Premier Division Preview - Friday 2nd/Saturday 3rd September 2016
Fri 2nd September 2016 | General | By Gary Langley
A Busy weekend of League fixtures is on the horizon and despite the FA Cup occupying five of our leagues teams this weekend there is still a large number of games to choose from.
Before previewing those we would like to wish Ashton Athletic (Vs Mossley), Maine Rd (at Burscough), Squires Gate (Vs Handsworth Parramore), Cheadle Town (at Trafford) and Winsford United (at Whitby Town) all the very best for their cup games on Saturday!
The Hallmark Security League Premier Division has had a frenetic start with games aplenty as the schedule tries to get a solid start ahead of any potential winter nasties. With the fast start brings early contenders as the divisional table starts to take an early shape. For many, the perceived favorites are moving into position but a number of sides have strengthened over the summer and it is shaping up to be a fantastic campaign.
Starting on Friday night with “Friday night Lights” at the Ambitek Stadium as early pace setters, Irlam host West Didsbury & Chorlton. The hosts are in good form since being promoted to the Premier Division with only one defeat in seven games and morale will be high following an impressive 4-3 home win over Abbey Hey in midweek.
West are also in good form in the league, their first league defeat coming on Tuesday night at home to Bootle as the Sefton side turned over a lively West Didsbury 2-4 at the Recreation Ground. This has the makings of a cracking game to start of the weekend’s footy-fest.
Then, into Saturday where at the WEC Anchor Ground AFC Darwen face AFC Liverpool, the home side having had a difficult start to the season but they recorded a decent looking 3-2 win away at Squires Gate on Tuesday night to record their first much needed win of the season. A tough test awaits though against the Merseysider’s.
AFC Liverpool also impressed in midweek, recording their first competitive win over Atherton Collieries and on the road too. Their 2-1 win over Colls’ came after being a goal behind, Freddie Potter bagging the reds winner in the last minute. They will be looking to press on now following their first win in three and moving sharply up the table.
Barnoldswick Town welcome 1874 Northwich to the Silentnight Stadium with the home side in good form at the moment, three straight wins on the spin which includes wins at Nelson and a thumping 4-2 win over New Mills included in that seeing Barlick’ right up in the top group in the table. 1874 are also right up there justifying their status as many fans pre-season favorites to go up, they faced a tough midweek battle with high flying Runcorn Town in midweek but normally travel well so this should be a fascinating encounter.
Bootle are another side fancied to do well this season and they have got off to a decent league start whereas in recent seasons they have perhaps taken some time to get into gear they have hit the ground running. They host Congleton Town to the Delta Taxis Stadium with the home side going in straight of two successive wins against Winsford and a lively West Didsbury & Chorlton side in midweek, knocking in nine goals in the two games with Steven Jones in prolific form at present.
Congleton look in good position and form at present, a midweek goal-less draw at home to Runcorn Linnets in midweek and a win over Squires gate during the Bank Holiday weekend so this will be a tough one to call. Bootle scoring for fun but Congleton effective, staying high in the table after six games but with a -1 goal difference.
On the subject of Runcorn Linnets, they welcome Padiham to the Milbank Linnets Stadium, unusually for Linnets they have not got out of the blocks as quickly as they usually do but are still fancied by many observers to be in the promotion frame come the end of the season. Only one win in their last six in all competitions at present but a win over the weekend could see them climb a number of places at this early stage. The visitors have had a reasonably solid start so far, they are in mid-table but will be, like Linnets looking for an upturn in form if they are to keep on the coat tails of the leading pack.
At Church Lane, high flying Runcorn Town make the journey to New Mills in good form, Chris Herbert’s men have had a good start to the campaign recording good wins against the likes of Linnets, AFC Liverpool and Hanley already this campaign averaging 2.8 goals a game even in defeat. New Mills are also in the goals but they tend to either ship a load or score plenty in what they will see as an inconsistent start to life in the Hallmark Security League.
Bottom placed Nelson will be looking to hoist themselves up the table as they host Barnton at Little Wembley. The fixture list was not kind to Nelson with them having played the likes of Atherton Collieries, West Didsbury & Chorlton and Barnoldswick already this campaign so they will be hoping to improve against the Villagers. Barnton got off to an ok start in the Division following promotion via the play-offs and a hectic squad re-building process over the summer but have just hit a little bit of inconsistent form of late being without a win in their last four games and leaking fifteen goals in the process. Both sides though will see this game as an opportunity for points and a start to some momentum.
Atherton Collieries will be looking to put their Bank Holiday defeat to AFC Liverpool behind them as they travel to Hanley Town. Atherton Collieries will look at the present table and be likely happy with their start being in the leading pack but would have been frustrated at their defeat in midweek. Like fellow promoted side, Irlam, Hanley have had a good start to life in the Premier Division and will be looking to consolidate that ahead of the two sides meeting on Monday evening.
Cammell Laird 1907 welcome Abbey Hey to Kirklands this weekend with neither side in particularly good form. Lairds are without a win in the league so far this season and go into this match following three consecutive draws albeit against three strong sides in Linnets, Nelson and Maine Road. With games on the horizon against 1874, Colls’ and West Didsbury though they will be looking to get points on the board sooner rather than later whilst a win can make a difference of several places in the table.
Abbey Hey travel to Birkenhead on an equally frustrating run with one win in their last five, the rest being defeats. Whilst the term ‘must win’ doesn’t really apply until later in the season, for these two clubs the term ‘could certainly do with winning before we end up struggling’ is probably more apt. Having seen both teams myself this season they are both well organised and indeed very capable of winning and hauling themselves up very quickly.
So, there we have the weekends fixtures laid bare, lots of fixtures and they’re coming thick and fast. Oh and did I mention the Buildbase FA Vase starts next weekend too? It’s all happening and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Premier Division Preview - Friday 2nd/Saturday 3rd September 2016
Fri 2nd September 2016 | General
By Gary Langley
A Busy weekend of League fixtures is on the horizon and despite the FA Cup occupying five of our leagues teams this weekend there is still a large number of games to choose from.
Before previewing those we would like to wish Ashton Athletic (Vs Mossley), Maine Rd (at Burscough), Squires Gate (Vs Handsworth Parramore), Cheadle Town (at Trafford) and Winsford United (at Whitby Town) all the very best for their cup games on Saturday!
The Hallmark Security League Premier Division has had a frenetic start with games aplenty as the schedule tries to get a solid start ahead of any potential winter nasties. With the fast start brings early contenders as the divisional table starts to take an early shape. For many, the perceived favorites are moving into position but a number of sides have strengthened over the summer and it is shaping up to be a fantastic campaign.
Starting on Friday night with “Friday night Lights” at the Ambitek Stadium as early pace setters, Irlam host West Didsbury & Chorlton. The hosts are in good form since being promoted to the Premier Division with only one defeat in seven games and morale will be high following an impressive 4-3 home win over Abbey Hey in midweek.
West are also in good form in the league, their first league defeat coming on Tuesday night at home to Bootle as the Sefton side turned over a lively West Didsbury 2-4 at the Recreation Ground. This has the makings of a cracking game to start of the weekend’s footy-fest.
Then, into Saturday where at the WEC Anchor Ground AFC Darwen face AFC Liverpool, the home side having had a difficult start to the season but they recorded a decent looking 3-2 win away at Squires Gate on Tuesday night to record their first much needed win of the season. A tough test awaits though against the Merseysider’s.
AFC Liverpool also impressed in midweek, recording their first competitive win over Atherton Collieries and on the road too. Their 2-1 win over Colls’ came after being a goal behind, Freddie Potter bagging the reds winner in the last minute. They will be looking to press on now following their first win in three and moving sharply up the table.
Barnoldswick Town welcome 1874 Northwich to the Silentnight Stadium with the home side in good form at the moment, three straight wins on the spin which includes wins at Nelson and a thumping 4-2 win over New Mills included in that seeing Barlick’ right up in the top group in the table. 1874 are also right up there justifying their status as many fans pre-season favorites to go up, they faced a tough midweek battle with high flying Runcorn Town in midweek but normally travel well so this should be a fascinating encounter.
Bootle are another side fancied to do well this season and they have got off to a decent league start whereas in recent seasons they have perhaps taken some time to get into gear they have hit the ground running. They host Congleton Town to the Delta Taxis Stadium with the home side going in straight of two successive wins against Winsford and a lively West Didsbury & Chorlton side in midweek, knocking in nine goals in the two games with Steven Jones in prolific form at present.
Congleton look in good position and form at present, a midweek goal-less draw at home to Runcorn Linnets in midweek and a win over Squires gate during the Bank Holiday weekend so this will be a tough one to call. Bootle scoring for fun but Congleton effective, staying high in the table after six games but with a -1 goal difference.
On the subject of Runcorn Linnets, they welcome Padiham to the Milbank Linnets Stadium, unusually for Linnets they have not got out of the blocks as quickly as they usually do but are still fancied by many observers to be in the promotion frame come the end of the season. Only one win in their last six in all competitions at present but a win over the weekend could see them climb a number of places at this early stage. The visitors have had a reasonably solid start so far, they are in mid-table but will be, like Linnets looking for an upturn in form if they are to keep on the coat tails of the leading pack.
At Church Lane, high flying Runcorn Town make the journey to New Mills in good form, Chris Herbert’s men have had a good start to the campaign recording good wins against the likes of Linnets, AFC Liverpool and Hanley already this campaign averaging 2.8 goals a game even in defeat. New Mills are also in the goals but they tend to either ship a load or score plenty in what they will see as an inconsistent start to life in the Hallmark Security League.
Bottom placed Nelson will be looking to hoist themselves up the table as they host Barnton at Little Wembley. The fixture list was not kind to Nelson with them having played the likes of Atherton Collieries, West Didsbury & Chorlton and Barnoldswick already this campaign so they will be hoping to improve against the Villagers. Barnton got off to an ok start in the Division following promotion via the play-offs and a hectic squad re-building process over the summer but have just hit a little bit of inconsistent form of late being without a win in their last four games and leaking fifteen goals in the process. Both sides though will see this game as an opportunity for points and a start to some momentum.
Atherton Collieries will be looking to put their Bank Holiday defeat to AFC Liverpool behind them as they travel to Hanley Town. Atherton Collieries will look at the present table and be likely happy with their start being in the leading pack but would have been frustrated at their defeat in midweek. Like fellow promoted side, Irlam, Hanley have had a good start to life in the Premier Division and will be looking to consolidate that ahead of the two sides meeting on Monday evening.
Cammell Laird 1907 welcome Abbey Hey to Kirklands this weekend with neither side in particularly good form. Lairds are without a win in the league so far this season and go into this match following three consecutive draws albeit against three strong sides in Linnets, Nelson and Maine Road. With games on the horizon against 1874, Colls’ and West Didsbury though they will be looking to get points on the board sooner rather than later whilst a win can make a difference of several places in the table.
Abbey Hey travel to Birkenhead on an equally frustrating run with one win in their last five, the rest being defeats. Whilst the term ‘must win’ doesn’t really apply until later in the season, for these two clubs the term ‘could certainly do with winning before we end up struggling’ is probably more apt. Having seen both teams myself this season they are both well organised and indeed very capable of winning and hauling themselves up very quickly.
So, there we have the weekends fixtures laid bare, lots of fixtures and they’re coming thick and fast. Oh and did I mention the Buildbase FA Vase starts next weekend too? It’s all happening and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
