Weekend round up - Saturday 5th May 2018
Sun 6th May 2018 | General | By Patrick Burke
There were more twists and turns at the top and bottom of both divisions in the Hallmark Security League on a glorious afternoon as the 2017/18 season approaches its conclusion.
In the Premier Division, champions Runcorn Linnets reached the century mark with a 2-1 win at AFC Liverpool.
First half efforts from Stuart Wellstead and Mitchell Bryant did the damage for Michael Ellison’s side, and despite Elliot Nevitt halving the deficit with 20 minutes to play, the hosts are above the bottom four only on goal difference.
With 2nd place still to play for, Widnes strengthened their hold in that battle as they beat Irlam 3-1 away from home.
Jack Bannister and Chris Lomax put the visitors two to the good, and although Matthew Boland pulled one back, Kevin Towey restored the two goal cushion to keep his side three points clear of Runcorn Town with a superior goal difference going into Bank Holiday Monday.
Chris Herbert’s Town’s chances of leapfrogging Widnes now look slim, despite a 4-0 victory over Padiham. A double from Jamie Menagh was separated by Mark Reed’s strike for the hosts before main man Craig Cairns emphasised their dominance late on. The result saw the Storks slip a place to 14th.
Bootle boosted their hopes of finishing in their current position of 4th as an early goal after the restart from Daniel Murphy did the job at Abbey Hey. The hosts are now in deep trouble as they fell into the bottom four with just one fixture to play.
A dramatic finish at 5th placed City of Liverpool saw them keep the pressure on their landlords as they edged past Northwich Victoria in 16th. Tom Peterson’s last minute goal turned one point into three after his earlier effort had been cancelled out by Kieron Kenny.
Charnock Richard’s impressive campaign continued as they leapfrogged Hanley Town into 6th place by beating them 3-0. Leading marksman Carl Grimshaw opened the scoring in the first half, and that was added to by Ross O’Farrell and Tyler Rufus.
An equally admirable 3-0 win for 1874 Northwich at 10th placed Squires Gate moved them up to 7th. Goals either side of half-time from Sam Hind had the visitors in control, and the points were secured by Jake Parker late on.
Barnoldswick Town remain 9th despite going down to Emini Adegbenro’s early goal at Congleton Town, who moved up a place to 13th.
West Didsbury & Chorlton boosted their hopes of a top half finish with a 4-2 victory over the side immediately below them, Ashton Athletic.
A first minute own goal and strikes in the second half from Ashley Woods and Tom Bailey put Steve Settle’s men in control, and although Joel Brownhill pulled one back, another from Bailey made it a more comfortable afternoon for the hosts. Brownhill’s penalty for his second proved no more than a consolation.
Towards the foot of the table, Burscough did their survival prospects the world of good with their fourth win out of five as they thrashed Winsford United 5-1.
Joshua Dunroe and Alexander Parkes struck before the restart to put the visitors in the driving seat, and although Lee Duckworth halved the deficit, Chad Whyte netted before Prince Ekpolo bagged a double to move the away side up to 18th – two points clear of the bottom four. Winsford remain 17th.
Just a few miles away, Barnton improved their chances of avoiding bottom place as they beat AFC Darwen 2-0 at Townfield. A quick-fire second half brace from Chris Bandell lifted his team three points clear of their opponents.
Into the First Division, the title race will go to the final day as Silsden AFC went down 4-1 at Cammell Laird 1907.
Aidan Kirby’s first half goal had the Cobbydalers set for the championship, but a stunning performance after the restart from Mick McGraa’s team saw Ben Holmes equalise before Josh Maldon quickly fired them ahead from the spot. Holmes completed his hat-trick to secure a result which ensured Lairds’ involvement in the play-offs.
A 6-2 victory for Litherland REMYCA at Stockport Town kept their challenge for first place alive. Justin Pickering fired the 10th placed hosts in front, but REMYCA responded through Alex Ryan and Marvin Molyneux. The division’s top scorer Ben Halfacre made it 2-2, but Colin McDonald’s brace gave Paul McNally’s side a healthy lead before late strikes from Andrew Begbie and Colin Quirk added to the scoreline.
Congratulations to both Silsden and REMY, who were promoted in midweek.
Prestwich Heys reached 90 points and are almost certain to finish 3rd after they won by the same margin as Litherland at bottom side Daisy Hill. Lee Grimshaw scored in between two efforts from Shaun Johnson to put the LWC Drinks Cup finalists in cruise control. Ellis Worrall pulled one back for Daisy, but another two from Lee Bruce and one from Anthony Hall saw
Prestwich well clear. Danny Warburton gave the hosts something to cheer with six to go.
4th placed Whitchurch Alport saw off a resurgent Nelson 3-2, helped by a double from Simon Everall (the first of which was annulled by Anthony McLoughlin to make it one each at the interval). Mike Blundell’s effort with ten to play proved decisive, as Chris Turner would make it a nervous finish with a minute to go. The Admirals remain in 20th.
Two in-form teams went head-to-head at the ARK Fleetech Stadium, and visiting Sandbach United continued their momentum going to the play-offs with a 2-1 win. It took a while to break the deadlock, but Josh Lane and James Kirby gave Andy Hockenhull’s men a two-goal cushion, and Bradley Kay’s last minute penalty wasn’t enough to salvage a point for the home side.
7th placed Alsager Town saw their top six dreams ended with a 1-0 reverse at home to Carlisle City. Kyle Armstrong’s first half spot kick kept James Tose’s side in with a chance of a top half finish.
AFC Blackpool’s 4-2 defeat at 13th placed Abbey Hulton United also means they can no longer break into the play-off places. Josh Tune had the hosts ahead, but a Ben Duffield brace, the first from the spot, had Dave Worthington’s team in front at the break. However, two second half goals from Tune, divided by an own goal, made it a pleasing afternoon for the hosts.
9th placed Holker Old Boys twice led at home to Holker Old Boys through Robbie Wallace and Nathan Reid, but they were pegged back by first Dennis Sherriff and then Sam Marshall late on for New Mills, who stay 14th.
Cheadle Town concluded their season with a goalless draw at home to St Helens Town; the home team sit 11th, whilst Lee Jenkinson’s Town are 21st (with one to play).
And last but not least, an extraordinary match at Crilly Park saw Eccleshall triumph 4-3 at Atherton LR. Ben Giverin, Kyle Thompson and an own goal had the home side 2-0 and 3-1 ahead, but Thomas Wakefield halved the arrears on two separate occasions, and goals in the last six minutes from Lewis Dunn and Louis Downs saw the Eagles jump above their opponents into 16th.
Bacup Borough vs FC Oswestry Town was called off as the visitors could not field a side, and the League will make a ruling on that contest in due course.
And so, a campaign which has been plagued by weather difficulties will draw to a close for most on Monday (some will play on the following five days).
The title in the Premier Division is done and dusted, but the fight to avoid relegation is still well and truly on, as is the title race in the First Division.
Weekend round up - Saturday 5th May 2018
Sun 6th May 2018 | General
By Patrick Burke
There were more twists and turns at the top and bottom of both divisions in the Hallmark Security League on a glorious afternoon as the 2017/18 season approaches its conclusion.
In the Premier Division, champions Runcorn Linnets reached the century mark with a 2-1 win at AFC Liverpool.
First half efforts from Stuart Wellstead and Mitchell Bryant did the damage for Michael Ellison’s side, and despite Elliot Nevitt halving the deficit with 20 minutes to play, the hosts are above the bottom four only on goal difference.
With 2nd place still to play for, Widnes strengthened their hold in that battle as they beat Irlam 3-1 away from home.
Jack Bannister and Chris Lomax put the visitors two to the good, and although Matthew Boland pulled one back, Kevin Towey restored the two goal cushion to keep his side three points clear of Runcorn Town with a superior goal difference going into Bank Holiday Monday.
Chris Herbert’s Town’s chances of leapfrogging Widnes now look slim, despite a 4-0 victory over Padiham. A double from Jamie Menagh was separated by Mark Reed’s strike for the hosts before main man Craig Cairns emphasised their dominance late on. The result saw the Storks slip a place to 14th.
Bootle boosted their hopes of finishing in their current position of 4th as an early goal after the restart from Daniel Murphy did the job at Abbey Hey. The hosts are now in deep trouble as they fell into the bottom four with just one fixture to play.
A dramatic finish at 5th placed City of Liverpool saw them keep the pressure on their landlords as they edged past Northwich Victoria in 16th. Tom Peterson’s last minute goal turned one point into three after his earlier effort had been cancelled out by Kieron Kenny.
Charnock Richard’s impressive campaign continued as they leapfrogged Hanley Town into 6th place by beating them 3-0. Leading marksman Carl Grimshaw opened the scoring in the first half, and that was added to by Ross O’Farrell and Tyler Rufus.
An equally admirable 3-0 win for 1874 Northwich at 10th placed Squires Gate moved them up to 7th. Goals either side of half-time from Sam Hind had the visitors in control, and the points were secured by Jake Parker late on.
Barnoldswick Town remain 9th despite going down to Emini Adegbenro’s early goal at Congleton Town, who moved up a place to 13th.
West Didsbury & Chorlton boosted their hopes of a top half finish with a 4-2 victory over the side immediately below them, Ashton Athletic.
A first minute own goal and strikes in the second half from Ashley Woods and Tom Bailey put Steve Settle’s men in control, and although Joel Brownhill pulled one back, another from Bailey made it a more comfortable afternoon for the hosts. Brownhill’s penalty for his second proved no more than a consolation.
Towards the foot of the table, Burscough did their survival prospects the world of good with their fourth win out of five as they thrashed Winsford United 5-1.
Joshua Dunroe and Alexander Parkes struck before the restart to put the visitors in the driving seat, and although Lee Duckworth halved the deficit, Chad Whyte netted before Prince Ekpolo bagged a double to move the away side up to 18th – two points clear of the bottom four. Winsford remain 17th.
Just a few miles away, Barnton improved their chances of avoiding bottom place as they beat AFC Darwen 2-0 at Townfield. A quick-fire second half brace from Chris Bandell lifted his team three points clear of their opponents.
Into the First Division, the title race will go to the final day as Silsden AFC went down 4-1 at Cammell Laird 1907.
Aidan Kirby’s first half goal had the Cobbydalers set for the championship, but a stunning performance after the restart from Mick McGraa’s team saw Ben Holmes equalise before Josh Maldon quickly fired them ahead from the spot. Holmes completed his hat-trick to secure a result which ensured Lairds’ involvement in the play-offs.
A 6-2 victory for Litherland REMYCA at Stockport Town kept their challenge for first place alive. Justin Pickering fired the 10th placed hosts in front, but REMYCA responded through Alex Ryan and Marvin Molyneux. The division’s top scorer Ben Halfacre made it 2-2, but Colin McDonald’s brace gave Paul McNally’s side a healthy lead before late strikes from Andrew Begbie and Colin Quirk added to the scoreline.
Congratulations to both Silsden and REMY, who were promoted in midweek.
Prestwich Heys reached 90 points and are almost certain to finish 3rd after they won by the same margin as Litherland at bottom side Daisy Hill. Lee Grimshaw scored in between two efforts from Shaun Johnson to put the LWC Drinks Cup finalists in cruise control. Ellis Worrall pulled one back for Daisy, but another two from Lee Bruce and one from Anthony Hall saw
Prestwich well clear. Danny Warburton gave the hosts something to cheer with six to go.
4th placed Whitchurch Alport saw off a resurgent Nelson 3-2, helped by a double from Simon Everall (the first of which was annulled by Anthony McLoughlin to make it one each at the interval). Mike Blundell’s effort with ten to play proved decisive, as Chris Turner would make it a nervous finish with a minute to go. The Admirals remain in 20th.
Two in-form teams went head-to-head at the ARK Fleetech Stadium, and visiting Sandbach United continued their momentum going to the play-offs with a 2-1 win. It took a while to break the deadlock, but Josh Lane and James Kirby gave Andy Hockenhull’s men a two-goal cushion, and Bradley Kay’s last minute penalty wasn’t enough to salvage a point for the home side.
7th placed Alsager Town saw their top six dreams ended with a 1-0 reverse at home to Carlisle City. Kyle Armstrong’s first half spot kick kept James Tose’s side in with a chance of a top half finish.
AFC Blackpool’s 4-2 defeat at 13th placed Abbey Hulton United also means they can no longer break into the play-off places. Josh Tune had the hosts ahead, but a Ben Duffield brace, the first from the spot, had Dave Worthington’s team in front at the break. However, two second half goals from Tune, divided by an own goal, made it a pleasing afternoon for the hosts.
9th placed Holker Old Boys twice led at home to Holker Old Boys through Robbie Wallace and Nathan Reid, but they were pegged back by first Dennis Sherriff and then Sam Marshall late on for New Mills, who stay 14th.
Cheadle Town concluded their season with a goalless draw at home to St Helens Town; the home team sit 11th, whilst Lee Jenkinson’s Town are 21st (with one to play).
And last but not least, an extraordinary match at Crilly Park saw Eccleshall triumph 4-3 at Atherton LR. Ben Giverin, Kyle Thompson and an own goal had the home side 2-0 and 3-1 ahead, but Thomas Wakefield halved the arrears on two separate occasions, and goals in the last six minutes from Lewis Dunn and Louis Downs saw the Eagles jump above their opponents into 16th.
Bacup Borough vs FC Oswestry Town was called off as the visitors could not field a side, and the League will make a ruling on that contest in due course.
And so, a campaign which has been plagued by weather difficulties will draw to a close for most on Monday (some will play on the following five days).
The title in the Premier Division is done and dusted, but the fight to avoid relegation is still well and truly on, as is the title race in the First Division.
