Premier Division Preview - Saturday 8th October 2016
Fri 7th October 2016 | General | By Connor O`Neill
After last weekend’s Macron Cup games and an action packed round of midweek fixtures, it’s safe to say the Hallmark Security League Premier Division is heating up nicely.
With just six points separating the top six and just five points separating the bottom four, and with no Premier League or championship football this weekend, there really isn’t a reason why you shouldn’t be out cheering your local side on Saturday.
To kick off this weekend’s preview, current table toppers 1874 Northwich welcome Abbey Hey to the St Luke’s Barton Stadium. Ian Street's side have a one-point lead over second place Atherton Collieries, and come into the game against Luke Gibson’s side on the back two straight wins, the most recent being a 2-1 victory over Barnton on Tuesday.
Meanwhile Abbey Hey will be looking to get back to winning ways in the league. Despite losing their last league outing at home to new boys Hanley Town, Gibson’s side did beat higher opposition in the Manchester Premier Cup in midweek. Hey overcame Evo-Stik north side Trafford on penalties after the tie finished 0-0.
Second place Atherton Collieries will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce when they travel to Derbyshire to take on New Mills. Michael Clegg’s side arrive at Church Lane having comfortably overcome Ashton Athletic in midweek by four goals to nil, and will be looking to keep the pressure on league leaders 1874 Northwich.
Meanwhile, the Millers will be looking to continue their own three game unbeaten run, with their most recent result being a 2-2 draw away at Hanley Town on Tuesday.
Third place Runcorn Town welcome Winsford United to Pavilions. Chris Herbert’s men collected a great win in midweek after they overcame AFC Liverpool by two goals to one. It was the perfect response after they were well beaten at Bootle last Saturday.
Lee Duckworth’s Blues side currently find themselves in seventeenth position in the league table and come into the game looking to extend their unbeaten run to three games. The Blues comfortably overcame Atherton LR last Saturday before drawing 1-1 with Congleton Town in midweek.
Current Club of the Month Runcorn Linnets make the trip to Manchester to take on Maine Road. Michael Ellison’s side will no doubt arrive at Brantingham Road full of confidence after winning their last four games, with their most recent win being a 5-0 demolition of fifth place Bootle.
Maine Road meanwhile, will be looking to get back to winning ways after suffering back to back defeats. Road lost their last league outing by a goal to nil away at Atherton Collieries – before bowing out of the Manchester Premier Cup after a 2-1 defeat away at Evo-Stik North side Glossop North End.
Completing the top five is Bootle who make the trip to Barnoldswick Town. Joe Doran’s side arrive at the Silentnight Stadium on the back of a 5-0 hammering away at Runcorn Linnets on Tuesday. Prior to the Linnets defeat though, the Bucks had only lost one of their last eight, but will no doubt be looking to get back to winning ways after Tuesday’s humiliation.
Stewart Airdrie’s side will also be looking to get back to winning ways after suffering a 2-1 defeat away at Padiham on Tuesday. Town had won their previous three league matches before Tuesday’s game and took a first half lead through Zak Dale – but second half goals from Marc Young and a 90th strike from Garry Hunter condemned Airdrie’s side to defeat.
Friday night football returns to The Recreation Ground, as West Didsbury & Chorlton welcome local rivals Irlam. West will be looking to get back to winning ways after defeats in their previous two outings against Barnoldswick Town and Squires Gate. Meanwhile Steve Nixon’s Irlam will also be looking to get back to winning after suffering three consecutive defeats – Nixon’s side will also be looking to avenge their 6-0 defeat in this fixture earlier on in the season.
New boys Hanley Town have adapted to life in the Premier Division well, and come into their clash against Squires Gate on the back of a 2-2 draw against New Mills. Town have 20 points on the board and will be looking to collect their seventh win of the season on Saturday.
Squires Gate on the other hand, arrive at Abbey Lane, on the back of a hard-fought 3-2 win over West Didsbury & Chorlton in midweek. The win was a much needed one for Danny Penswick’s side after they had suffered three defeats on the bounce.
Elsewhere in the division, Congleton Town make the trip to Ashton Athletic. The Bears arrive Brocstedes Park on the back of a 1-1 draw against Winsford United and have suffered a bit on inconsistency on the results side of things so far this season – but a win here could see the Bears up to as high as tenth in the league table come Saturday evening.
Ashton Athletic meanwhile, come into the game on the back of a 4-0 defeat against Atherton Collieries. Prior to the Colls defeat, Athletic had been in good form, winning their last two and currently lie in eighteenth in the league table.
Steve Wilkes’ Padiham make the trip to Cheshire to take on Barnton. Wilkes’ side come into the game in good form having only lost one of their last four. The Storks currently sit in sixteenth place in the table - but a win in Cheshire could see them climb to as high as tenth.
Barnton meanwhile, have found life in the Premier Division tough going, and come into the game on the back of six straight defeats. Steve Lloyd’s side currently find themselves inside the relegation zone and know it’s vital they begin to pick up points if they are to stay up.
AFC Liverpool make the trip to East Lancashire on Saturday to take on Nelson at Little Wembley. It had looked as though Kevin Dally’s side were finally beginning to gather some form after four straight wins – but a 2-1 defeat away at Runcorn Town, meant the Reds remained in ninth place in the table.
Nelson on the other hand, come into the game on a back of a confidence boosting 3-0 win over East Lancashire rivals AFC Darwen on Wednesday. It was the second time the Admirals had collected all three points in four days, after a 2-1 win over Barnton last Saturday.
Elsewhere in East Lancashire on Saturday, AFC Darwen welcome Cammel Laird 1907 to the WEC Group Anchor Ground. Even at this early point in the season, this game could be classed as a relegation six-pointer.
Lairds currently sit bottom of the table on just 3 points, and come into the game on the back of a 4-1 defeat at the hands of AFC Liverpool. While Darwen currently sit fourth from bottom, and come into the game on the back of two successive defeats against St Helens Town and Nelson.
So with plenty of action to choose from this weekend just remember wherever you go, enjoy it and don’t forget to pick up your ground hopper sticker book.
Premier Division Preview - Saturday 8th October 2016
Fri 7th October 2016 | General
By Connor O`Neill
After last weekend’s Macron Cup games and an action packed round of midweek fixtures, it’s safe to say the Hallmark Security League Premier Division is heating up nicely.
With just six points separating the top six and just five points separating the bottom four, and with no Premier League or championship football this weekend, there really isn’t a reason why you shouldn’t be out cheering your local side on Saturday.
To kick off this weekend’s preview, current table toppers 1874 Northwich welcome Abbey Hey to the St Luke’s Barton Stadium. Ian Street's side have a one-point lead over second place Atherton Collieries, and come into the game against Luke Gibson’s side on the back two straight wins, the most recent being a 2-1 victory over Barnton on Tuesday.
Meanwhile Abbey Hey will be looking to get back to winning ways in the league. Despite losing their last league outing at home to new boys Hanley Town, Gibson’s side did beat higher opposition in the Manchester Premier Cup in midweek. Hey overcame Evo-Stik north side Trafford on penalties after the tie finished 0-0.
Second place Atherton Collieries will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce when they travel to Derbyshire to take on New Mills. Michael Clegg’s side arrive at Church Lane having comfortably overcome Ashton Athletic in midweek by four goals to nil, and will be looking to keep the pressure on league leaders 1874 Northwich.
Meanwhile, the Millers will be looking to continue their own three game unbeaten run, with their most recent result being a 2-2 draw away at Hanley Town on Tuesday.
Third place Runcorn Town welcome Winsford United to Pavilions. Chris Herbert’s men collected a great win in midweek after they overcame AFC Liverpool by two goals to one. It was the perfect response after they were well beaten at Bootle last Saturday.
Lee Duckworth’s Blues side currently find themselves in seventeenth position in the league table and come into the game looking to extend their unbeaten run to three games. The Blues comfortably overcame Atherton LR last Saturday before drawing 1-1 with Congleton Town in midweek.
Current Club of the Month Runcorn Linnets make the trip to Manchester to take on Maine Road. Michael Ellison’s side will no doubt arrive at Brantingham Road full of confidence after winning their last four games, with their most recent win being a 5-0 demolition of fifth place Bootle.
Maine Road meanwhile, will be looking to get back to winning ways after suffering back to back defeats. Road lost their last league outing by a goal to nil away at Atherton Collieries – before bowing out of the Manchester Premier Cup after a 2-1 defeat away at Evo-Stik North side Glossop North End.
Completing the top five is Bootle who make the trip to Barnoldswick Town. Joe Doran’s side arrive at the Silentnight Stadium on the back of a 5-0 hammering away at Runcorn Linnets on Tuesday. Prior to the Linnets defeat though, the Bucks had only lost one of their last eight, but will no doubt be looking to get back to winning ways after Tuesday’s humiliation.
Stewart Airdrie’s side will also be looking to get back to winning ways after suffering a 2-1 defeat away at Padiham on Tuesday. Town had won their previous three league matches before Tuesday’s game and took a first half lead through Zak Dale – but second half goals from Marc Young and a 90th strike from Garry Hunter condemned Airdrie’s side to defeat.
Friday night football returns to The Recreation Ground, as West Didsbury & Chorlton welcome local rivals Irlam. West will be looking to get back to winning ways after defeats in their previous two outings against Barnoldswick Town and Squires Gate. Meanwhile Steve Nixon’s Irlam will also be looking to get back to winning after suffering three consecutive defeats – Nixon’s side will also be looking to avenge their 6-0 defeat in this fixture earlier on in the season.
New boys Hanley Town have adapted to life in the Premier Division well, and come into their clash against Squires Gate on the back of a 2-2 draw against New Mills. Town have 20 points on the board and will be looking to collect their seventh win of the season on Saturday.
Squires Gate on the other hand, arrive at Abbey Lane, on the back of a hard-fought 3-2 win over West Didsbury & Chorlton in midweek. The win was a much needed one for Danny Penswick’s side after they had suffered three defeats on the bounce.
Elsewhere in the division, Congleton Town make the trip to Ashton Athletic. The Bears arrive Brocstedes Park on the back of a 1-1 draw against Winsford United and have suffered a bit on inconsistency on the results side of things so far this season – but a win here could see the Bears up to as high as tenth in the league table come Saturday evening.
Ashton Athletic meanwhile, come into the game on the back of a 4-0 defeat against Atherton Collieries. Prior to the Colls defeat, Athletic had been in good form, winning their last two and currently lie in eighteenth in the league table.
Steve Wilkes’ Padiham make the trip to Cheshire to take on Barnton. Wilkes’ side come into the game in good form having only lost one of their last four. The Storks currently sit in sixteenth place in the table - but a win in Cheshire could see them climb to as high as tenth.
Barnton meanwhile, have found life in the Premier Division tough going, and come into the game on the back of six straight defeats. Steve Lloyd’s side currently find themselves inside the relegation zone and know it’s vital they begin to pick up points if they are to stay up.
AFC Liverpool make the trip to East Lancashire on Saturday to take on Nelson at Little Wembley. It had looked as though Kevin Dally’s side were finally beginning to gather some form after four straight wins – but a 2-1 defeat away at Runcorn Town, meant the Reds remained in ninth place in the table.
Nelson on the other hand, come into the game on a back of a confidence boosting 3-0 win over East Lancashire rivals AFC Darwen on Wednesday. It was the second time the Admirals had collected all three points in four days, after a 2-1 win over Barnton last Saturday.
Elsewhere in East Lancashire on Saturday, AFC Darwen welcome Cammel Laird 1907 to the WEC Group Anchor Ground. Even at this early point in the season, this game could be classed as a relegation six-pointer.
Lairds currently sit bottom of the table on just 3 points, and come into the game on the back of a 4-1 defeat at the hands of AFC Liverpool. While Darwen currently sit fourth from bottom, and come into the game on the back of two successive defeats against St Helens Town and Nelson.
So with plenty of action to choose from this weekend just remember wherever you go, enjoy it and don’t forget to pick up your ground hopper sticker book.
