Weekend round up - w/e Saturday 15th December 2018
Sun 16th December 2018 | General | By Ian Templeman
Although Storm Deirdre did its best to affect the weekend fixtures, in the end 21 games were completed across the three divisions.
The stand out match of the day was the top of the table clash in the Premier Division, with City of Liverpool extending their lead at the top of the table to six points after their 2-1 win over nearest challengers Congleton Town.
Anthony Brown gave the Purps an early lead but Emini Adgebenro levelled for Town six minutes into the second half.
However, parity was restored for only four minutes as Craig Cairns struck his 18th goal of the season to give the Purps a vital win.
Runcorn Town remain in third place but are now 11 points adrift of top spot after being held to a 1-1 draw by Irlam at the Pavilions.
Both goals came at the end of the first half, with Charlie Doyle's opener for Irlam being cancelled out by Harry Brazel in first half stoppage time.
The foundations for Bootle's 3-2 win at Northwich Victoria were established in the opening 15 minutes, as the Bucks raced into a three goal lead thanks to two goals from Connor Millington and one from Ryan Cox.
But a Joel Brownhill penalty early in the second half gave Vics hope, and when Jordan Darr struck a second with 20 minutes left, an exciting finale was guaranteed, but Bootle held on for a win that keeps them in fourth place.
The highest scorers of the day in the division were Burscough, whose 5-0 win over bottom club Abbey Hey included doubles from Chad Whyte and Connor Finlayson, although Charnock Richard ran them close with a 4-0 win over Litherland REMYCA, with Charnock captain Carl Grimshaw notching his second hat trick of the season.
At the bottom end of the table, Winsford United continued their recent good form with a David Short hat trick being the highlight of a fine 4-1 win at home to Padiham that moved them nine points clear of the drop zone.
The Blues are now three points ahead of Hanley Town, who remain third from bottom after going down 1-0 to a Joshua Nicolson goal at Ashton Athletic.
There was better news for West Didsbury & Chorlton, who got off to a winning start in David Powell's first game in charge with a 2-0 win at Whitchurch Alport, although they remain second from bottom of the table.
However, the win, secured by first half goals from Jamie Coombes and Lee Gavin, means they are now just six points from safety.
The game between Squires Gate and Silsden was abandoned after 40 minutes due to a power failure at the Brian Addison Stadium.
In the First Division North, with Longridge Town and Carlisle City inactive, the opportunity to narrow the gap on the top two was picked up by Prestwich Heys, who are bnow six points off second place after their 2-1 win at Atherton LR.
Two goals from Max White set Heys on the road to victory, although a late consolation from Aaron Rodgers set up an exciting finish.
Michael Douglas was the start man in Lower Breck's win over Shelley, scoring four times in a 6-0 win that keeps Breck in fourth place, ahead of AFC Darwen on goal difference, who came from behind to win 3-2 at Daisy Hill.
It turned out to be an exciting second half at New Sirs after a goalless opening 45 minutes, with Ashley Stott and Danny Warburton giving Daisy a two goal lead before Karl Turner, Corey Harrison and Samuel Knowles all struck in the space of ten minutes to give the visitors victory.
Andrew Lewis and Anthony Lyons were on target from AFC Liverpool in the 2-0 win at AFC Blackpool, and a fine second half comeback from Nelson earned them a 4-2 win at home to Cleator Moor Celtic.
Two goals from Tom Mahone had given Celtic a half time lead, but two goals from William Harris and one apiece from Mark Sharples and Alexander Grice steered the Admirals to victory.
Bacup Borough were the highest scorers of the day, with Jordan Wilmore scoring twice in the 6-2 win at St Helens Town.
The First Division South is headed by Rylands after Ste Boothman struck a second half hat trick in their 3-0 win at home to Alsager Town, but with just six points separating the top seven clubs, there are plenty of contenders breathing down the necks of the leaders.
Wythenshawe Amateurs are a point behind in second place, following their 5-2 win at home to Stockport Town.
The scoreline doesn't tell the full tale of an exciting game, as two goals from Kiarno Samms had given Town a lead, before Daniel Egan (with a penalty) and Jordan Burton both struck in first half stoppage time to pull the Ammies level at the break.
Joel Aikenhead then gave the home side the lead, but victory was only secured by stoppage time goals from Daniel Egan (another penalty) and Rory Fallon.
A few miles away from Hollyhedge Park, the Ammies local rivals Wythenshawe Town didn't have such a good afternoon, going down 5-0 at home to FC Oswestry Town.
David Howarth and Liam Parry both scored twice for the visitors in a convincing win, although Wythenshawe Town remain in fourth place, a point ahead of Stone Old Alleynians who came from behind to earn a draw at St Martins.
Two goals from Karl Bailey had given Saints an early lead, but James Lee and Kyle Blake ensured that the visitors picked up a point.
Vauxhall Motors lost a bit of ground on those above them, after a last gasp equaliser denied them all three points at home to Cheadle Town.
Rhys Clooney had given Town a half time lead, and it looked like goals from Thomas Mitchell and David Webb would be enough to earn the points for the Motormen but Ben Brooks struck in stoppage time to secure a point from a 2-2 draw.
Late equalisers were also a feature of the other two games, with Edward Driver's 89th minute goal earning New Mills a 1-1 draw at Cammell Laird 1907, and Cheadle Heath Nomads had to rely on an 88th minute leveller from Andrew Simpson to pick up a point from a 2-2 draw at home to Eccleshall, after two goals from Louis Downs had put the visitors ahead.
Weekend round up - w/e Saturday 15th December 2018
Sun 16th December 2018 | General
By Ian Templeman
Although Storm Deirdre did its best to affect the weekend fixtures, in the end 21 games were completed across the three divisions.
The stand out match of the day was the top of the table clash in the Premier Division, with City of Liverpool extending their lead at the top of the table to six points after their 2-1 win over nearest challengers Congleton Town.
Anthony Brown gave the Purps an early lead but Emini Adgebenro levelled for Town six minutes into the second half.
However, parity was restored for only four minutes as Craig Cairns struck his 18th goal of the season to give the Purps a vital win.
Runcorn Town remain in third place but are now 11 points adrift of top spot after being held to a 1-1 draw by Irlam at the Pavilions.
Both goals came at the end of the first half, with Charlie Doyle's opener for Irlam being cancelled out by Harry Brazel in first half stoppage time.
The foundations for Bootle's 3-2 win at Northwich Victoria were established in the opening 15 minutes, as the Bucks raced into a three goal lead thanks to two goals from Connor Millington and one from Ryan Cox.
But a Joel Brownhill penalty early in the second half gave Vics hope, and when Jordan Darr struck a second with 20 minutes left, an exciting finale was guaranteed, but Bootle held on for a win that keeps them in fourth place.
The highest scorers of the day in the division were Burscough, whose 5-0 win over bottom club Abbey Hey included doubles from Chad Whyte and Connor Finlayson, although Charnock Richard ran them close with a 4-0 win over Litherland REMYCA, with Charnock captain Carl Grimshaw notching his second hat trick of the season.
At the bottom end of the table, Winsford United continued their recent good form with a David Short hat trick being the highlight of a fine 4-1 win at home to Padiham that moved them nine points clear of the drop zone.
The Blues are now three points ahead of Hanley Town, who remain third from bottom after going down 1-0 to a Joshua Nicolson goal at Ashton Athletic.
There was better news for West Didsbury & Chorlton, who got off to a winning start in David Powell's first game in charge with a 2-0 win at Whitchurch Alport, although they remain second from bottom of the table.
However, the win, secured by first half goals from Jamie Coombes and Lee Gavin, means they are now just six points from safety.
The game between Squires Gate and Silsden was abandoned after 40 minutes due to a power failure at the Brian Addison Stadium.
In the First Division North, with Longridge Town and Carlisle City inactive, the opportunity to narrow the gap on the top two was picked up by Prestwich Heys, who are bnow six points off second place after their 2-1 win at Atherton LR.
Two goals from Max White set Heys on the road to victory, although a late consolation from Aaron Rodgers set up an exciting finish.
Michael Douglas was the start man in Lower Breck's win over Shelley, scoring four times in a 6-0 win that keeps Breck in fourth place, ahead of AFC Darwen on goal difference, who came from behind to win 3-2 at Daisy Hill.
It turned out to be an exciting second half at New Sirs after a goalless opening 45 minutes, with Ashley Stott and Danny Warburton giving Daisy a two goal lead before Karl Turner, Corey Harrison and Samuel Knowles all struck in the space of ten minutes to give the visitors victory.
Andrew Lewis and Anthony Lyons were on target from AFC Liverpool in the 2-0 win at AFC Blackpool, and a fine second half comeback from Nelson earned them a 4-2 win at home to Cleator Moor Celtic.
Two goals from Tom Mahone had given Celtic a half time lead, but two goals from William Harris and one apiece from Mark Sharples and Alexander Grice steered the Admirals to victory.
Bacup Borough were the highest scorers of the day, with Jordan Wilmore scoring twice in the 6-2 win at St Helens Town.
The First Division South is headed by Rylands after Ste Boothman struck a second half hat trick in their 3-0 win at home to Alsager Town, but with just six points separating the top seven clubs, there are plenty of contenders breathing down the necks of the leaders.
Wythenshawe Amateurs are a point behind in second place, following their 5-2 win at home to Stockport Town.
The scoreline doesn't tell the full tale of an exciting game, as two goals from Kiarno Samms had given Town a lead, before Daniel Egan (with a penalty) and Jordan Burton both struck in first half stoppage time to pull the Ammies level at the break.
Joel Aikenhead then gave the home side the lead, but victory was only secured by stoppage time goals from Daniel Egan (another penalty) and Rory Fallon.
A few miles away from Hollyhedge Park, the Ammies local rivals Wythenshawe Town didn't have such a good afternoon, going down 5-0 at home to FC Oswestry Town.
David Howarth and Liam Parry both scored twice for the visitors in a convincing win, although Wythenshawe Town remain in fourth place, a point ahead of Stone Old Alleynians who came from behind to earn a draw at St Martins.
Two goals from Karl Bailey had given Saints an early lead, but James Lee and Kyle Blake ensured that the visitors picked up a point.
Vauxhall Motors lost a bit of ground on those above them, after a last gasp equaliser denied them all three points at home to Cheadle Town.
Rhys Clooney had given Town a half time lead, and it looked like goals from Thomas Mitchell and David Webb would be enough to earn the points for the Motormen but Ben Brooks struck in stoppage time to secure a point from a 2-2 draw.
Late equalisers were also a feature of the other two games, with Edward Driver's 89th minute goal earning New Mills a 1-1 draw at Cammell Laird 1907, and Cheadle Heath Nomads had to rely on an 88th minute leveller from Andrew Simpson to pick up a point from a 2-2 draw at home to Eccleshall, after two goals from Louis Downs had put the visitors ahead.
