Weekend Round Up - Saturday 22nd April 2017
Sun 23rd April 2017 | General | By Ian Templeman
An exciting finale to the season is on the cards over the next seven days, with the destination of both championship titles, automatic promotion places, and host clubs in play-off semi finals all to be decided by next Saturday.
In the Premier Division, Atherton Collieries need two points from their last two games to win the title, after their 2-0 win at Winsford United.
Colls took the lead on the stroke of half time courtesy of Jordan Cover, and captain Brad Cooke added a second goal with 20 minutes to go. With two home games left, they have two opportunities to clinch the title on home soil, starting with a game against Abbey Hey on Monday night.
Bootle are the only other team that can catch Colls at the top, and they are five points behind with two games remaining after a Ryan Cox goal earned them a 1-0 win at Abbey Hey.
Runcorn Linnets are in third place in the table despite losing 3-2 in an entertaining affair at Squires Gate. Daniel McKenna opened the scoring for Linnets and Tarren Moxon levelled for Gate before the break, and Brett Dawson put the home side ahead on 75 minutes but Stuart Wellstead equalised four minutes later.
But Dawson struck again in the 89th minute to win the game for Gate, and confirm their Premier Division status for next season.
Wins for Atherton Colls and Bootle meant that Runcorn Town can no longer win the league, but could still finish runners-up after a 2-0 win over Padiham at the Pavilions. Carl Rodgers opened the scoring on 21 minutes and Craig Cairns added a second from the penalty spot nine minutes into the second half.
At the other end of the table, New Mills' 1-0 defeat at Irlam means that they will play First Division football next season, a Jordan Icely goal after 12 minutes proving decisive.
The Millers' defeat also confirmed that AFC Darwen will be in the Premier Division next season, despite losing 3-1 at home to 1874 Northwich. A Nick Hepple goal gave Darwen a half time lead, but the Greens recovered after the break and goals from Scott McGowan, Adam Whitlock, Matthew Woolley earned them three points.
West Didsbury & Chorlton were the highest scorers of the day, with five different scorers sharing the goals in a 6-1 win over Cammell Laird 1907, Georgi Whyment scoring twice.
Barnoldswick Town can lay claim to the best comeback of the day, coming from behind to win 3-2 at Hanley Town, after Daniel Cope and Theo Stair had established a two goal lead for the home side after 13 minutes.
Zack Dale pulled a goal back seven minutes before half time, and second half goals from Aaron Hollindrake and Andrew Hill secured the win for Barlick.
Goals from Ryan Hibbert, Lee Jackson and Brian Matthews earned Congleton Town a 3-0 win at Nelson, and the other two games ended in draws, with Ashton Athletic being held 2-2 at home to AFC Liverpool after being two goals up, and Barnton drew 1-1 with Maine Road.
In the First Division, Widnes now need a point to guarantee promotion after a 2-1 win over Charnock Richard at the Select Security Stadium, in front of a club record crowd of 462.
Joey Dunn's men moved to the top of the table for the first time on the penultimate Saturday of the season after a close fought game against their promotion rivals.
A George Lomax header gave them the lead after 19 minutes, but a fine solo goal from Matthew Davison seven minutes later levelled for the visitors.
But Lomax struck again four minutes into the second half to ensure a precious three points, and all eyes are now on the game at AFC Blackpool on Tuesday, which takes place at the same time as City of Liverpool's home game against Charnock Richard.
City of Liverpool's 4-0 win at home to Prestwich Heys, in which Joseph Camozzi and John Connolly both scored twice, still keeps them in with a chance of automatic promotion, and they must win on Tuesday to keep those hopes up.
A CoL win would also mean Widnes lift the title if they win, while if Charnock Richard win they would gain automatic promotion, consigning both CoL and Litherland REMYCA to the play offs.
Daisy Hill held third place Litherland REMYCA to a 0-0 draw, and although Remy can still mathematically finish in a promotion place, it's looking unlikely with all their rivals in action in midweek.
The final two play off places are decided, with Whitchurch Alport's 0-0 draw at AFC Blackpool ending their hopes of automatic promotion, and the final place will be occupied by Sandbach United who won 1-0 at Holker Old Boys, meaning they cannot be caught now by Alsager Town or Prestwich Heys.
Alsager Town's 2-1 win over Silsden was ultimately in vain, Paul Taylor and Michael Lennon establishing a two goal lead before Nicholas McNally grabbed a consolation for the Cobbydalers at the end.
At the bottom of the First Division, Eccleshall and Ashton Town will finish in the bottom two relegation positions, although their relegation to Step 7 is subject to FA ratification after the end of the season.
Eccleshall now look favourites to finish above Ashton after a 2-1 win at Bacup Borough took them four points ahead with two games remaining for both clubs. Jamie Wildman and Jordan Bennion scored for the Eagles, both in the first half.
Ashton Town lost 4-1 at home to Chadderton, Lewis Lacy scoring twice for the visitors.
Elsewhere six different scorers were on target for Cheadle Town in the 6-1 win over Atherton LR, Michael Reed's second half goal was decisive in Carlisle City's 2-1 win over FC Oswestry Town, and Ben Halfacre scored for the second successive game in Stockport Town's 3-1 win over St Helens Town.
Weekend Round Up - Saturday 22nd April 2017
Sun 23rd April 2017 | General
By Ian Templeman
An exciting finale to the season is on the cards over the next seven days, with the destination of both championship titles, automatic promotion places, and host clubs in play-off semi finals all to be decided by next Saturday.
In the Premier Division, Atherton Collieries need two points from their last two games to win the title, after their 2-0 win at Winsford United.
Colls took the lead on the stroke of half time courtesy of Jordan Cover, and captain Brad Cooke added a second goal with 20 minutes to go. With two home games left, they have two opportunities to clinch the title on home soil, starting with a game against Abbey Hey on Monday night.
Bootle are the only other team that can catch Colls at the top, and they are five points behind with two games remaining after a Ryan Cox goal earned them a 1-0 win at Abbey Hey.
Runcorn Linnets are in third place in the table despite losing 3-2 in an entertaining affair at Squires Gate. Daniel McKenna opened the scoring for Linnets and Tarren Moxon levelled for Gate before the break, and Brett Dawson put the home side ahead on 75 minutes but Stuart Wellstead equalised four minutes later.
But Dawson struck again in the 89th minute to win the game for Gate, and confirm their Premier Division status for next season.
Wins for Atherton Colls and Bootle meant that Runcorn Town can no longer win the league, but could still finish runners-up after a 2-0 win over Padiham at the Pavilions. Carl Rodgers opened the scoring on 21 minutes and Craig Cairns added a second from the penalty spot nine minutes into the second half.
At the other end of the table, New Mills' 1-0 defeat at Irlam means that they will play First Division football next season, a Jordan Icely goal after 12 minutes proving decisive.
The Millers' defeat also confirmed that AFC Darwen will be in the Premier Division next season, despite losing 3-1 at home to 1874 Northwich. A Nick Hepple goal gave Darwen a half time lead, but the Greens recovered after the break and goals from Scott McGowan, Adam Whitlock, Matthew Woolley earned them three points.
West Didsbury & Chorlton were the highest scorers of the day, with five different scorers sharing the goals in a 6-1 win over Cammell Laird 1907, Georgi Whyment scoring twice.
Barnoldswick Town can lay claim to the best comeback of the day, coming from behind to win 3-2 at Hanley Town, after Daniel Cope and Theo Stair had established a two goal lead for the home side after 13 minutes.
Zack Dale pulled a goal back seven minutes before half time, and second half goals from Aaron Hollindrake and Andrew Hill secured the win for Barlick.
Goals from Ryan Hibbert, Lee Jackson and Brian Matthews earned Congleton Town a 3-0 win at Nelson, and the other two games ended in draws, with Ashton Athletic being held 2-2 at home to AFC Liverpool after being two goals up, and Barnton drew 1-1 with Maine Road.
In the First Division, Widnes now need a point to guarantee promotion after a 2-1 win over Charnock Richard at the Select Security Stadium, in front of a club record crowd of 462.
Joey Dunn's men moved to the top of the table for the first time on the penultimate Saturday of the season after a close fought game against their promotion rivals.
A George Lomax header gave them the lead after 19 minutes, but a fine solo goal from Matthew Davison seven minutes later levelled for the visitors.
But Lomax struck again four minutes into the second half to ensure a precious three points, and all eyes are now on the game at AFC Blackpool on Tuesday, which takes place at the same time as City of Liverpool's home game against Charnock Richard.
City of Liverpool's 4-0 win at home to Prestwich Heys, in which Joseph Camozzi and John Connolly both scored twice, still keeps them in with a chance of automatic promotion, and they must win on Tuesday to keep those hopes up.
A CoL win would also mean Widnes lift the title if they win, while if Charnock Richard win they would gain automatic promotion, consigning both CoL and Litherland REMYCA to the play offs.
Daisy Hill held third place Litherland REMYCA to a 0-0 draw, and although Remy can still mathematically finish in a promotion place, it's looking unlikely with all their rivals in action in midweek.
The final two play off places are decided, with Whitchurch Alport's 0-0 draw at AFC Blackpool ending their hopes of automatic promotion, and the final place will be occupied by Sandbach United who won 1-0 at Holker Old Boys, meaning they cannot be caught now by Alsager Town or Prestwich Heys.
Alsager Town's 2-1 win over Silsden was ultimately in vain, Paul Taylor and Michael Lennon establishing a two goal lead before Nicholas McNally grabbed a consolation for the Cobbydalers at the end.
At the bottom of the First Division, Eccleshall and Ashton Town will finish in the bottom two relegation positions, although their relegation to Step 7 is subject to FA ratification after the end of the season.
Eccleshall now look favourites to finish above Ashton after a 2-1 win at Bacup Borough took them four points ahead with two games remaining for both clubs. Jamie Wildman and Jordan Bennion scored for the Eagles, both in the first half.
Ashton Town lost 4-1 at home to Chadderton, Lewis Lacy scoring twice for the visitors.
Elsewhere six different scorers were on target for Cheadle Town in the 6-1 win over Atherton LR, Michael Reed's second half goal was decisive in Carlisle City's 2-1 win over FC Oswestry Town, and Ben Halfacre scored for the second successive game in Stockport Town's 3-1 win over St Helens Town.
