Division One Preview - Saturday 3rd March 2018
Fri 2nd March 2018 | General | By Stewart Taylor
There is nothing quite so depressing as writing a preview for a full set of scheduled League matches when there is six inches of snow lying on frozen ground and a weather forecast to make Eskimos think about moving to warmer latitudes.
Nevertheless, hope springs eternal and the optimists amongst us will still cling to the thought that there will be some football matches to get out to and support come 3 pm on Saturday.
We start with League leaders Silsden who prepare to welcome St Helens Town to their part of Yorkshire.
The Cobbydalers have been going great guns so far this season but played only one match in the month of February – that being a draw at home to Prestwich Heys. No competitive football for three weeks puts the emphasis on training sessions and routines can be drilled to use in match situations.
The side will be hoping to convert this type of activity to get back to winning ways and continue the quest for a promotion slot come the end of the season.
By contrast, it has not been the most positive of seasons on the field for St Helens Town who currently lie in 22nd place in the form table. Maybe settling in to the new surroundings and the synthetic surface at Ruskin Drive hasn’t helped.
Home crowds are increasing for Town which is encouraging for the future but they will be hard pressed to come away with anything from this match.
Litherland REMYCA hold second place on goal difference in the League table and, not surprisingly, are in good form. Just one defeat in the League since early December, and that against leaders Silsden, speaks volumes.
Remy brought in to their ranks several experienced players in February which should certainly help their ambition of a top two finish.
Brent Peters brings his Bacup Borough side to the Litherland Sports Park on Saturday and, like many of our clubs, the side is short of match practice. Just one match played in February, and that being a narrow defeat at the hands of Atherton LR, suggests that the side may be a little rusty.
No one has found life easy against Remy this season but, by the same token, Bacup Borough will give anyone a game. This one will not be as straightforward as the respective League positions suggest, and all at Remy will be well aware of that.
Hot on the heels of Litherland REMYCA are Whitchurch Alport. The Shropshire Lads travel to North Manchester on Saturday to face the challenge of Prestwich Heys in what could be the match of the day.
Heys have almost forgotten what it’s like to lose a football match and whilst such a record does bring confidence the possibility of complacency must be guarded against. Heys have much to play for this season but are unlikely to meet a much sterner test that the in form Alport side who have also got used to winning ways.
Ongoing developments both off and on the field have brought a significant increase in crowds at Yockings Park this season. This, along with a winning side, has produced a really positive atmosphere around the club as promotion to the Premier Division is targeted.
This one has all the makings of a really tight game with the home side also eyeing up promotion at the end of the season.
Sandbach United have had a solid season of achievement so far and currently sit in a play off position. It would be premature to say that an automatic promotion slot is no longer available to them but with 14 matches left to play, who knows?
The next opportunity to add points to an already impressive tally comes on Saturday as Holker Old Boys set off early for the long journey down to Cheshire. Sandbach took the points in the reverse fixture at Rakesmoor back in November but it took a late goal by James Kirby to secure the three points.
Sandbach have developed something of a habit of scoring late goals. The most recent example being last Saturday as they scored twice in the last five minutes against Nelson to secure all three points having been a goal behind for over half of the match.
The Old Boys will, of course, be aware of this and suitably prepared.
They sit mid table at the moment as a fair reflection of results so far this season being somewhat mixed. Nevertheless, a thumping 6-1 victory at home to FC Oswestry Town last Saturday is as good a launch pad as a side is ever likely to get. Something to work on and develop there.
The final play off position is currently held by Cammell Laird 1907. Lairds came in to the First Division at the start of the season having won just three matches in last year’s campaign in the Premier Division.
It’s been something of a different story this season with half of the matches ending in victories. Lairds visit fellow newcomers to the First Division Abbey Hulton United on Saturday with the Staffordshire side making their debut in the Hallmark Security League this season and giving a good account of themselves.
That both sides will aim for all three points is self evident but Lairds are on a decent little run of form and with fewer matches left to play than their fellow play off contenders they will be anxious to continue their winning ways.
Abbey Hulton have seen 10 of their last 13 matches postponed so it has been somewhat stop/start over the last couple of months. They will be pleased to get a match played at Birches Head Road – if at all possible.
Alsager Town lie just outside the play off places but have games in hand over the two sides immediately above them. The Bullets narrowly missed out on a play off place at the end of last season and will be fervently hoping that the same fate doesn’t await them this term.
Saturday sees them journey to East Lancashire to take on a Nelson side who have experienced a difficult season so far. Little Wembley has hardly been a fortress this season with the home supporters cheering just one League victory.
Alsager were the narrow victors in the reverse League fixture at the Woodpark Stadium way back in the balmy days of August and another three points would be more than handy on Saturday.
Nelson, for their part, have played some attractive football this season but have not had the rub of the green. How they must hope that both the sun and lady luck starts to smile on them soon.
Another First Division side looking for a play off place are AFC Blackpool. It’s fair to say that the Mechanics had a difficult and disappointing season last time but have experienced a considerable improvement this season.
The side were doing well towards the end of 2017 but the change in the year has brought a change in fortunes although a 1-0 win over New Mills last time out did bring a much needed three points.
There are still plenty of matches to play before the end of the season with lots of points to be gained. The first of these matches comes on Saturday as Chadderton make the trip to the Fylde Coast.
Chadderton finished last season comfortably in the top half of the League table but it has been a different story so far this season. The current 18th place is a long way from what the doctor ordered in a season which has seen, as with a number of our clubs, changes at team management level.
League wins this season have come against sides around them in the table but the record against sides higher up is not great. Having said that, the 11 men who start this match will do their level best to return to North Manchester will all three points and, in the process, upset the form book.
Carlisle City are another of a number of clubs who, with a sustained good run of form can get into the top 6. We tend to talk a lot about consistency in these previews and that is a quality which Carlisle City have found elusive this season.
A fairly regular story of a record which shows some good wins and disappointing losses. As the season enters the last couple of months there remains much to play for for the Cumbrian side but that quality of consistency needs to come pretty soon.
A chance to at least set off down the right road comes on Saturday as they travel to Cheadle Town,
The home side in this match still have plenty of matches to play between now and the end of the season. Opportunities to improve the League position certainly but results need to improve and quickly. Exciting times off the field at Park Road, with a change in ownership and new opportunities for the whole club on the horizon, would be backed up by improved on-field results.
Stockport Town have benefited from their synthetic pitch and have played more matches than many of their mid-table rivals.
The value of all weather surfaces is plain to see amid much debate on this subject at National level. The Lions may still harbour hopes of a play off position come the end of the season but have seen better results in cup competitions this season.
A memorable victory over Premier Division leaders Runcorn Linnets in the Macron Cup, courtesy of two goals from the experienced and well travelled Ben Halfacre, has booked a third round tie at home to Abbey Hey later in the month.
Perhaps even more memorable was the win on penalties over high flying Northern Premier League 1 North side Hyde United in the Cheshire Senior Cup.
No synthetic surface for the Lions this Saturday as they travel to the New Sirs to take on a Daisy Hill side who currently stand 21st in the League table.
Despite their current position, Daisy Hill had a very positive December with three wins from three matches giving them the First Division Team of the Month Award for that month. It looks like, not for the first time, the Curse of the Team of the Month has struck with the side failing to register a victory since December.
Clearly the potential is there and all involved with the club will hope that the potential is realised pretty soon. A repeat of the December performances throughout March would do nicely.
Talk of synthetic surfaces brings us to the match which, as I write, is the most likely to be on this Saturday. Having said that, the term “all weather surface” is something of a misnomer as games can be postponed on synthetic surfaces – six inches of snow is tough to overcome even at such a facility as The Venue.
Hopes will be high that FC Oswestry Town will be able to play their home match against Atherton LR on Saturday and get back to winning ways following something of a barren spell since early January.
A play off place might be a bridge too far for the Shropshire side for this season but there is still cup involvement to keep the interest levels high. The semi-final match in the Shropshire Cup against Haughmond FC of the Midland League Premier Division was postponed in midweek.
The club also retain an interest in our Macron Cup having come through two rounds to set up an away tie against Premier Division Irlam later in March.
Visitors Atherton LR are having a somewhat better season than last time and currently lie one place above their hosts for this match despite having played 3 fewer matches.
The mood at Crilly Park this season seems to be more upbeat and some good performances on the field have helped create more of a feel good factor. New Manager Warren Jones has looked to his contacts book to strengthen the squad with the result that the side are 7th in the form table.
It is always a positive sign when a team’s position in the form table is higher that that in the League table – an indicator that things are moving in the right direction – and that comment also applies to FC Oswestry Town who lie 8th. A good game in store here between two equally matched sides.
Our final match this Saturday takes us to the deep south of the region as Eccleshall take on New Mills at Pershall Park.
Eccy are another of our sides who really struggled last season with only four league wins all term, but have shown a distinct improvement this season in terms of performances and results.
They come into this match on the back of three wins in the last three home matches and will no doubt be looking for home advantage to take them to another victory. Louis Downs netted five times in those three matches and is certainly one to keep an eye on.
New Mills came into the First Division from the Premier Division for this season and currently occupy a lower mid table position just above their hosts on Saturday but having played 3 matches fewer.
The Millers are another of our sides who changed Manager part way through the season and, as with all teams in this position, would have been looking for what we might call a “new manager bounce”.
Although the new Management team was appointed towards the end of November, it could be said that it is too early to judge as the Millers have suffered more than most with weather related postponements.
Just six League matches completed in a three month period doesn’t really allow for any conclusions yet. A sustained run of fixtures will be needed to see which direction the team is headed and an away victory against a side close to them in the table would be a good start.
We started this preview with the now almost inevitable reference to the weather and close to 2500 words later I complete it in the same vein.
Whilst I might be an inveterate optimist, the “head” part of the “head and heart” combination suggests that a careful eye on the NWCFL Twitter feed on Saturday morning would be well in order.
If you do get out and about to watch a match on Saturday – wrap up well and enjoy the experience.
Division One Preview - Saturday 3rd March 2018
Fri 2nd March 2018 | General
By Stewart Taylor
There is nothing quite so depressing as writing a preview for a full set of scheduled League matches when there is six inches of snow lying on frozen ground and a weather forecast to make Eskimos think about moving to warmer latitudes.
Nevertheless, hope springs eternal and the optimists amongst us will still cling to the thought that there will be some football matches to get out to and support come 3 pm on Saturday.
We start with League leaders Silsden who prepare to welcome St Helens Town to their part of Yorkshire.
The Cobbydalers have been going great guns so far this season but played only one match in the month of February – that being a draw at home to Prestwich Heys. No competitive football for three weeks puts the emphasis on training sessions and routines can be drilled to use in match situations.
The side will be hoping to convert this type of activity to get back to winning ways and continue the quest for a promotion slot come the end of the season.
By contrast, it has not been the most positive of seasons on the field for St Helens Town who currently lie in 22nd place in the form table. Maybe settling in to the new surroundings and the synthetic surface at Ruskin Drive hasn’t helped.
Home crowds are increasing for Town which is encouraging for the future but they will be hard pressed to come away with anything from this match.
Litherland REMYCA hold second place on goal difference in the League table and, not surprisingly, are in good form. Just one defeat in the League since early December, and that against leaders Silsden, speaks volumes.
Remy brought in to their ranks several experienced players in February which should certainly help their ambition of a top two finish.
Brent Peters brings his Bacup Borough side to the Litherland Sports Park on Saturday and, like many of our clubs, the side is short of match practice. Just one match played in February, and that being a narrow defeat at the hands of Atherton LR, suggests that the side may be a little rusty.
No one has found life easy against Remy this season but, by the same token, Bacup Borough will give anyone a game. This one will not be as straightforward as the respective League positions suggest, and all at Remy will be well aware of that.
Hot on the heels of Litherland REMYCA are Whitchurch Alport. The Shropshire Lads travel to North Manchester on Saturday to face the challenge of Prestwich Heys in what could be the match of the day.
Heys have almost forgotten what it’s like to lose a football match and whilst such a record does bring confidence the possibility of complacency must be guarded against. Heys have much to play for this season but are unlikely to meet a much sterner test that the in form Alport side who have also got used to winning ways.
Ongoing developments both off and on the field have brought a significant increase in crowds at Yockings Park this season. This, along with a winning side, has produced a really positive atmosphere around the club as promotion to the Premier Division is targeted.
This one has all the makings of a really tight game with the home side also eyeing up promotion at the end of the season.
Sandbach United have had a solid season of achievement so far and currently sit in a play off position. It would be premature to say that an automatic promotion slot is no longer available to them but with 14 matches left to play, who knows?
The next opportunity to add points to an already impressive tally comes on Saturday as Holker Old Boys set off early for the long journey down to Cheshire. Sandbach took the points in the reverse fixture at Rakesmoor back in November but it took a late goal by James Kirby to secure the three points.
Sandbach have developed something of a habit of scoring late goals. The most recent example being last Saturday as they scored twice in the last five minutes against Nelson to secure all three points having been a goal behind for over half of the match.
The Old Boys will, of course, be aware of this and suitably prepared.
They sit mid table at the moment as a fair reflection of results so far this season being somewhat mixed. Nevertheless, a thumping 6-1 victory at home to FC Oswestry Town last Saturday is as good a launch pad as a side is ever likely to get. Something to work on and develop there.
The final play off position is currently held by Cammell Laird 1907. Lairds came in to the First Division at the start of the season having won just three matches in last year’s campaign in the Premier Division.
It’s been something of a different story this season with half of the matches ending in victories. Lairds visit fellow newcomers to the First Division Abbey Hulton United on Saturday with the Staffordshire side making their debut in the Hallmark Security League this season and giving a good account of themselves.
That both sides will aim for all three points is self evident but Lairds are on a decent little run of form and with fewer matches left to play than their fellow play off contenders they will be anxious to continue their winning ways.
Abbey Hulton have seen 10 of their last 13 matches postponed so it has been somewhat stop/start over the last couple of months. They will be pleased to get a match played at Birches Head Road – if at all possible.
Alsager Town lie just outside the play off places but have games in hand over the two sides immediately above them. The Bullets narrowly missed out on a play off place at the end of last season and will be fervently hoping that the same fate doesn’t await them this term.
Saturday sees them journey to East Lancashire to take on a Nelson side who have experienced a difficult season so far. Little Wembley has hardly been a fortress this season with the home supporters cheering just one League victory.
Alsager were the narrow victors in the reverse League fixture at the Woodpark Stadium way back in the balmy days of August and another three points would be more than handy on Saturday.
Nelson, for their part, have played some attractive football this season but have not had the rub of the green. How they must hope that both the sun and lady luck starts to smile on them soon.
Another First Division side looking for a play off place are AFC Blackpool. It’s fair to say that the Mechanics had a difficult and disappointing season last time but have experienced a considerable improvement this season.
The side were doing well towards the end of 2017 but the change in the year has brought a change in fortunes although a 1-0 win over New Mills last time out did bring a much needed three points.
There are still plenty of matches to play before the end of the season with lots of points to be gained. The first of these matches comes on Saturday as Chadderton make the trip to the Fylde Coast.
Chadderton finished last season comfortably in the top half of the League table but it has been a different story so far this season. The current 18th place is a long way from what the doctor ordered in a season which has seen, as with a number of our clubs, changes at team management level.
League wins this season have come against sides around them in the table but the record against sides higher up is not great. Having said that, the 11 men who start this match will do their level best to return to North Manchester will all three points and, in the process, upset the form book.
Carlisle City are another of a number of clubs who, with a sustained good run of form can get into the top 6. We tend to talk a lot about consistency in these previews and that is a quality which Carlisle City have found elusive this season.
A fairly regular story of a record which shows some good wins and disappointing losses. As the season enters the last couple of months there remains much to play for for the Cumbrian side but that quality of consistency needs to come pretty soon.
A chance to at least set off down the right road comes on Saturday as they travel to Cheadle Town,
The home side in this match still have plenty of matches to play between now and the end of the season. Opportunities to improve the League position certainly but results need to improve and quickly. Exciting times off the field at Park Road, with a change in ownership and new opportunities for the whole club on the horizon, would be backed up by improved on-field results.
Stockport Town have benefited from their synthetic pitch and have played more matches than many of their mid-table rivals.
The value of all weather surfaces is plain to see amid much debate on this subject at National level. The Lions may still harbour hopes of a play off position come the end of the season but have seen better results in cup competitions this season.
A memorable victory over Premier Division leaders Runcorn Linnets in the Macron Cup, courtesy of two goals from the experienced and well travelled Ben Halfacre, has booked a third round tie at home to Abbey Hey later in the month.
Perhaps even more memorable was the win on penalties over high flying Northern Premier League 1 North side Hyde United in the Cheshire Senior Cup.
No synthetic surface for the Lions this Saturday as they travel to the New Sirs to take on a Daisy Hill side who currently stand 21st in the League table.
Despite their current position, Daisy Hill had a very positive December with three wins from three matches giving them the First Division Team of the Month Award for that month. It looks like, not for the first time, the Curse of the Team of the Month has struck with the side failing to register a victory since December.
Clearly the potential is there and all involved with the club will hope that the potential is realised pretty soon. A repeat of the December performances throughout March would do nicely.
Talk of synthetic surfaces brings us to the match which, as I write, is the most likely to be on this Saturday. Having said that, the term “all weather surface” is something of a misnomer as games can be postponed on synthetic surfaces – six inches of snow is tough to overcome even at such a facility as The Venue.
Hopes will be high that FC Oswestry Town will be able to play their home match against Atherton LR on Saturday and get back to winning ways following something of a barren spell since early January.
A play off place might be a bridge too far for the Shropshire side for this season but there is still cup involvement to keep the interest levels high. The semi-final match in the Shropshire Cup against Haughmond FC of the Midland League Premier Division was postponed in midweek.
The club also retain an interest in our Macron Cup having come through two rounds to set up an away tie against Premier Division Irlam later in March.
Visitors Atherton LR are having a somewhat better season than last time and currently lie one place above their hosts for this match despite having played 3 fewer matches.
The mood at Crilly Park this season seems to be more upbeat and some good performances on the field have helped create more of a feel good factor. New Manager Warren Jones has looked to his contacts book to strengthen the squad with the result that the side are 7th in the form table.
It is always a positive sign when a team’s position in the form table is higher that that in the League table – an indicator that things are moving in the right direction – and that comment also applies to FC Oswestry Town who lie 8th. A good game in store here between two equally matched sides.
Our final match this Saturday takes us to the deep south of the region as Eccleshall take on New Mills at Pershall Park.
Eccy are another of our sides who really struggled last season with only four league wins all term, but have shown a distinct improvement this season in terms of performances and results.
They come into this match on the back of three wins in the last three home matches and will no doubt be looking for home advantage to take them to another victory. Louis Downs netted five times in those three matches and is certainly one to keep an eye on.
New Mills came into the First Division from the Premier Division for this season and currently occupy a lower mid table position just above their hosts on Saturday but having played 3 matches fewer.
The Millers are another of our sides who changed Manager part way through the season and, as with all teams in this position, would have been looking for what we might call a “new manager bounce”.
Although the new Management team was appointed towards the end of November, it could be said that it is too early to judge as the Millers have suffered more than most with weather related postponements.
Just six League matches completed in a three month period doesn’t really allow for any conclusions yet. A sustained run of fixtures will be needed to see which direction the team is headed and an away victory against a side close to them in the table would be a good start.
We started this preview with the now almost inevitable reference to the weather and close to 2500 words later I complete it in the same vein.
Whilst I might be an inveterate optimist, the “head” part of the “head and heart” combination suggests that a careful eye on the NWCFL Twitter feed on Saturday morning would be well in order.
If you do get out and about to watch a match on Saturday – wrap up well and enjoy the experience.
