Five Things We Learned - w/e Saturday 16th April 2016
Mon 18th April 2016 | General | By Ian Templeman
Spot kick prowess important for Linnets
On these pages over the course of the season, we have commented on the abilities of Runcorn Linnets to score late goals and clinch crucial points in their promotion push.
It's also worth noting that in Michael White, Linnets also have the League leading penalty taker, who converted his seventh successful spot kick of the season in his side's 2-0 win over Squires Gate.
His tally would have been one higher had he not also missed one in the 49th minute of the game, but like all good penalty takers, when another spot kick was awarded just seven minutes later, he returned to form and hit the back of the net.
With two of his spot kicks proving to be the difference between a win and a draw for Linnets, and several others being converted at important stages of games, Michael's spot kick success could prove to be significant by the end of the season.
Jonathan steps up to the mark
As Hanley Town continue their push for promotion, they have now recorded four successive wins, and in each game the contribution from Jonathan Higham has been notable.
His hat trick in Saturday's 3-1 win over Rochdale Town took his tally to seven goals in the last four games, and certainly helps dispel the theory that the majority of Town's goals arrive through the goalscoring abilities of captain Theo Stair.
The skipper has been absent through injury recently, and Jonathan has certainly proved that there is firepower elsewhere in the Hanley ranks.
Goals from everywhere at Bacup Borough
Bacup Borough's 7-0 win over Whitchurch Alport was not only a handsome win, but proved that goalscoring ability is spread throughout the team with seven different scorers getting on the scoresheet.
This continued a theme set a few weeks back, when four different scorers contributed the five goals Bacup scored in the 5-1 reverse fixture at Yockings Park.
As Bacup continue their quest for a play-off place, manager Brent Peters will be looking for more of the same in the remaining fixtures.
Backheels from Ben
Although striker Jason Hart grabbed the headlines with a hat trick in Colne's 6-2 win over Ashton Athletic on Saturday, Ben Wharton's two goals for the Reds are also worthy of mention.
It's not often a player scores with a backheel over the course of the season, but Ben managed to do it twice, beginning with the opening goal in the 6th minute when Jason Hart’s corner was flicked on by Ben Hoskin and he beat the keeper at the near post from close range.
Ten minutes into the second half, he repeated the performance, again from a Jason Hart corner kick, placing the ball into the bottom corner despite the attentions of the Athletic defence.
Ability to conjure goals up out of nothing as displayed by Ben could be important as the Reds' season nears its climax.
Bears run ended unceremoniously at the seaside
As AFC Blackpool battle to beat relegation, their recent form has been reasonable with just one defeat in the last four going into Saturday's game against Congleton Town.
However, when you are desperate to pick up points, on the face of the last team you would want to face is one who had just recorded seven straight wins and were in the middle of a 14 game unbeaten run.
But the form book went out of the window, with Stuart Parker's men notching a 5-2 win that moved them out of the relegation zone, and a continuation of form like that would see the Seasiders retain their place in the Premier Division next season.
Five Things We Learned - w/e Saturday 16th April 2016
Mon 18th April 2016 | General
By Ian Templeman
Spot kick prowess important for Linnets
On these pages over the course of the season, we have commented on the abilities of Runcorn Linnets to score late goals and clinch crucial points in their promotion push.
It's also worth noting that in Michael White, Linnets also have the League leading penalty taker, who converted his seventh successful spot kick of the season in his side's 2-0 win over Squires Gate.
His tally would have been one higher had he not also missed one in the 49th minute of the game, but like all good penalty takers, when another spot kick was awarded just seven minutes later, he returned to form and hit the back of the net.
With two of his spot kicks proving to be the difference between a win and a draw for Linnets, and several others being converted at important stages of games, Michael's spot kick success could prove to be significant by the end of the season.
Jonathan steps up to the mark
As Hanley Town continue their push for promotion, they have now recorded four successive wins, and in each game the contribution from Jonathan Higham has been notable.
His hat trick in Saturday's 3-1 win over Rochdale Town took his tally to seven goals in the last four games, and certainly helps dispel the theory that the majority of Town's goals arrive through the goalscoring abilities of captain Theo Stair.
The skipper has been absent through injury recently, and Jonathan has certainly proved that there is firepower elsewhere in the Hanley ranks.
Goals from everywhere at Bacup Borough
Bacup Borough's 7-0 win over Whitchurch Alport was not only a handsome win, but proved that goalscoring ability is spread throughout the team with seven different scorers getting on the scoresheet.
This continued a theme set a few weeks back, when four different scorers contributed the five goals Bacup scored in the 5-1 reverse fixture at Yockings Park.
As Bacup continue their quest for a play-off place, manager Brent Peters will be looking for more of the same in the remaining fixtures.
Backheels from Ben
Although striker Jason Hart grabbed the headlines with a hat trick in Colne's 6-2 win over Ashton Athletic on Saturday, Ben Wharton's two goals for the Reds are also worthy of mention.
It's not often a player scores with a backheel over the course of the season, but Ben managed to do it twice, beginning with the opening goal in the 6th minute when Jason Hart’s corner was flicked on by Ben Hoskin and he beat the keeper at the near post from close range.
Ten minutes into the second half, he repeated the performance, again from a Jason Hart corner kick, placing the ball into the bottom corner despite the attentions of the Athletic defence.
Ability to conjure goals up out of nothing as displayed by Ben could be important as the Reds' season nears its climax.
Bears run ended unceremoniously at the seaside
As AFC Blackpool battle to beat relegation, their recent form has been reasonable with just one defeat in the last four going into Saturday's game against Congleton Town.
However, when you are desperate to pick up points, on the face of the last team you would want to face is one who had just recorded seven straight wins and were in the middle of a 14 game unbeaten run.
But the form book went out of the window, with Stuart Parker's men notching a 5-2 win that moved them out of the relegation zone, and a continuation of form like that would see the Seasiders retain their place in the Premier Division next season.
