Weekend round up - w/e Saturday 6th January 2018
Sun 7th January 2018 | General | By Ian Templeman
Although the weather once again tried its best to wreak havoc with the weekend's fixtures, in the end 15 games took place to deliver the first action of 2018 in both divisions.
In the Premier Division, the top remains Runcorn-led, with league leaders Linnets maintaining their five point lead over Town after both sides won their respective games.
Linnets were never in trouble away to Winsford United once a goal from Stuart Wellstead and a penalty from Danny O`Brien gave them a two goal lead after 35 minutes, and second half goals from Antony Hickey and Freddie Potter wrapped up a fine 4-0 win.
Meanwhile, Runcorn Town banked their first home win in four attempts with a 3-2 triumph over Barnoldswick Town at the Pavilions.
Inevitably, Town's leading scorer Craig Cairns made an impact on the game, with two goals either side of an effort from Mark Reed, after Barlick had established a 2-1 lead at half time through gaols from Matthew Cavanagh and Zach Dale.
Widnes kept their fine run of form going, with Bradley Smart's goal a minute before half time earning them a 1-0 win at Burscough. The result was their tenth win in succession in all competitions and keeps them in third place, albeit having played more games than those around them.
Charnock Richard kept up their fine form on the road, with their 2-1 win at Abbey Hey extending their unbeaten away run to 11 games, and keeps them in fourth place.
Jonathan Hession's opener for Charnock was cancelled out seven minutes later by Sam Freakes, but the ever prolific Carl Grimshaw struck five minutes from time to secure the points for the visitors.
City of Liverpool were the highest scorers of the day in the division, their 6-1 home win over West Didsbury & Chorlton being their fifth in six games. Thomas Peterson, John Connolly and Dean Shacklock all scored twice for the Purps in a win that moves them into 7th place.
One place behind them are Ashton Athletic, whose 2-0 win over Padiham at Brocstedes Park inflicted a third successive defeat on the Storks,. The Yellows left it late though, with the decisive goals from Joel Brownhill and Dale Korie-Butler arriving in the final three minutes of the game.
Elsewhere, goals from Alexander Pope and Jack Coop earned Maine Road a 2-0 home win over Irlam that moved them further away from the relegation places, while AFC Liverpool stay in the bottom four after they shared a 0-0 draw at home to Squires Gate
In the First Division, Silsden AFC continued their march ahead at the top of the table with a 6-0 home win over Eccleshall.
A hat trick from Joe Gaughan was the highlight of a win that also saw Mark Trueman, Christopher Wademan and manager Danny Forrest get on the scoresheet.
It was Gaughan's fourth hat trick of the season and his second against the Eagles.
With Litherland REMYCA, Prestwich Heys and Whitchurch Alport all inactive, Alsager Town had the chance to narrow the gap on those above them, and they picked up a point from a 3-3 draw at St Helens Town, after the home side had taken the lead three times.
It was a game with a dramatic finish too. Thomas Grimshaw's opener for St Helens was cancelled out by Paul Taylor four minutes later, and Paul Cliff restored St Helens' lead in the 65th minute.
Michael Lennon then equalised for Alsager in the 86th minute, Benjamin Bolton put St Helens ahead for the third time two minutes later, but Matthew German rescued a point for the Bullets with a 90th minute equaliser.
AFC Blackpool occupy the final play off spot after a 3-2 win over Daisy Hill at the Mechanics Ground.
The Tangerines took the lead with a close range finish from Benjamin Duffield in the 3rd minute, but a fine 30 yarder from Michael Gervin levelled for Daisy 20 minutes later.
Goals from James Corbett and a second from Duffield either side of half time put the home side in the driving seat, and although a second goal from Gervin set up an exciting finish, the home side held out to record their sixth win in seven games.
Cammell Laird 1907 kept in touch with the top six thanks to a 2-0 win at to Nelson, with Mark Bainbridge and Ben Holmes on target for Lairds.
Holker Old Boys moved up into ninth place after a 3-1 win at Stockport Town, with Danny Keenan, John-Paul Stanway and Nathan Reid on target for the Stags in what was only their second game since the opening days of December.
Elsewhere, a David Moore goal earned Atherton LR a 1-0 win at Carlisle City, and a Jack Harris strike delivered the same score for FC Oswestry Town at Chadderton.
Weekend round up - w/e Saturday 6th January 2018
Sun 7th January 2018 | General
By Ian Templeman
Although the weather once again tried its best to wreak havoc with the weekend's fixtures, in the end 15 games took place to deliver the first action of 2018 in both divisions.
In the Premier Division, the top remains Runcorn-led, with league leaders Linnets maintaining their five point lead over Town after both sides won their respective games.
Linnets were never in trouble away to Winsford United once a goal from Stuart Wellstead and a penalty from Danny O`Brien gave them a two goal lead after 35 minutes, and second half goals from Antony Hickey and Freddie Potter wrapped up a fine 4-0 win.
Meanwhile, Runcorn Town banked their first home win in four attempts with a 3-2 triumph over Barnoldswick Town at the Pavilions.
Inevitably, Town's leading scorer Craig Cairns made an impact on the game, with two goals either side of an effort from Mark Reed, after Barlick had established a 2-1 lead at half time through gaols from Matthew Cavanagh and Zach Dale.
Widnes kept their fine run of form going, with Bradley Smart's goal a minute before half time earning them a 1-0 win at Burscough. The result was their tenth win in succession in all competitions and keeps them in third place, albeit having played more games than those around them.
Charnock Richard kept up their fine form on the road, with their 2-1 win at Abbey Hey extending their unbeaten away run to 11 games, and keeps them in fourth place.
Jonathan Hession's opener for Charnock was cancelled out seven minutes later by Sam Freakes, but the ever prolific Carl Grimshaw struck five minutes from time to secure the points for the visitors.
City of Liverpool were the highest scorers of the day in the division, their 6-1 home win over West Didsbury & Chorlton being their fifth in six games. Thomas Peterson, John Connolly and Dean Shacklock all scored twice for the Purps in a win that moves them into 7th place.
One place behind them are Ashton Athletic, whose 2-0 win over Padiham at Brocstedes Park inflicted a third successive defeat on the Storks,. The Yellows left it late though, with the decisive goals from Joel Brownhill and Dale Korie-Butler arriving in the final three minutes of the game.
Elsewhere, goals from Alexander Pope and Jack Coop earned Maine Road a 2-0 home win over Irlam that moved them further away from the relegation places, while AFC Liverpool stay in the bottom four after they shared a 0-0 draw at home to Squires Gate
In the First Division, Silsden AFC continued their march ahead at the top of the table with a 6-0 home win over Eccleshall.
A hat trick from Joe Gaughan was the highlight of a win that also saw Mark Trueman, Christopher Wademan and manager Danny Forrest get on the scoresheet.
It was Gaughan's fourth hat trick of the season and his second against the Eagles.
With Litherland REMYCA, Prestwich Heys and Whitchurch Alport all inactive, Alsager Town had the chance to narrow the gap on those above them, and they picked up a point from a 3-3 draw at St Helens Town, after the home side had taken the lead three times.
It was a game with a dramatic finish too. Thomas Grimshaw's opener for St Helens was cancelled out by Paul Taylor four minutes later, and Paul Cliff restored St Helens' lead in the 65th minute.
Michael Lennon then equalised for Alsager in the 86th minute, Benjamin Bolton put St Helens ahead for the third time two minutes later, but Matthew German rescued a point for the Bullets with a 90th minute equaliser.
AFC Blackpool occupy the final play off spot after a 3-2 win over Daisy Hill at the Mechanics Ground.
The Tangerines took the lead with a close range finish from Benjamin Duffield in the 3rd minute, but a fine 30 yarder from Michael Gervin levelled for Daisy 20 minutes later.
Goals from James Corbett and a second from Duffield either side of half time put the home side in the driving seat, and although a second goal from Gervin set up an exciting finish, the home side held out to record their sixth win in seven games.
Cammell Laird 1907 kept in touch with the top six thanks to a 2-0 win at to Nelson, with Mark Bainbridge and Ben Holmes on target for Lairds.
Holker Old Boys moved up into ninth place after a 3-1 win at Stockport Town, with Danny Keenan, John-Paul Stanway and Nathan Reid on target for the Stags in what was only their second game since the opening days of December.
Elsewhere, a David Moore goal earned Atherton LR a 1-0 win at Carlisle City, and a Jack Harris strike delivered the same score for FC Oswestry Town at Chadderton.
