Weekend preview - Saturday 13th April 2019
Fri 12th April 2019 | General | By Patrick Burke
With just two weeks of the regular campaign remaining in the Hallmark Security League after the weekend, it’s quickly becoming do-or-die time for many of our clubs.
In the Premier Division, the state of the title race sees City of Liverpool five points clear of Bootle with four to play, with the pair meeting on Easter Monday.
The Purps’ 1-0 victory at Burscough on Tuesday was crucial, it being their ninth in a row in all competitions and putting them in the driving seat ahead of a trip to Whitchurch Alport.
The hosts sit 14th despite going three weeks without a game, and have won three and lost three of their last six.
It’s 17 wins in a row for Bootle after their 4-0 thrashing of Litherland REMYCA two weeks back, and you sense three points is also a must from a tricky looking trip to Charnock Richard.
Andy Westwell’s side are finishing strongly in the manager’s final season in charge, lying 7th after a 1-0 triumph at Ashton Athletic on Tuesday made it four wins from six.
After an impressive campaign which has them in 3rd place, Congleton Town will be keen to preserve that position to the end of the season – Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Padiham moved them six points clear of Northwich Victoria in 4th.
The Bears visit Burscough, who have slipped to 11th after winning just one of their last five games.
Since a cruel elimination from the Buildbase FA Vase at the semi-final stage, Vics have taken seven points from nine in the league going into a home fixture against Ashton Athletic.
The Yellows are 6th, and had won back-to-back games prior to Tuesday night’s reverse against Charnock Richard.
5th placed Runcorn Town’s form since the turn of the year has been inconsistent, but they saw off Winsford United 3-0 in their last outing.
Next up is a home game against Litherland REMYCA. The visitors are 15th and have lost six on the spin – they still need another win to make certain of their safety.
It’s been a fine season for Squires Gate, and a six game unbeaten run means they will still harbour hopes of finishing higher than 8th.
They travel to 16th placed Padiham, who are five points clear of the relegation zone, so could do with ending a run of three successive defeats to give them a little more breathing space.
With a place in the Macron Cup final booked, 10th placed 1874 Northwich have plenty of motivation to end their league season on a high – Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Barnoldswick Town made it three successive wins and just one defeat from ten.
They travel to 13th placed Irlam, who have lost four of their last five matches.
12th placed Silsden saw off Padiham 2-0 last weekend to make it four wins and just one defeat from their last six. They go to already relegated Abbey Hey looking to strengthen their hopes of a top half finish. The hosts have lost nine of their last ten, and will definitely finish bottom if they do not record maximum points this weekend.
And lastly is a huge clash at the bottom where Winsford United and Hanley Town can both take a giant leap to safety as they meet.
The pair sit 18th and 17th respectively, three points clear of the bottom two. Winsford have lost three of their last four but are unbeaten in four on home soil, whilst two wins from three matches for Hanley has done them the world of good.
In the First Division North, the title race has taken a twist in the past seven days with Longridge Town and Avro both dropping points.
Leaders Longridge are eight points clear having played two games more than Avro. They are unbeaten in 13, but have drawn two of their last three, including at AFC Liverpool last Saturday.
The weekend’s trip to Lower Breck looks just as tough, with their opponents 3rd in the table having won seven and lost only one of their last nine. They also hold an outside chance of pinching 2nd place.
Avro went down 2-1 at Garstang on Wednesday, after winning nine of their previous ten in the league.
They host 5th placed Prestwich Heys in what looks another tough contest against a side who have won their last four.
4th placed AFC Liverpool are unbeaten in 13 league games, winning 11 of those, and visit 8th placed AFC Darwen. The home side have drawn their last two matches and lost just one of their last five.
Carlisle City recorded an important 5-4 win over Ashton Town on Tuesday – a first in five, and following on from a 2-2 draw at Darwen last Saturday.
It moved City back up to 6th as they travel to Daisy Hill. A 6-1 hammering at Steeton last weekend left the hosts six points from safety with just four to play, so now would be the perfect time to end an eight game winless run.
Garstang’s excellent victory over Avro on Wednesday lifted them to 7th and made it four wins from six.
Next in their sights are St Helens Town, who travel in 17th and in good spirits having all but secured their safety with a superb return of seven points from nine from games against Longridge, AFC Blackpool and Atherton LR.
In 9th place, Bacup Borough will be keen to avoid their season petering out as they have taken only one point from their last four games.
They visit 14th placed Steeton, whose form has stabilised with two victories out of three.
Cleator Moor Celtic are 12th and have won just one of their last five, but can return to the top half with three points at Atherton LR.
The division’s bottom side have won only one of their last 14, and will be consigned to a bottom two finish if they don’t take maximum points.
After losing four of their previous five, 13th placed AFC Blackpool got back to winning ways last weekend with a 4-1 success at Nelson. They will hope to follow that up at home to Chadderton, who have slipped to 15th after winning just one of their last seven.
And there is a big game just below those two sides in the table as Nelson in 16th welcome Holker Old Boys in 18th.
The Admirals have won only one of their last eight but have long secured their safety, whilst Holker are six points clear of the bottom two but have lost their last three matches.
In the First Division South, leaders Rylands would be on the brink of the title with three points at home to Cammell Laird 1907 – and could possibly secure it on Saturday if they win and Wythenshawe Amateurs don’t.
Rylands have won their last three and pulled nine points clear of the Ammies, and face a Lairds side sitting 15th. They have taken seven points from nine in April, and did knock Rylands out of the Macron Cup back in January.
Wythenshawe Amateurs in 2nd have won their last two as they welcome Ellesmere Rangers.
A superb victory over Sandbach United last weekend made it two wins out of three for Ellesmere, but they remain second from bottom and nine points from safety with four games to play.
Stone Old Alleynians sit 3rd but despite winning back-to-back games are ten points off Rylands going into a trip to Abbey Hulton United.
The home side are 8th as a 1-0 defeat to Vauxhall Motors last weekend made it just one win from seven.
Vauxhalls in 4th are also ten points off the top, but have lost only one of their last 12 and won their last two. They host 14th placed Maine Road, who had won successive games before going down 2-1 against Barnton on Monday night.
5th placed Wythenshawe Town are eleven points off the top with only three games remaining, but are unbeaten in seven and had won four of their last five. They visit 18th placed New Mills, who have lost four of their last five games.
FC Oswestry Town are 6th, and although were beaten 3-2 ‘away’ at St Martins on Tuesday to make it two defeats out of three, they have the best home record in the division.
They welcome Barnton, who are 11th and have boosted their hopes of a top half finish with back-to-back wins and four victories from six.
Sandbach United had their 11 game unbeaten run and four match winning streak ended with a surprise defeat at Ellesmere last Saturday, but they remain 7th as they welcome Stockport Town.
The Lions are 12th having lost their last three, after winning their four matches prior to that.
In 9th place, Cheadle Heath Nomads had their four match winning sequence ended with a late defeat at Cammell Laird 1907 last time out, so they will want to get back to winning ways at home to Alsager Town.
The Bullets moved up to 16th with a 1-1 draw at Lairds on Tuesday, and have lost just one of their last four.
After losing their last three games to slip down to 17th, Eccleshall will hope to return to form when they make the short trip to Stone Dominoes.
The hosts were consigned to a bottom two finish with a 6-0 defeat to Cheadle Heath Nomads last time out – their seventh loss on the bounce.
A pivotal weekend in all three divisions, so get down to your local club!
Weekend preview - Saturday 13th April 2019
Fri 12th April 2019 | General
By Patrick Burke
With just two weeks of the regular campaign remaining in the Hallmark Security League after the weekend, it’s quickly becoming do-or-die time for many of our clubs.
In the Premier Division, the state of the title race sees City of Liverpool five points clear of Bootle with four to play, with the pair meeting on Easter Monday.
The Purps’ 1-0 victory at Burscough on Tuesday was crucial, it being their ninth in a row in all competitions and putting them in the driving seat ahead of a trip to Whitchurch Alport.
The hosts sit 14th despite going three weeks without a game, and have won three and lost three of their last six.
It’s 17 wins in a row for Bootle after their 4-0 thrashing of Litherland REMYCA two weeks back, and you sense three points is also a must from a tricky looking trip to Charnock Richard.
Andy Westwell’s side are finishing strongly in the manager’s final season in charge, lying 7th after a 1-0 triumph at Ashton Athletic on Tuesday made it four wins from six.
After an impressive campaign which has them in 3rd place, Congleton Town will be keen to preserve that position to the end of the season – Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Padiham moved them six points clear of Northwich Victoria in 4th.
The Bears visit Burscough, who have slipped to 11th after winning just one of their last five games.
Since a cruel elimination from the Buildbase FA Vase at the semi-final stage, Vics have taken seven points from nine in the league going into a home fixture against Ashton Athletic.
The Yellows are 6th, and had won back-to-back games prior to Tuesday night’s reverse against Charnock Richard.
5th placed Runcorn Town’s form since the turn of the year has been inconsistent, but they saw off Winsford United 3-0 in their last outing.
Next up is a home game against Litherland REMYCA. The visitors are 15th and have lost six on the spin – they still need another win to make certain of their safety.
It’s been a fine season for Squires Gate, and a six game unbeaten run means they will still harbour hopes of finishing higher than 8th.
They travel to 16th placed Padiham, who are five points clear of the relegation zone, so could do with ending a run of three successive defeats to give them a little more breathing space.
With a place in the Macron Cup final booked, 10th placed 1874 Northwich have plenty of motivation to end their league season on a high – Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Barnoldswick Town made it three successive wins and just one defeat from ten.
They travel to 13th placed Irlam, who have lost four of their last five matches.
12th placed Silsden saw off Padiham 2-0 last weekend to make it four wins and just one defeat from their last six. They go to already relegated Abbey Hey looking to strengthen their hopes of a top half finish. The hosts have lost nine of their last ten, and will definitely finish bottom if they do not record maximum points this weekend.
And lastly is a huge clash at the bottom where Winsford United and Hanley Town can both take a giant leap to safety as they meet.
The pair sit 18th and 17th respectively, three points clear of the bottom two. Winsford have lost three of their last four but are unbeaten in four on home soil, whilst two wins from three matches for Hanley has done them the world of good.
In the First Division North, the title race has taken a twist in the past seven days with Longridge Town and Avro both dropping points.
Leaders Longridge are eight points clear having played two games more than Avro. They are unbeaten in 13, but have drawn two of their last three, including at AFC Liverpool last Saturday.
The weekend’s trip to Lower Breck looks just as tough, with their opponents 3rd in the table having won seven and lost only one of their last nine. They also hold an outside chance of pinching 2nd place.
Avro went down 2-1 at Garstang on Wednesday, after winning nine of their previous ten in the league.
They host 5th placed Prestwich Heys in what looks another tough contest against a side who have won their last four.
4th placed AFC Liverpool are unbeaten in 13 league games, winning 11 of those, and visit 8th placed AFC Darwen. The home side have drawn their last two matches and lost just one of their last five.
Carlisle City recorded an important 5-4 win over Ashton Town on Tuesday – a first in five, and following on from a 2-2 draw at Darwen last Saturday.
It moved City back up to 6th as they travel to Daisy Hill. A 6-1 hammering at Steeton last weekend left the hosts six points from safety with just four to play, so now would be the perfect time to end an eight game winless run.
Garstang’s excellent victory over Avro on Wednesday lifted them to 7th and made it four wins from six.
Next in their sights are St Helens Town, who travel in 17th and in good spirits having all but secured their safety with a superb return of seven points from nine from games against Longridge, AFC Blackpool and Atherton LR.
In 9th place, Bacup Borough will be keen to avoid their season petering out as they have taken only one point from their last four games.
They visit 14th placed Steeton, whose form has stabilised with two victories out of three.
Cleator Moor Celtic are 12th and have won just one of their last five, but can return to the top half with three points at Atherton LR.
The division’s bottom side have won only one of their last 14, and will be consigned to a bottom two finish if they don’t take maximum points.
After losing four of their previous five, 13th placed AFC Blackpool got back to winning ways last weekend with a 4-1 success at Nelson. They will hope to follow that up at home to Chadderton, who have slipped to 15th after winning just one of their last seven.
And there is a big game just below those two sides in the table as Nelson in 16th welcome Holker Old Boys in 18th.
The Admirals have won only one of their last eight but have long secured their safety, whilst Holker are six points clear of the bottom two but have lost their last three matches.
In the First Division South, leaders Rylands would be on the brink of the title with three points at home to Cammell Laird 1907 – and could possibly secure it on Saturday if they win and Wythenshawe Amateurs don’t.
Rylands have won their last three and pulled nine points clear of the Ammies, and face a Lairds side sitting 15th. They have taken seven points from nine in April, and did knock Rylands out of the Macron Cup back in January.
Wythenshawe Amateurs in 2nd have won their last two as they welcome Ellesmere Rangers.
A superb victory over Sandbach United last weekend made it two wins out of three for Ellesmere, but they remain second from bottom and nine points from safety with four games to play.
Stone Old Alleynians sit 3rd but despite winning back-to-back games are ten points off Rylands going into a trip to Abbey Hulton United.
The home side are 8th as a 1-0 defeat to Vauxhall Motors last weekend made it just one win from seven.
Vauxhalls in 4th are also ten points off the top, but have lost only one of their last 12 and won their last two. They host 14th placed Maine Road, who had won successive games before going down 2-1 against Barnton on Monday night.
5th placed Wythenshawe Town are eleven points off the top with only three games remaining, but are unbeaten in seven and had won four of their last five. They visit 18th placed New Mills, who have lost four of their last five games.
FC Oswestry Town are 6th, and although were beaten 3-2 ‘away’ at St Martins on Tuesday to make it two defeats out of three, they have the best home record in the division.
They welcome Barnton, who are 11th and have boosted their hopes of a top half finish with back-to-back wins and four victories from six.
Sandbach United had their 11 game unbeaten run and four match winning streak ended with a surprise defeat at Ellesmere last Saturday, but they remain 7th as they welcome Stockport Town.
The Lions are 12th having lost their last three, after winning their four matches prior to that.
In 9th place, Cheadle Heath Nomads had their four match winning sequence ended with a late defeat at Cammell Laird 1907 last time out, so they will want to get back to winning ways at home to Alsager Town.
The Bullets moved up to 16th with a 1-1 draw at Lairds on Tuesday, and have lost just one of their last four.
After losing their last three games to slip down to 17th, Eccleshall will hope to return to form when they make the short trip to Stone Dominoes.
The hosts were consigned to a bottom two finish with a 6-0 defeat to Cheadle Heath Nomads last time out – their seventh loss on the bounce.
A pivotal weekend in all three divisions, so get down to your local club!
