Premier Division Preview - 20th January 2018
Fri 19th January 2018 | Match Reviews | By Mark Ashmore
Squires Gate Commitee Member and prominent Fylde Sports Blogger, reporter and all-round man in the know - Mark Ashmore has taken time out from his busy club schedule to Preview this weekends games in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division. Both divisions have some great looking fixtures this weekend as we enter the final third of the seaason and Mark has not shyed away from casting an eye over them and calling them as he sees them..
Premier Division Preview – Saturday 20th January 2018
By Mark Ashmore @mark_ashmore
We’ll start with ‘humdinger of the day’ which I’m sure you’ll all agree comes in the form of Runcorn Linnets v Charnock Richard at the Milbank Linnets Stadium. The two sides sit in the top five of the league and whilst 13 points sperate the two, on the pitch it will no doubt be fine margins.
Michael Ellison’s Linnets side come into this one in superb form which will no doubt have got the Yellow and Green side of Runcorn wondering if their promotion curse could finally be broken this year. The last six league games have all resulted in wins for Linnets, with eye catching results like beating Bootle, Runcorn Town and Hanley Town a healthy cushion has now formed between them and Town rivals Runcorn Town. Charnock have made what can only be described as a superb start to life at Step 5 under long serving manager Andy Westwell and currently find themselves in 4th. It would be hard for me writing this preview not to mention the goal scoring form of a certain Mr Grimshaw at Mossie Park. The striker who has ‘been doing the business’ for many years with Charnock sits joint top with four others in the goal scoring league on 24 goals and will surely cause Linnets problems on Saturday.
These two have yet to meet in the league since we welcomed Charnock at the start of the season. Perhaps more importantly the second meeting will come on the 14th of April just two games before the end of the season, could this game have a say on the title race come April?
Hot on the tail of Linnets are Runcorn Town and Widnes who both sit 2nd and 3rd on 51 points. The latter of the two aren’t in action this weekend but I’m sure all eyes will be on The Pavilions this weekend where West Didsbury & Chorlton are the visitors.
This game could be in doubt as Town’s home game against 1874 Northwich on Wednesday night was called off. Town could be hoping this one is off aswell this Saturday with West Didsbury no doubt rolling into town full of confidence after a first win in five on Saturday. Ash Woods won it late at the death for West as he struck in the 89th minute infront of an impressive 420 relived spectators. Town come into this one of the back of an unfamiliar feeling of a loss away from home. A much improved Padiham inflicting a first away loss of the season for Chris Herbert’s men. This game only the sixth game from 23 games that striker Chris Cairns hasn’t scored for Town.
These two met earlier in the season with Town victorious with a 4-2 win. Mark Reed and Craig Cairns giving Town a 2-1 lead after Nic Evangelinos had equalised in between before Simon Thelwell and an own goal secured the points for Town.
Lee Duckworth’s Winsford United side will be looking for a quick recovery after that late loss against West Didsbury on Saturday when they host Abbey Hey.
Winsford who come off the back of three losses in the last four games find themselves 11th in the league joint 9th on goal difference. Duckworth will no doubt be looking for more consistency in Winsford’s results in the new year after his side have struggled to put together a positive run.
Further down the league Saturday’s visitors Abbey Hey will similarly be looking to put a run of form together in 2018 after finding themselves in the bottom four. Luke Gibson’s men have won just one of their last six games in a Macron Cup game against New Mills. His side haven’t won in the league since 27th November 7-1 against Barnton.
These two met earlier in the season where Winsford prevailed with a 2-1 win. On that day both keepers were voted as MOM with the game being won two minutes before full time by Brandon Moores for Winsford.
Winsford currently sit in a tight mid table level on 33 points with both Ashton Athletic and Northwich Victoria. The latter travel to Congleton Town this weekend looking to move into the top 10 after a resurgent run under new manager Steve Wilkes. Wilkes has the Vics firing on all cylinders and after struggling earlier in the season, Wilkes has his side in a more familiar position. The former Padiham and Runcorn Linnets chief will be looking to striker Brian Matthews to get back on the scoresheet after getting best out of the former Congleton Town man.
A win for The Bears could see them move level with Vics on points. Fancied by many Pre Season to challenge under new manager Ian Street, it perhaps hasn’t gone to plan for Town who find themselves in 14th place. Street’s assistant manager Brian Pritchard has improved things at The Richborough Estates Stadium and with experienced players like former Port Vale midfielder Anthony Griffith now in his ranks, the Bears could slowly move back up that league.
The other team looking to move into cement their place in the top 10 are Ashton Athletic. Another impressive season for the Yellows has seen another cup run in the FA Cup whilst still maintaining their league form. New signing Dale Korie-Butler has quietly taken to the Premier Division like a house on fire after signing from St Helens at the start of the season. The striker will be looking for his 24th goal of the season this Saturday against Burscough and it’s hard to doubt that he wont get it. Burscough will be looking for their own Butler come Saturday as they look to move away from the bottom four. Losses against Widnes and Irlam have seen Dave Sutton’s side start the new year without a loss.
Down at the bottom of the league, AFC Liverpool, AFC Darwen and Barnton all face tough tests against sides above them in the league. AFC Liverpool, after finally playing their Macron Cup tie against Holker Old Boys mid-week at the seventh time of trying, host Barnoldswick Town who themselves haven’t won a game in their last three. Darwen host Padiham who both couldn’t be in more contrasting form. Padiham come into the game on their best wins of the season. An Adam Freeland hatrick and a Spencer Jordan goal saw Liam Smith and Dixon Lamberts side beat Runcorn Town 4-0. Darwen come into the game on the back of their biggest defeat of the season. Hatricks for Ryan Cox and Andrew Gillespie helped Bootle to a 1-0 win against AFC Darwen who sit just two points from bottom of the league Barnton.
Barnton will be looking to reduce that gap when they host Squires Gate on Saturday. Steve Lloyd’s side will most likely come into this one both frustrated and motivated after almost picking up their second league win of the season. Only an 88th minute equaliser from Maine Road’s David Brown would deny Lloyd’s men who held on for the last 20 minutes. Gate come into this one on the back of a 3-2 win against Abbey Hey, their first win in three games. Coincidentally Gate’s last win came the last time these two met in a 6-4 thriller at the start of December, a game which saw Barnton end the game with nine men.
One of the teams whose form has drastically changes since the arrival of a new manager is Maine Road. Coming into this game off the back of three wins and one draw, new manager Matt Barnes must be delighted with his start at the helm. They face a team in even better form though as 1874 Northwich come to town. 1874 will be preying that South Manchester stays dry over night after their last ten away games have been called off, the Green Army will be desperate for an away day. 1874’s league position of course can’t be considered given all their games still to play, with just 14 games played, you can expect Paul Bowyer’s side in that top 10 in no time.
Back at the top of the league, the fight for a top five finish is still tight involving at least four teams. Two of those face off this weekend as City of Liverpool host Hanley Town. The visitors have been struggling of late and find themselves down at the bottom of the form table, losing their last five games. Whereas the hosts this weekend sit 3rd in the form table having won five of their last six games. COL will be looking to former Bootle striker Tom Peterson to continue his good form, he’s found the net six times in his last four games including a hatrick again Maine Road.
The last game of this weekend comes from The Ambitek Stadium where Irlam welcome Bootle. The Bucks roll into town off the back of a massive 1-0-0 win over AFC Darwen. The ruthless Bucks will be hoping that big result can be the start of a solid run of form after a run of wins and losses over Christmas. Irlam will be buoyed after a late winner at home to Burscough on Saturday. Michael Dodd’s men scoring in the 90th minute to win the tie through Connor Martin. The last time these two sides met, the game ended in a 3-3 draw. James Howell scoring with 10 minutes to go to secure a point for the Bucks.
Premier Division Preview - 20th January 2018
Fri 19th January 2018 | Match Reviews
By Mark Ashmore
Squires Gate Commitee Member and prominent Fylde Sports Blogger, reporter and all-round man in the know - Mark Ashmore has taken time out from his busy club schedule to Preview this weekends games in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division. Both divisions have some great looking fixtures this weekend as we enter the final third of the seaason and Mark has not shyed away from casting an eye over them and calling them as he sees them..
Premier Division Preview – Saturday 20th January 2018
By Mark Ashmore @mark_ashmore
We’ll start with ‘humdinger of the day’ which I’m sure you’ll all agree comes in the form of Runcorn Linnets v Charnock Richard at the Milbank Linnets Stadium. The two sides sit in the top five of the league and whilst 13 points sperate the two, on the pitch it will no doubt be fine margins.
Michael Ellison’s Linnets side come into this one in superb form which will no doubt have got the Yellow and Green side of Runcorn wondering if their promotion curse could finally be broken this year. The last six league games have all resulted in wins for Linnets, with eye catching results like beating Bootle, Runcorn Town and Hanley Town a healthy cushion has now formed between them and Town rivals Runcorn Town. Charnock have made what can only be described as a superb start to life at Step 5 under long serving manager Andy Westwell and currently find themselves in 4th. It would be hard for me writing this preview not to mention the goal scoring form of a certain Mr Grimshaw at Mossie Park. The striker who has ‘been doing the business’ for many years with Charnock sits joint top with four others in the goal scoring league on 24 goals and will surely cause Linnets problems on Saturday.
These two have yet to meet in the league since we welcomed Charnock at the start of the season. Perhaps more importantly the second meeting will come on the 14th of April just two games before the end of the season, could this game have a say on the title race come April?
Hot on the tail of Linnets are Runcorn Town and Widnes who both sit 2nd and 3rd on 51 points. The latter of the two aren’t in action this weekend but I’m sure all eyes will be on The Pavilions this weekend where West Didsbury & Chorlton are the visitors.
This game could be in doubt as Town’s home game against 1874 Northwich on Wednesday night was called off. Town could be hoping this one is off aswell this Saturday with West Didsbury no doubt rolling into town full of confidence after a first win in five on Saturday. Ash Woods won it late at the death for West as he struck in the 89th minute infront of an impressive 420 relived spectators. Town come into this one of the back of an unfamiliar feeling of a loss away from home. A much improved Padiham inflicting a first away loss of the season for Chris Herbert’s men. This game only the sixth game from 23 games that striker Chris Cairns hasn’t scored for Town.
These two met earlier in the season with Town victorious with a 4-2 win. Mark Reed and Craig Cairns giving Town a 2-1 lead after Nic Evangelinos had equalised in between before Simon Thelwell and an own goal secured the points for Town.
Lee Duckworth’s Winsford United side will be looking for a quick recovery after that late loss against West Didsbury on Saturday when they host Abbey Hey.
Winsford who come off the back of three losses in the last four games find themselves 11th in the league joint 9th on goal difference. Duckworth will no doubt be looking for more consistency in Winsford’s results in the new year after his side have struggled to put together a positive run.
Further down the league Saturday’s visitors Abbey Hey will similarly be looking to put a run of form together in 2018 after finding themselves in the bottom four. Luke Gibson’s men have won just one of their last six games in a Macron Cup game against New Mills. His side haven’t won in the league since 27th November 7-1 against Barnton.
These two met earlier in the season where Winsford prevailed with a 2-1 win. On that day both keepers were voted as MOM with the game being won two minutes before full time by Brandon Moores for Winsford.
Winsford currently sit in a tight mid table level on 33 points with both Ashton Athletic and Northwich Victoria. The latter travel to Congleton Town this weekend looking to move into the top 10 after a resurgent run under new manager Steve Wilkes. Wilkes has the Vics firing on all cylinders and after struggling earlier in the season, Wilkes has his side in a more familiar position. The former Padiham and Runcorn Linnets chief will be looking to striker Brian Matthews to get back on the scoresheet after getting best out of the former Congleton Town man.
A win for The Bears could see them move level with Vics on points. Fancied by many Pre Season to challenge under new manager Ian Street, it perhaps hasn’t gone to plan for Town who find themselves in 14th place. Street’s assistant manager Brian Pritchard has improved things at The Richborough Estates Stadium and with experienced players like former Port Vale midfielder Anthony Griffith now in his ranks, the Bears could slowly move back up that league.
The other team looking to move into cement their place in the top 10 are Ashton Athletic. Another impressive season for the Yellows has seen another cup run in the FA Cup whilst still maintaining their league form. New signing Dale Korie-Butler has quietly taken to the Premier Division like a house on fire after signing from St Helens at the start of the season. The striker will be looking for his 24th goal of the season this Saturday against Burscough and it’s hard to doubt that he wont get it. Burscough will be looking for their own Butler come Saturday as they look to move away from the bottom four. Losses against Widnes and Irlam have seen Dave Sutton’s side start the new year without a loss.
Down at the bottom of the league, AFC Liverpool, AFC Darwen and Barnton all face tough tests against sides above them in the league. AFC Liverpool, after finally playing their Macron Cup tie against Holker Old Boys mid-week at the seventh time of trying, host Barnoldswick Town who themselves haven’t won a game in their last three. Darwen host Padiham who both couldn’t be in more contrasting form. Padiham come into the game on their best wins of the season. An Adam Freeland hatrick and a Spencer Jordan goal saw Liam Smith and Dixon Lamberts side beat Runcorn Town 4-0. Darwen come into the game on the back of their biggest defeat of the season. Hatricks for Ryan Cox and Andrew Gillespie helped Bootle to a 1-0 win against AFC Darwen who sit just two points from bottom of the league Barnton.
Barnton will be looking to reduce that gap when they host Squires Gate on Saturday. Steve Lloyd’s side will most likely come into this one both frustrated and motivated after almost picking up their second league win of the season. Only an 88th minute equaliser from Maine Road’s David Brown would deny Lloyd’s men who held on for the last 20 minutes. Gate come into this one on the back of a 3-2 win against Abbey Hey, their first win in three games. Coincidentally Gate’s last win came the last time these two met in a 6-4 thriller at the start of December, a game which saw Barnton end the game with nine men.
One of the teams whose form has drastically changes since the arrival of a new manager is Maine Road. Coming into this game off the back of three wins and one draw, new manager Matt Barnes must be delighted with his start at the helm. They face a team in even better form though as 1874 Northwich come to town. 1874 will be preying that South Manchester stays dry over night after their last ten away games have been called off, the Green Army will be desperate for an away day. 1874’s league position of course can’t be considered given all their games still to play, with just 14 games played, you can expect Paul Bowyer’s side in that top 10 in no time.
Back at the top of the league, the fight for a top five finish is still tight involving at least four teams. Two of those face off this weekend as City of Liverpool host Hanley Town. The visitors have been struggling of late and find themselves down at the bottom of the form table, losing their last five games. Whereas the hosts this weekend sit 3rd in the form table having won five of their last six games. COL will be looking to former Bootle striker Tom Peterson to continue his good form, he’s found the net six times in his last four games including a hatrick again Maine Road.
The last game of this weekend comes from The Ambitek Stadium where Irlam welcome Bootle. The Bucks roll into town off the back of a massive 1-0-0 win over AFC Darwen. The ruthless Bucks will be hoping that big result can be the start of a solid run of form after a run of wins and losses over Christmas. Irlam will be buoyed after a late winner at home to Burscough on Saturday. Michael Dodd’s men scoring in the 90th minute to win the tie through Connor Martin. The last time these two sides met, the game ended in a 3-3 draw. James Howell scoring with 10 minutes to go to secure a point for the Bucks.
