Weekend preview - Saturday 23rd February 2019
Fri 22nd February 2019 | General | By Patrick Burke
After successive weeks of cup action, attention turns almost exclusively to the three divisions in the Hallmark Security League this weekend – with the exception of Northwich Victoria, who we wish well for their Buildbase FA Vase quarter-final against Sholing.
In the Premier Division, City of Liverpool’s cup success was a welcome one last weekend as back-to-back defeats had seen their lead at the top cut to eight points.
They will hope to get back on track in the league when Ashton Athletic visit, with the Yellows 7th and in great form having won their last seven – although they haven’t played for four weeks.
It’s now ten victories on the bounce in the league for the Purps’ closest challengers Bootle, who are certainly making a good fist of it at the top.
Next up is a trip to 16th placed Padiham, who are just two points above the drop zone and without a win since October, although back-to-back 0-0 draws with Irlam and Whitchurch Alport have at least steadied their form.
3rd placed Congleton Town seem back to top form as they reached the Macron Cup semi-finals with a 6-0 triumph over Cammell Laird 1907 last weekend, before beating Abbey Hey 3-1 in the league on Tuesday.
They travel to 11th placed Silsden, who lost 2-0 at home to Litherland REMYCA last Saturday following back-to-back wins against Squires Gate and City of Liverpool.
It’s just one win in seven for Barnoldswick Town in 5th, although they were desperately unlucky on Tuesday, coming back from 3-0 down to tie their West Riding County Cup semi-final before losing in injury-time. They visit Squires Gate, who are 9th having themselves won only one of their last six.
Last weekend’s 3-2 reverse at Hanley Town means it’s back-to-back defeats in league and cup for 6th placed Runcorn Town, who will hope to get back to winning ways away at Irlam.
The hosts sit 13th, coming into this one on a reasonable run of form which has seen them win three, draw one and lose two of their last six.
1874 Northwich made it back-to-back wins last Friday night, advancing to the Macron Cup semi-finals at the expense of Barnoldswick. They sit 12th in the table, and face a trip to Abbey Hey.
The division’s bottom club have lost four of their last five, but last weekend’s 1-0 success at Whitchurch Alport gives them a fighting chance and has them eight points from safety.
14th placed Litherland REMYCA entertain Whitchurch Alport having triumphed in three of their last four games. Their opponents are only a place but six points behind them having won just one of their last nine matches.
And lastly is a huge clash at the bottom as Winsford United take on West Didsbury & Chorlton. The home side sit 17th following a nine game winless run, whilst their opponents are second from bottom, but only one point behind them.
After a promising start under David Powell, West have now lost three of their last four, and this looks a crucial game in the context of both teams’ seasons.
In the First Division North, leaders Longridge Town play for the first time in two weeks, going into their home game against Carlisle City on the back of six wins and a draw from their last seven.
6th placed City have lost six of their last seven in the league, but got off to the perfect start under new manager James Nichols last weekend by beating Ellesmere Rangers to reach the First Division Cup semi-finals.
2nd placed Avro kept up their rampant form by progressing to the Macron Cup semi-finals against Nelson last weekend, making it 17 victories out of 19 in all competitions.
They sit nine points off top spot with three games in hand, and travel to 8th placed Bacup Borough, who are on a mixed run of three wins and four defeats from their last seven.
They drew 3-3 at Avro in October, so a repeat performance would no doubt please manager Brent Peters.
Lower Breck in 3rd have won seven of their last nine league outings going into a trip to in-form AFC Blackpool.
The hosts sit 13th, but are unbeaten in five following a good three points at Garstang last Saturday, and a 1-1 draw against leaders Longridge in their last home match.
There is a big clash at the top as 5th placed Prestwich Heys take on an AFC Liverpool side sitting a place and five points clear of them.
Heys have won only one of their last five after being held to a 3-3 draw at Daisy Hill last weekend, whilst the visitors have triumphed in their last seven in the league, despite two cup quarter-final eliminations during that time.
It’s back-to-back wins for 7th placed Shelley as they overcame St Helens Town 3-1 last weekend. Next up is another home game against Chadderton, who have slipped to 15th following a run of just one victory in six in all competitions.
9th placed AFC Darwen will be hoping to play their first game for four weeks, when a 7-1 hammering of St Helens Town ended a run of three consecutive defeats.
They host Nelson, who sit 16th but have won their last two in the league, before going down 3-1 at Avro in the Macron Cup quarter-final last Saturday.
Garstang in 10th are now on a six game winless streak going into an away match at bottom side Atherton LR.
The home side are 12 points from safety, and have lost four on the bounce after going down 6-0 to Ashton Town last weekend.
However one of their two league victories this term came at Garstang in September, so perhaps they will take some encouragement from that.
There is an important battle at the bottom, where 18th placed Holker Old Boys host a St Helens Town side sitting a place and three points above them.
Holker lost their second successive game 3-1 at Bacup last weekend, and are only two points above the bottom two.
Town were beaten 3-1 at Shelley and have won only one of their last 11, although they did thrash their opponents 9-0 in the reverse fixture in September.
In the First Division South, leaders Rylands’ trip to nearest challengers Wythenshawe Amateurs barely needs bigging up.
The visitors have won their last four, and are seven points clear having played a game more. The Ammies had their eight game unbeaten run ended with a 1-0 loss at FC Oswestry Town last Friday, so will be desperate to bounce back in this one.
Vauxhall Motors are 3rd and level on points with Wythenshawe – albeit having played two games more – and have won six and drawn one of their last seven going into an away match at Eccleshall.
The hosts sit 15th having gone three weeks without a game. They have won just one of their last five, though that came in their last home outing as they saw off St Martins 3-0.
4th placed Stone Old Alleynians were beaten for the third time in four matches in all competitions at Vauxhalls last weekend, so will look to get back to winning ways at 16th placed Alsager Town.
The Bullets went down 4-0 at Maine Road last weekend, meaning they are now without a win in 14 matches.
5th placed Abbey Hulton United have also lost three of their last four, and are another side seeking to bounce back and maintain their interest in the title race away at New Mills.
The home team are 17th, and have now lost six of their last seven after going down 1-0 at Barnton last weekend.
It’s just one defeat from five for 6th placed Wythenshawe Town, who were only denied a fourth win during that time by a late Sandbach United equaliser last Saturday.
They travel to 13th placed Maine Road, whose resurgence under Ray Barnett and Jeff Newman shows no signs of letting up as the 4-0 victory over Alsager last Saturday made it six on the spin.
FC Oswestry Town’s win over Wythenshawe Amateurs last Saturday put them 7th and potentially forced them into contention at the top; they certainly will be if they can keep up their run of eight wins from their last ten.
They take on Cammell Laird 1907 on Saturday, with Lairds 18th as a run of back-to-back wins in league and cup was ended at Congleton in the Macron Cup last weekend.
8th placed Sandbach United were denied a fourth consecutive win in all competitions by Wythenshawe Town last weekend, but will hope to continue their good form away at Cheadle Heath Nomads.
The hosts sit 11th, and have won just one of their last ten matches. Sandbach also won this fixture 3-1 to reach the First Division Cup semi-final a fortnight ago.
St Martins in 9th have won just one of their last nine, but their last two have seen them thrash Stone Dominoes 9-1 before suffering a late 1-0 defeat at Rylands last weekend.
They face the short trip to 19th placed Ellesmere Rangers, who are eight points from safety having won just one of their last eight.
Cheadle Town ended a run of five games without a victory in some style last Saturday as they triumphed 13-0 at Stone Dominoes to move up to 10th.
They travel to Barnton, who are 12th and six points behind their opponents, but have won only one of their last six outings.
And lastly, 14th placed Stockport Town travel to Stone Dominoes after a run of three straight wins was followed by back-to-back defeats in league and cup.
It’s been quite the week for their hosts, who turned that 13-0 annihilation into a 2-1 victory over Barnton in the space of just three days. They remain bottom and eleven points from safety, but it put an end to their nightmare run of 12 straight defeats.
It serves to illustrate the unpredictable nature of the Hallmark Security League, so get down to your local club this weekend!
Weekend preview - Saturday 23rd February 2019
Fri 22nd February 2019 | General
By Patrick Burke
After successive weeks of cup action, attention turns almost exclusively to the three divisions in the Hallmark Security League this weekend – with the exception of Northwich Victoria, who we wish well for their Buildbase FA Vase quarter-final against Sholing.
In the Premier Division, City of Liverpool’s cup success was a welcome one last weekend as back-to-back defeats had seen their lead at the top cut to eight points.
They will hope to get back on track in the league when Ashton Athletic visit, with the Yellows 7th and in great form having won their last seven – although they haven’t played for four weeks.
It’s now ten victories on the bounce in the league for the Purps’ closest challengers Bootle, who are certainly making a good fist of it at the top.
Next up is a trip to 16th placed Padiham, who are just two points above the drop zone and without a win since October, although back-to-back 0-0 draws with Irlam and Whitchurch Alport have at least steadied their form.
3rd placed Congleton Town seem back to top form as they reached the Macron Cup semi-finals with a 6-0 triumph over Cammell Laird 1907 last weekend, before beating Abbey Hey 3-1 in the league on Tuesday.
They travel to 11th placed Silsden, who lost 2-0 at home to Litherland REMYCA last Saturday following back-to-back wins against Squires Gate and City of Liverpool.
It’s just one win in seven for Barnoldswick Town in 5th, although they were desperately unlucky on Tuesday, coming back from 3-0 down to tie their West Riding County Cup semi-final before losing in injury-time. They visit Squires Gate, who are 9th having themselves won only one of their last six.
Last weekend’s 3-2 reverse at Hanley Town means it’s back-to-back defeats in league and cup for 6th placed Runcorn Town, who will hope to get back to winning ways away at Irlam.
The hosts sit 13th, coming into this one on a reasonable run of form which has seen them win three, draw one and lose two of their last six.
1874 Northwich made it back-to-back wins last Friday night, advancing to the Macron Cup semi-finals at the expense of Barnoldswick. They sit 12th in the table, and face a trip to Abbey Hey.
The division’s bottom club have lost four of their last five, but last weekend’s 1-0 success at Whitchurch Alport gives them a fighting chance and has them eight points from safety.
14th placed Litherland REMYCA entertain Whitchurch Alport having triumphed in three of their last four games. Their opponents are only a place but six points behind them having won just one of their last nine matches.
And lastly is a huge clash at the bottom as Winsford United take on West Didsbury & Chorlton. The home side sit 17th following a nine game winless run, whilst their opponents are second from bottom, but only one point behind them.
After a promising start under David Powell, West have now lost three of their last four, and this looks a crucial game in the context of both teams’ seasons.
In the First Division North, leaders Longridge Town play for the first time in two weeks, going into their home game against Carlisle City on the back of six wins and a draw from their last seven.
6th placed City have lost six of their last seven in the league, but got off to the perfect start under new manager James Nichols last weekend by beating Ellesmere Rangers to reach the First Division Cup semi-finals.
2nd placed Avro kept up their rampant form by progressing to the Macron Cup semi-finals against Nelson last weekend, making it 17 victories out of 19 in all competitions.
They sit nine points off top spot with three games in hand, and travel to 8th placed Bacup Borough, who are on a mixed run of three wins and four defeats from their last seven.
They drew 3-3 at Avro in October, so a repeat performance would no doubt please manager Brent Peters.
Lower Breck in 3rd have won seven of their last nine league outings going into a trip to in-form AFC Blackpool.
The hosts sit 13th, but are unbeaten in five following a good three points at Garstang last Saturday, and a 1-1 draw against leaders Longridge in their last home match.
There is a big clash at the top as 5th placed Prestwich Heys take on an AFC Liverpool side sitting a place and five points clear of them.
Heys have won only one of their last five after being held to a 3-3 draw at Daisy Hill last weekend, whilst the visitors have triumphed in their last seven in the league, despite two cup quarter-final eliminations during that time.
It’s back-to-back wins for 7th placed Shelley as they overcame St Helens Town 3-1 last weekend. Next up is another home game against Chadderton, who have slipped to 15th following a run of just one victory in six in all competitions.
9th placed AFC Darwen will be hoping to play their first game for four weeks, when a 7-1 hammering of St Helens Town ended a run of three consecutive defeats.
They host Nelson, who sit 16th but have won their last two in the league, before going down 3-1 at Avro in the Macron Cup quarter-final last Saturday.
Garstang in 10th are now on a six game winless streak going into an away match at bottom side Atherton LR.
The home side are 12 points from safety, and have lost four on the bounce after going down 6-0 to Ashton Town last weekend.
However one of their two league victories this term came at Garstang in September, so perhaps they will take some encouragement from that.
There is an important battle at the bottom, where 18th placed Holker Old Boys host a St Helens Town side sitting a place and three points above them.
Holker lost their second successive game 3-1 at Bacup last weekend, and are only two points above the bottom two.
Town were beaten 3-1 at Shelley and have won only one of their last 11, although they did thrash their opponents 9-0 in the reverse fixture in September.
In the First Division South, leaders Rylands’ trip to nearest challengers Wythenshawe Amateurs barely needs bigging up.
The visitors have won their last four, and are seven points clear having played a game more. The Ammies had their eight game unbeaten run ended with a 1-0 loss at FC Oswestry Town last Friday, so will be desperate to bounce back in this one.
Vauxhall Motors are 3rd and level on points with Wythenshawe – albeit having played two games more – and have won six and drawn one of their last seven going into an away match at Eccleshall.
The hosts sit 15th having gone three weeks without a game. They have won just one of their last five, though that came in their last home outing as they saw off St Martins 3-0.
4th placed Stone Old Alleynians were beaten for the third time in four matches in all competitions at Vauxhalls last weekend, so will look to get back to winning ways at 16th placed Alsager Town.
The Bullets went down 4-0 at Maine Road last weekend, meaning they are now without a win in 14 matches.
5th placed Abbey Hulton United have also lost three of their last four, and are another side seeking to bounce back and maintain their interest in the title race away at New Mills.
The home team are 17th, and have now lost six of their last seven after going down 1-0 at Barnton last weekend.
It’s just one defeat from five for 6th placed Wythenshawe Town, who were only denied a fourth win during that time by a late Sandbach United equaliser last Saturday.
They travel to 13th placed Maine Road, whose resurgence under Ray Barnett and Jeff Newman shows no signs of letting up as the 4-0 victory over Alsager last Saturday made it six on the spin.
FC Oswestry Town’s win over Wythenshawe Amateurs last Saturday put them 7th and potentially forced them into contention at the top; they certainly will be if they can keep up their run of eight wins from their last ten.
They take on Cammell Laird 1907 on Saturday, with Lairds 18th as a run of back-to-back wins in league and cup was ended at Congleton in the Macron Cup last weekend.
8th placed Sandbach United were denied a fourth consecutive win in all competitions by Wythenshawe Town last weekend, but will hope to continue their good form away at Cheadle Heath Nomads.
The hosts sit 11th, and have won just one of their last ten matches. Sandbach also won this fixture 3-1 to reach the First Division Cup semi-final a fortnight ago.
St Martins in 9th have won just one of their last nine, but their last two have seen them thrash Stone Dominoes 9-1 before suffering a late 1-0 defeat at Rylands last weekend.
They face the short trip to 19th placed Ellesmere Rangers, who are eight points from safety having won just one of their last eight.
Cheadle Town ended a run of five games without a victory in some style last Saturday as they triumphed 13-0 at Stone Dominoes to move up to 10th.
They travel to Barnton, who are 12th and six points behind their opponents, but have won only one of their last six outings.
And lastly, 14th placed Stockport Town travel to Stone Dominoes after a run of three straight wins was followed by back-to-back defeats in league and cup.
It’s been quite the week for their hosts, who turned that 13-0 annihilation into a 2-1 victory over Barnton in the space of just three days. They remain bottom and eleven points from safety, but it put an end to their nightmare run of 12 straight defeats.
It serves to illustrate the unpredictable nature of the Hallmark Security League, so get down to your local club this weekend!
