Weekend preview - Friday 25th/Saturday 26th January 2019
Fri 25th January 2019 | General | By Patrick Burke
With nine fixtures in all three divisions, it’s another significant weekend coming up in the Hallmark Security League.
In the Premier Division, a fifth straight win for City of Liverpool at Hanley Town last Saturday extended their lead at the summit to 14 points.
However, they will know that they have to maintain their focus for the final 12 games, starting at home to Silsden on Saturday.
This was a top of the table clash when the sides drew 1-1 in West Yorkshire in October, but the Cobbydalers have now lost six of their last seven and slipped to 12th in the table.
2nd placed Bootle certainly aren’t giving up on top spot as they beat Congleton Town 2-1 last weekend for their eighth straight league victory.
Next up is a trip to Abbey Hey, who are bottom and ten points from safety as a recent revival was halted with a 4-1 defeat at Squires Gate last time out.
Congleton’s loss last weekend leaves them without a win in four in the league, a run which has seen the Bears drop to 3rd.
They will hope to bounce back at home to 8th placed Charnock Richard, who were one of the division’s form teams prior to last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at home to Runcorn Town.
4th placed Barnoldswick Town got back on track on Tuesday as they ended a three game winless run by overcoming 1874 Northwich 3-2.
They travel to a Runcorn Town side who occupy the position below them, having halted a three match losing streak by knocking Macclesfield Town out of the Cheshire Senior Cup before recording that fantastic three points at Charnock Richard. Barlick triumphed 5-1 in the reverse fixture in September.
Ashton Athletic’s surge up the table continued last weekend as they beat Litherland REMYCA 3-0 to record a sixth straight win and climb to 6th.
Next up is a trip to Burscough, who are 9th and on a fine 10 match unbeaten run in the league themselves – although three of their last four have ended in draws. They won 2-1 at Ashton during that run, so this represents a good challenge for the Yellows.
Back-to-back victories over Padiham and 1874 Northwich have seen Northwich Victoria return to form in the league and move up to 7th.
They entertain Whitchurch Alport, who are 15th with just one win in their last seven after last weekend’s goalless draw against Padiham, although their 1-0 triumph in the reverse fixture underlines their threat.
10th placed Squires Gate saw off Abbey Hey 4-1 last weekend to end a run of three defeats from four, so Andy Clarkson’s men will be hoping to pick up where they left off at home to Hanley Town.
The visitors are second from bottom, and their first two matches under Micky Morton saw them go to Barnoldswick and run out 4-1 winners, before going down 4-2 to leaders City of Liverpool last week. Hanley are three points from safety going into this one.
11th placed 1874 Northwich have now lost their last three, so will hope for a more favourable outcome from their home game against West Didsbury & Chorlton.
The visitors’ resurgence under David Powell continued last weekend as a 2-1 victory over Silsden made it five wins from seven, but they will know there is still work to do as they sit third from bottom, three points above the drop zone.
Irlam’s run to the last 16 of the Buildbase FA Vase hasn’t been matched in the league of late, where they have won just one of their last seven and sit 14th.
A home game against 17th placed Winsford United represents an opportunity to put that right, with the visitors beaten twice by Irlam already this campaign and winless in six, although they did draw with Barnoldswick last Saturday. That puts them 17th – three points above the bottom two.
In the First Division North, Longridge Town made it five wins on the spin against Chadderton last Saturday and maintained their eight point advantage at the top.
They travel to AFC Blackpool, who are 14th but have won three and lost only one of their last five, and earned a point in the reverse fixture in October.
2nd placed Avro have two games in hand on Longridge, and have claimed 31 of the last 33 points on offer, so they look set to last the distance at the top.
They welcome Carlisle City, who are 6th and ended their five game losing sequence with a 3-0 victory over Atherton LR last Saturday. They beat Avro 4-2 when the teams met in September, and will be hoping to recapture their form from the first half of the season.
A 4-0 triumph at Cleator Moor Celtic last time out made it five victories on the spin for 3rd placed AFC Liverpool, who will seek to close the seven point gap to Avro when they host Shelley.
Ash Berry’s men are 9th, and bounced back from a five game winless run with a tremendous 2-0 success at Prestwich Heys last Saturday.
Four straight league wins have moved Lower Breck up to 4th, and they gave Evo-Stik League outfit Prescot Cables a real game before losing 4-3 late on in the Liverpool Senior Cup on Wednesday.
They should take confidence from that display going into a trip to Holker Old Boys - on a ground where they have already won 9-0 this season in the Macron Cup.
Holker, however, should be on a high after a 3-0 victory at Daisy Hill last weekend saw them move out of the bottom two.
5th placed Prestwich saw their run of six straight league victories ended with back-to-back defeats, so they will seek a response away at Steeton.
The home side sit 12th on an eight match winless run, although four of their last five outings have ended all square.
Bacup Borough sit 7th having won four of their last six going into Saturday’s away trip to Ashton Town.
It’s been a headline making week for Town as they signed former French international Pascal Chimbonda ready for this game. He joins a side in 15th place having lost only one of their last five.
In 8th are Garstang after a run of five straight wins, followed most recently by draws with Steeton and Cleator Moor Celtic.
Next up for Lee Baker’s men is a visit to Nelson, with December’s Macron Club of the Month falling back to 16th after going five games without victory.
Last weekend’s 3-1 reverse at AFC Blackpool means 10th placed AFC Darwen have now lost four of their last five as they prepare to host St Helens Town. The visitors are 17th and have lost five of their last six whilst winning just one of their last 13 league games.
Chadderton’s run of three victories from four was halted at Longridge last week, but they now sit 13th going into Saturday’s home game against Daisy Hill.
A first victory in nine for the visitors against Cleator Moor was followed up with that defeat to Holker last weekend, and they need points having now slipped back into the bottom two. The 3-2 win in the reverse fixture should provide encouragement.
In the First Division South, Rylands remain top by a point despite last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at home to Vauxhall Motors – a result they hope will be a blip.
However, Saturday’s trip to 6th placed Wythenshawe Town looks far from straight forward as the home side beat fellow high-flyers Abbey Hulton United 3-1 a fortnight back for their second victory out of three.
2nd placed Wythenshawe Amateurs have now played the same number of games as Rylands and ae only a point behind.
They can go top on Friday night with three points at home to New Mills, and have lost just one of their last 15 in the league.
The Millers have won only one of their last 10 and are 16th, but triumphed 3-2 in the reverse fixture in September.
4th placed Stone Old Alleynians are four points off the top having played a game more, but will move up to 3rd with three points at Barnton this weekend.
The visitors lost their unbeaten home record late on to Sandbach United last week, the 3-2 reverse also seeing them lose their 10 game unbeaten run.
12th placed Barnton drew 1-1 at Alsager Town last Saturday, and have now lost just one of their last five.
Vauxhall Motors moved up to 5th last weekend with that excellent victory at Rylands – their fourth out of five.
They sit four points off the summit having played two games more. Next up is a home game against Cheadle Heath Nomads, who sit 10th having triumphed in only one of their last seven.
7th placed Sandbach ended a run of three games without a win by beating Stone Old Alleynians last week, and they return to Wellbeing Park on Saturday to face Stone Dominoes.
The division’s bottom club are 11 points from safety having lost 21 of their last 22 going into their first home game of 2019.
FC Oswestry Town had won five of their previous six prior to a late defeat at Maine Road last weekend, so the team in 8th will hope to bounce back when Ellesmere Rangers make the short visit.
A three game unbeaten run in the league has moved the second bottom visitors within six points of safety.
St Martins are 9th but are now six games without a victory going into this weekend’s trip to Eccleshall.
A useful 0-0 draw against Cheadle Town last Saturday saw the Eagles climb a place to 15th, and they won 2-1 at St Martins in September.
Last but not least, 13th placed Stockport Town have won four of their last six and seek a third victory on the spin away at Alsager Town, who sit a point and a place below them. The Bullets are winless in 12, but have drawn their last three.
Another big weekend then, and there will no doubt be plenty to talk about come 5pm on Saturday!
Weekend preview - Friday 25th/Saturday 26th January 2019
Fri 25th January 2019 | General
By Patrick Burke
With nine fixtures in all three divisions, it’s another significant weekend coming up in the Hallmark Security League.
In the Premier Division, a fifth straight win for City of Liverpool at Hanley Town last Saturday extended their lead at the summit to 14 points.
However, they will know that they have to maintain their focus for the final 12 games, starting at home to Silsden on Saturday.
This was a top of the table clash when the sides drew 1-1 in West Yorkshire in October, but the Cobbydalers have now lost six of their last seven and slipped to 12th in the table.
2nd placed Bootle certainly aren’t giving up on top spot as they beat Congleton Town 2-1 last weekend for their eighth straight league victory.
Next up is a trip to Abbey Hey, who are bottom and ten points from safety as a recent revival was halted with a 4-1 defeat at Squires Gate last time out.
Congleton’s loss last weekend leaves them without a win in four in the league, a run which has seen the Bears drop to 3rd.
They will hope to bounce back at home to 8th placed Charnock Richard, who were one of the division’s form teams prior to last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at home to Runcorn Town.
4th placed Barnoldswick Town got back on track on Tuesday as they ended a three game winless run by overcoming 1874 Northwich 3-2.
They travel to a Runcorn Town side who occupy the position below them, having halted a three match losing streak by knocking Macclesfield Town out of the Cheshire Senior Cup before recording that fantastic three points at Charnock Richard. Barlick triumphed 5-1 in the reverse fixture in September.
Ashton Athletic’s surge up the table continued last weekend as they beat Litherland REMYCA 3-0 to record a sixth straight win and climb to 6th.
Next up is a trip to Burscough, who are 9th and on a fine 10 match unbeaten run in the league themselves – although three of their last four have ended in draws. They won 2-1 at Ashton during that run, so this represents a good challenge for the Yellows.
Back-to-back victories over Padiham and 1874 Northwich have seen Northwich Victoria return to form in the league and move up to 7th.
They entertain Whitchurch Alport, who are 15th with just one win in their last seven after last weekend’s goalless draw against Padiham, although their 1-0 triumph in the reverse fixture underlines their threat.
10th placed Squires Gate saw off Abbey Hey 4-1 last weekend to end a run of three defeats from four, so Andy Clarkson’s men will be hoping to pick up where they left off at home to Hanley Town.
The visitors are second from bottom, and their first two matches under Micky Morton saw them go to Barnoldswick and run out 4-1 winners, before going down 4-2 to leaders City of Liverpool last week. Hanley are three points from safety going into this one.
11th placed 1874 Northwich have now lost their last three, so will hope for a more favourable outcome from their home game against West Didsbury & Chorlton.
The visitors’ resurgence under David Powell continued last weekend as a 2-1 victory over Silsden made it five wins from seven, but they will know there is still work to do as they sit third from bottom, three points above the drop zone.
Irlam’s run to the last 16 of the Buildbase FA Vase hasn’t been matched in the league of late, where they have won just one of their last seven and sit 14th.
A home game against 17th placed Winsford United represents an opportunity to put that right, with the visitors beaten twice by Irlam already this campaign and winless in six, although they did draw with Barnoldswick last Saturday. That puts them 17th – three points above the bottom two.
In the First Division North, Longridge Town made it five wins on the spin against Chadderton last Saturday and maintained their eight point advantage at the top.
They travel to AFC Blackpool, who are 14th but have won three and lost only one of their last five, and earned a point in the reverse fixture in October.
2nd placed Avro have two games in hand on Longridge, and have claimed 31 of the last 33 points on offer, so they look set to last the distance at the top.
They welcome Carlisle City, who are 6th and ended their five game losing sequence with a 3-0 victory over Atherton LR last Saturday. They beat Avro 4-2 when the teams met in September, and will be hoping to recapture their form from the first half of the season.
A 4-0 triumph at Cleator Moor Celtic last time out made it five victories on the spin for 3rd placed AFC Liverpool, who will seek to close the seven point gap to Avro when they host Shelley.
Ash Berry’s men are 9th, and bounced back from a five game winless run with a tremendous 2-0 success at Prestwich Heys last Saturday.
Four straight league wins have moved Lower Breck up to 4th, and they gave Evo-Stik League outfit Prescot Cables a real game before losing 4-3 late on in the Liverpool Senior Cup on Wednesday.
They should take confidence from that display going into a trip to Holker Old Boys - on a ground where they have already won 9-0 this season in the Macron Cup.
Holker, however, should be on a high after a 3-0 victory at Daisy Hill last weekend saw them move out of the bottom two.
5th placed Prestwich saw their run of six straight league victories ended with back-to-back defeats, so they will seek a response away at Steeton.
The home side sit 12th on an eight match winless run, although four of their last five outings have ended all square.
Bacup Borough sit 7th having won four of their last six going into Saturday’s away trip to Ashton Town.
It’s been a headline making week for Town as they signed former French international Pascal Chimbonda ready for this game. He joins a side in 15th place having lost only one of their last five.
In 8th are Garstang after a run of five straight wins, followed most recently by draws with Steeton and Cleator Moor Celtic.
Next up for Lee Baker’s men is a visit to Nelson, with December’s Macron Club of the Month falling back to 16th after going five games without victory.
Last weekend’s 3-1 reverse at AFC Blackpool means 10th placed AFC Darwen have now lost four of their last five as they prepare to host St Helens Town. The visitors are 17th and have lost five of their last six whilst winning just one of their last 13 league games.
Chadderton’s run of three victories from four was halted at Longridge last week, but they now sit 13th going into Saturday’s home game against Daisy Hill.
A first victory in nine for the visitors against Cleator Moor was followed up with that defeat to Holker last weekend, and they need points having now slipped back into the bottom two. The 3-2 win in the reverse fixture should provide encouragement.
In the First Division South, Rylands remain top by a point despite last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at home to Vauxhall Motors – a result they hope will be a blip.
However, Saturday’s trip to 6th placed Wythenshawe Town looks far from straight forward as the home side beat fellow high-flyers Abbey Hulton United 3-1 a fortnight back for their second victory out of three.
2nd placed Wythenshawe Amateurs have now played the same number of games as Rylands and ae only a point behind.
They can go top on Friday night with three points at home to New Mills, and have lost just one of their last 15 in the league.
The Millers have won only one of their last 10 and are 16th, but triumphed 3-2 in the reverse fixture in September.
4th placed Stone Old Alleynians are four points off the top having played a game more, but will move up to 3rd with three points at Barnton this weekend.
The visitors lost their unbeaten home record late on to Sandbach United last week, the 3-2 reverse also seeing them lose their 10 game unbeaten run.
12th placed Barnton drew 1-1 at Alsager Town last Saturday, and have now lost just one of their last five.
Vauxhall Motors moved up to 5th last weekend with that excellent victory at Rylands – their fourth out of five.
They sit four points off the summit having played two games more. Next up is a home game against Cheadle Heath Nomads, who sit 10th having triumphed in only one of their last seven.
7th placed Sandbach ended a run of three games without a win by beating Stone Old Alleynians last week, and they return to Wellbeing Park on Saturday to face Stone Dominoes.
The division’s bottom club are 11 points from safety having lost 21 of their last 22 going into their first home game of 2019.
FC Oswestry Town had won five of their previous six prior to a late defeat at Maine Road last weekend, so the team in 8th will hope to bounce back when Ellesmere Rangers make the short visit.
A three game unbeaten run in the league has moved the second bottom visitors within six points of safety.
St Martins are 9th but are now six games without a victory going into this weekend’s trip to Eccleshall.
A useful 0-0 draw against Cheadle Town last Saturday saw the Eagles climb a place to 15th, and they won 2-1 at St Martins in September.
Last but not least, 13th placed Stockport Town have won four of their last six and seek a third victory on the spin away at Alsager Town, who sit a point and a place below them. The Bullets are winless in 12, but have drawn their last three.
Another big weekend then, and there will no doubt be plenty to talk about come 5pm on Saturday!
