With Cup and case games taking place aplenty this weekend there are still a good proportion of Premier Division games scheduled for this weekend. Howevere, with the big freeze of midweek still set to loom on higher ground, grounds staff may have their hand full this weekend preparing as battles commence on and off the park to get games on and points won.
Starting at the Silentnight Stadium where Barnoldswick Town host Cammell Laird 1907 this weekend knowing that three points from this game could potentially propel them up to nine points at clear of trouble. Lairds are still waiting for their first league win this season and will have a tough task reversing that stat.
There is a mouth watering tie scheduled at the Hinchliffe Holmes Stadium this Saturday as two of the Divisions in-form teams go head to head as Barnton welcome Runcorn Town. The home side have had a resurgence in form in recent weeks that has seen them lift themselves clear of the relegation zone and closing in on mid-table. The visitors are currently top of the table and not shy of form themselves as they look to score an important win against their almost neighbours as well as keep the chasing pack of four at bay.
At the St Lukes Barton Stadium, Winsford United host Padiham knowing that without a win on six in all competitions a win at home would be most welcome as despite having a few games in hand on those around them, the seven points clear of the team third from bottom maybe too close for comfort. Padiham have been in excellent league form of late and climbed to seventh whilst their cup form has not been too clever, however they hosted Winsford as recently as November 5th and ran out 4-2 winners in an enthralling fixture at the Yesss Electrical Arena.
Nelson raised a few eyebrows this week with the very impressive signing of Jay Hart from Colne FC and that certainly makes a statement of intent for the Admirals who currently sit second bottom of the table. They have made a couple of astute signings of late but if they are to start their recovery this weekend they will have to get by the visiting Ashton Athletic. Athletic currently sit thirteenth in the table but have won their last couple of league games which includes a 5-2 away victory at West Didsbury and Chorlton a few weeks back, more recently they knocked Top of the table Runcorn Town out of the Macron Cup.
Congleton by many people's expectations have failed to hit the heights expected but they can do themselves the world of good if they can take all of the spoils from their game at home to West Didsbury & Chorlton. West have been one of the worst hit over the last few weeks with six postponements across a number of competitions. Their last league game saw a 2-2 draw at home against AFC Liverpool back on November 12th and currently sit in ninth position on 30 points, probably too far out to gatecrash the promotion race.
The last win for Irlam came at home back on October 25th since then they have managed a draw, a couple of defeats and been a victim of a number of postponements. That draw was a month ago at home to this weekends opponents Squires Gate who make the trip to Silver Street having returned to winning ways last weekend against New Mills.
At Brantingham Road, Maine Road in tenth take on AFC Liverpool who sit just above them in eighth. It was the side from Chorlton who took the honours in an eventful day back in August beset by glorious sunshine when they won by the odd goal in three. AFC have their tails up at the moment having only had one defeat in their last six in all competitions and that includes that impressive looking 3-1 home win over Runcorn Linnets in midweek.
Hanley Town Welcome AFC Darwen to Abbey Lane. Hanley currently sit in sixth on the table but have played more games than many around them (23) and with only one win in their last six will. E looking for a return to earlier form. Darwen sit just a point above the drop zone but seem to get a result when they need one and having drawn their last two league games they seem to have halted their run of losing games and should provide a stern challenge for the impressive Hanley defensive line.
New Mills are third from bottom of the league table and one of the reasons is displayed in the form table as they are third from bottom of that as well. Without a league win since early September the Millers will need to pull off a shock if they are to take anything from their visitors this weekend as 1874 Northwich visit. 1874 have steadied the boat following an inconsistent October and are still very much in the promotion hunt although they will have to go on a solid run between now and the end of the season if they are to be promoted as they currently sit fifth in the table, eight points behind leaders, Runcorn Town.
Runcorn Linnets will be looking to bounce back from their midweek defeat at AFC Liverpool as they welcome Abbey Hey to the Millbank Linnets Stadium. The Linnets defeat in midweek wasn't predicted by too many as they have been on good form but they will be aiming for all three points to return to the promotion trail. Abbey Hey sit in eleventh spot in mid-table on 28 points. Abbey Hey's record against clubs in the top five isn't brilliant up to now but with a double header coming up against Barnoldswick in League and cup next week they will be looking to build momentum.
