Division One Preview - Saturday 23rd April
Fri 22nd April 2016 | General | By John McKiernan
As the First Division campaign enters the final couple of weeks, the battle for the league title looks to be a two-horse race.
Irlam are currently edging long time leaders Hanley, with a meeting of the two front runners taking place at Silver Street next Wednesday evening.
There are at least another eight clubs who remain in the mix for a place in the play-offs, and while some chances remain slim, there’s plenty to play for and there looks to be some crucial head-to-head fixtures in the next fourteen days.
League leaders and current form team, Irlam host Chadderton at Silver Street looking to make it eight successive wins, while their visitors are looking for their first win in four since they drubbed Atherton LR 6-1 at Andrew Street.
Irlam will know they’re in for a tough afternoon, having drawn the return fixture 1-1 last month, but three points will clinch automatic promotion for Steve Nixon’s men.
Hanley Town also need a win to clinch automatic promotion, but visitors Ashton Town will be on the hunt for points as they look to push into the play-off places with games in hand.
While Tuesday evening saw Hanley lose a penalty shoot-out in the First Division Cup Final, Town were battling to a 0-1 win over former tenants St Helens Town at Brocstedes Park to put them in good shape for a final play-off push.
However it was disappointment for John Brownrigg’s side on Thursday evening as they lost out 2-0 at Rochdale Town.
Reusch First Division Cup winners Barnton travel to Bacup Borough with both sides looking to gain promotion via a top six final placing.
Barnton are well established in third position while Bacup are in eighth, some thirteen points adrift of their visitors with three games in hand. Borough’s run of five straight victories came to an end last Wednesday evening when 10-man Irlam won 0-1 at the Brian Boys West View Stadium.
Barnton capped off a great week by picking up three points from an impressive 4-1 home win over Holker Old Boys on Thursday evening, adding to the Cup final success 48 hours earlier.
Litherland REMYCA, who travel to Eccleshall, have slipped outside the top six and with only three games to go will be aiming to take maximum points and hope other teams falter.
With only one win in their last three games which includes last Saturday’s home defeat by Daisy Hill (0-2) ‘Remy’ will be looking to ensure Eccleshall don’t complete the double over them with the visitors having won 0-5 at Litherland Sports Park a fortnight ago.
Eccleshall have seen a recent upturn in form, and following the win at Litherland they recorded a 4-3 home win over Stockport Town while last Saturday they held Barnton 1-1 at The Adverc Stadium.
Northwich Manchester Villa make the long trip to Holker Old Boys with both sides requiring a much need win, albeit for different reasons.
Holker currently occupy the final play-off spot but defeat a 4-1 at Barnton on Thursday evening gives further hope to the chasing pack.
Villa are looking to avoid a fifth successive defeat; a run which has seen them fail to score in their last four outings. Holker ran out 1-2 winners when the two teams met at Manchester Regional Arena last month.
Widnes make the trip to Mayfield Sports Centre to take on hosts Rochdale Town.
The home side will be buoyed by Thursday night’s 2-0 home win over play-off chasing Ashton Town which was their sixth win in seven outings; with only promotion favourites Hanley Town able to get the better of Mark Canning’s side in recent times.
Widnes travel in decent form with three wins in their last four including a league double over Atherton LR while last weekend they won 1-2 at Ashton Town’s Edge Green Street.
St Helens Town welcome first time visitors Whitchurch Alport who play their final away fixture of a tough debut season in the NWCFL.
Town will remain hopeful a play-off place is still up for grabs but realise there can be no further defeats following their midweek reverse at the hand of neighbours Ashton Town.
Alport recorded their first win since mid-December when they won 0-1 at Atherton LR on Saturday 9th April but last time out they were hit for seven without reply on their trip to Bacup Borough. In the reverse fixture, less than a month ago, St Helens ran out 0-5 winners in monsoon conditions at Yockings Park.
Lambeth Grove will see fourth placed Stockport Town host Daisy Hill in what should be a cracker.
While it’s highly unlikely that the visitors will make the play-offs their recent form (3 wins and two draws from their last six outings) should ensure Stockport won’t have it all their own way.
Last Saturday saw Stockport earn a hard fought 1-0 victory at Chadderton while in mid-week they were held 0-0 at home to Holker Old Boys.
The team from New Sirs will be looking to continue their strong finish to the season and a win would see them complete a league double over the First Division newcomers having won 2-1 at the beginning of September.
Division One Preview - Saturday 23rd April
Fri 22nd April 2016 | General
By John McKiernan
As the First Division campaign enters the final couple of weeks, the battle for the league title looks to be a two-horse race.
Irlam are currently edging long time leaders Hanley, with a meeting of the two front runners taking place at Silver Street next Wednesday evening.
There are at least another eight clubs who remain in the mix for a place in the play-offs, and while some chances remain slim, there’s plenty to play for and there looks to be some crucial head-to-head fixtures in the next fourteen days.
League leaders and current form team, Irlam host Chadderton at Silver Street looking to make it eight successive wins, while their visitors are looking for their first win in four since they drubbed Atherton LR 6-1 at Andrew Street.
Irlam will know they’re in for a tough afternoon, having drawn the return fixture 1-1 last month, but three points will clinch automatic promotion for Steve Nixon’s men.
Hanley Town also need a win to clinch automatic promotion, but visitors Ashton Town will be on the hunt for points as they look to push into the play-off places with games in hand.
While Tuesday evening saw Hanley lose a penalty shoot-out in the First Division Cup Final, Town were battling to a 0-1 win over former tenants St Helens Town at Brocstedes Park to put them in good shape for a final play-off push.
However it was disappointment for John Brownrigg’s side on Thursday evening as they lost out 2-0 at Rochdale Town.
Reusch First Division Cup winners Barnton travel to Bacup Borough with both sides looking to gain promotion via a top six final placing.
Barnton are well established in third position while Bacup are in eighth, some thirteen points adrift of their visitors with three games in hand. Borough’s run of five straight victories came to an end last Wednesday evening when 10-man Irlam won 0-1 at the Brian Boys West View Stadium.
Barnton capped off a great week by picking up three points from an impressive 4-1 home win over Holker Old Boys on Thursday evening, adding to the Cup final success 48 hours earlier.
Litherland REMYCA, who travel to Eccleshall, have slipped outside the top six and with only three games to go will be aiming to take maximum points and hope other teams falter.
With only one win in their last three games which includes last Saturday’s home defeat by Daisy Hill (0-2) ‘Remy’ will be looking to ensure Eccleshall don’t complete the double over them with the visitors having won 0-5 at Litherland Sports Park a fortnight ago.
Eccleshall have seen a recent upturn in form, and following the win at Litherland they recorded a 4-3 home win over Stockport Town while last Saturday they held Barnton 1-1 at The Adverc Stadium.
Northwich Manchester Villa make the long trip to Holker Old Boys with both sides requiring a much need win, albeit for different reasons.
Holker currently occupy the final play-off spot but defeat a 4-1 at Barnton on Thursday evening gives further hope to the chasing pack.
Villa are looking to avoid a fifth successive defeat; a run which has seen them fail to score in their last four outings. Holker ran out 1-2 winners when the two teams met at Manchester Regional Arena last month.
Widnes make the trip to Mayfield Sports Centre to take on hosts Rochdale Town.
The home side will be buoyed by Thursday night’s 2-0 home win over play-off chasing Ashton Town which was their sixth win in seven outings; with only promotion favourites Hanley Town able to get the better of Mark Canning’s side in recent times.
Widnes travel in decent form with three wins in their last four including a league double over Atherton LR while last weekend they won 1-2 at Ashton Town’s Edge Green Street.
St Helens Town welcome first time visitors Whitchurch Alport who play their final away fixture of a tough debut season in the NWCFL.
Town will remain hopeful a play-off place is still up for grabs but realise there can be no further defeats following their midweek reverse at the hand of neighbours Ashton Town.
Alport recorded their first win since mid-December when they won 0-1 at Atherton LR on Saturday 9th April but last time out they were hit for seven without reply on their trip to Bacup Borough. In the reverse fixture, less than a month ago, St Helens ran out 0-5 winners in monsoon conditions at Yockings Park.
Lambeth Grove will see fourth placed Stockport Town host Daisy Hill in what should be a cracker.
While it’s highly unlikely that the visitors will make the play-offs their recent form (3 wins and two draws from their last six outings) should ensure Stockport won’t have it all their own way.
Last Saturday saw Stockport earn a hard fought 1-0 victory at Chadderton while in mid-week they were held 0-0 at home to Holker Old Boys.
The team from New Sirs will be looking to continue their strong finish to the season and a win would see them complete a league double over the First Division newcomers having won 2-1 at the beginning of September.
