Weekend preview - Saturday 30th March 2019
Fri 29th March 2019 | General | By Patrick Burke
With less than a month of the campaign to go in the Hallmark Security League, things are simmering nicely in all three divisions and the cup competitions.
Northwich Victoria are one game away at Chertsey Town from the Buildbase FA Vase Final and Wembley – the tie is in the balance at 1-1 and a full preview was published yesterday.
We also have two Macron Cup Semi-Final first legs on Saturday, both of which look tough to call.
After reaching the First Division Cup Final on Tuesday with a 5-1 aggregate win over Bacup Borough, Avro will seek a repeat when they host City of Liverpool.
Avro have won 14 of their last 15 games, and sit 2nd in the First Division North.
Meanwhile the Purps, who won this competition in 2017, lead the way in the Premier Division – their sixth straight victory over Barnoldswick Town on Tuesday was crucial as it was their game in hand, and moved them five points clear of Bootle with five to play. It promises to be a high-quality encounter.
The other semi-final sees Congleton Town play 1874 Northwich. Town are 3rd in the Premier Division, and a 2-1 midweek triumph over Northwich Victoria was the perfect way to prepare for this one after back-to-back defeats.
A little surprisingly, they have never made the final of this competition, so this represents a great chance to change that. 1874 are 11th in the Premier Division, but have lost only one of their last seven, and significantly have already done the double over Congleton in the league this season.
We also have a First Division Cup Semi-Final second leg to see who will join Avro in the final, with hosts Sandbach United in the driving seat as they lead Carlisle City 4-2 from last Saturday’s first leg.
United lost the 2017 final, but have been going well in the First Division South, sitting 7th and currently on a nine game unbeaten run in all competitions.
City also occupy 7th place in the First Division North, but have struggled in terms of recent form having lost four of their last six.
With City of Liverpool in cup action, it’s a huge weekend in the Premier Division for 2nd placed Bootle, who can put the pressure back on the table-toppers in a local derby at home to Litherland REMYCA.
16 wins in a row is an extraordinary feat from the Bucks, and one secured with a 1-0 triumph at Barnoldswick last week.
REMYCA manager Phil Stafford began the season with Bootle, and he returns with his team in 15th place and looking to end a run of five defeats from six.
5th placed Runcorn Town can move up a spot with three points at home to Winsford United – although last weekend’s 2-1 reverse at Squires Gate made it four defeats from six.
Winsford are 17th, but last week’s 2-1 triumph over Litherland REMYCA was a second from three games, and gave their survival prospects a massive boost by moving them six points clear of the bottom two.
Ashton Athletic in 6th can also move up at least one place by beating Abbey Hey at Brocstedes Park.
After three defeats from four tough games, Athletic got back on track by overcoming Irlam 3-2 last Saturday. But this game has importance at the bottom, as anything but a victory will relegate the visitors, so now would be the ideal time to end a run of five consecutive losses.
7th placed Charnock Richard are another side who can climb the table, and have won three of their last four going into a home fixture against Irlam.
The visitors are 13th, but three successive defeats and just one victory from eight mean their season is in danger of petering out.
Squires Gate are one of the division’s form teams in 8th place having lost just one of their last eight. They travel to West Didsbury & Chorlton, whose need for points is becoming more desperate as they sit 19th, six points from safety with five to play.
A 1-1 draw with Padiham last weekend ended a run of five straight defeats, but a repeat of their 1-0 win in the reverse fixture would be ideal.
Barnoldswick Town’s slide down the table has been dramatic, as seven successive losses and just one win from 12 puts them in 10th place. They make the short trip to Padiham looking to stop the rot.
It’s been an excellent couple of weeks for the Storks, as seven points from nine against three of the teams below them keep them in 16th but now a far more comfortable eight points clear of the drop zone.
With leaders Longridge Town inactive and Avro in cup action, the title race takes a back seat in the First Division North this weekend, but there are still six games to look forward to.
AFC Liverpool in 4th will hope to continue their fine league form which has seen them claim 28 of the last 30 points on offer away at Steeton.
The hosts ended a 13 match winless run by beating Holker Old Boys 2-1 on Wednesday, moving back up to 14th. They also gave Longridge a scare last weekend, coming from two goals down to level before eventually going down 5-2, so they should be full of confidence.
5th placed Prestwich Heys recorded a fine 2-1 victory over Lower Breck last Saturday, so will look to take a similar performance into their away game at Bacup Borough.
The home side are 8th, and like Heys have won their last two away games. They were also well in contention in their semi-final on Tuesday, only two late goals from Avro taking the game away from them and seeing them lose 3-1 on the night, so it should be a good contest.
AFC Darwen welcome Shelley in a top half clash between the teams currently occupying 9th and 10th.
Darwen lost 3-0 at Garstang on Wednesday, ending a run of three wins from four, whilst the visitors will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s home defeat at the hands of Atherton LR.
The two sides immediately below them in the bottom half meet as 11th placed Cleator Moor Celtic host Ashton Town in 12th.
Last weekend’s 4-1 win over Chadderton made it two from three for the home team, whilst Town’s impressive 2-1 victory over Garstang made it four from six for them.
AFC Blackpool in 13th have lost three of their last four matches as they travel to St Helens Town. The home side are 17th and six points clear of the bottom two, and despite having won just one of their last 14, the 4-4 draw with Longridge in their last outing shows what they are capable of and was a step closer to survival.
16th placed Nelson will play their first match for three weeks when they travel to Atherton LR. The home side remain bottom of the table and 13 points from safety, but last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Shelley ended a seven game losing run and shows that they haven’t given up the fight.
The Admirals hammered Daisy Hill 8-1 last time out, ending a streak of four consecutive defeats.
Onto the First Division South, where leaders Rylands can take a huge step towards the title at home to FC Oswestry Town.
The hosts’ 5-0 thrashing of New Mills on Tuesday moved them ten points clear at the summit, but they face an Oswestry side who have been going well and sit 3rd.
A dramatic late turnaround to beat Abbey Hulton United last week made it six wins from seven for the visitors, so this should be a fantastic game.
Sitting in 2nd are Stone Old Alleynians, who bounced back from their shock 8-0 annihilation at Stockport Town with an impressive 2-1 victory over Wythenshawe Amateurs last Saturday.
They travel to 13th placed Cheadle Town, who have won only one of their last nine, but go into this one on the back of useful away draws at Sandbach and Cammell Laird 1907.
Despite winning just one of their last five, 4th placed Wythenshawe Amateurs are arguably best placed to challenge Rylands for the title – they are 13 points behind but with two games in hand.
They travel to 8th placed Abbey Hulton United, who themselves have won only one of their last five, and threw away a lead with five minutes remaining at Oswestry last week to lose 2-1.
5th placed Vauxhall Motors rescued a late 1-1 draw with Wythenshawe Town last Saturday to extend their superb run of form to just one defeat from ten, a sequence which includes seven wins.
However they face a tough looking trip to 11th placed Stockport Town, who lost 4-3 at Eccleshall last weekend to end a run of six victories from seven – which included that stunning 8-0 hammering of Stone Old Alleynians in their last home game.
Wythenshawe Town in 6th were denied a fourth win from five late on at Vauxhalls last week, but will seek to continue their rich vein of form at home to Cammell Laird 1907.
Lairds sit 17th, and a disappointing 2-0 Wirral Senior Cup Quarter-Final reverse at Ashville on Tuesday means they have won just one of their last six.
9th placed Cheadle Heath Nomads will be full of confidence after three superb victories over St Martins, Rylands and Wythenshawe Amateurs as they travel to Stone Dominoes.
The hosts have lost 18 of their last 19, and anything but a win here will consign them to a bottom two finish.
Having lost their last three, 10th placed St Martins will aim to get back on track at home to New Mills. The Millers have slipped to 18th after winning just one of their last 12.
Barnton are 12th, and have had a run of three wins from four ended by back-to-back defeats to high-flying Rylands and Vauxhall Motors.
The Villagers will hope to bounce back at home to 15th placed Eccleshall, who have won their last three on their own patch but lost their last three on the road.
Last but not least, Alsager Town ended a 15 game winless run by beating Stone Dominoes 3-1 last Saturday, moving up two places to 16th in the process.
They visit second bottom Ellesmere Rangers, who are 14 points behind the Bullets having lost their last five matches.
There’s plenty to choose from in the Hallmark Security League this weekend, so go and support one of our clubs!
Weekend preview - Saturday 30th March 2019
Fri 29th March 2019 | General
By Patrick Burke
With less than a month of the campaign to go in the Hallmark Security League, things are simmering nicely in all three divisions and the cup competitions.
Northwich Victoria are one game away at Chertsey Town from the Buildbase FA Vase Final and Wembley – the tie is in the balance at 1-1 and a full preview was published yesterday.
We also have two Macron Cup Semi-Final first legs on Saturday, both of which look tough to call.
After reaching the First Division Cup Final on Tuesday with a 5-1 aggregate win over Bacup Borough, Avro will seek a repeat when they host City of Liverpool.
Avro have won 14 of their last 15 games, and sit 2nd in the First Division North.
Meanwhile the Purps, who won this competition in 2017, lead the way in the Premier Division – their sixth straight victory over Barnoldswick Town on Tuesday was crucial as it was their game in hand, and moved them five points clear of Bootle with five to play. It promises to be a high-quality encounter.
The other semi-final sees Congleton Town play 1874 Northwich. Town are 3rd in the Premier Division, and a 2-1 midweek triumph over Northwich Victoria was the perfect way to prepare for this one after back-to-back defeats.
A little surprisingly, they have never made the final of this competition, so this represents a great chance to change that. 1874 are 11th in the Premier Division, but have lost only one of their last seven, and significantly have already done the double over Congleton in the league this season.
We also have a First Division Cup Semi-Final second leg to see who will join Avro in the final, with hosts Sandbach United in the driving seat as they lead Carlisle City 4-2 from last Saturday’s first leg.
United lost the 2017 final, but have been going well in the First Division South, sitting 7th and currently on a nine game unbeaten run in all competitions.
City also occupy 7th place in the First Division North, but have struggled in terms of recent form having lost four of their last six.
With City of Liverpool in cup action, it’s a huge weekend in the Premier Division for 2nd placed Bootle, who can put the pressure back on the table-toppers in a local derby at home to Litherland REMYCA.
16 wins in a row is an extraordinary feat from the Bucks, and one secured with a 1-0 triumph at Barnoldswick last week.
REMYCA manager Phil Stafford began the season with Bootle, and he returns with his team in 15th place and looking to end a run of five defeats from six.
5th placed Runcorn Town can move up a spot with three points at home to Winsford United – although last weekend’s 2-1 reverse at Squires Gate made it four defeats from six.
Winsford are 17th, but last week’s 2-1 triumph over Litherland REMYCA was a second from three games, and gave their survival prospects a massive boost by moving them six points clear of the bottom two.
Ashton Athletic in 6th can also move up at least one place by beating Abbey Hey at Brocstedes Park.
After three defeats from four tough games, Athletic got back on track by overcoming Irlam 3-2 last Saturday. But this game has importance at the bottom, as anything but a victory will relegate the visitors, so now would be the ideal time to end a run of five consecutive losses.
7th placed Charnock Richard are another side who can climb the table, and have won three of their last four going into a home fixture against Irlam.
The visitors are 13th, but three successive defeats and just one victory from eight mean their season is in danger of petering out.
Squires Gate are one of the division’s form teams in 8th place having lost just one of their last eight. They travel to West Didsbury & Chorlton, whose need for points is becoming more desperate as they sit 19th, six points from safety with five to play.
A 1-1 draw with Padiham last weekend ended a run of five straight defeats, but a repeat of their 1-0 win in the reverse fixture would be ideal.
Barnoldswick Town’s slide down the table has been dramatic, as seven successive losses and just one win from 12 puts them in 10th place. They make the short trip to Padiham looking to stop the rot.
It’s been an excellent couple of weeks for the Storks, as seven points from nine against three of the teams below them keep them in 16th but now a far more comfortable eight points clear of the drop zone.
With leaders Longridge Town inactive and Avro in cup action, the title race takes a back seat in the First Division North this weekend, but there are still six games to look forward to.
AFC Liverpool in 4th will hope to continue their fine league form which has seen them claim 28 of the last 30 points on offer away at Steeton.
The hosts ended a 13 match winless run by beating Holker Old Boys 2-1 on Wednesday, moving back up to 14th. They also gave Longridge a scare last weekend, coming from two goals down to level before eventually going down 5-2, so they should be full of confidence.
5th placed Prestwich Heys recorded a fine 2-1 victory over Lower Breck last Saturday, so will look to take a similar performance into their away game at Bacup Borough.
The home side are 8th, and like Heys have won their last two away games. They were also well in contention in their semi-final on Tuesday, only two late goals from Avro taking the game away from them and seeing them lose 3-1 on the night, so it should be a good contest.
AFC Darwen welcome Shelley in a top half clash between the teams currently occupying 9th and 10th.
Darwen lost 3-0 at Garstang on Wednesday, ending a run of three wins from four, whilst the visitors will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s home defeat at the hands of Atherton LR.
The two sides immediately below them in the bottom half meet as 11th placed Cleator Moor Celtic host Ashton Town in 12th.
Last weekend’s 4-1 win over Chadderton made it two from three for the home team, whilst Town’s impressive 2-1 victory over Garstang made it four from six for them.
AFC Blackpool in 13th have lost three of their last four matches as they travel to St Helens Town. The home side are 17th and six points clear of the bottom two, and despite having won just one of their last 14, the 4-4 draw with Longridge in their last outing shows what they are capable of and was a step closer to survival.
16th placed Nelson will play their first match for three weeks when they travel to Atherton LR. The home side remain bottom of the table and 13 points from safety, but last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Shelley ended a seven game losing run and shows that they haven’t given up the fight.
The Admirals hammered Daisy Hill 8-1 last time out, ending a streak of four consecutive defeats.
Onto the First Division South, where leaders Rylands can take a huge step towards the title at home to FC Oswestry Town.
The hosts’ 5-0 thrashing of New Mills on Tuesday moved them ten points clear at the summit, but they face an Oswestry side who have been going well and sit 3rd.
A dramatic late turnaround to beat Abbey Hulton United last week made it six wins from seven for the visitors, so this should be a fantastic game.
Sitting in 2nd are Stone Old Alleynians, who bounced back from their shock 8-0 annihilation at Stockport Town with an impressive 2-1 victory over Wythenshawe Amateurs last Saturday.
They travel to 13th placed Cheadle Town, who have won only one of their last nine, but go into this one on the back of useful away draws at Sandbach and Cammell Laird 1907.
Despite winning just one of their last five, 4th placed Wythenshawe Amateurs are arguably best placed to challenge Rylands for the title – they are 13 points behind but with two games in hand.
They travel to 8th placed Abbey Hulton United, who themselves have won only one of their last five, and threw away a lead with five minutes remaining at Oswestry last week to lose 2-1.
5th placed Vauxhall Motors rescued a late 1-1 draw with Wythenshawe Town last Saturday to extend their superb run of form to just one defeat from ten, a sequence which includes seven wins.
However they face a tough looking trip to 11th placed Stockport Town, who lost 4-3 at Eccleshall last weekend to end a run of six victories from seven – which included that stunning 8-0 hammering of Stone Old Alleynians in their last home game.
Wythenshawe Town in 6th were denied a fourth win from five late on at Vauxhalls last week, but will seek to continue their rich vein of form at home to Cammell Laird 1907.
Lairds sit 17th, and a disappointing 2-0 Wirral Senior Cup Quarter-Final reverse at Ashville on Tuesday means they have won just one of their last six.
9th placed Cheadle Heath Nomads will be full of confidence after three superb victories over St Martins, Rylands and Wythenshawe Amateurs as they travel to Stone Dominoes.
The hosts have lost 18 of their last 19, and anything but a win here will consign them to a bottom two finish.
Having lost their last three, 10th placed St Martins will aim to get back on track at home to New Mills. The Millers have slipped to 18th after winning just one of their last 12.
Barnton are 12th, and have had a run of three wins from four ended by back-to-back defeats to high-flying Rylands and Vauxhall Motors.
The Villagers will hope to bounce back at home to 15th placed Eccleshall, who have won their last three on their own patch but lost their last three on the road.
Last but not least, Alsager Town ended a 15 game winless run by beating Stone Dominoes 3-1 last Saturday, moving up two places to 16th in the process.
They visit second bottom Ellesmere Rangers, who are 14 points behind the Bullets having lost their last five matches.
There’s plenty to choose from in the Hallmark Security League this weekend, so go and support one of our clubs!
