Weekend Round Up - Saturday April 23rd 2016
Sun 24th April 2016 | General | By Ian Templeman
As the season nears its climax, there was once again plenty of drama and results that had an impact at the top and bottom of both divisions on Saturday.
In the Premier Division, it's still as tight as ever at the top, with both Runcorn Linnets and Colne needing late goals to keep their respective title aspirations on track.
Linnets remain top after a 2-1 win over 1874 Northwich in their last home game of the season at the Millbank Linnets Stadium. Neil Chappell gave the visitors a half time lead, before Antony Hickey levelled midway through the second half, and not for the first time this season Michael White struck the winner from the penalty spot, with ten minutes left.
Meanwhile, news of that goal would no doubt have filtered through to the XLCR Stadium, where Colne were being held by Bootle, but with four minutes left Simon Nangle scored what could be a crucial goal for the Reds to earn a narrow 1-0 win.
Linnets now lead Colne by two points, having played a game more.
Atherton Collieries' hopes of still being in the title race were all but ended after being held to a 2-2 draw at home to AFC Blackpool, a result that also had a big impact at the other end of the table.
Jordan Cover gave Colls an early lead, but Boubacar Kaba and a Jack Williams penalty put the visitors into a 2-1 lead that they held until a minute before the end, when a Mark Ayres penalty levelled for Colls.
None the less, it was an important point for AFC Blackpool, in the light of results elsewhere, most notably at Alsager Town and Silsden.
Alsager Town lost 2-0 at home to Padiham, with second half goals from Thomas Fowler and Aaron Taylor for the Storks, and Silsden twice led at home to Congleton Town through goals from Kyle Hancock and Andrew Hill, but two goals from Declan Fletcher, the second just two minutes from time, meant the sides ended up tied at 2-2.
It now looks grim for both Alsager and Silsden in the relegation battle, but AFC Blackpool are now just a point from safety and are five points behind Squires Gate with three games in hand, with the local rivals due to meet in the final week of the season.
Squires Gate did their survival hopes a power of good with a 2-1 home win over Runcorn Town, thanks to goals in each half from Nathan Trout and Joe Noblet.
Elsewhere, a hat trick from Nico Collins saw Abbey Hey through to a 3-0 win at home to Nelson, and a Ben Gorman penalty on the stroke of half time proved to be the matchwinner at Winsford United for Barnoldswick Town.
Two first half goals from Isaac Kusaloska set Ashton Athletic on their way to a 4-1 win over AFC Liverpool, and on Friday evening, a Martin Hill goal just after half time was enough to earn Maine Road a 1-0 win at West Didsbury & Chorlton, in front of West's highest ever crowd in the NWCFL.
In the First Division, there were full time celebrations both at Silver Street and the Abzorbed Arena, with both Irlam and Hanley Town both clinching automatic promotion with home wins.
Irlam won 2-0 against Chadderton, thanks to second half goals from Matty Boland and Dean Burgess, and goals in the opening 25 minutes from Nathan Grice and Theo Stair set Hanley Town on the way to a 2-1 home win over Ashton Town.
As well as the automatic promotion places being decided, Barnton and Stockport Town have now claimed play off places.
Barnton are in third place after a 1-1 draw at Bacup Borough, while first half goals from Jake Pollard and Jamie Kay earned Stockport Town a 2-0 win at home to Daisy Hill.
Holker Old Boys are in fifth place after a 6-0 win at home to Northwich Manchester Villa, Michael Rushton and Christopher Wraighte both scoring twice, and there were hat tricks from both Sam Sheen and Andy Gillespie in St Helens Town's 10-0 win over Whitchurch Alport at Brocstedes Park.
It was a result that still keeps Town in the hunt for a play-off place, especially with Eccleshall inflicting a major blow on Litherland REMYCA, with Remy's play off hopes seriously damaged with a last minute winner from Angelo Errico clinching a 2-1 win for Eccleshall.
In the other game, two goals from Luke Edwards helped Widnes to a 3-1 win over Rochdale Town.
Weekend Round Up - Saturday April 23rd 2016
Sun 24th April 2016 | General
By Ian Templeman
As the season nears its climax, there was once again plenty of drama and results that had an impact at the top and bottom of both divisions on Saturday.
In the Premier Division, it's still as tight as ever at the top, with both Runcorn Linnets and Colne needing late goals to keep their respective title aspirations on track.
Linnets remain top after a 2-1 win over 1874 Northwich in their last home game of the season at the Millbank Linnets Stadium. Neil Chappell gave the visitors a half time lead, before Antony Hickey levelled midway through the second half, and not for the first time this season Michael White struck the winner from the penalty spot, with ten minutes left.
Meanwhile, news of that goal would no doubt have filtered through to the XLCR Stadium, where Colne were being held by Bootle, but with four minutes left Simon Nangle scored what could be a crucial goal for the Reds to earn a narrow 1-0 win.
Linnets now lead Colne by two points, having played a game more.
Atherton Collieries' hopes of still being in the title race were all but ended after being held to a 2-2 draw at home to AFC Blackpool, a result that also had a big impact at the other end of the table.
Jordan Cover gave Colls an early lead, but Boubacar Kaba and a Jack Williams penalty put the visitors into a 2-1 lead that they held until a minute before the end, when a Mark Ayres penalty levelled for Colls.
None the less, it was an important point for AFC Blackpool, in the light of results elsewhere, most notably at Alsager Town and Silsden.
Alsager Town lost 2-0 at home to Padiham, with second half goals from Thomas Fowler and Aaron Taylor for the Storks, and Silsden twice led at home to Congleton Town through goals from Kyle Hancock and Andrew Hill, but two goals from Declan Fletcher, the second just two minutes from time, meant the sides ended up tied at 2-2.
It now looks grim for both Alsager and Silsden in the relegation battle, but AFC Blackpool are now just a point from safety and are five points behind Squires Gate with three games in hand, with the local rivals due to meet in the final week of the season.
Squires Gate did their survival hopes a power of good with a 2-1 home win over Runcorn Town, thanks to goals in each half from Nathan Trout and Joe Noblet.
Elsewhere, a hat trick from Nico Collins saw Abbey Hey through to a 3-0 win at home to Nelson, and a Ben Gorman penalty on the stroke of half time proved to be the matchwinner at Winsford United for Barnoldswick Town.
Two first half goals from Isaac Kusaloska set Ashton Athletic on their way to a 4-1 win over AFC Liverpool, and on Friday evening, a Martin Hill goal just after half time was enough to earn Maine Road a 1-0 win at West Didsbury & Chorlton, in front of West's highest ever crowd in the NWCFL.
In the First Division, there were full time celebrations both at Silver Street and the Abzorbed Arena, with both Irlam and Hanley Town both clinching automatic promotion with home wins.
Irlam won 2-0 against Chadderton, thanks to second half goals from Matty Boland and Dean Burgess, and goals in the opening 25 minutes from Nathan Grice and Theo Stair set Hanley Town on the way to a 2-1 home win over Ashton Town.
As well as the automatic promotion places being decided, Barnton and Stockport Town have now claimed play off places.
Barnton are in third place after a 1-1 draw at Bacup Borough, while first half goals from Jake Pollard and Jamie Kay earned Stockport Town a 2-0 win at home to Daisy Hill.
Holker Old Boys are in fifth place after a 6-0 win at home to Northwich Manchester Villa, Michael Rushton and Christopher Wraighte both scoring twice, and there were hat tricks from both Sam Sheen and Andy Gillespie in St Helens Town's 10-0 win over Whitchurch Alport at Brocstedes Park.
It was a result that still keeps Town in the hunt for a play-off place, especially with Eccleshall inflicting a major blow on Litherland REMYCA, with Remy's play off hopes seriously damaged with a last minute winner from Angelo Errico clinching a 2-1 win for Eccleshall.
In the other game, two goals from Luke Edwards helped Widnes to a 3-1 win over Rochdale Town.
