Weekend round up - w/e Saturday 12th January 2019
Sun 13th January 2019 | General | By Ian Templeman
The second weekend of 2019 delivered a full programme of league fixtures and the usual mix of talking points.
The Premier Division leaders City of Liverpool took advantage of dropped points by nearest challengers Congleton Town to move 14 points clear at the top, thanks to a 3-0 win at Squires Gate.
Two early goals from Craig Cairns laid the foundations for the win, with Karl Clair adding a third ten minutes into the second half.
Bootle moved into second place, ahead of Congleton Town on goal difference, with their 5-2 defeat of Whitchurch Alport.
The teams were tied at 2-2 at half time, but second half strikes from Connor Millington, Kieran Halligan and Steven Jones earned the win for the Bucks.
Congleton Town's goalless draw at home to Burscough saw them drop to third place, and Charnock Richard moved up into fourth, ahead of Barnoldswick Town on goal difference, after their 5-0 win at Barlick.
Charnock captain Carl Grimshaw was inevitably involved in the goalscoring action, scoring his fourth hat trick of the season.
Runcorn Town drop to 7th after going down 2-1 at Litherland REMYCA, Lennon Whewell on target with a double for Remy, and Ashton Athletic are up to 8th following their 2-0 win over Northwich Victoria at Brocstedes Park.
Christopher Webster and Matthew Reid were the Yellows' scorers on a day when Athletic's joint-managers Jay Foulds and Dougie Pitts celebrated their 300th game in charge.
There was a lively last 20 minutes at the St Lukes Barton Stadium, with Irlam eventually emerging with a 4-2 win over 1874 Northwich.
With the teams tied at 1-1 Liam Pollitt put Irlam ahead only for Michael Koral to immediately level for 1874. But Irlam weren't done and an own goal and Marcus Perry's 16th goal of the season sealed victory for Michael Dodd's men.
In the other game, bottom of the table Abbey Hey earned a morale boosting 1-0 win at Silsden, thanks to Oliver Walker's 69th minute winner.
In the First Division North, Longridge Town and Avro continue to set the pace at the top, with both recording good wins in advance of the clash between the two in midweek.
A Jay Hart hat trick and a double from Richie Allen helped Longridge Town to a 6-2 win at AFC Darwen, and Michael Norton scored twice in Avro's 5-1 win at Ashton Town.
Longridge lead Avro by eight points, having played two games more, and AFC Liverpool joined Prestwich Heys in joint third place after their 2-0 win over Heys, thanks to goals from Anthony Lyons and Callum Schorah.
Lower Breck leapfrogged over Carlisle City into fifth place after a hat trick of penalties from Stephen Milne earned them their 3-0 win over the Cumbrians at Gillford Park.
The highest scorers of the day were Garstang, whose 8-2 win over Shelley included a hat trick from Jacob Salisbury.
The battle to avoid the relegation places took another twist with Daisy Hill moving out of the bottom two with their 3-1 victory over Cleator Moor Celtic at New Sirs, with skipper Ashley Stott scoring twice.
That result coupled with Chadderton's 5-0 defeat of Holker Old Boys meant the Stags drop into second bottom place, Harry Pratt grabbing a double for Chaddy.
Bacup Borough's 4-0 home win over Atherton LR means LR remain bottom of the table, and the other two games in the division ended all square, with AFC Blackpool being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Steeton, and St Helens Town sharing a 2-2 draw with Nelson.
The battle at the top of the First Division South continues to be fascinating, with just six points separating the top six.
Rylands occupy the top spot on goal difference from Wythenshawe Amateurs after their 3-1 win at Sandbach United.
James Daniels, Bradley Williams and Warren Gerrard were the Rylands scorers in a win that saw them regain top spot after the Ammies had gone to the top of the pile on Friday night with a 3-0 win at Barnton, in which Jordan Burton scored twice.
Stone Old Alleynians continued their good run with a 3-1 home win over Cheadle Heath Nomads, with leading scorer Jack Tomlinson adding another two goals to his tally to move him on to 28 for the season
Abbey Hulton United stay in fourth place despite going down 3-1 at Wythenshawe Town, a result that means Town are one place behind in 5th.
Matthew Landgregan, Lee Gregory and Liam Crellin-Myers were the Town scorers in a win that sees them stay five points ahead of Vauxhall Motors, whose 5-0 home win over Stone Dominoes kept them in 6th. David Webb's hat trick was the highlight of a good afternoon for the Motormen.
FC Oswestry Town's 3-0 win over Eccleshall on Friday night was set in motion by goals from Liam Parry and Michael O’Reilly in the opening 34 minutes, with Samuel Spridgeon adding a third on the stroke of full time.
A Kiarno Samms penalty and a second goal from Adam Etches just before half time secured Stockport Town's 2-1 win in the derby clash at Cheadle Town, and Maine Road continued their revival with a 3-1 win at home to Cammell Laird 1907.
Joseph O`Brien, Kyle Hendley and Lee Hendley scored for Road in a win that moves them above Lairds into fourth bottom place, and although Ellesmere Rangers remain second from bottom, they picked up a point in a 2-2 home draw with New Mills.
A double from Adam Davies had put Rangers two ahead, but Ben Bevan and Edward Driver rescued a point for the Millers.
In the other game Alsager Town shared a 1-1 draw with St Martins.
Weekend round up - w/e Saturday 12th January 2019
Sun 13th January 2019 | General
By Ian Templeman
The second weekend of 2019 delivered a full programme of league fixtures and the usual mix of talking points.
The Premier Division leaders City of Liverpool took advantage of dropped points by nearest challengers Congleton Town to move 14 points clear at the top, thanks to a 3-0 win at Squires Gate.
Two early goals from Craig Cairns laid the foundations for the win, with Karl Clair adding a third ten minutes into the second half.
Bootle moved into second place, ahead of Congleton Town on goal difference, with their 5-2 defeat of Whitchurch Alport.
The teams were tied at 2-2 at half time, but second half strikes from Connor Millington, Kieran Halligan and Steven Jones earned the win for the Bucks.
Congleton Town's goalless draw at home to Burscough saw them drop to third place, and Charnock Richard moved up into fourth, ahead of Barnoldswick Town on goal difference, after their 5-0 win at Barlick.
Charnock captain Carl Grimshaw was inevitably involved in the goalscoring action, scoring his fourth hat trick of the season.
Runcorn Town drop to 7th after going down 2-1 at Litherland REMYCA, Lennon Whewell on target with a double for Remy, and Ashton Athletic are up to 8th following their 2-0 win over Northwich Victoria at Brocstedes Park.
Christopher Webster and Matthew Reid were the Yellows' scorers on a day when Athletic's joint-managers Jay Foulds and Dougie Pitts celebrated their 300th game in charge.
There was a lively last 20 minutes at the St Lukes Barton Stadium, with Irlam eventually emerging with a 4-2 win over 1874 Northwich.
With the teams tied at 1-1 Liam Pollitt put Irlam ahead only for Michael Koral to immediately level for 1874. But Irlam weren't done and an own goal and Marcus Perry's 16th goal of the season sealed victory for Michael Dodd's men.
In the other game, bottom of the table Abbey Hey earned a morale boosting 1-0 win at Silsden, thanks to Oliver Walker's 69th minute winner.
In the First Division North, Longridge Town and Avro continue to set the pace at the top, with both recording good wins in advance of the clash between the two in midweek.
A Jay Hart hat trick and a double from Richie Allen helped Longridge Town to a 6-2 win at AFC Darwen, and Michael Norton scored twice in Avro's 5-1 win at Ashton Town.
Longridge lead Avro by eight points, having played two games more, and AFC Liverpool joined Prestwich Heys in joint third place after their 2-0 win over Heys, thanks to goals from Anthony Lyons and Callum Schorah.
Lower Breck leapfrogged over Carlisle City into fifth place after a hat trick of penalties from Stephen Milne earned them their 3-0 win over the Cumbrians at Gillford Park.
The highest scorers of the day were Garstang, whose 8-2 win over Shelley included a hat trick from Jacob Salisbury.
The battle to avoid the relegation places took another twist with Daisy Hill moving out of the bottom two with their 3-1 victory over Cleator Moor Celtic at New Sirs, with skipper Ashley Stott scoring twice.
That result coupled with Chadderton's 5-0 defeat of Holker Old Boys meant the Stags drop into second bottom place, Harry Pratt grabbing a double for Chaddy.
Bacup Borough's 4-0 home win over Atherton LR means LR remain bottom of the table, and the other two games in the division ended all square, with AFC Blackpool being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Steeton, and St Helens Town sharing a 2-2 draw with Nelson.
The battle at the top of the First Division South continues to be fascinating, with just six points separating the top six.
Rylands occupy the top spot on goal difference from Wythenshawe Amateurs after their 3-1 win at Sandbach United.
James Daniels, Bradley Williams and Warren Gerrard were the Rylands scorers in a win that saw them regain top spot after the Ammies had gone to the top of the pile on Friday night with a 3-0 win at Barnton, in which Jordan Burton scored twice.
Stone Old Alleynians continued their good run with a 3-1 home win over Cheadle Heath Nomads, with leading scorer Jack Tomlinson adding another two goals to his tally to move him on to 28 for the season
Abbey Hulton United stay in fourth place despite going down 3-1 at Wythenshawe Town, a result that means Town are one place behind in 5th.
Matthew Landgregan, Lee Gregory and Liam Crellin-Myers were the Town scorers in a win that sees them stay five points ahead of Vauxhall Motors, whose 5-0 home win over Stone Dominoes kept them in 6th. David Webb's hat trick was the highlight of a good afternoon for the Motormen.
FC Oswestry Town's 3-0 win over Eccleshall on Friday night was set in motion by goals from Liam Parry and Michael O’Reilly in the opening 34 minutes, with Samuel Spridgeon adding a third on the stroke of full time.
A Kiarno Samms penalty and a second goal from Adam Etches just before half time secured Stockport Town's 2-1 win in the derby clash at Cheadle Town, and Maine Road continued their revival with a 3-1 win at home to Cammell Laird 1907.
Joseph O`Brien, Kyle Hendley and Lee Hendley scored for Road in a win that moves them above Lairds into fourth bottom place, and although Ellesmere Rangers remain second from bottom, they picked up a point in a 2-2 home draw with New Mills.
A double from Adam Davies had put Rangers two ahead, but Ben Bevan and Edward Driver rescued a point for the Millers.
In the other game Alsager Town shared a 1-1 draw with St Martins.
