Division One Preview - Saturday 16th April 2016
Fri 15th April 2016 | General | By Stewart Taylor
When I last did one of these previews I said a few words about the use of language and threatened, if that’s the right word, to do the same again if I was ever asked to do another preview.
Well, here we are so, to pick up on a well-known football chant, here we go, here we go …..
It’s getting close to the end of the season and your club are going well in the League. You pluck up the courage to ask the manager “are we going to get promotion this time?”
Of the many responses you may get from the manager, these could include “definitely maybe” or “definitely, maybe”. I’m sure you’ve spotted the difference but which of these two responses would give you, as a supporter, the greater encouragement?
“Definitely maybe” is a confident, almost jocular, response which you could imagine being said with an enigmatic smile on the manager’s face. “Definitely, maybe” is a more reflective answer, possibly said with a slightly quizzical look on his face.
The point to this is that the use of the comma is really powerful in translating the spoken word to the written word in such a way as to accurately convey the meaning of what was said.
The answer to the question which one of these responses you would prefer, is a matter of opinion and, perhaps, an indication of your own confidence in your team getting promoted or not.
As ever, I would not presume to comment on matters of opinion but just to say that there is an opinion amongst some educationalists that punctuation is not important. Really!
No prizes at all I’m afraid for those who spotted that Definitely Maybe is the title of the debut album by the band Oasis and is a confident, almost brash, introduction of the music of Oasis to the world. Definitely, Maybe is the title of an American “rom-com” which focuses on the uncertainty of parenthood and is, most certainly, reflective.
For a good few weeks now, a number of seasoned NWCFL observers have been saying “watch Bacup, they are my tip for a play-off place”.
Manager Brent Peters has a habit of ending the season with a flourish – one way or the other - and recent form suggests that everything is coming together for the East Lancashire side.
The match on Saturday provides the opportunity for a further three points as Whitchurch Alport are the visitors to the Brain Boys West View Stadium.
Our only Shropshire based side have struggled on the field in this their first season in the NWCFL but they play the game in the right way and nothing is a given in this competitive division.
The top two sides in the First Division have a little breathing space in their quest to take one of the two automatic promotion slots. It’s a tale of two towns on Saturday as League leaders Hanley welcome mid-table Rochdale to the Abzorbed Arena.
Rochdale will consider themselves to be still in with a chance of a play-off place and a midweek win over Northwich Manchester Villa has kept those hopes alive in extending their winning run to five matches. There are some tough matches to come though, not least of which is this match on Saturday.
As befits the League leaders, Hanley are in decent form themselves having taken maximum points from their last three League matches. Again, plenty of matches left and the midweek postponement away at St Helens Town won’t have helped.
Hanley may have one eye on the Reusch First Division Cup Final which sees them face Barnton next Tuesday at Congleton Town, but minds need to be focused on this match as the quest for Premier Division football next season continues.
Possibly the Match of the Day sees Cheadle Town make the short but often congested journey to Silver Street to take on second placed Irlam.
The last “really bad day at the office” for Irlam came at Silver Street at the end of January when Bacup Borough took all three points back to East Lancashire. Since then, the form has been excellent, helped considerably by a very tight defence in which Jacques Kpohgomou has been outstanding.
With their opponents top of the division form table at the moment, Cheadle Town will need to be at their best to come away from this match with any kind of result.
With only three matches to play after this one and the pack breathing down their necks in the chase for a play-off place, defeat here will make it difficult for Cheadle Town to maintain a place in the top six. Expect some good football and a very tight match between two good sides.
Barnton have been up in the higher reaches of the League table all term and will not have given up on an automatic promotion position come the end of the season. Three League draws earlier in the month was below expectations but a midweek win at home to Chadderton brought a more than welcome three points.
The visit to Eccleshall provides the opportunity to build on that midweek victory but, as with Hanley, the focus on this match needs to be good, with that cup final coming up next Tuesday.
As we get close to the end of the season clubs can look back on their season’s highlights. It may well be that Eccleshall need look back no further than last Wednesday as they came out the victors by the odd goal in seven against play off hopefuls Stockport Town.
Yet another example of the competitive nature of the First Division and all at the Adverc Stadium will be up for this match on Saturday.
The really positive news that St Helens Town have found a route back to playing in St Helens will encourage everyone at the club. Despite something of an up and down season they are not out of contention for a play-off place with plenty of matches still to be played but a more consistent run is needed.
The visit of Northwich Manchester Villa to Brocstedes Park on Saturday could well be pivotal in determining the immediate on the field fortunes of the Merseyside club.
If we can say that St Helens Town have had an up and down season, the same can be said for their opponents. Four matches to play for NMV to complete a season in which some notable wins have been counterbalanced by unexpected defeats.
Having said that, a number of players have left the club to play at a higher level during the course of the season, in vindication of the club policy of player development.
Another club on the edge of the play-off positions is Ashton Town who welcome Widnes to the MSO Ashton Town Stadium.
Town have suffered more than most from weather related postponements this season, the latest of which was the mid-week match away at Bacup Borough.
Eight matches, including this one, yet to be played this season means that plenty of points are up for grabs but a run of four tough looking away matches in the run-in will go a long way to deciding the success or otherwise of what has been a better season this time for John Brownrigg’s side. A win in this match will help the confidence as they hit the road.
Widnes have seen mixed fortunes this season. Inconsistency has been the word but the good wins, such as the one away at Eccleshall last month, do build confidence and the young side can only benefit from the experience of playing in competitive matches week in and week out.
It may be that the only real positives from Stockport Town’s visit to Eccleshall in midweek was the warm welcome and the revered Staffordshire oat cakes, as the result of the match was certainly not in the plan.
The NWCFL newcomers have had a great season so far and another couple of wins in the remaining five matches this season may well be enough to secure the play-off place which has been on the cards for most of the season.
Chadderton provide the opposition on Saturday as Stockport make the short journey to Andrew Street. The home side in this match are another of our sides for which the season has been one of mixed fortunes. As with most of our sides, the wet weather has meant that there has been little opportunity to build any continuity and results have demonstrated that.
Holker Old Boys lie in 7th place in the table just one spot below the play-off positions. A run of eight straight League victories came to an end in February and then just a solitary win in the last ten League matches has seen the side drop out of the play-off places. Games in hand over the sides above them may prove to be useful but their schedule for the remainder of the season is certainly crowded and there is an urgent need to get back to winning ways if a play-off place is to be secured.
It’s the turn of Atherton LR to make the journey to the picturesque Rakesmoor ground on Saturday, with the Crilly Park outfit having endured a difficult season. LR are without a win in 2016 and would need to find something special to take anything away from this match.
Our final match this Saturday sees Litherland REMYCA host Daisy Hill. The Merseyside club have been quietly going about their business all season and, as we approach the crunch time of the season, find themselves in one of the play-off places.
However, the chasing pack for play-off places have games in hand so REMY could be excused for looking over their collective shoulders. But, in football as in many things, all you can do is to look after your own performance and secure as many points as possible.
Daisy Hill go to the Litherland Sports Park as another of our inconsistent sides this season but they have run into some decent form of recent times. Just one defeat in the last six matches puts them 5th in the form table suggesting that the home club on Saturday will have to play well and take their chances to add three points to their season’s total.
Wherever you take your weekly dose of competitive non-league football, enjoy the match.
Division One Preview - Saturday 16th April 2016
Fri 15th April 2016 | General
By Stewart Taylor
When I last did one of these previews I said a few words about the use of language and threatened, if that’s the right word, to do the same again if I was ever asked to do another preview.
Well, here we are so, to pick up on a well-known football chant, here we go, here we go …..
It’s getting close to the end of the season and your club are going well in the League. You pluck up the courage to ask the manager “are we going to get promotion this time?”
Of the many responses you may get from the manager, these could include “definitely maybe” or “definitely, maybe”. I’m sure you’ve spotted the difference but which of these two responses would give you, as a supporter, the greater encouragement?
“Definitely maybe” is a confident, almost jocular, response which you could imagine being said with an enigmatic smile on the manager’s face. “Definitely, maybe” is a more reflective answer, possibly said with a slightly quizzical look on his face.
The point to this is that the use of the comma is really powerful in translating the spoken word to the written word in such a way as to accurately convey the meaning of what was said.
The answer to the question which one of these responses you would prefer, is a matter of opinion and, perhaps, an indication of your own confidence in your team getting promoted or not.
As ever, I would not presume to comment on matters of opinion but just to say that there is an opinion amongst some educationalists that punctuation is not important. Really!
No prizes at all I’m afraid for those who spotted that Definitely Maybe is the title of the debut album by the band Oasis and is a confident, almost brash, introduction of the music of Oasis to the world. Definitely, Maybe is the title of an American “rom-com” which focuses on the uncertainty of parenthood and is, most certainly, reflective.
For a good few weeks now, a number of seasoned NWCFL observers have been saying “watch Bacup, they are my tip for a play-off place”.
Manager Brent Peters has a habit of ending the season with a flourish – one way or the other - and recent form suggests that everything is coming together for the East Lancashire side.
The match on Saturday provides the opportunity for a further three points as Whitchurch Alport are the visitors to the Brain Boys West View Stadium.
Our only Shropshire based side have struggled on the field in this their first season in the NWCFL but they play the game in the right way and nothing is a given in this competitive division.
The top two sides in the First Division have a little breathing space in their quest to take one of the two automatic promotion slots. It’s a tale of two towns on Saturday as League leaders Hanley welcome mid-table Rochdale to the Abzorbed Arena.
Rochdale will consider themselves to be still in with a chance of a play-off place and a midweek win over Northwich Manchester Villa has kept those hopes alive in extending their winning run to five matches. There are some tough matches to come though, not least of which is this match on Saturday.
As befits the League leaders, Hanley are in decent form themselves having taken maximum points from their last three League matches. Again, plenty of matches left and the midweek postponement away at St Helens Town won’t have helped.
Hanley may have one eye on the Reusch First Division Cup Final which sees them face Barnton next Tuesday at Congleton Town, but minds need to be focused on this match as the quest for Premier Division football next season continues.
Possibly the Match of the Day sees Cheadle Town make the short but often congested journey to Silver Street to take on second placed Irlam.
The last “really bad day at the office” for Irlam came at Silver Street at the end of January when Bacup Borough took all three points back to East Lancashire. Since then, the form has been excellent, helped considerably by a very tight defence in which Jacques Kpohgomou has been outstanding.
With their opponents top of the division form table at the moment, Cheadle Town will need to be at their best to come away from this match with any kind of result.
With only three matches to play after this one and the pack breathing down their necks in the chase for a play-off place, defeat here will make it difficult for Cheadle Town to maintain a place in the top six. Expect some good football and a very tight match between two good sides.
Barnton have been up in the higher reaches of the League table all term and will not have given up on an automatic promotion position come the end of the season. Three League draws earlier in the month was below expectations but a midweek win at home to Chadderton brought a more than welcome three points.
The visit to Eccleshall provides the opportunity to build on that midweek victory but, as with Hanley, the focus on this match needs to be good, with that cup final coming up next Tuesday.
As we get close to the end of the season clubs can look back on their season’s highlights. It may well be that Eccleshall need look back no further than last Wednesday as they came out the victors by the odd goal in seven against play off hopefuls Stockport Town.
Yet another example of the competitive nature of the First Division and all at the Adverc Stadium will be up for this match on Saturday.
The really positive news that St Helens Town have found a route back to playing in St Helens will encourage everyone at the club. Despite something of an up and down season they are not out of contention for a play-off place with plenty of matches still to be played but a more consistent run is needed.
The visit of Northwich Manchester Villa to Brocstedes Park on Saturday could well be pivotal in determining the immediate on the field fortunes of the Merseyside club.
If we can say that St Helens Town have had an up and down season, the same can be said for their opponents. Four matches to play for NMV to complete a season in which some notable wins have been counterbalanced by unexpected defeats.
Having said that, a number of players have left the club to play at a higher level during the course of the season, in vindication of the club policy of player development.
Another club on the edge of the play-off positions is Ashton Town who welcome Widnes to the MSO Ashton Town Stadium.
Town have suffered more than most from weather related postponements this season, the latest of which was the mid-week match away at Bacup Borough.
Eight matches, including this one, yet to be played this season means that plenty of points are up for grabs but a run of four tough looking away matches in the run-in will go a long way to deciding the success or otherwise of what has been a better season this time for John Brownrigg’s side. A win in this match will help the confidence as they hit the road.
Widnes have seen mixed fortunes this season. Inconsistency has been the word but the good wins, such as the one away at Eccleshall last month, do build confidence and the young side can only benefit from the experience of playing in competitive matches week in and week out.
It may be that the only real positives from Stockport Town’s visit to Eccleshall in midweek was the warm welcome and the revered Staffordshire oat cakes, as the result of the match was certainly not in the plan.
The NWCFL newcomers have had a great season so far and another couple of wins in the remaining five matches this season may well be enough to secure the play-off place which has been on the cards for most of the season.
Chadderton provide the opposition on Saturday as Stockport make the short journey to Andrew Street. The home side in this match are another of our sides for which the season has been one of mixed fortunes. As with most of our sides, the wet weather has meant that there has been little opportunity to build any continuity and results have demonstrated that.
Holker Old Boys lie in 7th place in the table just one spot below the play-off positions. A run of eight straight League victories came to an end in February and then just a solitary win in the last ten League matches has seen the side drop out of the play-off places. Games in hand over the sides above them may prove to be useful but their schedule for the remainder of the season is certainly crowded and there is an urgent need to get back to winning ways if a play-off place is to be secured.
It’s the turn of Atherton LR to make the journey to the picturesque Rakesmoor ground on Saturday, with the Crilly Park outfit having endured a difficult season. LR are without a win in 2016 and would need to find something special to take anything away from this match.
Our final match this Saturday sees Litherland REMYCA host Daisy Hill. The Merseyside club have been quietly going about their business all season and, as we approach the crunch time of the season, find themselves in one of the play-off places.
However, the chasing pack for play-off places have games in hand so REMY could be excused for looking over their collective shoulders. But, in football as in many things, all you can do is to look after your own performance and secure as many points as possible.
Daisy Hill go to the Litherland Sports Park as another of our inconsistent sides this season but they have run into some decent form of recent times. Just one defeat in the last six matches puts them 5th in the form table suggesting that the home club on Saturday will have to play well and take their chances to add three points to their season’s total.
Wherever you take your weekly dose of competitive non-league football, enjoy the match.
