Premier Division Preview - 16th December 2017
Fri 15th December 2017 | General | By Gary Langley
LEAGUE PREVIEWS 16th December 2017
Well after the blizards, snowdrifts, snowmen and for some – barely a dusting, the Hallmark Security League returns for another weekend of action. Each season we anticipate disruption caused by the weather but this season it has pretty much arrived as expected. However, the fixture computer, we call like to call “John” has everything in hand and with plenty of fixtures on the horizon as the busy Christmas weeks approach we can rest easy knowing that there is a plan C-H if things get affected again.
Looking at this weekend let’s start with Ashton Athletic who welcome Abbey Hey Brocstedes Park with very little separating these two sides in the league table.
Over at Townfield, Barnton host Bootle in a game that is likely to produce goals. Bootle travel away well with one of the best away records in the Division although their recent form sees them in the middle of the form table with only one win and three defeats in their last four in all competitions. With a number of sides around them in the table having games in hand on The Sefton side, Bootle will be keen to address the issue of consistency to see if they can make a surge for those much coveted top two places.
Barnton are slightly adrift at the bottom of the table, twelve points from the bottom four dividing line and a further point away from escaping the bottom six if you are using that as the safety benchmark this season. It does not tell the full story though, as Barnton play some good football and score goals, in fact they have scored more goals than all bar one of the clubs between themselves and City of Liverpool in ninth and bagged four last weekend – Only for Squires Gate score six in the same game.
Burscough take on West Didsbury & Chorlton at Victoria Park with Burscough on the up at the moment having climbed to 20th place and on the brink of climbing out of the bottom four and more at the moment. West Didsbury & Chorlton have been sliding of late and currently sit just above the relegation zone(s), the difference in fortune is most visible in the form table with Burscough in the top ten and West Didsbury in the bottom two. A must-win for both one would suggest.
Maine Road and Barnoldswick Town face off at Brantringham Road with Maine Road looking for quick points to get themselves out of that bottom four. Barnoldswick Town have fayred much better of late and sit in tenth in the table with a defeat last weekend at Widnes being their first in four games, the previous three games has seen three straight wins of 4-0. 5-0 and 4-1 against Darwen, Squires Gate and West Didsbury & Chorlton respectively.
Runcorn Town will be looking to keep at least a couple of suitors with eyes on the top spot at bay as they face a tricky looking fixture at home to Squires Gate. With neighbours, Runcorn Linnets as well as Hanley Town within range the pressure is on Chris Herbert’s side who at one point had a reasonable lead at the summit, a lead that has been held since August 30th. I’ve had a debate with my colleague, Martin Fallon about their situation after pointing out they could drop as low as third, Mr Fallon had rightly pointed out that if results go Town’s way and they win they could go five points clear with a game in hand. At this point I shall leave go of my half empty glass!
Squires Gate currently sit twelfth and have their eyes on the top ten. Last weekend saw a tremendous game at the Brian Addison Stadium where Gate held off a strong challenge from Barnton in a free-scoring match which saw the Fylde Coast side win the game 6-4.
As previously mentioned, Runcorn Linnets could hit the summit this weekend, however their first hurdle will be to try and get past Padiham. The Linnets travel to East Lancs unbeaten in their last three league games which have taken place over the last six weeks such has been the impact of Cup progress and the impact from the weather. Padiham are also unbeaten in their last three games, a run which includes wins over Burscough and Northwich Victoria so this will be a stern test for both sides
City of Liverpool host 1874 Northwich at what is likely to be a cracking game between two footballing sides at the TDP Solicitors Stadium this Saturday. 1874 travel in fine form and go into this game on the back of eight successive wins in all competitions which includes progress in a number of cup competitions and in that run they’ve averaged over 2.5 goals per game.
City of Liverpool haven’t been so lucky in the Cup competitions of late and that has seen them collide with intermittent form. However, they did return to winning ways last weekend with a solid performance in a 4-0 home win over Maine Road, that result sees them ninth in the table. With games in hand though they are still not out of the mix and need only look at their opponents this weekend to see what a good run of form can do for ones season.
Charnock Richard and Widnes go head-to-Head in what looks like a mouth watering festival of football at Mossie Park on Saturday. Fifth placed Charnock Richard welcome fourth placed Widnes with both sides in the top three of the form table. Widnes have won seven of their last eight games in all competitions whilst Charnock Richard have only lost two of their last fourteen games, a run which also co-includes with Widnes’ last defeat which was a 3-0 win to Charnock Richard back on November 18th.
Hanley Town will look to make gains this weekend and indeed there is a permutation that could see them go top if other results go their way as they take on AFC Darwen at Potteries Park. Hanley have lost three of their last four games which is reflected by them being 17th in the divisional form table, however they have remained in contention for the top due to other clubs around them having games off or cancelled. Darwen remain second bottom in the table and eleven points adrift of seventh bottom West Didsbury & Chorlton which is by general concensus a likely safety line this season.
Eighth placed Winsford United take on 15th placed Congleton Town at St Lukes Barton Stadium with both clubs keen to clock up some points. Winsford are seventh in the form rankings at the moment and have three wins from their last four games whilst Congleton only one win in their equivalent, although Congleton are without a game since 2nd December so like many, they will be itching to play some football.
Premier Division Preview - 16th December 2017
Fri 15th December 2017 | General
By Gary Langley
LEAGUE PREVIEWS 16th December 2017
Well after the blizards, snowdrifts, snowmen and for some – barely a dusting, the Hallmark Security League returns for another weekend of action. Each season we anticipate disruption caused by the weather but this season it has pretty much arrived as expected. However, the fixture computer, we call like to call “John” has everything in hand and with plenty of fixtures on the horizon as the busy Christmas weeks approach we can rest easy knowing that there is a plan C-H if things get affected again.
Looking at this weekend let’s start with Ashton Athletic who welcome Abbey Hey Brocstedes Park with very little separating these two sides in the league table.
Over at Townfield, Barnton host Bootle in a game that is likely to produce goals. Bootle travel away well with one of the best away records in the Division although their recent form sees them in the middle of the form table with only one win and three defeats in their last four in all competitions. With a number of sides around them in the table having games in hand on The Sefton side, Bootle will be keen to address the issue of consistency to see if they can make a surge for those much coveted top two places.
Barnton are slightly adrift at the bottom of the table, twelve points from the bottom four dividing line and a further point away from escaping the bottom six if you are using that as the safety benchmark this season. It does not tell the full story though, as Barnton play some good football and score goals, in fact they have scored more goals than all bar one of the clubs between themselves and City of Liverpool in ninth and bagged four last weekend – Only for Squires Gate score six in the same game.
Burscough take on West Didsbury & Chorlton at Victoria Park with Burscough on the up at the moment having climbed to 20th place and on the brink of climbing out of the bottom four and more at the moment. West Didsbury & Chorlton have been sliding of late and currently sit just above the relegation zone(s), the difference in fortune is most visible in the form table with Burscough in the top ten and West Didsbury in the bottom two. A must-win for both one would suggest.
Maine Road and Barnoldswick Town face off at Brantringham Road with Maine Road looking for quick points to get themselves out of that bottom four. Barnoldswick Town have fayred much better of late and sit in tenth in the table with a defeat last weekend at Widnes being their first in four games, the previous three games has seen three straight wins of 4-0. 5-0 and 4-1 against Darwen, Squires Gate and West Didsbury & Chorlton respectively.
Runcorn Town will be looking to keep at least a couple of suitors with eyes on the top spot at bay as they face a tricky looking fixture at home to Squires Gate. With neighbours, Runcorn Linnets as well as Hanley Town within range the pressure is on Chris Herbert’s side who at one point had a reasonable lead at the summit, a lead that has been held since August 30th. I’ve had a debate with my colleague, Martin Fallon about their situation after pointing out they could drop as low as third, Mr Fallon had rightly pointed out that if results go Town’s way and they win they could go five points clear with a game in hand. At this point I shall leave go of my half empty glass!
Squires Gate currently sit twelfth and have their eyes on the top ten. Last weekend saw a tremendous game at the Brian Addison Stadium where Gate held off a strong challenge from Barnton in a free-scoring match which saw the Fylde Coast side win the game 6-4.
As previously mentioned, Runcorn Linnets could hit the summit this weekend, however their first hurdle will be to try and get past Padiham. The Linnets travel to East Lancs unbeaten in their last three league games which have taken place over the last six weeks such has been the impact of Cup progress and the impact from the weather. Padiham are also unbeaten in their last three games, a run which includes wins over Burscough and Northwich Victoria so this will be a stern test for both sides
City of Liverpool host 1874 Northwich at what is likely to be a cracking game between two footballing sides at the TDP Solicitors Stadium this Saturday. 1874 travel in fine form and go into this game on the back of eight successive wins in all competitions which includes progress in a number of cup competitions and in that run they’ve averaged over 2.5 goals per game.
City of Liverpool haven’t been so lucky in the Cup competitions of late and that has seen them collide with intermittent form. However, they did return to winning ways last weekend with a solid performance in a 4-0 home win over Maine Road, that result sees them ninth in the table. With games in hand though they are still not out of the mix and need only look at their opponents this weekend to see what a good run of form can do for ones season.
Charnock Richard and Widnes go head-to-Head in what looks like a mouth watering festival of football at Mossie Park on Saturday. Fifth placed Charnock Richard welcome fourth placed Widnes with both sides in the top three of the form table. Widnes have won seven of their last eight games in all competitions whilst Charnock Richard have only lost two of their last fourteen games, a run which also co-includes with Widnes’ last defeat which was a 3-0 win to Charnock Richard back on November 18th.
Hanley Town will look to make gains this weekend and indeed there is a permutation that could see them go top if other results go their way as they take on AFC Darwen at Potteries Park. Hanley have lost three of their last four games which is reflected by them being 17th in the divisional form table, however they have remained in contention for the top due to other clubs around them having games off or cancelled. Darwen remain second bottom in the table and eleven points adrift of seventh bottom West Didsbury & Chorlton which is by general concensus a likely safety line this season.
Eighth placed Winsford United take on 15th placed Congleton Town at St Lukes Barton Stadium with both clubs keen to clock up some points. Winsford are seventh in the form rankings at the moment and have three wins from their last four games whilst Congleton only one win in their equivalent, although Congleton are without a game since 2nd December so like many, they will be itching to play some football.
