Weekend preview - Friday 5th/Saturday 6th April 2019
Fri 5th April 2019 | General | By Patrick Burke
We have a reduced schedule in the Hallmark Security League this weekend, but there are important issues to be decided in all three divisions and the Macron Cup.
Following last week’s Macron Cup semi-final first legs, City of Liverpool and 1874 Northwich go into the return fixtures in the driving seat.
The Purps – who lead the Premier Division by two points with a game in hand and have won their last seven – welcome Avro on Friday night with a 3-1 advantage.
However, they will know that the tie is not over given the quality of opposition that they face: the visitors are 2nd in the First Division North, and had won 18 of their previous 20 games prior to last weekend’s defeat.
1874 Northwich, meanwhile, have one foot in the final as they host Congleton Town on Saturday having thrashed them 5-0 away from home.
1874 sit 11th in the Premier Division but have lost just one of their last eight, and their success last weekend was even more stunning given that the Bears are 3rd in the same division.
They will attempt to complete an unlikely turnaround in this tie, and the 3-0 victory over Winsford United will at least have helped to put last weekend behind them.
In the Premier Division itself, there are only two fixtures on Saturday, but both have big implications at the bottom.
12th placed Silsden host Padiham hoping to extend a run of three wins and only one defeat from five, but the game has bigger implications for the visitors, who sit 16th.
A recent improvement in form has seen them take seven points from four games and moved them eight points clear of the drop zone with two games in hand.
They can guarantee their safety this weekend with three points if West Didsbury & Chorlton fail to do likewise.
West’s 2-1 reverse at home to Squires Gate last weekend means they have lost six of their last seven, and are six points adrift of safety with only four left to play. Time is running out for David Powell’s men, so a trip to Irlam looks a crucial one.
The home team sit 13th, and ended a run of three straight defeats with a fine 3-1 victory at Charnock Richard last Saturday.
There is also a Premier Division fixture on Sunday as Northwich Victoria host Burscough. It was heartbreak for 4th placed Vics last weekend as they lost on penalties at Chertsey Town in the Buildbase FA Vase Semi-Final, but the two away victories at Barnoldswick Town and Litherland REMYCA this week show the tremendous spirit in the camp.
10th placed Burscough have been inconsistent of late, winning two and losing two of their last four.
In the First Division North, leaders Longridge Town can take another step towards the title this weekend, but face a tough trip to 3rd placed AFC Liverpool in what should be a cracking fixture.
The hosts hammered Carlisle City 6-2 on Wednesday, making it 34 points from a possible 36 in the league.
Longridge, meanwhile, are seven points clear of Avro having played two games more, but their form is just as impressive with 32 points claimed out of 36.
Lower Breck sit 4th after a rare 2-1 defeat at Prestwich Heys last time out, ending a run of six wins and a draw from seven.
They travel to Cleator Moor Celtic, but last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Ashton Town continued their stabilisation of form as their only defeat in their last four was a narrow one against Avro.
6th placed AFC Darwen host a Carlisle City side sitting two places below them in an important game in the jostle for positions in the top half.
Darwen’s 1-1 draw with Ashton Town on Wednesday made it just one defeat from four, whilst City’s difficult second half to the campaign continued on the same night with that 6-2 defeat at AFC Liverpool – their fifth loss out of six.
There is a similar feel to a game in the bottom half as Nelson in 16th host AFC Blackpool in 13th. The Admirals are three points behind their opponents with a game in hand, but the 1-1 draw at Atherton LR last weekend means they have won only one of their last six.
As for Blackpool, a 3-2 reverse at St Helens Town made it four defeats out of five, so both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways to push for a strong end to the season.
Steeton sit 14th, and although they have only won one of their last 15, recent performances including in a late 3-2 defeat to AFC Liverpool last Saturday should give them plenty of confidence.
They entertain 19th placed Daisy Hill, who desperately seek wins as they sit six points from safety, this being their game in hand on Holker Old Boys. They have lost their last three heavily though, so need a big response here.
St Helens Town in 17th took a massive step towards safety last Saturday with a 3-2 win against AFC Blackpool, following on from a decent 4-4 draw with Longridge and ending a run of just one victory from 14.
They sit nine points above the bottom two, and could make sure of their First Division North status if Daisy Hill lose and they win at Atherton LR.
Their opponents remain bottom of the division and 12 points from safety with five games to play, but the draw with Nelson and win at Shelley the week prior shows they have not given up the fight.
In the First Division South, there are six fixtures as they chasing pack seek to apply pressure on Rylands, who have pulled ten points clear at the top.
With no game for the top three, 4th placed Wythenshawe Amateurs can take advantage and move up to 2nd with maximum points at home to New Mills on Friday night.
The Ammies are marginally the best placed team to challenge Rylands, and ended a run of just one win from six by beating Eccleshall 4-1 on Tuesday.
They face New Mills, who are 17th but thrashed St Martins 6-2 last Saturday, and led for much of the second half before losing 2-1 against Sandbach United on Tuesday.
A point behind the Ammies in 5th and on equal games, Vauxhall Motors can also climb the table on Saturday when they travel to Abbey Hulton United.
The hosts are 8th, but a run of just one win from six has ended any title ambitions, although they did claim a useful 2-2 draw with Wythenshawe Amateurs last weekend.
It’s only one defeat in 11 for Vauxhalls, who claimed their eighth win during that time by beating in-form Stockport Town 2-1 last Saturday.
6th placed FC Oswestry Town had won six out of seven before going down 3-0 at Rylands last Saturday, so will seek to bounce back at home to Stockport Town.
The visitors are 12th, but themselves had won six league games from seven before back-to-back defeats against Eccleshall and Vauxhalls.
Sandbach United in 7th have played the fewest games of the chasing pack, and will hope to continue their strong form away at Ellesmere Rangers. The home side are 19th and 11 points from safety with five to play, although a 2-0 victory against Alsager Town at least halted a nine game winless run.
Sandbach, meanwhile, have won their last four as they came from behind to triumph with ten men at New Mills in the week, and they have lost just one of their last 18 league games.
13th placed Cheadle Town have won only one of their last ten, and at home have lost their last four, so they will hope to get back on track when they welcome Alsager Town.
The Bullets are 18th having won just one of their last 17 games.
And lastly, Eccleshall are 15th as they host a Cammell Laird 1907 side sitting three points below them with a game in hand. The Eagles have lost three of their last four, but are a different side at Pershall Park where they have won their last three.
Lairds ended a four game winless run on Tuesday by striking late to record an excellent victory over March’s Macron Club of the Month Cheadle Heath Nomads.
There is plenty riding on most of the fixtures this weekend, so go and support your local club!
Weekend preview - Friday 5th/Saturday 6th April 2019
Fri 5th April 2019 | General
By Patrick Burke
We have a reduced schedule in the Hallmark Security League this weekend, but there are important issues to be decided in all three divisions and the Macron Cup.
Following last week’s Macron Cup semi-final first legs, City of Liverpool and 1874 Northwich go into the return fixtures in the driving seat.
The Purps – who lead the Premier Division by two points with a game in hand and have won their last seven – welcome Avro on Friday night with a 3-1 advantage.
However, they will know that the tie is not over given the quality of opposition that they face: the visitors are 2nd in the First Division North, and had won 18 of their previous 20 games prior to last weekend’s defeat.
1874 Northwich, meanwhile, have one foot in the final as they host Congleton Town on Saturday having thrashed them 5-0 away from home.
1874 sit 11th in the Premier Division but have lost just one of their last eight, and their success last weekend was even more stunning given that the Bears are 3rd in the same division.
They will attempt to complete an unlikely turnaround in this tie, and the 3-0 victory over Winsford United will at least have helped to put last weekend behind them.
In the Premier Division itself, there are only two fixtures on Saturday, but both have big implications at the bottom.
12th placed Silsden host Padiham hoping to extend a run of three wins and only one defeat from five, but the game has bigger implications for the visitors, who sit 16th.
A recent improvement in form has seen them take seven points from four games and moved them eight points clear of the drop zone with two games in hand.
They can guarantee their safety this weekend with three points if West Didsbury & Chorlton fail to do likewise.
West’s 2-1 reverse at home to Squires Gate last weekend means they have lost six of their last seven, and are six points adrift of safety with only four left to play. Time is running out for David Powell’s men, so a trip to Irlam looks a crucial one.
The home team sit 13th, and ended a run of three straight defeats with a fine 3-1 victory at Charnock Richard last Saturday.
There is also a Premier Division fixture on Sunday as Northwich Victoria host Burscough. It was heartbreak for 4th placed Vics last weekend as they lost on penalties at Chertsey Town in the Buildbase FA Vase Semi-Final, but the two away victories at Barnoldswick Town and Litherland REMYCA this week show the tremendous spirit in the camp.
10th placed Burscough have been inconsistent of late, winning two and losing two of their last four.
In the First Division North, leaders Longridge Town can take another step towards the title this weekend, but face a tough trip to 3rd placed AFC Liverpool in what should be a cracking fixture.
The hosts hammered Carlisle City 6-2 on Wednesday, making it 34 points from a possible 36 in the league.
Longridge, meanwhile, are seven points clear of Avro having played two games more, but their form is just as impressive with 32 points claimed out of 36.
Lower Breck sit 4th after a rare 2-1 defeat at Prestwich Heys last time out, ending a run of six wins and a draw from seven.
They travel to Cleator Moor Celtic, but last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Ashton Town continued their stabilisation of form as their only defeat in their last four was a narrow one against Avro.
6th placed AFC Darwen host a Carlisle City side sitting two places below them in an important game in the jostle for positions in the top half.
Darwen’s 1-1 draw with Ashton Town on Wednesday made it just one defeat from four, whilst City’s difficult second half to the campaign continued on the same night with that 6-2 defeat at AFC Liverpool – their fifth loss out of six.
There is a similar feel to a game in the bottom half as Nelson in 16th host AFC Blackpool in 13th. The Admirals are three points behind their opponents with a game in hand, but the 1-1 draw at Atherton LR last weekend means they have won only one of their last six.
As for Blackpool, a 3-2 reverse at St Helens Town made it four defeats out of five, so both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways to push for a strong end to the season.
Steeton sit 14th, and although they have only won one of their last 15, recent performances including in a late 3-2 defeat to AFC Liverpool last Saturday should give them plenty of confidence.
They entertain 19th placed Daisy Hill, who desperately seek wins as they sit six points from safety, this being their game in hand on Holker Old Boys. They have lost their last three heavily though, so need a big response here.
St Helens Town in 17th took a massive step towards safety last Saturday with a 3-2 win against AFC Blackpool, following on from a decent 4-4 draw with Longridge and ending a run of just one victory from 14.
They sit nine points above the bottom two, and could make sure of their First Division North status if Daisy Hill lose and they win at Atherton LR.
Their opponents remain bottom of the division and 12 points from safety with five games to play, but the draw with Nelson and win at Shelley the week prior shows they have not given up the fight.
In the First Division South, there are six fixtures as they chasing pack seek to apply pressure on Rylands, who have pulled ten points clear at the top.
With no game for the top three, 4th placed Wythenshawe Amateurs can take advantage and move up to 2nd with maximum points at home to New Mills on Friday night.
The Ammies are marginally the best placed team to challenge Rylands, and ended a run of just one win from six by beating Eccleshall 4-1 on Tuesday.
They face New Mills, who are 17th but thrashed St Martins 6-2 last Saturday, and led for much of the second half before losing 2-1 against Sandbach United on Tuesday.
A point behind the Ammies in 5th and on equal games, Vauxhall Motors can also climb the table on Saturday when they travel to Abbey Hulton United.
The hosts are 8th, but a run of just one win from six has ended any title ambitions, although they did claim a useful 2-2 draw with Wythenshawe Amateurs last weekend.
It’s only one defeat in 11 for Vauxhalls, who claimed their eighth win during that time by beating in-form Stockport Town 2-1 last Saturday.
6th placed FC Oswestry Town had won six out of seven before going down 3-0 at Rylands last Saturday, so will seek to bounce back at home to Stockport Town.
The visitors are 12th, but themselves had won six league games from seven before back-to-back defeats against Eccleshall and Vauxhalls.
Sandbach United in 7th have played the fewest games of the chasing pack, and will hope to continue their strong form away at Ellesmere Rangers. The home side are 19th and 11 points from safety with five to play, although a 2-0 victory against Alsager Town at least halted a nine game winless run.
Sandbach, meanwhile, have won their last four as they came from behind to triumph with ten men at New Mills in the week, and they have lost just one of their last 18 league games.
13th placed Cheadle Town have won only one of their last ten, and at home have lost their last four, so they will hope to get back on track when they welcome Alsager Town.
The Bullets are 18th having won just one of their last 17 games.
And lastly, Eccleshall are 15th as they host a Cammell Laird 1907 side sitting three points below them with a game in hand. The Eagles have lost three of their last four, but are a different side at Pershall Park where they have won their last three.
Lairds ended a four game winless run on Tuesday by striking late to record an excellent victory over March’s Macron Club of the Month Cheadle Heath Nomads.
There is plenty riding on most of the fixtures this weekend, so go and support your local club!
