Five Things We Learned - Gameweek 35
Wed 29th March 2023 | Five Things | By Jay Cooper
1. The Motormen's engines are revving
After a fairly dismal February, during which time Vauxhall Motors won only one league game from five, it was seen to that the once-league leaders dropped from their perch atop the table in favour of Avro. Now, however, the Motormen have righted the ship throughout March, winning four out of five in the league. Perhaps most impressively, only last night, they took all three points from a clash with Bury AFC in a hard-fought 2-1 win to go back to the top of the league.
An interesting development from the beginning of the week will also play into their favour. In the only match from the past month that Vauxhall lost, Winsford United, victors on the day, were playing despite a suspension from their County FA that they were allegedly unaware of. The NWCFL has decided that the game should be replayed, and, despite reported backlash against the decision, if the game does go ahead, it could provide a huge boost to Mick McGraa's sides title hopes if they can turn 0 points into 3.
2. Huge weekend for the Bears
In another scheduled NWCFL Prem fixture from yesterday, a necessary postponement would be made, and, thankfully, this one had nothing to do with the blasted weather. Congleton Town have the game of their lives coming up this weekend when they take on Newport Pagnell Town in the FA Vase semi-final.
The game will take place in front of a packed out Cleric Stadium, and perhaps the shoulders of Richard Duffy and his players will feel even heavier with the weight that they are the sole remaining NWCFL team in the competition, not to mention that they're playing against the current holders of the competition. However, with a win, they're off to Wembley, and I shouldn't have to tell you what that means.
3. Are Pilks and Chaddy ready for the run-in?
In the First Division North, Pilkington, who have been largely immovable at the top of the league, have Chadderton breathing down their necks. Both teams have played 30 league games thus far, and it's currently advantage to Stephen Palfrey's side. They won at the weekend against bottom side Cleator Moor Celtic, but do have a game coming up against play-off occupiers FC St. Helens, before squaring off with Darwen on the final day.
As for Chadderton, they proved their mettle in a thriller on Tuesday night against another side currently in the play-offs, Ilkley Town. A 4-3 win away from home shows the resolve of potential champions, but games against other promotion contenders Euxton Villa and outside shouts Holker Old Boys will prove to be tests just as tough. However, if they can do their bit, then the pressure is on Pilks to better their results. There's only 2 points in it at the moment - don't breathe out yet.
4. The hammer is hovering over Cleator Moor Celtic
After a points deduction last season that saw them finish a mere place above the drop zone, Cleator Moor Celtic are fighting the inevitable at the moment. The Cumbrian side have been propping up the rest of the division for a while now, and, despite having played less games than some of the teams around them, are fighting on their last breath with 6 games to go.
To have any chance to escape the drop zone, Celtic need 15 points from 18 available, and after 15 from a possible 84 this season, the odds don't look great. However, as we know in this league, being in the relegation zone doesn't always mean relegation. They are a mere 8 points from 2nd-bottom Runcorn Town, and that only amounts to winning 3 games from 6 as opposed to 5. Never say never.
5. It's a swinging pendulum in the South
For the first few weeks of the season, Wythenshawe Amateurs were sat pretty at the top of the table in the NWCFL First Division South. However, the incredible home record and goalscoring antics of Stockport Town led to them taking the prospective crown and holding it throughout the season. Until this week, that is.
A few gameweeks ago, it was Wythy Ammies themselves who ended Stockport's incredible unbeaten streak at home, and. after another failure to win on home soil from the weekend for Town, who drew 1-1 with Cheadle Heath Nomads, Shane Goldrick's side picked up maximum points against Abbey Hey and then Brocton yesterday to re-ascend to the pinnacle of the division. Both sides have played 35 of 38 games as of now, so it's crunch time.
Five Things We Learned - Gameweek 35
Wed 29th March 2023 | Five Things
By Jay Cooper
1. The Motormen's engines are revving
After a fairly dismal February, during which time Vauxhall Motors won only one league game from five, it was seen to that the once-league leaders dropped from their perch atop the table in favour of Avro. Now, however, the Motormen have righted the ship throughout March, winning four out of five in the league. Perhaps most impressively, only last night, they took all three points from a clash with Bury AFC in a hard-fought 2-1 win to go back to the top of the league.
An interesting development from the beginning of the week will also play into their favour. In the only match from the past month that Vauxhall lost, Winsford United, victors on the day, were playing despite a suspension from their County FA that they were allegedly unaware of. The NWCFL has decided that the game should be replayed, and, despite reported backlash against the decision, if the game does go ahead, it could provide a huge boost to Mick McGraa's sides title hopes if they can turn 0 points into 3.
2. Huge weekend for the Bears
In another scheduled NWCFL Prem fixture from yesterday, a necessary postponement would be made, and, thankfully, this one had nothing to do with the blasted weather. Congleton Town have the game of their lives coming up this weekend when they take on Newport Pagnell Town in the FA Vase semi-final.
The game will take place in front of a packed out Cleric Stadium, and perhaps the shoulders of Richard Duffy and his players will feel even heavier with the weight that they are the sole remaining NWCFL team in the competition, not to mention that they're playing against the current holders of the competition. However, with a win, they're off to Wembley, and I shouldn't have to tell you what that means.
3. Are Pilks and Chaddy ready for the run-in?
In the First Division North, Pilkington, who have been largely immovable at the top of the league, have Chadderton breathing down their necks. Both teams have played 30 league games thus far, and it's currently advantage to Stephen Palfrey's side. They won at the weekend against bottom side Cleator Moor Celtic, but do have a game coming up against play-off occupiers FC St. Helens, before squaring off with Darwen on the final day.
As for Chadderton, they proved their mettle in a thriller on Tuesday night against another side currently in the play-offs, Ilkley Town. A 4-3 win away from home shows the resolve of potential champions, but games against other promotion contenders Euxton Villa and outside shouts Holker Old Boys will prove to be tests just as tough. However, if they can do their bit, then the pressure is on Pilks to better their results. There's only 2 points in it at the moment - don't breathe out yet.
4. The hammer is hovering over Cleator Moor Celtic
After a points deduction last season that saw them finish a mere place above the drop zone, Cleator Moor Celtic are fighting the inevitable at the moment. The Cumbrian side have been propping up the rest of the division for a while now, and, despite having played less games than some of the teams around them, are fighting on their last breath with 6 games to go.
To have any chance to escape the drop zone, Celtic need 15 points from 18 available, and after 15 from a possible 84 this season, the odds don't look great. However, as we know in this league, being in the relegation zone doesn't always mean relegation. They are a mere 8 points from 2nd-bottom Runcorn Town, and that only amounts to winning 3 games from 6 as opposed to 5. Never say never.
5. It's a swinging pendulum in the South
For the first few weeks of the season, Wythenshawe Amateurs were sat pretty at the top of the table in the NWCFL First Division South. However, the incredible home record and goalscoring antics of Stockport Town led to them taking the prospective crown and holding it throughout the season. Until this week, that is.
A few gameweeks ago, it was Wythy Ammies themselves who ended Stockport's incredible unbeaten streak at home, and. after another failure to win on home soil from the weekend for Town, who drew 1-1 with Cheadle Heath Nomads, Shane Goldrick's side picked up maximum points against Abbey Hey and then Brocton yesterday to re-ascend to the pinnacle of the division. Both sides have played 35 of 38 games as of now, so it's crunch time.
