Premier Division Preview - Saturday 25th November 2017
Fri 24th November 2017 | General | By Dave Rowland
The Premier Division fixture list on Saturday is perhaps one of the most unpredictable set of games, results-wise, that any previous weekend has thrown up.
The teams are so evenly matched it would require a psychic of eminent authority to decipher the eventual outcome of each game.
Early strugglers Barnton travel to the Abbey Stadium (2.00pm kick off) with just two wins from the previous five games. The question must be asked as to whether they can turn things around against Abbey Hey who themselves have been showing inconsistent form of late - although four victories from their last seven outings indicates that on their day they are a force to be reckoned with.
The Bootle versus Runcorn Town match has the hallmark, if you excuse the pun, of the proverbial ‘six pointer’ about it.
Before even a ball was kicked this season, both clubs were most people’s favourites to be amongst the leading pack this term and that prediction, so far, looks like being right.
Town have come out of the blocks with all ‘guns blazing’ but Bootle has home advantage and will be keen to play catch up on the league leaders. There is no doubting that this particular match will be a most intriguing contest.
Newcomers Burscough, have endured a difficult start to life back in the Hallmark Security League following a twenty year absence but are, perhaps, a much better side than their league position suggests.
Manager Dave Sutton is striving to rebuild the team following the trauma of relegation last time out but they face AFC Darwen at Victoria Park, another side who are much better than their present league standing indicates.
Burscough will have been encouraged with the 2-1 success last Saturday at basement side Barnton but this game could still go either way.
Congleton Town play host to promoted City Of Liverpool at Booth Street, with both teams having shown a little inconsistency over the first months of the season.
‘The Purps’ are capable of beating any team in the division on their day but ‘The Bears’ can raise their game against any of the fancied sides and will not be easy to overcome, especially on home soil.
Steve Wilkes appears to be turning Northwich Victoria’s season around after a somewhat modest start to the campaign after taking over the reins recently.
His knowledge and knowhow of the League should stand him in good stead as he battles to steady the ship at ’Vics’ following quite a few seasons of upheaval at the Cheshire club.
Their opponents, newly promoted Charnock Richard, will be no easy pushover and this promises to be a finely balanced game.
Steve’s former club, Padiham host the other Northwich side, 1874 Northwich at the Arbories and here too again the fixture is a difficult one to predict.
After a somewhat shaky start ‘The Storks’ have shown a good deal of improvement recently, having won three and drawn one of their last six games. The home side may just have the advantage in this one but the Northwich lads have the ability to upset the form books.
Runcorn Linnets and Ashton Athletic will be one of the ‘must see matches’ in the League this weekend. Linnets will be very keen to steal a march on their local rivals and table-toppers, Runcorn Town, should Town stumble at Bootle.
Squires Gate have started to improve recently after a very unsteady start to the campaign and have steadily moved up the Premier Division table into a comfortable mid-table position.
They will be keen to maintain that situation as they welcome Mancunians, Maine Road to the Brian Addison Stadium for what promises to be an entertaining game. The young Maine Road side should provide ‘Gate’ with a few problems as the Brantingham Road outfit strive to lift themselves from the threat of relegation.
West Didsbury & Chorlton welcome AFC Liverpool to the Recreation Ground in what promises to be yet another close encounter. The Liverpool side won 4-2 at home last weekend against AFC Darwen to move out of the relegation zone and will be keen to continue gathering precious points. West Didsbury have lost a little momentum of late and will be looking to get back on track.
Widnes face Irlam at the Select Security Stadium and will be looking to return to winning ways at home after losing their last couple of league games on home soil. Irlam will be still smarting from their 0-4 home defeat against a resurgent Padiham last Saturday.
Winsford United play host to form team Hanley Town at the Barton Stadium. This match promises to be a real cliff-hanger with both sides capable gaining all three points on offer.
Hanley Town have shown great resilience this season and impressed last weekend when they emphasised their title aspirations with a confident 4-0 home win over Abbey Hey. Winsford United though have proved this season that they are no pushover.
All Saturday’s fixtures look like being closely run affairs. Indeed, this weekend’s Premier Division matches typify the tightness of the competition from top to bottom. It also indicates the strength in depth of the top tier of the Hallmark Security League.
Premier Division Preview - Saturday 25th November 2017
Fri 24th November 2017 | General
By Dave Rowland
The Premier Division fixture list on Saturday is perhaps one of the most unpredictable set of games, results-wise, that any previous weekend has thrown up.
The teams are so evenly matched it would require a psychic of eminent authority to decipher the eventual outcome of each game.
Early strugglers Barnton travel to the Abbey Stadium (2.00pm kick off) with just two wins from the previous five games. The question must be asked as to whether they can turn things around against Abbey Hey who themselves have been showing inconsistent form of late - although four victories from their last seven outings indicates that on their day they are a force to be reckoned with.
The Bootle versus Runcorn Town match has the hallmark, if you excuse the pun, of the proverbial ‘six pointer’ about it.
Before even a ball was kicked this season, both clubs were most people’s favourites to be amongst the leading pack this term and that prediction, so far, looks like being right.
Town have come out of the blocks with all ‘guns blazing’ but Bootle has home advantage and will be keen to play catch up on the league leaders. There is no doubting that this particular match will be a most intriguing contest.
Newcomers Burscough, have endured a difficult start to life back in the Hallmark Security League following a twenty year absence but are, perhaps, a much better side than their league position suggests.
Manager Dave Sutton is striving to rebuild the team following the trauma of relegation last time out but they face AFC Darwen at Victoria Park, another side who are much better than their present league standing indicates.
Burscough will have been encouraged with the 2-1 success last Saturday at basement side Barnton but this game could still go either way.
Congleton Town play host to promoted City Of Liverpool at Booth Street, with both teams having shown a little inconsistency over the first months of the season.
‘The Purps’ are capable of beating any team in the division on their day but ‘The Bears’ can raise their game against any of the fancied sides and will not be easy to overcome, especially on home soil.
Steve Wilkes appears to be turning Northwich Victoria’s season around after a somewhat modest start to the campaign after taking over the reins recently.
His knowledge and knowhow of the League should stand him in good stead as he battles to steady the ship at ’Vics’ following quite a few seasons of upheaval at the Cheshire club.
Their opponents, newly promoted Charnock Richard, will be no easy pushover and this promises to be a finely balanced game.
Steve’s former club, Padiham host the other Northwich side, 1874 Northwich at the Arbories and here too again the fixture is a difficult one to predict.
After a somewhat shaky start ‘The Storks’ have shown a good deal of improvement recently, having won three and drawn one of their last six games. The home side may just have the advantage in this one but the Northwich lads have the ability to upset the form books.
Runcorn Linnets and Ashton Athletic will be one of the ‘must see matches’ in the League this weekend. Linnets will be very keen to steal a march on their local rivals and table-toppers, Runcorn Town, should Town stumble at Bootle.
Squires Gate have started to improve recently after a very unsteady start to the campaign and have steadily moved up the Premier Division table into a comfortable mid-table position.
They will be keen to maintain that situation as they welcome Mancunians, Maine Road to the Brian Addison Stadium for what promises to be an entertaining game. The young Maine Road side should provide ‘Gate’ with a few problems as the Brantingham Road outfit strive to lift themselves from the threat of relegation.
West Didsbury & Chorlton welcome AFC Liverpool to the Recreation Ground in what promises to be yet another close encounter. The Liverpool side won 4-2 at home last weekend against AFC Darwen to move out of the relegation zone and will be keen to continue gathering precious points. West Didsbury have lost a little momentum of late and will be looking to get back on track.
Widnes face Irlam at the Select Security Stadium and will be looking to return to winning ways at home after losing their last couple of league games on home soil. Irlam will be still smarting from their 0-4 home defeat against a resurgent Padiham last Saturday.
Winsford United play host to form team Hanley Town at the Barton Stadium. This match promises to be a real cliff-hanger with both sides capable gaining all three points on offer.
Hanley Town have shown great resilience this season and impressed last weekend when they emphasised their title aspirations with a confident 4-0 home win over Abbey Hey. Winsford United though have proved this season that they are no pushover.
All Saturday’s fixtures look like being closely run affairs. Indeed, this weekend’s Premier Division matches typify the tightness of the competition from top to bottom. It also indicates the strength in depth of the top tier of the Hallmark Security League.
