Premier Division Preview - Saturday 16th April 2016
Fri 15th April 2016 | General | By Gary Langley
After the drama, twists and turns of last weekend, the heat stays up as issues at the top and bottom of the table start to condense as the finish line appears in the distance.
Without standing on any ceremony, we will get straight in at the top, where Runcorn Linnets welcome Squires Gate to the Millbank Linnets Stadium this weekend, with Linnets still reeling from last weekend’s 2-0 defeat up at Colne.
It is still all to play for at the top end and with a game this weekend and a fixture at Nelson in midweek, manager Joey Dunn will be looking to keep the momentum going.
Gate sit three points above the relegation zone but have played more games than most of the clubs around them. The pressure was turned up a notch in midweek with Gate going down 3-0 at home to Bootle, whilst AFC Darwen recorded an impressive 2-3 away win at 1874 Northwich.
Colne welcome Ashton Athletic to the XLCR Stadium knowing that the momentum is with them at present, and their win last weekend really made a statement to Linnets and others around them that they will be fighting all the way for the promotion spot.
Unlike their hosts, Ashton Athletic benefitted from a game in midweek, well, mid-ish as they defeated Runcorn Town 4-1 at Pavilions on Monday with four different scorers in the rain.
Town get a chance to make up for that defeat as they travel to Padiham, but despite a gap between these two in the League table (Town 8th, Padiham 16th) it is Padiham who are in the better form at present.
They are seventh in the form table with three wins, two draws and just one defeat in their last six, whilst Town are in 17th in the form table with a couple of wins, a draw and three defeats.
Bootle host Barnoldswick Town at the Delta Taxis Stadium knowing that if results go their way, they can put real pressure on West Didsbury who are directly above them in seventh. Barlick are comfortable in mid-table at present, and whilst their game in midweek was rained off, Bootle did record that decent 3-0 win up at Squires gate.
On the subject of West Didsbury & Chorlton, they face a tricky trip to Atherton Collieries with Colls still in the title race, albeit as outsiders now but still in it nonetheless.
West have been blighted by recent postponements and haven’t played in anger in a week and a half, since a midweek trip to Silsden that saw honours even in a 1-1 draw.
1874 Northwich will be looking to finish with a flourish, as they welcome AFC Liverpool to the Barton Stadium. Prior to the midweek home defeat to Padiham, 1874 had been in great form in the league with four consecutive wins scoring fourteen goals in the process.
AFC Manager Kevin Dally has started to address AFC’s dip in form that had ultimately led to the change in manager a couple of months back, however, they have become somewhat of a draw specialist, having drawn five of their last eight games.
Winsofrd United travel to Little Wembley to face Nelson knowing that their season will end up in the upper echelons of mid-table whilst Nelson, barring a biblical collapse, should be assured of Premier Division Football next season. However, if they do take the spoils at home that place will be all but assured.
Looking at the sides who have real work to do, AFC Darwen host Alsager Town at the Anchor Ground in a real six pointer.
These clubs are only a couple of points apart, however Alsager’s need is more pressing, and their cause was not done any harm with a solid 1-0 win over Cammell Laird in midweek. However, if the result does not go their way this weekend, their plight will look increasingly desperate.
On the flip side, a defeat for the home side could see them dragged right back into the mire so a few nails may well be nibbled on.
AFC Blackpool have a fair bit of work to do, and while they do have games in hand at present they need to start converting them into points sooner rather than later.
They will face a tough ask this weekend though as Premier Division Club of the Month, Congleton Town come calling. Six straight league wins and unbeaten in their last fourteen games in all competitions sees them riding high in fifth, and looking to build ahead of a likely big push next season.
Silsden looked almost out for the count a couple of weeks ago, but they host Cammell Laird 1907 now just four points adrift of safety.
Wins last time out against Abbey Hey and a decent looking point at home to West Didsbury gives them a glimmer of hope, but realistically they will be looking to take all of the points from this game if they are to contemplate a great escape.
Lairds have been fairly consistent up until the last couple of weeks when successive defeats to Congleton and Alsager brought to an end a strong run by interim manager Tony Sullivan.
Lots of great games about this weekend with all sorts of permutations top and bottom. With the weather showing signs of abating this week, hopefully all games will take place and with a busy programme next midweek too, it won’t be long before some of the more pressing issues start getting set in stone.
Premier Division Preview - Saturday 16th April 2016
Fri 15th April 2016 | General
By Gary Langley
After the drama, twists and turns of last weekend, the heat stays up as issues at the top and bottom of the table start to condense as the finish line appears in the distance.
Without standing on any ceremony, we will get straight in at the top, where Runcorn Linnets welcome Squires Gate to the Millbank Linnets Stadium this weekend, with Linnets still reeling from last weekend’s 2-0 defeat up at Colne.
It is still all to play for at the top end and with a game this weekend and a fixture at Nelson in midweek, manager Joey Dunn will be looking to keep the momentum going.
Gate sit three points above the relegation zone but have played more games than most of the clubs around them. The pressure was turned up a notch in midweek with Gate going down 3-0 at home to Bootle, whilst AFC Darwen recorded an impressive 2-3 away win at 1874 Northwich.
Colne welcome Ashton Athletic to the XLCR Stadium knowing that the momentum is with them at present, and their win last weekend really made a statement to Linnets and others around them that they will be fighting all the way for the promotion spot.
Unlike their hosts, Ashton Athletic benefitted from a game in midweek, well, mid-ish as they defeated Runcorn Town 4-1 at Pavilions on Monday with four different scorers in the rain.
Town get a chance to make up for that defeat as they travel to Padiham, but despite a gap between these two in the League table (Town 8th, Padiham 16th) it is Padiham who are in the better form at present.
They are seventh in the form table with three wins, two draws and just one defeat in their last six, whilst Town are in 17th in the form table with a couple of wins, a draw and three defeats.
Bootle host Barnoldswick Town at the Delta Taxis Stadium knowing that if results go their way, they can put real pressure on West Didsbury who are directly above them in seventh. Barlick are comfortable in mid-table at present, and whilst their game in midweek was rained off, Bootle did record that decent 3-0 win up at Squires gate.
On the subject of West Didsbury & Chorlton, they face a tricky trip to Atherton Collieries with Colls still in the title race, albeit as outsiders now but still in it nonetheless.
West have been blighted by recent postponements and haven’t played in anger in a week and a half, since a midweek trip to Silsden that saw honours even in a 1-1 draw.
1874 Northwich will be looking to finish with a flourish, as they welcome AFC Liverpool to the Barton Stadium. Prior to the midweek home defeat to Padiham, 1874 had been in great form in the league with four consecutive wins scoring fourteen goals in the process.
AFC Manager Kevin Dally has started to address AFC’s dip in form that had ultimately led to the change in manager a couple of months back, however, they have become somewhat of a draw specialist, having drawn five of their last eight games.
Winsofrd United travel to Little Wembley to face Nelson knowing that their season will end up in the upper echelons of mid-table whilst Nelson, barring a biblical collapse, should be assured of Premier Division Football next season. However, if they do take the spoils at home that place will be all but assured.
Looking at the sides who have real work to do, AFC Darwen host Alsager Town at the Anchor Ground in a real six pointer.
These clubs are only a couple of points apart, however Alsager’s need is more pressing, and their cause was not done any harm with a solid 1-0 win over Cammell Laird in midweek. However, if the result does not go their way this weekend, their plight will look increasingly desperate.
On the flip side, a defeat for the home side could see them dragged right back into the mire so a few nails may well be nibbled on.
AFC Blackpool have a fair bit of work to do, and while they do have games in hand at present they need to start converting them into points sooner rather than later.
They will face a tough ask this weekend though as Premier Division Club of the Month, Congleton Town come calling. Six straight league wins and unbeaten in their last fourteen games in all competitions sees them riding high in fifth, and looking to build ahead of a likely big push next season.
Silsden looked almost out for the count a couple of weeks ago, but they host Cammell Laird 1907 now just four points adrift of safety.
Wins last time out against Abbey Hey and a decent looking point at home to West Didsbury gives them a glimmer of hope, but realistically they will be looking to take all of the points from this game if they are to contemplate a great escape.
Lairds have been fairly consistent up until the last couple of weeks when successive defeats to Congleton and Alsager brought to an end a strong run by interim manager Tony Sullivan.
Lots of great games about this weekend with all sorts of permutations top and bottom. With the weather showing signs of abating this week, hopefully all games will take place and with a busy programme next midweek too, it won’t be long before some of the more pressing issues start getting set in stone.
