Premier Division Preview - Saturday 24th February 2018
Fri 23rd February 2018 | General | By Patrick Burke
Whilst the weather has plagued schedules for months now in the Premier Division, last Saturday saw some improvement with nine out of eleven fixtures played, so hopefully that’s a sign of positive things to come ahead of what looks an exciting round of matches.
We’ll start at the division’s most northerly ground, as Barnoldswick Town host Runcorn Linnets. The visitors are ten points clear at the summit, and responded perfectly to a rare defeat by closest challengers Widnes last Saturday with a fine 2-1 victory over 1874 Northwich in the week.
That made it thirteen wins from fourteen in the league, but Michael Ellison’s team can expect a tough test at a Barlick side looking to pick up maximum points for the fourth game in a row. Monday night’s 3-0 triumph at Maine Road lifted them up to 8th, and having held Linnets to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture and won at Charnock Richard recently, this is an awkward looking tie for the table toppers.
A contender for game of the day is at the TDP Solicitors Stadium, where City of Liverpool entertain Widnes. The visitors go into this one in 2nd place in the league, and although they have played more than anyone else in the division, they are the form team at present: that eye-catching result at Linnets means they have now claimed 37 points from a possible 39.
However, they will be put to the test against Simon Burton’s Purps, who sit 7th in the table despite winning just one of their last four matches and are looking to complete a double over Widnes.
After a cruel defeat on penalties by Clitheroe in the semi-final of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy, it’s back to the day job for 3rd placed Charnock Richard as they travel to Padiham. Charnock have won four of their last five in the league, trailing Widnes by six points but with five games in hand.
They will want a repeat of their 3-1 victory at the Ruby Civil Arena in the Lancashire Trophy in December, but the Storks have won their last three on their own patch, although back-to-back defeats at Widnes and Hanley Town have seen them slip to 10th in a congested top half of the table.
With 4th placed Hanley not in action this weekend, Runcorn Town will be seeking to jump above them this weekend when they host Barnton. Town led the way for much of the first half of the season, but a five game winless run in which they scored only one goal saw them drop down the league.
However, that was ended on Wednesday night as they came from two goals down to claim a vital three points over West Didsbury & Chorlton, Michael Carberry netting a last minute winner. 24 goal prized asset Craig Cairns also returned to the starting XI in the week, which will be a huge boost for Chris Herbert’s men.
The visitors have endured a difficult season, sitting bottom of the table with just one league win, but recently gave Linnets a run for their money in an eventual 3-1 reverse, so will be hopeful of causing similar problems for the other team from Runcorn.
One side seriously clicking into gear are 6th placed Bootle, who are looking for a seventh straight victory at Winsford United this weekend. Recent recruit from AFC Liverpool Kevin Edgar popped up with a crucial last minute goal as the Bucks overcame Ashton Athletic 4-3 on Tuesday night – their 30th goal of this winning run.
The home team played their first game in over a month on Wednesday night – a 2-0 defeat by Hanley – but they will no doubt have welcomed a return to action as they look to climb from their current position of 15th.
Despite having played just 23 league matches, Ashton Athletic are 9th in the table and go to Northwich Victoria in 12th on Saturday. Beating AFC Liverpool 3-1 on Tuesday ended Vics’ five match winless streak, and another three points here would see Steve Wilkes’ team leapfrog their opponents.
But the Yellows are a difficult assignment for any team, recently winning at 1874 Northwich and running Bootle close in the week, so this one has the makings of a good encounter.
Just one place separates Congleton Town and Squires Gate as the two clash at the Richborough Estates Stadium, the Bears looking to play for the first time in three weeks. They have won just one of their last six, although they have played four of the top seven in that time.
Gate’s revival under Andy Clarkson has been one of the Premier Division’s stories of the season, and that continued last week as they overturned a two goal deficit to defeat City of Liverpool. However, they have lost four of their last five on the road, so will be hoping for an end to that run here.
There are three huge games involving six of the bottom eight in the Manchester area this weekend.
West Didsbury & Chorlton are 16th in the table, but are only four points clear of fourth bottom Abbey Hey, who they welcome this weekend. Defeat at Runcorn Town on Wednesday will have been a bitter pill to swallow for West, but they have won their last two games on home soil.
The visitors claimed an important 4-2 victory over Burscough last Saturday, ending a run of seven successive league defeats which has seen them plummet down the table. They will seek to use that result as a building block.
Around a mile away at the same time, 19th placed Maine Road host a Burscough side who sit just two spots above them. Losing their last four has put an end to the momentum that the hosts had gathered with three straight wins, and this represents a key match for both teams.
Burscough’s loss at Abbey Hey was their third from four in 2018, but they did beat Hanley Town three weeks back, and the goals of Chad Whyte could be very significant as he has scored four in his last three appearances.
And finally for this weekend, 18th placed Irlam have seen their form pick up of late, so will be looking to continue that against visiting AFC Darwen. A respectable draw against City of Liverpool in the week means that the hosts have picked up seven points from nine, giving them a boost that they desperately needed.
Darwen could do with conjuring up a similar run of results, as they sit second from bottom having picked up only eleven points all season. They have lost their last eleven in all competitions, but are yet to play in February.
Saturday features action with big implications at the top and bottom of the division, so make sure you get down to your local Club!
Premier Division Preview - Saturday 24th February 2018
Fri 23rd February 2018 | General
By Patrick Burke
Whilst the weather has plagued schedules for months now in the Premier Division, last Saturday saw some improvement with nine out of eleven fixtures played, so hopefully that’s a sign of positive things to come ahead of what looks an exciting round of matches.
We’ll start at the division’s most northerly ground, as Barnoldswick Town host Runcorn Linnets. The visitors are ten points clear at the summit, and responded perfectly to a rare defeat by closest challengers Widnes last Saturday with a fine 2-1 victory over 1874 Northwich in the week.
That made it thirteen wins from fourteen in the league, but Michael Ellison’s team can expect a tough test at a Barlick side looking to pick up maximum points for the fourth game in a row. Monday night’s 3-0 triumph at Maine Road lifted them up to 8th, and having held Linnets to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture and won at Charnock Richard recently, this is an awkward looking tie for the table toppers.
A contender for game of the day is at the TDP Solicitors Stadium, where City of Liverpool entertain Widnes. The visitors go into this one in 2nd place in the league, and although they have played more than anyone else in the division, they are the form team at present: that eye-catching result at Linnets means they have now claimed 37 points from a possible 39.
However, they will be put to the test against Simon Burton’s Purps, who sit 7th in the table despite winning just one of their last four matches and are looking to complete a double over Widnes.
After a cruel defeat on penalties by Clitheroe in the semi-final of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy, it’s back to the day job for 3rd placed Charnock Richard as they travel to Padiham. Charnock have won four of their last five in the league, trailing Widnes by six points but with five games in hand.
They will want a repeat of their 3-1 victory at the Ruby Civil Arena in the Lancashire Trophy in December, but the Storks have won their last three on their own patch, although back-to-back defeats at Widnes and Hanley Town have seen them slip to 10th in a congested top half of the table.
With 4th placed Hanley not in action this weekend, Runcorn Town will be seeking to jump above them this weekend when they host Barnton. Town led the way for much of the first half of the season, but a five game winless run in which they scored only one goal saw them drop down the league.
However, that was ended on Wednesday night as they came from two goals down to claim a vital three points over West Didsbury & Chorlton, Michael Carberry netting a last minute winner. 24 goal prized asset Craig Cairns also returned to the starting XI in the week, which will be a huge boost for Chris Herbert’s men.
The visitors have endured a difficult season, sitting bottom of the table with just one league win, but recently gave Linnets a run for their money in an eventual 3-1 reverse, so will be hopeful of causing similar problems for the other team from Runcorn.
One side seriously clicking into gear are 6th placed Bootle, who are looking for a seventh straight victory at Winsford United this weekend. Recent recruit from AFC Liverpool Kevin Edgar popped up with a crucial last minute goal as the Bucks overcame Ashton Athletic 4-3 on Tuesday night – their 30th goal of this winning run.
The home team played their first game in over a month on Wednesday night – a 2-0 defeat by Hanley – but they will no doubt have welcomed a return to action as they look to climb from their current position of 15th.
Despite having played just 23 league matches, Ashton Athletic are 9th in the table and go to Northwich Victoria in 12th on Saturday. Beating AFC Liverpool 3-1 on Tuesday ended Vics’ five match winless streak, and another three points here would see Steve Wilkes’ team leapfrog their opponents.
But the Yellows are a difficult assignment for any team, recently winning at 1874 Northwich and running Bootle close in the week, so this one has the makings of a good encounter.
Just one place separates Congleton Town and Squires Gate as the two clash at the Richborough Estates Stadium, the Bears looking to play for the first time in three weeks. They have won just one of their last six, although they have played four of the top seven in that time.
Gate’s revival under Andy Clarkson has been one of the Premier Division’s stories of the season, and that continued last week as they overturned a two goal deficit to defeat City of Liverpool. However, they have lost four of their last five on the road, so will be hoping for an end to that run here.
There are three huge games involving six of the bottom eight in the Manchester area this weekend.
West Didsbury & Chorlton are 16th in the table, but are only four points clear of fourth bottom Abbey Hey, who they welcome this weekend. Defeat at Runcorn Town on Wednesday will have been a bitter pill to swallow for West, but they have won their last two games on home soil.
The visitors claimed an important 4-2 victory over Burscough last Saturday, ending a run of seven successive league defeats which has seen them plummet down the table. They will seek to use that result as a building block.
Around a mile away at the same time, 19th placed Maine Road host a Burscough side who sit just two spots above them. Losing their last four has put an end to the momentum that the hosts had gathered with three straight wins, and this represents a key match for both teams.
Burscough’s loss at Abbey Hey was their third from four in 2018, but they did beat Hanley Town three weeks back, and the goals of Chad Whyte could be very significant as he has scored four in his last three appearances.
And finally for this weekend, 18th placed Irlam have seen their form pick up of late, so will be looking to continue that against visiting AFC Darwen. A respectable draw against City of Liverpool in the week means that the hosts have picked up seven points from nine, giving them a boost that they desperately needed.
Darwen could do with conjuring up a similar run of results, as they sit second from bottom having picked up only eleven points all season. They have lost their last eleven in all competitions, but are yet to play in February.
Saturday features action with big implications at the top and bottom of the division, so make sure you get down to your local Club!
