Premier Division Preview - Saturday 11th February 2017
Fri 10th February 2017 | General | By Stewart Taylor
It’s the time of the season when title contenders are advised by knowledgeable football folk to grind out the points. You know, win 1-0 or 2-1 or keep fighting to the end of the match to rescue a point from a losing situation.
Trouble is that this season no one seems to have said that to Bootle or, if they have, then no one at the Delta Taxi Stadium is listening.
The last two League matches have seen the Bucks score 16 goals whilst conceding only one and it’s that awesome form which takes them into Saturday’s match against Padiham. The Bucks are top of the League and top of the form table but that doesn’t mean that the match against the Storks will be a forgone conclusion.
Steve Wilkes’ men are in decent form themselves having moved purposefully up the table to sixth place although the narrow defeat away at AFC Liverpool last Saturday will have taken a little of the wind from their collective sails.
Expect a closely contested affair in what, for many, will be the match of the day.
Level on points with Bootle at the top of the league table are Atherton Collieries. Colls came back from a disappointing defeat in the Buildbase FA Vase at Cleethorpes Town with a narrow victory over Barnton last Saturday and will look to carry forward that momentum as they make the trip to Barnoldswick Town. The League form is good with only three defeats all season so confidence will be high as the season moves into the final third.
Barlick are languishing in the lower reaches of the table and have been inconsistent this term. Well capable of scoring goals and with some good victories behind them, consecutive League defeats against two of the title contenders have set them back somewhat. A chance to get moving forward again this Saturday but a tough ask against a buoyant Colls side.
Third in the table are 1874 Northwich and they welcome Squires Gate to the St Luke’s Barton Stadium on Saturday. The hosts are on a solid run of form since defeat by their landlords Winsford United on Boxing Day. Striker Tom Bailey has certainly found his shooting boots and with Greg Hall again winning the Premier Division Goalkeeper of the Month there is a reassuring presence between the sticks.
Pressure on the top two needs to be maintained, but the side will be mindful that they suffered a rare defeat in the reverse league fixture way back in the sunny days of August.
Squires Gate come into this match after what manager Danny Penswick might consider to be a disappointing run. The win away at high flying Bootle just before Christmas will have sent the side into the festive period on something of a high but results since then have not been great culminating in a home defeat at the hands of Abbey Hey last Saturday. Having said that, Gate play attractive football and this match should make for excellent watching.
Runcorn Town were top of the table earlier in the season but recent drawn matches have seen them slip down the listing slightly. However it was back to winning ways last Saturday as two goals by the prolific Craig Cairns contributed significantly to the defeat of Irlam.
The remainder of the month sees matches against sides in the middle to lower reaches of the table and the target will be to convert draws into victories to maintain the pressure on the sides currently above them. Those matches start this Saturday as AFC Darwen welcome Town to the WEC Group Anchor Ground.
Hosts AFC Darwen will have been somewhat chastened by the defeat at Bootle last Saturday and will be looking to bounce back. It’s fair to say that this has not been the best of seasons for AFC Darwen as they sit one place above the relegation line in 19th position but with a significant buffer between themselves and 20th place. More points will be needed as the season draws on but nothing will be easy in this match.
Fifth placed are Runcorn Linnets who heard this week that the planning permission for their new clubhouse has been granted. It’s an exciting time off the field for Linnets with much to look forward to as the whole site at Murdishaw Avenue is redeveloped.
On the field the need to keep picking up points as the side chase that elusive promotion slot is clear. The last month has seen manager Michael Ellison strengthen his defensive options and more additions to the squad may well be coming as we get close to the time of the season when clubs in contention for honours look to gain even more momentum.
The side will have been disappointed to come away with only one point from the match away at New Mills last Saturday having been 2 goals to the good early in the second half. Linnets are on the road again on Saturday as they visit the Recreation Ground to take on West Didsbury & Chorlton.
West were in action in the Manchester Premier Cup in midweek at FC United of Manchester. The result of that match doesn’t really reflect the performance of West in what was an enjoyable evening, enhanced by their magnificent supporters.
In the League, recent form has been patchy and they may have to go some to better the league position achieved at the end of last season but there remain plenty of points to play for. The many initiatives to promote the club are bearing fruit, with increasing attendances for home matches generating a good atmosphere.
Somewhat variable early season form, coupled with a number of postponements, saw Winsford United languishing in the bottom half of the table. But recent form has been excellent with 12 points out of 12 in the most recent league matches and the only defeat in that period coming on penalties after extra time away at National League North side Stockport County in the Cheshire Senior Cup.
With games in hand over the sides above them in a congested mid table, the Blues will work hard to continue their good run to move up the table. The first opportunity to put that into practice comes when they visit Maine Road on Saturday.
Maine Road sit comfortably in mid table and are looking to push on to better their points total from last season. They are well on track to do that with a side which, as ever, is focussed on youth. Recent matches have seen a number of draws including one against promotion chasing 1874 Northwich and a stern test against an in form side awaits on Saturday.
At the wrong end of the League table, Cammell Laird 1907 have a free Saturday following their hard earned point away at Ashton Athletic last Saturday. This Saturday it’s the turn of another side at the bottom end of the table to visit Brocstedes Park as New Mills make the trip over from Derbyshire.
In what sounds to have been a lively match last Saturday, New Mills came back from 2-0 down to draw at home to Runcorn Linnets and, thus, register a valuable point in their mission to escape from the bottom three. Following something of a stormy Christmas period, New Mills are now beginning to settle under new manager Calum Sykes and this match on Saturday is another opportunity to gain valuable league points.
That draw brought to an end a 10 match losing streak and all at Church Lane will hope that the corner has been turned and that there are better times on the horizon.
For their part, Ashton Athletic tend to win matches by decent margins and none more so than a memorable 7-2 win over EvoStik First Division North outfit Mossley in the Emirates FA Cup back in September. The transfer of the free scoring Isaac Kusaloka to Runcorn Town will be a loss but there remains enough goalscoring threat in the team to make opposing defences pay attention.
The remaining side in the bottom three are Nelson and they travel to the Ambitek Stadium on Saturday to take on Irlam in their continuing quest for elusive league points.
The home side for this match have had a decent first season in the Premier Division but form has dropped away somewhat recently following a good start. Just one point from the last possible 18 is poor return and the side could consider Saturday’s match as an opportunity to start to put things right.
Equally, Nelson may well be looking at this match against a side in poor form as a chance for them to get some much needed points as they try to bridge to gap up to the safety of 19th place. The Admirals may like to look back a couple of weeks to a thumping 7-4 win over New Mills, in which the experienced Jason Hart bagged a hat trick, as inspiration ahead of this match.
Hanley Town were promoted to the Premier Division as First Division Champions at the end of last season and have more than held their own at the higher level. Theo Stair returned to the side last month and has shown his quality immediately by taking the opposition man of the match nomination in all of the three matches he has played. Hanley are a tough side to beat and can be very creative. I was privileged to watch them beat Saturday’s opponents Barnton 6-0 in the reverse fixture on a Monday night back in September.
Barnton travel to Staffordshire with something of a variable recent record. With the well travelled McShane brothers anchoring the midfield, Barnton have a number of very experienced players at this level and results have, overall, started to improve a little recently. With much activity going on off the field as improvements are made at the Hinchliffe Homes Stadium, the side will need to work extremely hard to reverse that home defeat in September.
Our final match this week sees Congleton Town head to East Manchester to take on Abbey Hey.
Abbey had a fine win away at Squires Gate last Saturday with Gareth Wager, returned to the club following a long sojourn at Bacup Borough, influential in defence. Abbey occupy one of the positions in the crowded area in the middle of the league table with a playing record this season which is almost symmetrical. A 10th place finish in the League last season was a good performance but the side will look to improve upon that this season and are well placed to do so.
Congleton Town finished in sixth place at the end of last season but are struggling to reach such heights this term. They lie in 15th place currently but such is the crowded nature of mid table, any side which can string a few wins together will move up in the rankings. Having said that, recent form is poor despite a satisfying home win over Maine Road last Saturday in which the well travelled Rick Bailey contributed a brace.
There perhaps doesn’t seem to be a lot to play for in this match but with both sides ambitious to show season on season improvement there will be no quarter asked or given in what is sure to be a competitive match.
The more superstitious amongst us, including me, have stopped watching weather forecasts at this time of the year so, with no predictions whatsoever, let’s hope that all is well and that all of these matches can go ahead. Wherever you enjoy your live football this Saturday, enjoy the match!
Premier Division Preview - Saturday 11th February 2017
Fri 10th February 2017 | General
By Stewart Taylor
It’s the time of the season when title contenders are advised by knowledgeable football folk to grind out the points. You know, win 1-0 or 2-1 or keep fighting to the end of the match to rescue a point from a losing situation.
Trouble is that this season no one seems to have said that to Bootle or, if they have, then no one at the Delta Taxi Stadium is listening.
The last two League matches have seen the Bucks score 16 goals whilst conceding only one and it’s that awesome form which takes them into Saturday’s match against Padiham. The Bucks are top of the League and top of the form table but that doesn’t mean that the match against the Storks will be a forgone conclusion.
Steve Wilkes’ men are in decent form themselves having moved purposefully up the table to sixth place although the narrow defeat away at AFC Liverpool last Saturday will have taken a little of the wind from their collective sails.
Expect a closely contested affair in what, for many, will be the match of the day.
Level on points with Bootle at the top of the league table are Atherton Collieries. Colls came back from a disappointing defeat in the Buildbase FA Vase at Cleethorpes Town with a narrow victory over Barnton last Saturday and will look to carry forward that momentum as they make the trip to Barnoldswick Town. The League form is good with only three defeats all season so confidence will be high as the season moves into the final third.
Barlick are languishing in the lower reaches of the table and have been inconsistent this term. Well capable of scoring goals and with some good victories behind them, consecutive League defeats against two of the title contenders have set them back somewhat. A chance to get moving forward again this Saturday but a tough ask against a buoyant Colls side.
Third in the table are 1874 Northwich and they welcome Squires Gate to the St Luke’s Barton Stadium on Saturday. The hosts are on a solid run of form since defeat by their landlords Winsford United on Boxing Day. Striker Tom Bailey has certainly found his shooting boots and with Greg Hall again winning the Premier Division Goalkeeper of the Month there is a reassuring presence between the sticks.
Pressure on the top two needs to be maintained, but the side will be mindful that they suffered a rare defeat in the reverse league fixture way back in the sunny days of August.
Squires Gate come into this match after what manager Danny Penswick might consider to be a disappointing run. The win away at high flying Bootle just before Christmas will have sent the side into the festive period on something of a high but results since then have not been great culminating in a home defeat at the hands of Abbey Hey last Saturday. Having said that, Gate play attractive football and this match should make for excellent watching.
Runcorn Town were top of the table earlier in the season but recent drawn matches have seen them slip down the listing slightly. However it was back to winning ways last Saturday as two goals by the prolific Craig Cairns contributed significantly to the defeat of Irlam.
The remainder of the month sees matches against sides in the middle to lower reaches of the table and the target will be to convert draws into victories to maintain the pressure on the sides currently above them. Those matches start this Saturday as AFC Darwen welcome Town to the WEC Group Anchor Ground.
Hosts AFC Darwen will have been somewhat chastened by the defeat at Bootle last Saturday and will be looking to bounce back. It’s fair to say that this has not been the best of seasons for AFC Darwen as they sit one place above the relegation line in 19th position but with a significant buffer between themselves and 20th place. More points will be needed as the season draws on but nothing will be easy in this match.
Fifth placed are Runcorn Linnets who heard this week that the planning permission for their new clubhouse has been granted. It’s an exciting time off the field for Linnets with much to look forward to as the whole site at Murdishaw Avenue is redeveloped.
On the field the need to keep picking up points as the side chase that elusive promotion slot is clear. The last month has seen manager Michael Ellison strengthen his defensive options and more additions to the squad may well be coming as we get close to the time of the season when clubs in contention for honours look to gain even more momentum.
The side will have been disappointed to come away with only one point from the match away at New Mills last Saturday having been 2 goals to the good early in the second half. Linnets are on the road again on Saturday as they visit the Recreation Ground to take on West Didsbury & Chorlton.
West were in action in the Manchester Premier Cup in midweek at FC United of Manchester. The result of that match doesn’t really reflect the performance of West in what was an enjoyable evening, enhanced by their magnificent supporters.
In the League, recent form has been patchy and they may have to go some to better the league position achieved at the end of last season but there remain plenty of points to play for. The many initiatives to promote the club are bearing fruit, with increasing attendances for home matches generating a good atmosphere.
Somewhat variable early season form, coupled with a number of postponements, saw Winsford United languishing in the bottom half of the table. But recent form has been excellent with 12 points out of 12 in the most recent league matches and the only defeat in that period coming on penalties after extra time away at National League North side Stockport County in the Cheshire Senior Cup.
With games in hand over the sides above them in a congested mid table, the Blues will work hard to continue their good run to move up the table. The first opportunity to put that into practice comes when they visit Maine Road on Saturday.
Maine Road sit comfortably in mid table and are looking to push on to better their points total from last season. They are well on track to do that with a side which, as ever, is focussed on youth. Recent matches have seen a number of draws including one against promotion chasing 1874 Northwich and a stern test against an in form side awaits on Saturday.
At the wrong end of the League table, Cammell Laird 1907 have a free Saturday following their hard earned point away at Ashton Athletic last Saturday. This Saturday it’s the turn of another side at the bottom end of the table to visit Brocstedes Park as New Mills make the trip over from Derbyshire.
In what sounds to have been a lively match last Saturday, New Mills came back from 2-0 down to draw at home to Runcorn Linnets and, thus, register a valuable point in their mission to escape from the bottom three. Following something of a stormy Christmas period, New Mills are now beginning to settle under new manager Calum Sykes and this match on Saturday is another opportunity to gain valuable league points.
That draw brought to an end a 10 match losing streak and all at Church Lane will hope that the corner has been turned and that there are better times on the horizon.
For their part, Ashton Athletic tend to win matches by decent margins and none more so than a memorable 7-2 win over EvoStik First Division North outfit Mossley in the Emirates FA Cup back in September. The transfer of the free scoring Isaac Kusaloka to Runcorn Town will be a loss but there remains enough goalscoring threat in the team to make opposing defences pay attention.
The remaining side in the bottom three are Nelson and they travel to the Ambitek Stadium on Saturday to take on Irlam in their continuing quest for elusive league points.
The home side for this match have had a decent first season in the Premier Division but form has dropped away somewhat recently following a good start. Just one point from the last possible 18 is poor return and the side could consider Saturday’s match as an opportunity to start to put things right.
Equally, Nelson may well be looking at this match against a side in poor form as a chance for them to get some much needed points as they try to bridge to gap up to the safety of 19th place. The Admirals may like to look back a couple of weeks to a thumping 7-4 win over New Mills, in which the experienced Jason Hart bagged a hat trick, as inspiration ahead of this match.
Hanley Town were promoted to the Premier Division as First Division Champions at the end of last season and have more than held their own at the higher level. Theo Stair returned to the side last month and has shown his quality immediately by taking the opposition man of the match nomination in all of the three matches he has played. Hanley are a tough side to beat and can be very creative. I was privileged to watch them beat Saturday’s opponents Barnton 6-0 in the reverse fixture on a Monday night back in September.
Barnton travel to Staffordshire with something of a variable recent record. With the well travelled McShane brothers anchoring the midfield, Barnton have a number of very experienced players at this level and results have, overall, started to improve a little recently. With much activity going on off the field as improvements are made at the Hinchliffe Homes Stadium, the side will need to work extremely hard to reverse that home defeat in September.
Our final match this week sees Congleton Town head to East Manchester to take on Abbey Hey.
Abbey had a fine win away at Squires Gate last Saturday with Gareth Wager, returned to the club following a long sojourn at Bacup Borough, influential in defence. Abbey occupy one of the positions in the crowded area in the middle of the league table with a playing record this season which is almost symmetrical. A 10th place finish in the League last season was a good performance but the side will look to improve upon that this season and are well placed to do so.
Congleton Town finished in sixth place at the end of last season but are struggling to reach such heights this term. They lie in 15th place currently but such is the crowded nature of mid table, any side which can string a few wins together will move up in the rankings. Having said that, recent form is poor despite a satisfying home win over Maine Road last Saturday in which the well travelled Rick Bailey contributed a brace.
There perhaps doesn’t seem to be a lot to play for in this match but with both sides ambitious to show season on season improvement there will be no quarter asked or given in what is sure to be a competitive match.
The more superstitious amongst us, including me, have stopped watching weather forecasts at this time of the year so, with no predictions whatsoever, let’s hope that all is well and that all of these matches can go ahead. Wherever you enjoy your live football this Saturday, enjoy the match!
