Premier Division Preview - Saturday 2nd April 2016
Fri 1st April 2016 | General | By Connor O`Neill
To use a phrase of one of football’s greatest ever managers, Sir Alex Ferguson, it's “squeaky bum time” for clubs in the Premier Division, as this weekend sees another action packed round of fixtures.
With Runcorn Linnets and Colne battling it out to be crowned champions, while five clubs battle it out at the bottom in a bid for survival, this Saturday looks set be another pulsating weekend of football in the North West Counties Premier Division.
To kick off this weekend’s preview, top of the table Runcorn Linnets welcome AFC Blackpool to the Millbank Linnets Stadium. Joey Dunn’s side are unbeaten in their last eight games, and with Colne breathing down their necks they know that it’s important they continue their impressive form.
Dunn’s side will be looking to complete the double over AFC after a 2-0 win on opening day of the season. Stuart Parker’s Blackpool collected a massive three points against Squires Gate on Monday, and backed that up with a point against Winsford in midweek, and will know it’s vital that they continue to pick points up if they are to avoid the drop.
Second place Colne make the trip to Merseyside to take on Bootle. Steve Cunningham’s side arrive at the Delta Taxis Stadium five points behind current league leaders Runcorn Linnets, but the Red Army have two games in hand on Joey Dunn’s side.
The Reds will also be looking to extend their winning run to four games after they beat Silsden in their last outing 2-1. Joe Doran’s Bootle meanwhile, are in a horrible run of form with just one win in their last ten games – the recent poor form has seen the Bucks slip down to eighth in the league table, and they come into this game on the back of a 2-1 defeat away at local rivals AFC Liverpool on Monday.
While it’s tight at the top it’s even tighter at the bottom and the temperature is hitting fever pitch with five clubs all fighting to avoid the drop.
Two points from safety are Alsager Town, who travel to the Silentnight Stadium to take on Barnoldswick Town. Scott Dundas’ side have won three of their last four games – with their latest victory coming against Bootle. The Bullets know that victory on Saturday - backed up by other results going their way - could see them end up out of the drop zone come Saturday night.
Stewart Airdrie’s Barnoldswick currently sit in eleventh place, and come into the game on the back of a 3-1 win over Nelson on Monday. Town will be hoping Mark Threlfall can continue his impressive goal scoring form, having netted three times in his last three games.
Bottom placed Silsden make the trip to Manchester to take on Maine Road. James Gill’s side have lost their last four league games leaving them rooted at the bottom of the table, five points from safety having played thirty-two games.
Maine Road meanwhile, have only lost one of their last five games, winning three in the process. Chris Hirst’s side will be hoping to complete the double over the Yorkshiremen, having won the reserve fixture 3-2 on the opening weekend of the season.
Occupying the place above the automatic relegation places is AFC Darwen who make the trip to in-form Congleton Town. Darwen are seven games without a win, and sit just two points above the drop zone, and with their poor recent form, the East Lancashire side will be looking to Nick Hepple to continue his impressive goal scoring run - the forward has netted four times in his last eight games.
Town meanwhile, will be looking to continue their good run, with Andy Alston’s side having won four of their last five games, which has seen them climb to sixth in the league table.
One place above AFC Darwen is Squires Gate, who welcome Abbey Hey to the Royal British Legion Stadium. Danny Penswick’s side are five points clear of the drop zone – but having lost to relegation rivals AFC Blackpool in their last outing – Gate know they are far from safe.
Meanwhile Luke Gibson’s Abbey Hey will be looking for their first win in eight games on their visit the Fylde coast. A poor run of form has seen Gibson’s side drop down to thirteenth in the league table.
Padiham welcome 1874 Northwich to the YESS Electrical Arena. Steve Wilkes’ side will be looking to make it three wins in a row - with Aaron Taylor also looking to continue his impressive goal scoring form. The forward has netted in his side's last four games.
1874 will come into this game fresh after their Bank Holiday fixture against landlords Winsford, and also their midweek cup tie against Barnton, were both postponed. Ian Street’s side have a mixed bag of results of late – but come into this one on the back of a 2-1 win over Silsden.
Michael Clegg’s Atherton Collieries make the trip to Brocstedes Park to take on Ashton Athletic. Despite drawing their Easter Monday game at home to Abbey Hey, Colls have been in impressive form in recent weeks, winning three on the bounce including a 1-0 win over Barnton to book a place in the MEN United Cup Final against Colne.
Ashton Athletic will be hoping to get revenge on their visitors, after the hosts were beaten 1-0 in the reserve fixture back in January.
Finally, to round up this weekend’s preview, Nelson make the trip to the Barton Stadium to take on Winsford United. This will be the first time the two sides have met this season, with Lee Duckworth’s Winsford coming into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw with AFC Blackpool on Wednesday.
Paul Fildes’ Nelson come into the game looking to get back to winning ways after suffering two defeats in their last two games, which have left the Admirals in seventeenth place.
So, with plenty of action to choose from this weekend, there is sure to be more moves and shakes in the league table come 5pm Saturday evening.
Premier Division Preview - Saturday 2nd April 2016
Fri 1st April 2016 | General
By Connor O`Neill
To use a phrase of one of football’s greatest ever managers, Sir Alex Ferguson, it's “squeaky bum time” for clubs in the Premier Division, as this weekend sees another action packed round of fixtures.
With Runcorn Linnets and Colne battling it out to be crowned champions, while five clubs battle it out at the bottom in a bid for survival, this Saturday looks set be another pulsating weekend of football in the North West Counties Premier Division.
To kick off this weekend’s preview, top of the table Runcorn Linnets welcome AFC Blackpool to the Millbank Linnets Stadium. Joey Dunn’s side are unbeaten in their last eight games, and with Colne breathing down their necks they know that it’s important they continue their impressive form.
Dunn’s side will be looking to complete the double over AFC after a 2-0 win on opening day of the season. Stuart Parker’s Blackpool collected a massive three points against Squires Gate on Monday, and backed that up with a point against Winsford in midweek, and will know it’s vital that they continue to pick points up if they are to avoid the drop.
Second place Colne make the trip to Merseyside to take on Bootle. Steve Cunningham’s side arrive at the Delta Taxis Stadium five points behind current league leaders Runcorn Linnets, but the Red Army have two games in hand on Joey Dunn’s side.
The Reds will also be looking to extend their winning run to four games after they beat Silsden in their last outing 2-1. Joe Doran’s Bootle meanwhile, are in a horrible run of form with just one win in their last ten games – the recent poor form has seen the Bucks slip down to eighth in the league table, and they come into this game on the back of a 2-1 defeat away at local rivals AFC Liverpool on Monday.
While it’s tight at the top it’s even tighter at the bottom and the temperature is hitting fever pitch with five clubs all fighting to avoid the drop.
Two points from safety are Alsager Town, who travel to the Silentnight Stadium to take on Barnoldswick Town. Scott Dundas’ side have won three of their last four games – with their latest victory coming against Bootle. The Bullets know that victory on Saturday - backed up by other results going their way - could see them end up out of the drop zone come Saturday night.
Stewart Airdrie’s Barnoldswick currently sit in eleventh place, and come into the game on the back of a 3-1 win over Nelson on Monday. Town will be hoping Mark Threlfall can continue his impressive goal scoring form, having netted three times in his last three games.
Bottom placed Silsden make the trip to Manchester to take on Maine Road. James Gill’s side have lost their last four league games leaving them rooted at the bottom of the table, five points from safety having played thirty-two games.
Maine Road meanwhile, have only lost one of their last five games, winning three in the process. Chris Hirst’s side will be hoping to complete the double over the Yorkshiremen, having won the reserve fixture 3-2 on the opening weekend of the season.
Occupying the place above the automatic relegation places is AFC Darwen who make the trip to in-form Congleton Town. Darwen are seven games without a win, and sit just two points above the drop zone, and with their poor recent form, the East Lancashire side will be looking to Nick Hepple to continue his impressive goal scoring run - the forward has netted four times in his last eight games.
Town meanwhile, will be looking to continue their good run, with Andy Alston’s side having won four of their last five games, which has seen them climb to sixth in the league table.
One place above AFC Darwen is Squires Gate, who welcome Abbey Hey to the Royal British Legion Stadium. Danny Penswick’s side are five points clear of the drop zone – but having lost to relegation rivals AFC Blackpool in their last outing – Gate know they are far from safe.
Meanwhile Luke Gibson’s Abbey Hey will be looking for their first win in eight games on their visit the Fylde coast. A poor run of form has seen Gibson’s side drop down to thirteenth in the league table.
Padiham welcome 1874 Northwich to the YESS Electrical Arena. Steve Wilkes’ side will be looking to make it three wins in a row - with Aaron Taylor also looking to continue his impressive goal scoring form. The forward has netted in his side's last four games.
1874 will come into this game fresh after their Bank Holiday fixture against landlords Winsford, and also their midweek cup tie against Barnton, were both postponed. Ian Street’s side have a mixed bag of results of late – but come into this one on the back of a 2-1 win over Silsden.
Michael Clegg’s Atherton Collieries make the trip to Brocstedes Park to take on Ashton Athletic. Despite drawing their Easter Monday game at home to Abbey Hey, Colls have been in impressive form in recent weeks, winning three on the bounce including a 1-0 win over Barnton to book a place in the MEN United Cup Final against Colne.
Ashton Athletic will be hoping to get revenge on their visitors, after the hosts were beaten 1-0 in the reserve fixture back in January.
Finally, to round up this weekend’s preview, Nelson make the trip to the Barton Stadium to take on Winsford United. This will be the first time the two sides have met this season, with Lee Duckworth’s Winsford coming into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw with AFC Blackpool on Wednesday.
Paul Fildes’ Nelson come into the game looking to get back to winning ways after suffering two defeats in their last two games, which have left the Admirals in seventeenth place.
So, with plenty of action to choose from this weekend, there is sure to be more moves and shakes in the league table come 5pm Saturday evening.
