Premier Division Preview - 25th February 2017
Fri 24th February 2017 | General | By Gary Langley
You can barely get a sheet of paper between the top sides in the Premier Division at present, I was at the Kensite stadium last Saturday to watch Atherton Colls' and 1874 Northwich go head to head and there was very little between them on the day. It highlighted the fact that any of the top four or five could go up and they will be worthy of the accolade when that finish line approaches. Fixtures of that calibrate are scheduled to come thick and fast over the next few weeks so it really is time for any team staking a claim for that title to stand proud and make a go of it.
Looking at this weekend's Premier Division fixtures it's very much all to play for. The leaders on goal difference, Bootle, face a tricky looking fixture away to Winsford United at the St Lukes Stadium. Bootle did not play last weekend having had a midweek fixture against New Mills to contest, they were likely in football pools mode last weekend hoping for a draw at the said Colls'-1874 game but still held on to the top spot by virtue of goal difference. Winsford United also had a tricky weekend losing 0-2 at AFC Liverpool, a result that ended a solid run of form in the league so this looks a tricky game for both sides but a decent one to watch on paper.
Atherton Collieries host Congleton Town at the Kensite Stadium looking to continue their good run of form at the moment. Depending on the result at the above game, Colls' could stake a claim to go clear at the top if they take the points from this game. Congleton are unbeaten in their last three games though, that includes last weekend's 1-1 draw at home to Barnoldswick Town, however their last defeat was a month ago, ironically a 0-4 home defeat to this weekend's opponents.
Ashton Athletic will be looking to put the frustration of the postponement of their midweek Lancashire Challenge Cup semi-final as they welcome Runcorn Town to Brocstedes Park. Athletic have been fairly decent at home this season but will face a stern challenge in the form of Runcorn Town who will be pushing hard in order to get their title challenge back on track.
Irlam and Maine Road face off for the second time in a week, last Saturday saw Irlam take all three points late on in a thrilling game at Brantingham Road, winning the game by the odd goal in five and recording their first win in any competition since a league win away at Ashton Athletic back on the 10th December. For Maine Road they go into this game looking to arrest a run of four consecutive league defeats.
Barnoldswick Town Host Barnton at the Silentnight Stadium which both clubs clear of the relegation zone at present. Barlick' have up to six games in hand on the sides around them which should see them them comfortably safe by the time they catch up whilst Barnton have played more than many in that part of the table. This looks an evenly matched game but if either side can take the three points it should represent a huge step towards survival even at this early stage of the run-in.
Another even looking encounter looks likely at the YESSS Electrical Arena as Padiham and West Didsbury and Chorlton, who occupy seventh and eighth places respectively meet. Padiham were in cracking form up to the turn of the year but seem to have gone slightly off the boil of late, without a win in their last four games. West by their own usual high standards haven't really shown much of late with only one league win since mid December and having conceded eleven goals over their last four games are in a similar boat.
Hanley Town host AFC Liverpool in what's likely to be a tough encounter for both sides. Both teams play good football and build from the back and with similar form and not much separating them in the league this is likely to prove a good game to watch for the neutral.
Two teams fighting for their Premier Division lives go head to head at Church Road as 21st placed New Mills host 20th placed Nelson in a game that both sides need to win, a draw here would arguably suit neither. New Mills are without a league win since September and have shipped nineteen goals in their last five league games so they have issues to address at the back. Nelson have a little more cause for optimism as they go into this game off the back of two creditable 1-1 draws against Irlam on the road and Runcorn Town last weekend at home.
Abbey Hey and AFC Darwen meet at the Abbey Stadium with lots riding on the game for both teams. Abbey Hey are currently ninth and could put real pressure on the clubs above them with a win whilst AFC Darwen who are currently fourth from bottom could do the same on the bottom three if they take the spoils from the game.
Premier Division Preview - 25th February 2017
Fri 24th February 2017 | General
By Gary Langley
You can barely get a sheet of paper between the top sides in the Premier Division at present, I was at the Kensite stadium last Saturday to watch Atherton Colls' and 1874 Northwich go head to head and there was very little between them on the day. It highlighted the fact that any of the top four or five could go up and they will be worthy of the accolade when that finish line approaches. Fixtures of that calibrate are scheduled to come thick and fast over the next few weeks so it really is time for any team staking a claim for that title to stand proud and make a go of it.
Looking at this weekend's Premier Division fixtures it's very much all to play for. The leaders on goal difference, Bootle, face a tricky looking fixture away to Winsford United at the St Lukes Stadium. Bootle did not play last weekend having had a midweek fixture against New Mills to contest, they were likely in football pools mode last weekend hoping for a draw at the said Colls'-1874 game but still held on to the top spot by virtue of goal difference. Winsford United also had a tricky weekend losing 0-2 at AFC Liverpool, a result that ended a solid run of form in the league so this looks a tricky game for both sides but a decent one to watch on paper.
Atherton Collieries host Congleton Town at the Kensite Stadium looking to continue their good run of form at the moment. Depending on the result at the above game, Colls' could stake a claim to go clear at the top if they take the points from this game. Congleton are unbeaten in their last three games though, that includes last weekend's 1-1 draw at home to Barnoldswick Town, however their last defeat was a month ago, ironically a 0-4 home defeat to this weekend's opponents.
Ashton Athletic will be looking to put the frustration of the postponement of their midweek Lancashire Challenge Cup semi-final as they welcome Runcorn Town to Brocstedes Park. Athletic have been fairly decent at home this season but will face a stern challenge in the form of Runcorn Town who will be pushing hard in order to get their title challenge back on track.
Irlam and Maine Road face off for the second time in a week, last Saturday saw Irlam take all three points late on in a thrilling game at Brantingham Road, winning the game by the odd goal in five and recording their first win in any competition since a league win away at Ashton Athletic back on the 10th December. For Maine Road they go into this game looking to arrest a run of four consecutive league defeats.
Barnoldswick Town Host Barnton at the Silentnight Stadium which both clubs clear of the relegation zone at present. Barlick' have up to six games in hand on the sides around them which should see them them comfortably safe by the time they catch up whilst Barnton have played more than many in that part of the table. This looks an evenly matched game but if either side can take the three points it should represent a huge step towards survival even at this early stage of the run-in.
Another even looking encounter looks likely at the YESSS Electrical Arena as Padiham and West Didsbury and Chorlton, who occupy seventh and eighth places respectively meet. Padiham were in cracking form up to the turn of the year but seem to have gone slightly off the boil of late, without a win in their last four games. West by their own usual high standards haven't really shown much of late with only one league win since mid December and having conceded eleven goals over their last four games are in a similar boat.
Hanley Town host AFC Liverpool in what's likely to be a tough encounter for both sides. Both teams play good football and build from the back and with similar form and not much separating them in the league this is likely to prove a good game to watch for the neutral.
Two teams fighting for their Premier Division lives go head to head at Church Road as 21st placed New Mills host 20th placed Nelson in a game that both sides need to win, a draw here would arguably suit neither. New Mills are without a league win since September and have shipped nineteen goals in their last five league games so they have issues to address at the back. Nelson have a little more cause for optimism as they go into this game off the back of two creditable 1-1 draws against Irlam on the road and Runcorn Town last weekend at home.
Abbey Hey and AFC Darwen meet at the Abbey Stadium with lots riding on the game for both teams. Abbey Hey are currently ninth and could put real pressure on the clubs above them with a win whilst AFC Darwen who are currently fourth from bottom could do the same on the bottom three if they take the spoils from the game.
