First Division Preview - 16th and 17th April
Sun 16th April 2017 | Match Reviews | By Martin Fallon
The Easter Weekend football feast continues over the next two days, with the majority of clubs in the First Division playing their second game of the Bank Holiday.
It all starts today with Ashton Town having the opportunity to climb off the bottom of the First Division as they host Stockport Town in the second of three Sunday matches as part of the Groundhop. It has been a long and arduous season for Ashton, who have lost 31 of their 37 games this season. However three of their four wins have come at home, with two of those coming in the last three weeks, and they will be boosted knowing that a win would take them above Eccleshall after yesterday's results.
It won't be easy though, with Stockport Town winning the reverse meeting in February 7-0. Dave Wild's men lost 5-1 at home to Cheadle Town on Good Friday in the "Stockport Derby", and will be looking to bounce back straight away. A win for them would see them climb to tenth, and with no prospects of a play off position, a top ten finish will be what they have set their sights on.
Onto tomorrow's games, and there are nine further games which will go a long way to shaping the final league placings with just two weeks of the season remaining. Regardless of what happens at Ashton, Eccleshall will have the opportunity to collect further points as Holker Old Boys make the 148 mile trip to Pershall Park in Staffordshire.
On Saturday, Eccleshall lost 5-0 away at Widnes, a result perhaps expected given the league placings and form of the two sides. However despite losing 11 of their last 12 games in the league, they have scored goals in the majority of those games, and will be confident of picking up a win against a Holker side in poor form themselves.
A 2-1 home loss to Silsden on Saturday made it just one win in the last 14 league games for them, and more worrying for them is the fact that they have scored just three goals in their last seven games. The first meeting between the sides finished 4-1 to Holker, but both teams lineups are unrecognisable for them, and it could be a good game to watch.
AFC Blackpool and Atherton LR ground out a 1-1 draw out Saturday, and although both sides could still finish in the bottom two, it was a crucial point for both. Blackpool travel to Bacup Borough, and they have been better on the road this season with 19 of their 28 points coming away from home. It was a five goal thriller between the two back in November, with Michael Gervin's hat-trick for Bacup sealing the win.
Gervin is no longer at Bacup, and it's goals that have been Bacup's weakness this season as they have failed to find the net in 18 of the 43 games that they have played. One of those came on Saturday when they drew 0-0 at home to Whitchurch Alport. Bacup have four games remaining, all of which are at home, and Brent Peters will be looking for his side to finish the season in good form.
As for Atherton LR, they face a trip across the hills to Silsden. Like Bacup, they have failed to score in 19 of their 44 games and have scored less goals than any other team. They have picked up four points in their last three games though, and will be boosted by knowing that a win tomorrow would keep them safe from finishing in the bottom two.
Silsden won the first meeting 1-0 on New Years Eve, and they come into this game having won four out of their last five games, with Danny Forrest looking to end the season in good form to give them confidence ahead of next season. At home though they haven't been in great form, losing three of their last four, so it could prove a close game.
Prestwich Heys travel to Carlisle City still harbouring hopes of a play-off spot in their first NWCFL season for 31 years. A 3-0 home loss to Charnock Richard on Saturday leaves them nine points from sixth place with five games to play, so a top six finish is unlikely, but they will be looking to bounce back straight away with what would be their 13th home win of the season.
Carlisle City have found life difficult in their first season in the league, and lost 1-0 at home to Chadderton on Saturday. However that was only their sixth loss at home this season, the same as high flying Whitchurch. Prior to Saturday's loss, they had lost just one of their previous five home games, so they will be confident of getting their own back for a 4-0 loss at Prestwich in September.
One of the games of the day sees league leaders Charnock Richard host Sandbach United. Charnock's 3-0 win at Prestwich on Saturday ensured that they will make the play-off's at least, but they will have automatic promotion on their minds after their ninth win in ten games. Charnock have won more league games than anybody, and they will be looking to continue this run tomorrow.
Sandbach are one of only two teams to win at home to Charnock this season, and completing the double over Charnock would inch them closer to securing a play-off spot. It's been a remarkable season on and off the field for Sandbach, and they will come into this game in good form having won their last three games including a 4-1 win at home to FC Oswestry Town on Saturday.
Widnes are in second and their win on Saturday also secured them a play-off spot. Widnes have not been top of the league since the second week of the season, but their form under Joey Dunn has been sensational. Of his 28 league games in charge, they have won 21 and lost just two. They have won their last ten in the league, and not conceded in their last six games - 551 minutes in total.
They travel to Chadderton with the Manchester side looking to complete a double after a 2-1 win in August. Chadderton players will be looking to secure their places in Thursday's Macron Cup Semi Final Second Leg, and they come into the game having won three of their last four games. Sandbach's result on Saturday means that they cannot reach the play-off's now, but they still have a lot to play for.
Litherland REMYCA are third in the league after their 4-1 win over Alsager Town on Saturday, a result that also secured a top six finish for them. They travel to fifth place Whitchurch Alport in what is the game of the day for me. REMYCA's position is largely due to their away form where they have won 15 of their 25 games, losing just two, which is the best in the league this season.
Whitchurch can still be caught by Prestwich, but a win would secure them at least the play-off's. Last season they won just twice, so 25 wins this season represents an astonishing turnaround. A goalless draw at Bacup Borough on Saturday means they are five points off top spot now, but they will want ensure that they win what is their final home game of the season to keep pressure on those above them.
City of Liverpool drew 2-2 at St Helens Town on Saturday and they host Cheadle Town at home tomorrow. They are four points off top spot but have the best goal difference in the league, and with three of their remaining four games at home, they will be hoping their large and vocal support can cheer them on to victory.
Cheadle have lost twice this season to City of Liverpool, in the league and the Reusch Cup, and they may be slightly disappointed with their 14th position after finishing in the play-off's last season. They showed what they can do with their biggest win of the season on Good Friday, with Rhys Webb scoring twice. He needs one more to make it 20 goals for the season.
Our final game sees FC Oswestry Town take on Alsager Town. Oswestry were looking for consolidation this season, and 13th place at present gives them plenty to build on for their second season. They have lost their last three games, including a 4-1 loss on Saturday, but they have scored 15 goals in their last 8 games so will be looking to bounce back to winning ways.
They will be confident of a win over an Alsager Town side that is bottom of the form table having lost their last six games. Its the worst time to experience such form, and they have now slipped to 8th place, ten points off the play-offs with just 12 to play for. Wayne Brotherton won't be happy with this form, and he will be looking for four wins to finish the season to give him something to build on next season.
First Division Preview - 16th and 17th April
Sun 16th April 2017 | Match Reviews
By Martin Fallon
The Easter Weekend football feast continues over the next two days, with the majority of clubs in the First Division playing their second game of the Bank Holiday.
It all starts today with Ashton Town having the opportunity to climb off the bottom of the First Division as they host Stockport Town in the second of three Sunday matches as part of the Groundhop. It has been a long and arduous season for Ashton, who have lost 31 of their 37 games this season. However three of their four wins have come at home, with two of those coming in the last three weeks, and they will be boosted knowing that a win would take them above Eccleshall after yesterday's results.
It won't be easy though, with Stockport Town winning the reverse meeting in February 7-0. Dave Wild's men lost 5-1 at home to Cheadle Town on Good Friday in the "Stockport Derby", and will be looking to bounce back straight away. A win for them would see them climb to tenth, and with no prospects of a play off position, a top ten finish will be what they have set their sights on.
Onto tomorrow's games, and there are nine further games which will go a long way to shaping the final league placings with just two weeks of the season remaining. Regardless of what happens at Ashton, Eccleshall will have the opportunity to collect further points as Holker Old Boys make the 148 mile trip to Pershall Park in Staffordshire.
On Saturday, Eccleshall lost 5-0 away at Widnes, a result perhaps expected given the league placings and form of the two sides. However despite losing 11 of their last 12 games in the league, they have scored goals in the majority of those games, and will be confident of picking up a win against a Holker side in poor form themselves.
A 2-1 home loss to Silsden on Saturday made it just one win in the last 14 league games for them, and more worrying for them is the fact that they have scored just three goals in their last seven games. The first meeting between the sides finished 4-1 to Holker, but both teams lineups are unrecognisable for them, and it could be a good game to watch.
AFC Blackpool and Atherton LR ground out a 1-1 draw out Saturday, and although both sides could still finish in the bottom two, it was a crucial point for both. Blackpool travel to Bacup Borough, and they have been better on the road this season with 19 of their 28 points coming away from home. It was a five goal thriller between the two back in November, with Michael Gervin's hat-trick for Bacup sealing the win.
Gervin is no longer at Bacup, and it's goals that have been Bacup's weakness this season as they have failed to find the net in 18 of the 43 games that they have played. One of those came on Saturday when they drew 0-0 at home to Whitchurch Alport. Bacup have four games remaining, all of which are at home, and Brent Peters will be looking for his side to finish the season in good form.
As for Atherton LR, they face a trip across the hills to Silsden. Like Bacup, they have failed to score in 19 of their 44 games and have scored less goals than any other team. They have picked up four points in their last three games though, and will be boosted by knowing that a win tomorrow would keep them safe from finishing in the bottom two.
Silsden won the first meeting 1-0 on New Years Eve, and they come into this game having won four out of their last five games, with Danny Forrest looking to end the season in good form to give them confidence ahead of next season. At home though they haven't been in great form, losing three of their last four, so it could prove a close game.
Prestwich Heys travel to Carlisle City still harbouring hopes of a play-off spot in their first NWCFL season for 31 years. A 3-0 home loss to Charnock Richard on Saturday leaves them nine points from sixth place with five games to play, so a top six finish is unlikely, but they will be looking to bounce back straight away with what would be their 13th home win of the season.
Carlisle City have found life difficult in their first season in the league, and lost 1-0 at home to Chadderton on Saturday. However that was only their sixth loss at home this season, the same as high flying Whitchurch. Prior to Saturday's loss, they had lost just one of their previous five home games, so they will be confident of getting their own back for a 4-0 loss at Prestwich in September.
One of the games of the day sees league leaders Charnock Richard host Sandbach United. Charnock's 3-0 win at Prestwich on Saturday ensured that they will make the play-off's at least, but they will have automatic promotion on their minds after their ninth win in ten games. Charnock have won more league games than anybody, and they will be looking to continue this run tomorrow.
Sandbach are one of only two teams to win at home to Charnock this season, and completing the double over Charnock would inch them closer to securing a play-off spot. It's been a remarkable season on and off the field for Sandbach, and they will come into this game in good form having won their last three games including a 4-1 win at home to FC Oswestry Town on Saturday.
Widnes are in second and their win on Saturday also secured them a play-off spot. Widnes have not been top of the league since the second week of the season, but their form under Joey Dunn has been sensational. Of his 28 league games in charge, they have won 21 and lost just two. They have won their last ten in the league, and not conceded in their last six games - 551 minutes in total.
They travel to Chadderton with the Manchester side looking to complete a double after a 2-1 win in August. Chadderton players will be looking to secure their places in Thursday's Macron Cup Semi Final Second Leg, and they come into the game having won three of their last four games. Sandbach's result on Saturday means that they cannot reach the play-off's now, but they still have a lot to play for.
Litherland REMYCA are third in the league after their 4-1 win over Alsager Town on Saturday, a result that also secured a top six finish for them. They travel to fifth place Whitchurch Alport in what is the game of the day for me. REMYCA's position is largely due to their away form where they have won 15 of their 25 games, losing just two, which is the best in the league this season.
Whitchurch can still be caught by Prestwich, but a win would secure them at least the play-off's. Last season they won just twice, so 25 wins this season represents an astonishing turnaround. A goalless draw at Bacup Borough on Saturday means they are five points off top spot now, but they will want ensure that they win what is their final home game of the season to keep pressure on those above them.
City of Liverpool drew 2-2 at St Helens Town on Saturday and they host Cheadle Town at home tomorrow. They are four points off top spot but have the best goal difference in the league, and with three of their remaining four games at home, they will be hoping their large and vocal support can cheer them on to victory.
Cheadle have lost twice this season to City of Liverpool, in the league and the Reusch Cup, and they may be slightly disappointed with their 14th position after finishing in the play-off's last season. They showed what they can do with their biggest win of the season on Good Friday, with Rhys Webb scoring twice. He needs one more to make it 20 goals for the season.
Our final game sees FC Oswestry Town take on Alsager Town. Oswestry were looking for consolidation this season, and 13th place at present gives them plenty to build on for their second season. They have lost their last three games, including a 4-1 loss on Saturday, but they have scored 15 goals in their last 8 games so will be looking to bounce back to winning ways.
They will be confident of a win over an Alsager Town side that is bottom of the form table having lost their last six games. Its the worst time to experience such form, and they have now slipped to 8th place, ten points off the play-offs with just 12 to play for. Wayne Brotherton won't be happy with this form, and he will be looking for four wins to finish the season to give him something to build on next season.
