Weekend preview - Saturday 29th December 2018
Fri 28th December 2018 | General | By Patrick Burke
After a bumper Boxing Day, 2018 finishes with eight weekend fixtures in both the Premier Division and the First Division South, and a full round in the First Division North.
In the top tier, leaders City of Liverpool will seek to bounce back from their defeat at the hands of landlords Bootle when they travel to Winsford United.
The Purps saw their lead cut to three points, but they can restore the six point advantage on Saturday as nearest challengers Congleton Town are not in action.
Despite their opponents’ lowly position of 17th, this looks set to be another tough test for the table-toppers as United are on a six match unbeaten run.
Bootle’s eighth win out of nine in the league on Boxing Day kept them 3rd, and next up is a home fixture against Hanley Town, who lost for the sixth time in a row at Congleton last time out to slip into the bottom two.
4th placed Runcorn Town got back to winning ways by edging out Whitchurch Alport 2-1, so will seek to follow it up at a resurgent West Didsbury & Chorlton.
The home side have won three games out of four since David Powell took charge and kept clean sheets in each of their victories, with the 6-0 thrashing of Abbey Hey lifting them out of the drop zone.
Squires Gate in 9th saw their fine run of five consecutive victories ended with a 3-0 loss to Charnock Richard on Wednesday, so they will seek to put that behind them at home to Whitchurch Alport. Luke Goddard’s visitors are 15th having won just one of their last eight.
A sixth defeat out of seven to Barnoldswick Town on Boxing Day saw Silsden slip into the bottom half of the table, and they seek to end that run away at Litherland REMYCA in an early 1pm kick-off on Merseyside.
Phil Stafford’s first two games back in charge have seen REMY climb to 14th with a win against 1874 Northwich and a respectable draw at Burscough, so they will want another positive result here.
These two sides were both automatically promoted from the First Division last term, so will be well used to locking horns.
Back-to-back home defeats for Irlam have ended their ten game unbeaten streak and seen them fall to 12th, so they will want a response when they welcome Abbey Hey.
It’s now eight losses on the bounce for the visitors, who have games in hand but need to start picking up results as they are ten points adrift at the bottom.
An 8-0 hammering at Ashton Athletic made it a nightmare Boxing Day for 16th placed Padiham, who are now winless in eight as they prepare to host 1874 Northwich.
The away team are 13th and have lost just one of their last eight, but will have hoped for a greater return than the solitary point gained from their two matches in the last seven days.
There is one fixture on Sunday which looks a cracker as Northwich Victoria entertain Barnoldswick Town.
The teams sit 6th and 7th respectively and are only separated by goal difference, with Vics 2nd in the form guide after seven wins from eight, and Barlick topping it after triumphing in each of their last eight outings.
In the First Division North, leaders Longridge Town were dealt a Boxing Day setback as they lost 3-0 to Garstang, so they will want a return to top form at home to Cleator Moor Celtic.
The 10th placed visitors beat another of the high-flyers – Carlisle City – on the same afternoon, and will be encouraged by a run of just one defeat from five.
Avro’s narrow victory over Chadderton moved them up to 2nd, six points behind Longridge but with two games in hand. They need to keep winning their matches, as they have done in their last six in the league.
Saturday sees them host Nelson, who appear transformed under the management of Andy Harrison, winning their last four to climb to 14th.
After such a fantastic start to the season, it’s been a festive period to forget for Carlisle City, who have slipped to 3rd following back-to-back defeats.
A home match against 12th placed Garstang looks anything but straightforward after the visitors’ exploits at Longridge, with their excellent three points ending a run of four losses out of five.
A fine Boxing Day victory at AFC Darwen – their fifth on the spin in the league - saw 4th placed Prestwich Heys issue a gentle reminder that they are still there or thereabouts, and moved them to within nine points of the summit going into a trip to Holker Old Boys.
Prestwich won 6-0 in this fixture on their own patch at the start of the month, but 18th placed Holker’s only game since then saw them overcome Bacup Borough 2-1.
A superb 3-2 win over Lower Breck on Wednesday saw AFC Liverpool leapfrog their opponents into 5th, and next up they entertain Daisy Hill.
The visitors are second from bottom, but the 2-2 draw with Atherton LR a few days back halted a run of four successive losses.
Bacup Borough have been going about their business in style of late, the 4-1 win at Shelley their sixth from seven games which moved them up to 6th.
They travel to 9th placed AFC Darwen, who should have fire in the bellies after losing to Prestwich last time out despite scoring a 97th minute leveller, ending a run of four victories on the spin.
7th placed Lower Breck lost their derby at AFC Liverpool on Boxing Day, but are a very different force at home where they have won their last seven.
The next side to try and terminate that run are AFC Blackpool, who are 13th but ended a run of six straight defeats by thrashing Ashton Town 4-0 last week.
It’s been a solid start to life in the Hallmark Security League for both Shelley (8th) and Steeton (11th), but the two sides will be hoping to halt their runs of just one victory from five and no win in three respectively as they meet in West Yorkshire.
An upturn in form for Chadderton has seen them climb to 15th, with David Fish’s men winning three on the bounce before losing to the game’s only goal at Avro on Boxing Day.
They travel to St Helens Town on Saturday, who are 17th after just one victory from their last ten.
Those two sides are divided in the table by Ashton Town, who have lost their last three going into a home match with bottom side Atherton LR. Wayne Harley’s men are six points from safety, but the draw at Daisy Hill last time out gives them something to build on.
In the First Division South, it’s an important afternoon as some of the movers and shakers face off.
Victory over neighbours Town kept Wythenshawe Amateurs at the top of the table, and they will stay there going into the New Year if they can take the points for the fifth games running at home to Vauxhall Motors.
However the visitors will be no pushovers, having propelled themselves up to 6th with a 5-1 triumph over Cammell Laird 1907 on Boxing Day.
There is a huge clash in Stoke-on-Trent as 3rd placed Abbey Hulton United entertain the side directly above them in Rylands.
The 2-1 victory against Alsager Town ended the hosts’ run of three games without a win, whilst the visitors are only a point off the top but with two games in hand, and are unbeaten in their last ten in the league after hammering Maine Road 5-0 last time out.
4th placed Wythenshawe Town are winless in four, so will hope for a result to maintain their interest in the race for promotion as they host New Mills, who are 15th and have won just one of their last seven.
A run of just one victory from five has seen Cheadle Heath Nomads slip to 7th going into an away match at Barnton.
The Villagers are 12th and have won just one of their last seven, although they did claim a decent 3-3 draw at Sandbach United on Boxing Day.
Sandbach dropped to 8th after that result but have lost just one of their last 14 league outings as they welcome Eccleshall. The Eagles are 16th, and have won only one of their previous six matches.
Having won their last three, 10th placed FC Oswestry Town will be desperate to play their first game for a fortnight as they travel to Alsager Town, who are 13th after going on a seven match winless run.
Cheadle Town are 11th, but unbeaten in five in the league, including admirable draws with Rylands and Cheadle Heath Nomads in their last two.
They welcome Ellesmere Rangers on Saturday, who have had a very prosperous week, climbing off the foot of the table after drawing with Abbey Hulton before beating Eccleshall 4-2.
And lastly, six points from fixtures against St Martins and New Mills have lifted Stockport Town to 14th as they welcome Cammell Laird 1907. The away side sit 17th as they seek to arrest a seven match winless run.
Get down to your local club this weekend and show them your support for one last time this calendar year!
Weekend preview - Saturday 29th December 2018
Fri 28th December 2018 | General
By Patrick Burke
After a bumper Boxing Day, 2018 finishes with eight weekend fixtures in both the Premier Division and the First Division South, and a full round in the First Division North.
In the top tier, leaders City of Liverpool will seek to bounce back from their defeat at the hands of landlords Bootle when they travel to Winsford United.
The Purps saw their lead cut to three points, but they can restore the six point advantage on Saturday as nearest challengers Congleton Town are not in action.
Despite their opponents’ lowly position of 17th, this looks set to be another tough test for the table-toppers as United are on a six match unbeaten run.
Bootle’s eighth win out of nine in the league on Boxing Day kept them 3rd, and next up is a home fixture against Hanley Town, who lost for the sixth time in a row at Congleton last time out to slip into the bottom two.
4th placed Runcorn Town got back to winning ways by edging out Whitchurch Alport 2-1, so will seek to follow it up at a resurgent West Didsbury & Chorlton.
The home side have won three games out of four since David Powell took charge and kept clean sheets in each of their victories, with the 6-0 thrashing of Abbey Hey lifting them out of the drop zone.
Squires Gate in 9th saw their fine run of five consecutive victories ended with a 3-0 loss to Charnock Richard on Wednesday, so they will seek to put that behind them at home to Whitchurch Alport. Luke Goddard’s visitors are 15th having won just one of their last eight.
A sixth defeat out of seven to Barnoldswick Town on Boxing Day saw Silsden slip into the bottom half of the table, and they seek to end that run away at Litherland REMYCA in an early 1pm kick-off on Merseyside.
Phil Stafford’s first two games back in charge have seen REMY climb to 14th with a win against 1874 Northwich and a respectable draw at Burscough, so they will want another positive result here.
These two sides were both automatically promoted from the First Division last term, so will be well used to locking horns.
Back-to-back home defeats for Irlam have ended their ten game unbeaten streak and seen them fall to 12th, so they will want a response when they welcome Abbey Hey.
It’s now eight losses on the bounce for the visitors, who have games in hand but need to start picking up results as they are ten points adrift at the bottom.
An 8-0 hammering at Ashton Athletic made it a nightmare Boxing Day for 16th placed Padiham, who are now winless in eight as they prepare to host 1874 Northwich.
The away team are 13th and have lost just one of their last eight, but will have hoped for a greater return than the solitary point gained from their two matches in the last seven days.
There is one fixture on Sunday which looks a cracker as Northwich Victoria entertain Barnoldswick Town.
The teams sit 6th and 7th respectively and are only separated by goal difference, with Vics 2nd in the form guide after seven wins from eight, and Barlick topping it after triumphing in each of their last eight outings.
In the First Division North, leaders Longridge Town were dealt a Boxing Day setback as they lost 3-0 to Garstang, so they will want a return to top form at home to Cleator Moor Celtic.
The 10th placed visitors beat another of the high-flyers – Carlisle City – on the same afternoon, and will be encouraged by a run of just one defeat from five.
Avro’s narrow victory over Chadderton moved them up to 2nd, six points behind Longridge but with two games in hand. They need to keep winning their matches, as they have done in their last six in the league.
Saturday sees them host Nelson, who appear transformed under the management of Andy Harrison, winning their last four to climb to 14th.
After such a fantastic start to the season, it’s been a festive period to forget for Carlisle City, who have slipped to 3rd following back-to-back defeats.
A home match against 12th placed Garstang looks anything but straightforward after the visitors’ exploits at Longridge, with their excellent three points ending a run of four losses out of five.
A fine Boxing Day victory at AFC Darwen – their fifth on the spin in the league - saw 4th placed Prestwich Heys issue a gentle reminder that they are still there or thereabouts, and moved them to within nine points of the summit going into a trip to Holker Old Boys.
Prestwich won 6-0 in this fixture on their own patch at the start of the month, but 18th placed Holker’s only game since then saw them overcome Bacup Borough 2-1.
A superb 3-2 win over Lower Breck on Wednesday saw AFC Liverpool leapfrog their opponents into 5th, and next up they entertain Daisy Hill.
The visitors are second from bottom, but the 2-2 draw with Atherton LR a few days back halted a run of four successive losses.
Bacup Borough have been going about their business in style of late, the 4-1 win at Shelley their sixth from seven games which moved them up to 6th.
They travel to 9th placed AFC Darwen, who should have fire in the bellies after losing to Prestwich last time out despite scoring a 97th minute leveller, ending a run of four victories on the spin.
7th placed Lower Breck lost their derby at AFC Liverpool on Boxing Day, but are a very different force at home where they have won their last seven.
The next side to try and terminate that run are AFC Blackpool, who are 13th but ended a run of six straight defeats by thrashing Ashton Town 4-0 last week.
It’s been a solid start to life in the Hallmark Security League for both Shelley (8th) and Steeton (11th), but the two sides will be hoping to halt their runs of just one victory from five and no win in three respectively as they meet in West Yorkshire.
An upturn in form for Chadderton has seen them climb to 15th, with David Fish’s men winning three on the bounce before losing to the game’s only goal at Avro on Boxing Day.
They travel to St Helens Town on Saturday, who are 17th after just one victory from their last ten.
Those two sides are divided in the table by Ashton Town, who have lost their last three going into a home match with bottom side Atherton LR. Wayne Harley’s men are six points from safety, but the draw at Daisy Hill last time out gives them something to build on.
In the First Division South, it’s an important afternoon as some of the movers and shakers face off.
Victory over neighbours Town kept Wythenshawe Amateurs at the top of the table, and they will stay there going into the New Year if they can take the points for the fifth games running at home to Vauxhall Motors.
However the visitors will be no pushovers, having propelled themselves up to 6th with a 5-1 triumph over Cammell Laird 1907 on Boxing Day.
There is a huge clash in Stoke-on-Trent as 3rd placed Abbey Hulton United entertain the side directly above them in Rylands.
The 2-1 victory against Alsager Town ended the hosts’ run of three games without a win, whilst the visitors are only a point off the top but with two games in hand, and are unbeaten in their last ten in the league after hammering Maine Road 5-0 last time out.
4th placed Wythenshawe Town are winless in four, so will hope for a result to maintain their interest in the race for promotion as they host New Mills, who are 15th and have won just one of their last seven.
A run of just one victory from five has seen Cheadle Heath Nomads slip to 7th going into an away match at Barnton.
The Villagers are 12th and have won just one of their last seven, although they did claim a decent 3-3 draw at Sandbach United on Boxing Day.
Sandbach dropped to 8th after that result but have lost just one of their last 14 league outings as they welcome Eccleshall. The Eagles are 16th, and have won only one of their previous six matches.
Having won their last three, 10th placed FC Oswestry Town will be desperate to play their first game for a fortnight as they travel to Alsager Town, who are 13th after going on a seven match winless run.
Cheadle Town are 11th, but unbeaten in five in the league, including admirable draws with Rylands and Cheadle Heath Nomads in their last two.
They welcome Ellesmere Rangers on Saturday, who have had a very prosperous week, climbing off the foot of the table after drawing with Abbey Hulton before beating Eccleshall 4-2.
And lastly, six points from fixtures against St Martins and New Mills have lifted Stockport Town to 14th as they welcome Cammell Laird 1907. The away side sit 17th as they seek to arrest a seven match winless run.
Get down to your local club this weekend and show them your support for one last time this calendar year!
