Premier Division Preview - Saturday 29th April 2017
Fri 28th April 2017 | General | By Patrick Burke
264 days on from the night when the Premier Division campaign began with Barnton beating Ashton Athletic, it all comes to a close on Saturday. There are no promotion or relegation issues to be determined, but this a league where teams will give it their all regardless!
We now know the winners of the Hallmark Security League 2016/17, Atherton Collieries’ 1-0 triumph over Abbey Hey on Monday night bringing the Premier Division trophy to the Kensite Stadium.
They have shown all the qualities of champions, edging narrow encounters like the one on Monday whilst showing their class by winning by four or more goals on seven occasions to accrue 100 points.
15 league victories from 17 since the turn of the year is championship winning form. One of just two defeats in 2017, however, was against Runcorn Town, who will be hoping to round off an excellent season by beating the top two in consecutive matches.
They came from 2-0 down to defeat Bootle on Wednesday evening, Craig Cairns grabbing his 51st goal of an amazing year. A point will likely ensure 3rd place and see them finish above Runcorn Linnets for the first time since 2012/13.
Bootle, who barring an improbable swing in goal difference will finish 2nd, have also had a phenomenal campaign: 131 league goals is 21 more than their nearest rivals. Cox, Jones and Peers are responsible for 96 of those, and the Bucks had won six league games on the bounce prior to losing at Pavilions.
Joe Doran’s men host another free-scoring side in 6th placed West Didsbury & Chorlton. Five consecutive wins, in which West have struck 18 times, have taken them beyond the 100 goal mark, so supporters would be right to expect entertainment aplenty at the Delta Taxis Stadium!
Runcorn Linnets in 4th are another team who will be delighted with their efforts in 2016/17. A run of eight successive victories, including away at three of the top five, was ended by a goalless draw at Hanley Town and then a 3-2 defeat at Squires Gate, but a return to winning ways on Saturday would see them hit 90 points.
They host an AFC Darwen side who, despite sitting 18th, are finishing the season reasonably well, beating Irlam and Squires Gate in two of their last three matches. Linnets may have triumphed 3-0 in the reverse fixture three weeks ago, but will have to keep an eye on Nicholas Hepple, who has bagged seven goals in his last five.
1874 Northwich are assured of 5th place, and retained the Mid Cheshire Senior Cup on Wednesday with victory over Northwich Victoria. They have now won four of their last six in all competitions, so should be in buoyant mood ahead of the visit of 21st placed Nelson.
The Admirals will finish second from bottom and compete in the First Division next season, but before that they return to the ground where they were defeated 2-0 by Winsford United in the week which extended their winless run to eight matches.
However, giving some talented young players vital experience in the Premier Division will hopefully serve them well in their attempts to bounce straight back.
Continuing the theme of success stories, both Padiham and Barnton can be pleased with their respective campaigns, and the two meet at the YESSS Electrical Arena. The hosts are 7th after losing at New Mills in the week, but are seeking a fourth straight home victory after beating AFC Liverpool 3-0 on Monday night.
Barnton are 16th, and manager Steve Lloyd deserves enormous credit for the way he has largely re-built the side after they won promotion via the play-offs last May. A 2-0 win at Barnoldswick Town on Tuesday night is a mark of how far they have come, and they have now lost just one of their last six.
Leading the way for the newly promoted sides are Irlam, who will be thrilled to finish 8th in their debut Premier Division campaign. Steve Nixon’s team lost to AFC Darwen on Wednesday, but taking 63 points at this level, including eight victories from their last eleven, is no mean feat.
They travel to a Cammell Laird 1907 team who have been stranded to the foot of the table since September. However, Mick McGraa has integrated some very promising local talent into the team of late, reflected in a recent six game unbeaten run which culminated in them pick up arguably their best result of the season by winning 2-0 at Saturday’s opponents.
They were thrashed 6-1 at West Didsbury & Chorlton last weekend, so need a positive result to put that behind them.
Ashton Athletic will want maximum points from their visit to Maine Road in order to make sure of 9th place. They have had great success in the FA Cup and Lancashire Challenge Trophy this season, but just one defeat in their last seven suggests they are ending their league campaign on a high too.
15th placed Road’s recent form is the opposite, Monday’s 3-0 reverse against West Didsbury & Chorlton leaving them on a five match winless run, although victory could take them as high as 12th.
Both AFC Liverpool and Hanley Town will be hoping to break out of their dips in form when the two meet at the Marine Travel Arena. The hosts have gone eight games without a win, leaving them in 12th place.
The visitors have had a fantastic first season in the Premier Division, sitting two places above their opponents in 10th, and they will not be caught unless they lose very heavily. However, they haven’t tasted victory in their last five, blowing a 2-0 lead to lose at home to Barnoldswick Town last weekend.
On the subject of Barlick, they have had a very busy end to the season, with Saturday’s home game against Winsford United their fourth since that win at Hanley. They picked up a remarkable 7-2 victory against Runcorn Town on Monday, lost to Barnton at the Silentnight Stadium 24 hours later but bounced back by beating AFC Liverpool on Thursday.
With Danny Craig’s team sitting 11th and with a Macron Cup final to look forward to, it’s been a strong season for the division’s most northerly team. After a slow start, the same applies for Winsford. They sit 13th in the table, but will be keen to avoid the campaign petering out after losing seven of their last nine.
After ending last season in 6th, Congleton Town have struggled to hit the same heights this time around, currently sitting 17th. Last Saturday’s 3-0 triumph at Nelson was significant, putting an end to a run of ten games without a win, though ironically their previous one was by the same scoreline at Saturday’s opponents Abbey Hey.
Luke Gibson’s team make the journey on the back of just one victory from their last ten, although their last three games have been narrow defeats to the top two in all fairness. They are 14th at the moment, but a win and other results going for them could move them into the top half.
And to round off the preview not just for this weekend but for this season, the fixture in Derbyshire between New Mills and Squires Gate sees the teams separated by just one place. The importance of that, though, is that the hosts will pit their wits in the First Division next year, whilst Gate will remain where they are.
A recent resurgence from Calum Sykes’ Millers, which has seen them win four of their last five home games including against Padiham on Wednesday, has just come too late from their point of view.
Danny Penswick’s visitors secured their safety with victory over Linnets last Saturday - not a bad way to pick up your first three points since January!
So that’s it: eleven more fixtures across one day before a three month lull from competitive football. It’s been another year where anyone has been able to beat anyone; hopefully everyone has enjoyed it!
Premier Division Preview - Saturday 29th April 2017
Fri 28th April 2017 | General
By Patrick Burke
264 days on from the night when the Premier Division campaign began with Barnton beating Ashton Athletic, it all comes to a close on Saturday. There are no promotion or relegation issues to be determined, but this a league where teams will give it their all regardless!
We now know the winners of the Hallmark Security League 2016/17, Atherton Collieries’ 1-0 triumph over Abbey Hey on Monday night bringing the Premier Division trophy to the Kensite Stadium.
They have shown all the qualities of champions, edging narrow encounters like the one on Monday whilst showing their class by winning by four or more goals on seven occasions to accrue 100 points.
15 league victories from 17 since the turn of the year is championship winning form. One of just two defeats in 2017, however, was against Runcorn Town, who will be hoping to round off an excellent season by beating the top two in consecutive matches.
They came from 2-0 down to defeat Bootle on Wednesday evening, Craig Cairns grabbing his 51st goal of an amazing year. A point will likely ensure 3rd place and see them finish above Runcorn Linnets for the first time since 2012/13.
Bootle, who barring an improbable swing in goal difference will finish 2nd, have also had a phenomenal campaign: 131 league goals is 21 more than their nearest rivals. Cox, Jones and Peers are responsible for 96 of those, and the Bucks had won six league games on the bounce prior to losing at Pavilions.
Joe Doran’s men host another free-scoring side in 6th placed West Didsbury & Chorlton. Five consecutive wins, in which West have struck 18 times, have taken them beyond the 100 goal mark, so supporters would be right to expect entertainment aplenty at the Delta Taxis Stadium!
Runcorn Linnets in 4th are another team who will be delighted with their efforts in 2016/17. A run of eight successive victories, including away at three of the top five, was ended by a goalless draw at Hanley Town and then a 3-2 defeat at Squires Gate, but a return to winning ways on Saturday would see them hit 90 points.
They host an AFC Darwen side who, despite sitting 18th, are finishing the season reasonably well, beating Irlam and Squires Gate in two of their last three matches. Linnets may have triumphed 3-0 in the reverse fixture three weeks ago, but will have to keep an eye on Nicholas Hepple, who has bagged seven goals in his last five.
1874 Northwich are assured of 5th place, and retained the Mid Cheshire Senior Cup on Wednesday with victory over Northwich Victoria. They have now won four of their last six in all competitions, so should be in buoyant mood ahead of the visit of 21st placed Nelson.
The Admirals will finish second from bottom and compete in the First Division next season, but before that they return to the ground where they were defeated 2-0 by Winsford United in the week which extended their winless run to eight matches.
However, giving some talented young players vital experience in the Premier Division will hopefully serve them well in their attempts to bounce straight back.
Continuing the theme of success stories, both Padiham and Barnton can be pleased with their respective campaigns, and the two meet at the YESSS Electrical Arena. The hosts are 7th after losing at New Mills in the week, but are seeking a fourth straight home victory after beating AFC Liverpool 3-0 on Monday night.
Barnton are 16th, and manager Steve Lloyd deserves enormous credit for the way he has largely re-built the side after they won promotion via the play-offs last May. A 2-0 win at Barnoldswick Town on Tuesday night is a mark of how far they have come, and they have now lost just one of their last six.
Leading the way for the newly promoted sides are Irlam, who will be thrilled to finish 8th in their debut Premier Division campaign. Steve Nixon’s team lost to AFC Darwen on Wednesday, but taking 63 points at this level, including eight victories from their last eleven, is no mean feat.
They travel to a Cammell Laird 1907 team who have been stranded to the foot of the table since September. However, Mick McGraa has integrated some very promising local talent into the team of late, reflected in a recent six game unbeaten run which culminated in them pick up arguably their best result of the season by winning 2-0 at Saturday’s opponents.
They were thrashed 6-1 at West Didsbury & Chorlton last weekend, so need a positive result to put that behind them.
Ashton Athletic will want maximum points from their visit to Maine Road in order to make sure of 9th place. They have had great success in the FA Cup and Lancashire Challenge Trophy this season, but just one defeat in their last seven suggests they are ending their league campaign on a high too.
15th placed Road’s recent form is the opposite, Monday’s 3-0 reverse against West Didsbury & Chorlton leaving them on a five match winless run, although victory could take them as high as 12th.
Both AFC Liverpool and Hanley Town will be hoping to break out of their dips in form when the two meet at the Marine Travel Arena. The hosts have gone eight games without a win, leaving them in 12th place.
The visitors have had a fantastic first season in the Premier Division, sitting two places above their opponents in 10th, and they will not be caught unless they lose very heavily. However, they haven’t tasted victory in their last five, blowing a 2-0 lead to lose at home to Barnoldswick Town last weekend.
On the subject of Barlick, they have had a very busy end to the season, with Saturday’s home game against Winsford United their fourth since that win at Hanley. They picked up a remarkable 7-2 victory against Runcorn Town on Monday, lost to Barnton at the Silentnight Stadium 24 hours later but bounced back by beating AFC Liverpool on Thursday.
With Danny Craig’s team sitting 11th and with a Macron Cup final to look forward to, it’s been a strong season for the division’s most northerly team. After a slow start, the same applies for Winsford. They sit 13th in the table, but will be keen to avoid the campaign petering out after losing seven of their last nine.
After ending last season in 6th, Congleton Town have struggled to hit the same heights this time around, currently sitting 17th. Last Saturday’s 3-0 triumph at Nelson was significant, putting an end to a run of ten games without a win, though ironically their previous one was by the same scoreline at Saturday’s opponents Abbey Hey.
Luke Gibson’s team make the journey on the back of just one victory from their last ten, although their last three games have been narrow defeats to the top two in all fairness. They are 14th at the moment, but a win and other results going for them could move them into the top half.
And to round off the preview not just for this weekend but for this season, the fixture in Derbyshire between New Mills and Squires Gate sees the teams separated by just one place. The importance of that, though, is that the hosts will pit their wits in the First Division next year, whilst Gate will remain where they are.
A recent resurgence from Calum Sykes’ Millers, which has seen them win four of their last five home games including against Padiham on Wednesday, has just come too late from their point of view.
Danny Penswick’s visitors secured their safety with victory over Linnets last Saturday - not a bad way to pick up your first three points since January!
So that’s it: eleven more fixtures across one day before a three month lull from competitive football. It’s been another year where anyone has been able to beat anyone; hopefully everyone has enjoyed it!
