Bank Holiday Monday preview
Sun 26th August 2018 | General | By Patrick Burke
Bank Holiday Monday offers a chance for most teams to finish the first month of the campaign on a high, with 9 Premier Division fixtures and a full schedule in both First Divisions.
It’s top vs bottom at the Viridor Community Stadium, where Runcorn Town want to continue their perfect start to the campaign when they welcome Ashton Athletic, whose cup triumph over Evo-Stik League rivals Skelmersdale United in the cup could be a catalyst for better things in the league.
There are three exciting looking fixtures at the top of the division.
Charnock Richard vs Silsden was a First Division fixture two seasons back, but both have taken the step up in their stride. The hosts sit 3rd in their second campaign at this level, whilst the visitors are back in the big time after a two year absence and will be delighted to be 2nd at this point.
Meanwhile Congleton Town have incredibly won their first five in all competitions without conceding, but that record will be put to the test as they host a Bootle side who seem to be warming up nicely.
Squires Gate did terrifically to earn a cup replay at Droylsden at the weekend, whilst Padiham claimed a fine 3-1 win at 1874 Northwich in the league, so this 7th vs 6th encounter could be a classic on the Fylde Coast.
Another side who earned a replay against higher-ranked opponents are City of Liverpool, and they will want to continue their free-scoring league form at home to a Burscough side whose season now seems well-underway after two wins over Northwich Victoria in the space of a wee
1874 Northwich themselves are surprisingly still waiting for their first victory of the campaign, so they go in search of three points at home to Northwich Victoria, who started superbly but then lost twice at Burscough in the space of a week.
In the northern reaches of the division, Barnoldswick Town seek their first victory at home against winless Winsford United, and it’s the same down in the south for Hanley Town against Abbey Hey.
And two of the newly promoted outfits – Litherland REMYCA and Whitchurch Alport - seek their first maximum point haul since promotion when they travel to Irlam (on a high after a tremendous win at Prescot Cables in the cup) and West Didsbury & Chorlton respectively.
In the First Division North, Carlisle City’s 100% record will face perhaps its toughest test yet away at 5th placed AFC Blackpool, whilst free-scoring Avro in 2nd also have a tough-looking road trip to a Prestwich Heys side whose position of 12th is perhaps false having played fewer league games than anyone else.
Three straight wins have moved Longridge Town up to 3rd, but hosts Ashton Town will be keen to end that run having achieved one of the results of the weekend to beat Lower Breck.
It’s an all-West Yorkshire affair at Cougar Park where 4th placed Steeton entertain 15th placed Shelley, with plenty of encouraging signs for both sides during their debut Hallmark Security League campaigns.
After a tough start following relegation last time around, AFC Liverpool appear to have settled with three consecutive away victories. They will hope to take that form to their own patch for the visit of Bacup Borough, who claimed their first win of the season over Garstang last time out.
It’s been the opposite story for the other relegated team AFC Darwen, who haven’t won in the league since the opening day. They need that to change at home to Garstang, who won their first three but haven’t added to their tally since.
Newcomers Lower Breck have had a respectable start after a phenomenal season in 2017/18, and they will look to return to winning ways against a Nelson side who sit 11th but have won two of their first three on the road.
Traffic problems put paid to their game at St Helens Town at the weekend, so Cleator Moor Celtic will probably be relived to be at home again as they welcome Atherton LR.
The hosts have lost just once since joining the league, whilst the Laburnums are looking for a first league victory of the season.
There are no such home comforts for 10th placed St Helens, who will want to keep Chadderton waiting for a first point of the season on their own patch.
Looking for their first point home or away are Holker Old Boys, and they welcome a Daisy Hill team who are winless but claimed a useful point at Blackpool at the weekend.
As for the First Division South, New Mills lead the way and travel to 11th placed FC Oswestry Town, but a cluster of sides will want to keep the pressure on Gareth Cross’ men.
Cheadle Town look to build on back-to-back away wins as they host 15th placed Eccleshall, and it’s 3rd against 5th for a clash between two of the new teams in Wythenshawe Amateurs and Cheadle Heath Nomads.
St Martins are another side enjoying their first campaign at this level, and they are after three away wins in a row as they go to a Maine Road side who picked up their first points after relegation with a splendid 2-1 victory at Wythenshawe Town on Saturday.
After losing to St Martins at the weekend, 6th placed Abbey Hulton United will aim to get back on track for the visit of Ellesmere Rangers, who prop up the division but appear to be improving rapidly.
Just two places and two points separate the teams at Woodpark Stadium, where Alsager Town hope to leapfrog Vauxhall Motors; sandwiched between them are unbeaten Stone Old Alleynians, who go to 13th placed Sandbach United with the hosts having won both of their home games 3-0 this term.
Rylands and Stone Dominoes were both promoted last time around and have had mixed starts going into their match-up, so they will be after the points here.
The same might be said of Wythenshawe Town, who face a trip to last season’s play-off finalists Cammell Laird 1907. The new-look Cammells are still looking for their first win this time around, but came back from two down to record a morale-boosting 3-3 draw at Alsager at the weekend.
And last but not least, Stockport Town picked up their first victory of the season on Saturday against Oswestry, so will want to continue building some momentum against a Barnton team who have lost their last five.
This round of Bank Holiday fixtures tends to deliver plenty of classics, so enjoy the action in the sun (hopefully!) and get down to your local club!
Bank Holiday Monday preview
Sun 26th August 2018 | General
By Patrick Burke
Bank Holiday Monday offers a chance for most teams to finish the first month of the campaign on a high, with 9 Premier Division fixtures and a full schedule in both First Divisions.
It’s top vs bottom at the Viridor Community Stadium, where Runcorn Town want to continue their perfect start to the campaign when they welcome Ashton Athletic, whose cup triumph over Evo-Stik League rivals Skelmersdale United in the cup could be a catalyst for better things in the league.
There are three exciting looking fixtures at the top of the division.
Charnock Richard vs Silsden was a First Division fixture two seasons back, but both have taken the step up in their stride. The hosts sit 3rd in their second campaign at this level, whilst the visitors are back in the big time after a two year absence and will be delighted to be 2nd at this point.
Meanwhile Congleton Town have incredibly won their first five in all competitions without conceding, but that record will be put to the test as they host a Bootle side who seem to be warming up nicely.
Squires Gate did terrifically to earn a cup replay at Droylsden at the weekend, whilst Padiham claimed a fine 3-1 win at 1874 Northwich in the league, so this 7th vs 6th encounter could be a classic on the Fylde Coast.
Another side who earned a replay against higher-ranked opponents are City of Liverpool, and they will want to continue their free-scoring league form at home to a Burscough side whose season now seems well-underway after two wins over Northwich Victoria in the space of a wee
1874 Northwich themselves are surprisingly still waiting for their first victory of the campaign, so they go in search of three points at home to Northwich Victoria, who started superbly but then lost twice at Burscough in the space of a week.
In the northern reaches of the division, Barnoldswick Town seek their first victory at home against winless Winsford United, and it’s the same down in the south for Hanley Town against Abbey Hey.
And two of the newly promoted outfits – Litherland REMYCA and Whitchurch Alport - seek their first maximum point haul since promotion when they travel to Irlam (on a high after a tremendous win at Prescot Cables in the cup) and West Didsbury & Chorlton respectively.
In the First Division North, Carlisle City’s 100% record will face perhaps its toughest test yet away at 5th placed AFC Blackpool, whilst free-scoring Avro in 2nd also have a tough-looking road trip to a Prestwich Heys side whose position of 12th is perhaps false having played fewer league games than anyone else.
Three straight wins have moved Longridge Town up to 3rd, but hosts Ashton Town will be keen to end that run having achieved one of the results of the weekend to beat Lower Breck.
It’s an all-West Yorkshire affair at Cougar Park where 4th placed Steeton entertain 15th placed Shelley, with plenty of encouraging signs for both sides during their debut Hallmark Security League campaigns.
After a tough start following relegation last time around, AFC Liverpool appear to have settled with three consecutive away victories. They will hope to take that form to their own patch for the visit of Bacup Borough, who claimed their first win of the season over Garstang last time out.
It’s been the opposite story for the other relegated team AFC Darwen, who haven’t won in the league since the opening day. They need that to change at home to Garstang, who won their first three but haven’t added to their tally since.
Newcomers Lower Breck have had a respectable start after a phenomenal season in 2017/18, and they will look to return to winning ways against a Nelson side who sit 11th but have won two of their first three on the road.
Traffic problems put paid to their game at St Helens Town at the weekend, so Cleator Moor Celtic will probably be relived to be at home again as they welcome Atherton LR.
The hosts have lost just once since joining the league, whilst the Laburnums are looking for a first league victory of the season.
There are no such home comforts for 10th placed St Helens, who will want to keep Chadderton waiting for a first point of the season on their own patch.
Looking for their first point home or away are Holker Old Boys, and they welcome a Daisy Hill team who are winless but claimed a useful point at Blackpool at the weekend.
As for the First Division South, New Mills lead the way and travel to 11th placed FC Oswestry Town, but a cluster of sides will want to keep the pressure on Gareth Cross’ men.
Cheadle Town look to build on back-to-back away wins as they host 15th placed Eccleshall, and it’s 3rd against 5th for a clash between two of the new teams in Wythenshawe Amateurs and Cheadle Heath Nomads.
St Martins are another side enjoying their first campaign at this level, and they are after three away wins in a row as they go to a Maine Road side who picked up their first points after relegation with a splendid 2-1 victory at Wythenshawe Town on Saturday.
After losing to St Martins at the weekend, 6th placed Abbey Hulton United will aim to get back on track for the visit of Ellesmere Rangers, who prop up the division but appear to be improving rapidly.
Just two places and two points separate the teams at Woodpark Stadium, where Alsager Town hope to leapfrog Vauxhall Motors; sandwiched between them are unbeaten Stone Old Alleynians, who go to 13th placed Sandbach United with the hosts having won both of their home games 3-0 this term.
Rylands and Stone Dominoes were both promoted last time around and have had mixed starts going into their match-up, so they will be after the points here.
The same might be said of Wythenshawe Town, who face a trip to last season’s play-off finalists Cammell Laird 1907. The new-look Cammells are still looking for their first win this time around, but came back from two down to record a morale-boosting 3-3 draw at Alsager at the weekend.
And last but not least, Stockport Town picked up their first victory of the season on Saturday against Oswestry, so will want to continue building some momentum against a Barnton team who have lost their last five.
This round of Bank Holiday fixtures tends to deliver plenty of classics, so enjoy the action in the sun (hopefully!) and get down to your local club!
