Premier Division Preview - Saturday 7th May 2016
Fri 6th May 2016 | General | By Stewart Taylor
In the last Premier Division Preview, I promised a bit more Elizabethan poetry, so here it is.
All that has gone before comes down to this.
Move on with renew’d spirit and leave nothing
For any day to come; for there is no other.
Seek now your fate and be bold to the end.
This time I make no reference to the source of this one so, to make it a bit more fun, I offer a free pint of real ale (my choice from a brewery located in this green and sceptr’d isle – terms and conditions apply) for the first person who gets back to me to tell me the source of these inspirational words.
And looking for inspiration on this the final day of a very wet season are the sides who are still involved in promotion and relegation.
As the season has progressed, the number of clubs vying for the single promotion slot has gradually been reduced – and then there were two.
Runcorn Linnets held on to the top spot for quite some time due, at least in part, to having played more matches than Colne. The result at Colne in midweek means that Linnets are now second with both sides having just the one match remaining. After a long season, it comes down to 90 minutes of football with both sides playing away from home.
Linnets can expect massive travelling support as they head for Padiham needing a win to have any chance of taking the title. Even then, all will depend upon the result at 1874 Northwich.
The concern at Linnets must be that they will come up one place short for the third season running and that would be a very bitter pill to swallow for a side who have, at times, played heroically in adversity and become renowned for taking three points from matches which looked to be heading for draws.
The hosts at the YESSS Electrical Arena on Saturday will finish the season in the top half of the table despite the midweek loss at home to AFC Darwen.
Colne make the trip to the Barton Stadium to take on 1874 Northwich knowing that a draw may well be enough to seal the title.
The atmosphere at the XLCR Stadium on Tuesday night was subdued until Danny Boyle opened the scoring for the home side in the match against West Didsbury & Chorlton. Palpable relief as that goal went in was given voice by the Red Army.
Previous form means little or nothing in what is, in effect, a one off match but Colne stand top of the current form table and are NWCFL Premier Division Club of the Month for April so are, undoubtedly, playing well. Thoughts of the MEN United Cup Final on Tuesday of next week will need to be put firmly to the back of their collective minds as a 100% focus on this match will be the order of the day.
1874 have had another good season of progress this term and their supporters will turn up in numbers for the last match of the season to hopefully see (note the split infinitive there) their side finish the season in style. Expect a big crowd and a fine atmosphere for this match.
At the other end of the table, the week began with five clubs still facing the possibility of relegation. With four of the clubs involved in midweek action, the results of these matches could have reduced that number but it did not so the results on the final Saturday will determine all three relegation places.
AFC Blackpool played twice in midweek. The first of these matches saw them take on near neighbours and fellow relegation candidates Squires Gate. The Mechanics secured a 3-1 victory to move themselves off the bottom of the table on Tuesday night.
Thursday night saw the first of the double header against West Didsbury and Chorlton at Brookburn Road, which the Seasiders lost 2-1 and ended up back at the bottom of the table. So it’s back to the Mechanics Ground this Saturday to see if Stuart Parker’s men can get the result they need to complete their escape from relegation.
West have had an interesting week as they seek to influence the final League positions at both ends of the table. The Tuesday night match away at Colne saw the South Manchester side returning home with nothing following a 3-0 defeat. Nevertheless, it has been a very positive season for West both on and off the field as a final position towards the top end of the League table is assured.
Having been languishing in the bottom three places in the League table for quite some time, Alsager Town have found some form of late with three wins on the bounce and have given themselves a real chance of maintaining Premier Division football at Woodland Court next season.
The midweek match away at Barnoldswick Town saw the Bullets come back from being two goals down to record a fine 4-2 win to secure all three points. More points are still needed and the quest continues on Saturday as they head off to Brantingham Road to take on Maine Road.
As with a number of our clubs on the final day of the season, Maine Road have nothing to play for in terms of their final League position, but will certainly put everything into this match as they look to end the season on a high.
The step-up to the Premier Division this season has been a challenge for AFC Darwen. Inconsistency has been the name of the game with one of the highlights being securing 6 points from the two league matches against 1874 Northwich.
As crunch time sets in the midweek match away at Padiham brought a more than welcome three points. They are not out of the woods yet but a draw may well be enough on Saturday.
Cammell Laird 1907 make the trip to the WEC Group Anchor Ground having had what could be described as a steady season, and a mid-table position will be their reward at close of play on Saturday.
Silsden had no midweek game so have had to sit on the sidelines watching the drama unfold as fellow relegation contenders slug it out. Good results for the sides around them have dropped the Cobbydalers into the bottom three so more points are needed.
Bootle are the visitors to the Angel Telecom Stadium on Saturday. The Merseysiders have shown their ability to win tough matches as recent home wins over both Colne and Runcorn Linnets will testify.
This match may well mean more to the home side than the visitors, but nothing is a given in this League and a close, well contested, match is on the cards.
Squires Gate are still in the relegation shake-up and the defeat away at near neighbours AFC Blackpool in midweek has not helped their cause. On Saturday they travel to Brocstedes Park to take on Ashton Athletic knowing that points will be needed to ensure Premier Division football next season.
The Yellows come into this match knowing that they will achieve a top half of the table finish after a stop/start sort of season. As with a number of our sides, there have been highlights and lowlights throughout the season which is a reflection of the competitive nature of the Division.
Atherton Collieries complete the League part of a season which has certainly been busier than most. Over 60 matches this season and they are not finished yet as they head over to Barnoldswick Town on Saturday.
Monday sees Colls in action against Manchester League Premier Division Champions Prestwich Heys in the Bolton Hospital Cup Final at the Macron Stadium. The day after it’s off to Fleetwood to play Colne in the MEN United Cup Final. Third place in the final League table is assured and the opportunity to collect some silverware next week will be relished.
Barlick have nothing really to play for this Saturday but, as with all of our clubs, a positive end to the League campaign will be sought.
Congleton Town won the Premier Division Club of the Month Award in March after a terrific run of form. Since then the curse of the Club of the Month has struck again as form has slipped away. A defeat in midweek away at 1874 Northwich has seen them slide towards the bottom of the form table but a high position in the end of season League table is assured and plenty to work with for next season.
The final match of the season at the Richborough Estates Stadium sees AFC Liverpool as their guests. Just a single League victory in 2016 is a poor return for the Merseysiders following their 9th placed finish last season. Nothing really to play for in this match but all teams have their pride and it is that pride which means that teams do not take their feet off the pedals.
Our final match takes us to the Pavilions as manager Simon Burton stands in the Runcorn Town dug out for the final time. Simon has been a great servant to the club as they progressed over recent years from the West Cheshire League to the upper reaches of the NWCFL Premier Division.
The Town faithful will be out in force to bid him farewell as he takes on the challenge of being the first manager of the newly formed City of Liverpool FC next season.
Abbey Hey make the journey from East Manchester in good spirits as the three points garnered away at Ashton Athletic on Tuesday night means that they have surpassed their highest points total ever in the NWCFL Premier Division.
Abbey have been good to watch all season so although there is nothing but pride to play for in this one, expect an entertaining match.
Seven of our clubs are involved in matches which will decide promotion and relegation this Saturday so no shortage of drama as supporters of all seven sides will be nervously monitoring the progress of their respective rivals as the games unfold.
An exciting end to the season is assured but all will be revealed come Saturday teatime.
Wherever you watch your live football this Saturday, enjoy the match.
Premier Division Preview - Saturday 7th May 2016
Fri 6th May 2016 | General
By Stewart Taylor
In the last Premier Division Preview, I promised a bit more Elizabethan poetry, so here it is.
All that has gone before comes down to this.
Move on with renew’d spirit and leave nothing
For any day to come; for there is no other.
Seek now your fate and be bold to the end.
This time I make no reference to the source of this one so, to make it a bit more fun, I offer a free pint of real ale (my choice from a brewery located in this green and sceptr’d isle – terms and conditions apply) for the first person who gets back to me to tell me the source of these inspirational words.
And looking for inspiration on this the final day of a very wet season are the sides who are still involved in promotion and relegation.
As the season has progressed, the number of clubs vying for the single promotion slot has gradually been reduced – and then there were two.
Runcorn Linnets held on to the top spot for quite some time due, at least in part, to having played more matches than Colne. The result at Colne in midweek means that Linnets are now second with both sides having just the one match remaining. After a long season, it comes down to 90 minutes of football with both sides playing away from home.
Linnets can expect massive travelling support as they head for Padiham needing a win to have any chance of taking the title. Even then, all will depend upon the result at 1874 Northwich.
The concern at Linnets must be that they will come up one place short for the third season running and that would be a very bitter pill to swallow for a side who have, at times, played heroically in adversity and become renowned for taking three points from matches which looked to be heading for draws.
The hosts at the YESSS Electrical Arena on Saturday will finish the season in the top half of the table despite the midweek loss at home to AFC Darwen.
Colne make the trip to the Barton Stadium to take on 1874 Northwich knowing that a draw may well be enough to seal the title.
The atmosphere at the XLCR Stadium on Tuesday night was subdued until Danny Boyle opened the scoring for the home side in the match against West Didsbury & Chorlton. Palpable relief as that goal went in was given voice by the Red Army.
Previous form means little or nothing in what is, in effect, a one off match but Colne stand top of the current form table and are NWCFL Premier Division Club of the Month for April so are, undoubtedly, playing well. Thoughts of the MEN United Cup Final on Tuesday of next week will need to be put firmly to the back of their collective minds as a 100% focus on this match will be the order of the day.
1874 have had another good season of progress this term and their supporters will turn up in numbers for the last match of the season to hopefully see (note the split infinitive there) their side finish the season in style. Expect a big crowd and a fine atmosphere for this match.
At the other end of the table, the week began with five clubs still facing the possibility of relegation. With four of the clubs involved in midweek action, the results of these matches could have reduced that number but it did not so the results on the final Saturday will determine all three relegation places.
AFC Blackpool played twice in midweek. The first of these matches saw them take on near neighbours and fellow relegation candidates Squires Gate. The Mechanics secured a 3-1 victory to move themselves off the bottom of the table on Tuesday night.
Thursday night saw the first of the double header against West Didsbury and Chorlton at Brookburn Road, which the Seasiders lost 2-1 and ended up back at the bottom of the table. So it’s back to the Mechanics Ground this Saturday to see if Stuart Parker’s men can get the result they need to complete their escape from relegation.
West have had an interesting week as they seek to influence the final League positions at both ends of the table. The Tuesday night match away at Colne saw the South Manchester side returning home with nothing following a 3-0 defeat. Nevertheless, it has been a very positive season for West both on and off the field as a final position towards the top end of the League table is assured.
Having been languishing in the bottom three places in the League table for quite some time, Alsager Town have found some form of late with three wins on the bounce and have given themselves a real chance of maintaining Premier Division football at Woodland Court next season.
The midweek match away at Barnoldswick Town saw the Bullets come back from being two goals down to record a fine 4-2 win to secure all three points. More points are still needed and the quest continues on Saturday as they head off to Brantingham Road to take on Maine Road.
As with a number of our clubs on the final day of the season, Maine Road have nothing to play for in terms of their final League position, but will certainly put everything into this match as they look to end the season on a high.
The step-up to the Premier Division this season has been a challenge for AFC Darwen. Inconsistency has been the name of the game with one of the highlights being securing 6 points from the two league matches against 1874 Northwich.
As crunch time sets in the midweek match away at Padiham brought a more than welcome three points. They are not out of the woods yet but a draw may well be enough on Saturday.
Cammell Laird 1907 make the trip to the WEC Group Anchor Ground having had what could be described as a steady season, and a mid-table position will be their reward at close of play on Saturday.
Silsden had no midweek game so have had to sit on the sidelines watching the drama unfold as fellow relegation contenders slug it out. Good results for the sides around them have dropped the Cobbydalers into the bottom three so more points are needed.
Bootle are the visitors to the Angel Telecom Stadium on Saturday. The Merseysiders have shown their ability to win tough matches as recent home wins over both Colne and Runcorn Linnets will testify.
This match may well mean more to the home side than the visitors, but nothing is a given in this League and a close, well contested, match is on the cards.
Squires Gate are still in the relegation shake-up and the defeat away at near neighbours AFC Blackpool in midweek has not helped their cause. On Saturday they travel to Brocstedes Park to take on Ashton Athletic knowing that points will be needed to ensure Premier Division football next season.
The Yellows come into this match knowing that they will achieve a top half of the table finish after a stop/start sort of season. As with a number of our sides, there have been highlights and lowlights throughout the season which is a reflection of the competitive nature of the Division.
Atherton Collieries complete the League part of a season which has certainly been busier than most. Over 60 matches this season and they are not finished yet as they head over to Barnoldswick Town on Saturday.
Monday sees Colls in action against Manchester League Premier Division Champions Prestwich Heys in the Bolton Hospital Cup Final at the Macron Stadium. The day after it’s off to Fleetwood to play Colne in the MEN United Cup Final. Third place in the final League table is assured and the opportunity to collect some silverware next week will be relished.
Barlick have nothing really to play for this Saturday but, as with all of our clubs, a positive end to the League campaign will be sought.
Congleton Town won the Premier Division Club of the Month Award in March after a terrific run of form. Since then the curse of the Club of the Month has struck again as form has slipped away. A defeat in midweek away at 1874 Northwich has seen them slide towards the bottom of the form table but a high position in the end of season League table is assured and plenty to work with for next season.
The final match of the season at the Richborough Estates Stadium sees AFC Liverpool as their guests. Just a single League victory in 2016 is a poor return for the Merseysiders following their 9th placed finish last season. Nothing really to play for in this match but all teams have their pride and it is that pride which means that teams do not take their feet off the pedals.
Our final match takes us to the Pavilions as manager Simon Burton stands in the Runcorn Town dug out for the final time. Simon has been a great servant to the club as they progressed over recent years from the West Cheshire League to the upper reaches of the NWCFL Premier Division.
The Town faithful will be out in force to bid him farewell as he takes on the challenge of being the first manager of the newly formed City of Liverpool FC next season.
Abbey Hey make the journey from East Manchester in good spirits as the three points garnered away at Ashton Athletic on Tuesday night means that they have surpassed their highest points total ever in the NWCFL Premier Division.
Abbey have been good to watch all season so although there is nothing but pride to play for in this one, expect an entertaining match.
Seven of our clubs are involved in matches which will decide promotion and relegation this Saturday so no shortage of drama as supporters of all seven sides will be nervously monitoring the progress of their respective rivals as the games unfold.
An exciting end to the season is assured but all will be revealed come Saturday teatime.
Wherever you watch your live football this Saturday, enjoy the match.
