Weekend round up - w/e Saturday 18th November 2017
Sun 19th November 2017 | General | By Patrick Burke
The first full round of Hallmark Security League fixtures in both divisions in three weeks did not disappoint.
In the Premier Division, leaders Runcorn Town could only watch on as their rivals took advantage of their inactivity; in the First Division, there were shocks aplenty as the top four were all beaten.
2nd placed Hanley Town are now just three points off the summit after they saw off Abbey Hey by four goals to nil at Potteries Park. Daniel Cope, the division’s top scorer, added two more to his tally for the season, a feat matched by Thomas Ashton as Town put an end to their visitors’ run of four straight away wins. Luke Gibson’s side remained 16th.
Runcorn Linnets in 3rd are only four points adrift of their neighbours, albeit having played a game more, after they recorded a 4-2 victory at home to Northwich Victoria. Mark Houghton scored twice before Mitchell Bryant and Paul Shanley put Linnets four to the good. Brian Matthews and Matthew Clarke hit back for Vics, but a five match winning streak in the league came to an end as they slipped to 12th.
Charnock Richard remain in the mix after a fine 3-0 triumph at Widnes. Carl Grimshaw gave the away team the lead, then Nathan Fairhurst from the penalty spot and Jonathan Hession made the points safe. The hosts dropped to 7th.
Bootle stayed 5th after a comfortable 4-0 win at Maine Road, Kieran Loughlin, Andrew Gillespie, Stephen Milne and Connor Ellis-Pratt sentencing the home side to their ninth successive defeat as they moved down to 21st.
Padiham were victorious by the same scoreline at Irlam as they climbed to 6th. Daniel Boyle, Ben Hoskin and Dominic Craig had the Storks in control at the break, and Spencer Jordan added another in the second half as the hosts fell a place to 15th.
City of Liverpool closed the gap on opponents Winsford United as Elliott Nevitt, John McGrath and Joseph Camozzi propelled them to a 3-1 victory, with Justin Pickering grabbing a late consolation for Winsford. The teams are now 9th and 8th respectively.
A 4-2 win for Ashton Athletic against Congleton Town moved the Yellows up to 10th place, despite having played just 12 league matches as a consequence of their cup runs. Christopher Webster, Marcus Cusani and Dale Korie-Butler put the hosts in control, and although the Bears threatened a comeback after quick-fire goals from Luke Edwards and Richard Peters, Korie-Butler hit Athletic’s fourth which kept Congleton in 17th place.
Squires Gate’s tremendous form under new manager Andy Clarkson came crashing to a halt as they were defeated 5-0 at Barnoldswick Town. Mark Threlfall and Zack Dale made it an uphill struggle early on for the visitors, and Andrew Hill, Matthew Cavanagh and Aaron Hollindrake all struck in the second half to move Barlick into the top half and Gate down to 13th.
14th placed West Didsbury & Chorlton have now lost six on the spin after a narrow 1-0 reverse at 1874 Northwich. Scott McGowan’s second half finish proved the difference between the teams; his side remain 18th, although they have played fewer league matches than anyone else.
There were two games between teams in the bottom five. In the first of those, AFC Liverpool overcame AFC Darwen 4-2 thanks to two goals apiece from Kevin Edgar and Daniel Boden. Lee Turner had struck for the visitors to make it 1-1, whilst Sidi Fofana cut the deficit late on.
The other saw Burscough’s resurgence continue as they won 2-1 at bottom club Barnton. Adam Gilchrist put the away team in front, and although Chris Smith equalised for the Villagers, Chad Whyte struck with 12 minutes to go to put his side up to 20th.
In the First Division, an extraordinary weekend of action left supporters with much to mull over!
After 17 consecutive victories, runaway leaders Silsden suffered their first set-back as they were beaten by Nathan Reid’s last minute goal at in-form Holker Old Boys, who moved up to 10th.
However, their lead at the summit remains 13 points after closest challengers Litherland REMYCA also lost in Cumbria, going down 2-1 at Carlisle City. David Renyard’s brace, including a winner 10 minutes from time, earned the team in 11th a huge three points. Paul Foy grabbed the REMYCA goal.
Prestwich Heys could have returned to 2nd, but they suffered a 3-0 defeat at Cammell Laird 1907. Two goals from Joe Malkin and a terrific volley from Kieran Hamm put Lairds 7th in the table.
Alsager Town had the opportunity to close the gap on the three teams above them, but they too were beaten 3-2 at home by 14th placed New Mills. Three goals in ten first-half minutes – two from Dennis Sherriff separated by a Robert Lofthouse free-kick – had the Millers in dreamland, and although late efforts from Jordan Cobley and Oliver Jepson made it an interesting finale, the nine men visitors held on.
One side who took advantage of those slip-ups was AFC Blackpool in 5th, who recorded a 2-1 home victory against Stockport Town to move within six points of the top two. Ben Duffield and Daniel Pickering had the hosts two to the good, and although Jamie Hinchliffe’s reduced the arrears for the Lions, he couldn’t prevent his side from slipping to 9th.
The action came in the last 15 minutes at Sandbach United as Andy Hockenhull’s men came from behind to win against Whitchurch Alport in a battle between two sides well in the play-off mix. Arron Johns put Alport in front, but goals from Ryan Allcock and Josh Lane kept Sandbach in 6th as the visitors dropped to 8th, though they do have games in hand on their rivals.
In an encounter between two teams who have been in strong form of late, FC Oswestry Town continued their revival as Alun Morris turned one point into three with just a minute to go at Atherton LR. Town remained 18th, whilst LR fell to 12th.
Two goals in the space of three second half minutes from Niall Barnes helped 15th placed Chadderton to complete their comeback at home to Abbey Hulton United, who had led through Joshua Walker but now sit 13th in the standings.
A place below Chaddy are Cheadle Town after they won 2-1 at Nelson, who continue to prop up the table. Thomas Ratican put Anthony Trucca’s team ahead, and although David Patrick responded for the Admirals, Richard Whyatt ensured that the visitors were not denied all three points.
Bacup Borough stayed 17th after a dramatic 2-1 triumph at 20th placed St Helens Town. Things were looking good for the home side when Luke Edwards fired them ahead early after the restart, but two goals including one in injury time from Matthew Bryan gave Brent Peters’ team a crucial away win.
The final game of the weekend saw Louis Downs’ opener for Eccleshall cancelled out by Daisy Hill’s Jordan Prescott as the pair drew 1-1 at New Sirs. The hosts are still 21st and the visitors 19th.
And so it was a remarkable Saturday which few could have predicted before the start of play! The results were testament to how competitive both divisions are this term, and it will be fascinating to see what surprises the Macron Cup has to throw up in the week!
Weekend round up - w/e Saturday 18th November 2017
Sun 19th November 2017 | General
By Patrick Burke
The first full round of Hallmark Security League fixtures in both divisions in three weeks did not disappoint.
In the Premier Division, leaders Runcorn Town could only watch on as their rivals took advantage of their inactivity; in the First Division, there were shocks aplenty as the top four were all beaten.
2nd placed Hanley Town are now just three points off the summit after they saw off Abbey Hey by four goals to nil at Potteries Park. Daniel Cope, the division’s top scorer, added two more to his tally for the season, a feat matched by Thomas Ashton as Town put an end to their visitors’ run of four straight away wins. Luke Gibson’s side remained 16th.
Runcorn Linnets in 3rd are only four points adrift of their neighbours, albeit having played a game more, after they recorded a 4-2 victory at home to Northwich Victoria. Mark Houghton scored twice before Mitchell Bryant and Paul Shanley put Linnets four to the good. Brian Matthews and Matthew Clarke hit back for Vics, but a five match winning streak in the league came to an end as they slipped to 12th.
Charnock Richard remain in the mix after a fine 3-0 triumph at Widnes. Carl Grimshaw gave the away team the lead, then Nathan Fairhurst from the penalty spot and Jonathan Hession made the points safe. The hosts dropped to 7th.
Bootle stayed 5th after a comfortable 4-0 win at Maine Road, Kieran Loughlin, Andrew Gillespie, Stephen Milne and Connor Ellis-Pratt sentencing the home side to their ninth successive defeat as they moved down to 21st.
Padiham were victorious by the same scoreline at Irlam as they climbed to 6th. Daniel Boyle, Ben Hoskin and Dominic Craig had the Storks in control at the break, and Spencer Jordan added another in the second half as the hosts fell a place to 15th.
City of Liverpool closed the gap on opponents Winsford United as Elliott Nevitt, John McGrath and Joseph Camozzi propelled them to a 3-1 victory, with Justin Pickering grabbing a late consolation for Winsford. The teams are now 9th and 8th respectively.
A 4-2 win for Ashton Athletic against Congleton Town moved the Yellows up to 10th place, despite having played just 12 league matches as a consequence of their cup runs. Christopher Webster, Marcus Cusani and Dale Korie-Butler put the hosts in control, and although the Bears threatened a comeback after quick-fire goals from Luke Edwards and Richard Peters, Korie-Butler hit Athletic’s fourth which kept Congleton in 17th place.
Squires Gate’s tremendous form under new manager Andy Clarkson came crashing to a halt as they were defeated 5-0 at Barnoldswick Town. Mark Threlfall and Zack Dale made it an uphill struggle early on for the visitors, and Andrew Hill, Matthew Cavanagh and Aaron Hollindrake all struck in the second half to move Barlick into the top half and Gate down to 13th.
14th placed West Didsbury & Chorlton have now lost six on the spin after a narrow 1-0 reverse at 1874 Northwich. Scott McGowan’s second half finish proved the difference between the teams; his side remain 18th, although they have played fewer league matches than anyone else.
There were two games between teams in the bottom five. In the first of those, AFC Liverpool overcame AFC Darwen 4-2 thanks to two goals apiece from Kevin Edgar and Daniel Boden. Lee Turner had struck for the visitors to make it 1-1, whilst Sidi Fofana cut the deficit late on.
The other saw Burscough’s resurgence continue as they won 2-1 at bottom club Barnton. Adam Gilchrist put the away team in front, and although Chris Smith equalised for the Villagers, Chad Whyte struck with 12 minutes to go to put his side up to 20th.
In the First Division, an extraordinary weekend of action left supporters with much to mull over!
After 17 consecutive victories, runaway leaders Silsden suffered their first set-back as they were beaten by Nathan Reid’s last minute goal at in-form Holker Old Boys, who moved up to 10th.
However, their lead at the summit remains 13 points after closest challengers Litherland REMYCA also lost in Cumbria, going down 2-1 at Carlisle City. David Renyard’s brace, including a winner 10 minutes from time, earned the team in 11th a huge three points. Paul Foy grabbed the REMYCA goal.
Prestwich Heys could have returned to 2nd, but they suffered a 3-0 defeat at Cammell Laird 1907. Two goals from Joe Malkin and a terrific volley from Kieran Hamm put Lairds 7th in the table.
Alsager Town had the opportunity to close the gap on the three teams above them, but they too were beaten 3-2 at home by 14th placed New Mills. Three goals in ten first-half minutes – two from Dennis Sherriff separated by a Robert Lofthouse free-kick – had the Millers in dreamland, and although late efforts from Jordan Cobley and Oliver Jepson made it an interesting finale, the nine men visitors held on.
One side who took advantage of those slip-ups was AFC Blackpool in 5th, who recorded a 2-1 home victory against Stockport Town to move within six points of the top two. Ben Duffield and Daniel Pickering had the hosts two to the good, and although Jamie Hinchliffe’s reduced the arrears for the Lions, he couldn’t prevent his side from slipping to 9th.
The action came in the last 15 minutes at Sandbach United as Andy Hockenhull’s men came from behind to win against Whitchurch Alport in a battle between two sides well in the play-off mix. Arron Johns put Alport in front, but goals from Ryan Allcock and Josh Lane kept Sandbach in 6th as the visitors dropped to 8th, though they do have games in hand on their rivals.
In an encounter between two teams who have been in strong form of late, FC Oswestry Town continued their revival as Alun Morris turned one point into three with just a minute to go at Atherton LR. Town remained 18th, whilst LR fell to 12th.
Two goals in the space of three second half minutes from Niall Barnes helped 15th placed Chadderton to complete their comeback at home to Abbey Hulton United, who had led through Joshua Walker but now sit 13th in the standings.
A place below Chaddy are Cheadle Town after they won 2-1 at Nelson, who continue to prop up the table. Thomas Ratican put Anthony Trucca’s team ahead, and although David Patrick responded for the Admirals, Richard Whyatt ensured that the visitors were not denied all three points.
Bacup Borough stayed 17th after a dramatic 2-1 triumph at 20th placed St Helens Town. Things were looking good for the home side when Luke Edwards fired them ahead early after the restart, but two goals including one in injury time from Matthew Bryan gave Brent Peters’ team a crucial away win.
The final game of the weekend saw Louis Downs’ opener for Eccleshall cancelled out by Daisy Hill’s Jordan Prescott as the pair drew 1-1 at New Sirs. The hosts are still 21st and the visitors 19th.
And so it was a remarkable Saturday which few could have predicted before the start of play! The results were testament to how competitive both divisions are this term, and it will be fascinating to see what surprises the Macron Cup has to throw up in the week!
