looking to finish this season as high as possible. This fixture stretches back to the 1999/2000 season, and Abbey won the last meeting at Colls 5-2 back in September 2012.
Perhaps the most local of derbies on Monday takes place at the Barton Stadium in Winsford, with the Landlords playing the Tenants. Its Winsford United who will be in the away dressing room, with 1874 Northwich looking to continue their recent good form and cement their top four position. Two losses in three games for 1874 was a hammer blow to their title aspirations, but they have bounced back to pick up seven out of their last nine available points, with Matty Beadle scoring in all three games.
Winsford had also been in good recent form with three wins, two of which came on the road, but Saturday's 4-1 loss at home to Squires Gate will have been concerning for manager Lee Duckworth. It will be a busy week for the Blues as they also travel to AFC Blackpool on Wednesday, and they can climb into the top ten should they win. And they could well do so as the away side has won every fixture between these sides when they have met in the league, this being the fourth meeting.
Looking towards the bottom of the division, two sides with real relegation worries are AFC Blackpool and Squires Gate, and they meet in the Common Edge Derby on Monday at Squires Gate. Blackpool sit bottom of the table at present with just five wins all season, and they have lost four of their last five games. However they have been in contention in all those games, with late goals conceded the main reason for dropping points in most of them.
After a great season last year, it has been a surprise to many to see Squires Gate down the bottom this year, but they have pulled themselves out of the relegation zone and sit five points clear of the drop zone in 18th. They have just won one of their last six games though, that a surprise 2-1 win over high flying 1874 Northwich, and they need to pick up a few more wins to be sure of retaining their Premier Division status. The last time these met at Gate it was 1-0 to the home side thanks to a Mark Buchan goal - a scenario they would take once more on Monday.
Alsager Town have been bottom for most of the season, but manager Harry Houdini - sorry Scott Dundas - has worked wonders and they sit third from bottom now having picked up three wins in four games, all have which have come with clean sheets. They travel the short distance to Congleton Town, looking for a win that could see them outside of the relegation zone should other results go their way.
Congleton have been in good form though recently themselves, and currently sit in sixth place in the Premier Division after six wins and three draws from their last nine games. This resurgence has produced some impressive results including a home win over Runcorn Linnets, with Brian Matthews scoring seven goals in this run. Its an intruiging tie between two sides in good form, with Alsager winning on their last two visits to Congleton.
Should Alsager win then AFC Darwen could drop into the bottom three should they not pick up points at home to Padiham. Darwen have had a torrid time since winning last seasons First Division PlayOffs, and they have won just one of their last 13 games in a run stretching back to November. Fighting spirit is required at Darwen, and they showed glimpses on Satutday as they came from 2-0 down to grab a draw thanks to Luke McKenna's last minute goal.
Padiham themselves are almost safe I would say, thanks largely to a good recent run that has seen them unbeaten in their last five games where they have picked up nine points. Their last two away wins have seen them win impressively at Bootle and Winsford, and they will be looking for a win that will virtually secure safety. This is the first ever meeting between the two sides, and they play each other again next month.
In the South Manchester Derby, there is lots to play for as West Didsbury & Chorlton face Maine Road. West currently sit in fifth place in the Premier Division, a wonderful first season under Steve Settle, and they will be looking for a strong finish where they can set several club records such as most points, most wins, most goals and highest ever position. West are in great form also, eight games unbeaten with six wins in that sequence, and they have kept four clean sheets in five games.
Maine Road will want to retain their status as South Manchester's highest ranked club, and they come into the game with one loss in their last five games. They sit in tenth place at present, although they have lost four of their last five games on the road. Curiously West Didsbury have never beaten Maine Road at home, but they will be looking to complete a first league double after an away win in December.
In Merseyside, its AFC Liverpool v Bootle at the Marine Travel Arena. AFC Liverpool have fallen down the table after just one win in their last 17 league games, although they have drew five of their last six. Bootle are also struggling for form with one win in their last 13 league games, and they have lost three out of the last four.
Kevin Dally and Joe Doran, managers of both teams, will very much be looking towards next season now, but they will be looking to finish this season strongly. The teams played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in February at Bootle with Tom Peterson hitting a last minute equaliser for the home side, but Bootle will be confident after winning 1-0 in the last game played at Marine on Boxing Day 2014.
Barnoldswick Town face Nelson in another Lancashire Derby. Barnoldswick were unlucky on Saturday losing 2-1 at home to Colne in attrocious conditions, but they will take much comfort from that despite winning just one of their last ten league games. Their superb start though has given them safety, and they are another that will be planning for next season.
The incentive for Nelson will be that they will go ahead of Barlick with win, and they will be looking to complete the double after winning in September. Nelson have won just one of their last seven themselves, although all but one of their defeats since the start of December have been by the odd goal, suggesting that they are competitive in every game. In only three previous meetings, its the home side that has won - can Nelson buck this trend?
The final match of the day is actually being played on Tuesday, as Ashton Athletic host Cammell Laird 1907. This is due to St Helens Town being at home on Monday (see Gary's review!). Ashton have won one of their last six, although three have been draws, with Isaac Kusaloka scoring in four of these games.
Lairds have been in good form though, winning four of their last five games, and they have lost just one of the last seven. Adam Hughes is the man in form, scoring six goals in seven games. Its a first meeting between the sides at Brocstedes Park, with the only previous meeting between the two being a 2-2 draw at the start of this month.
