Burscough vs AFC Liverpool:
Burscough have endured a mixed season, with three wins in as many matches in all competitions. It all looked so promising at the start, but three wins from the following 12 fixtures in all competitions, coinciding with the departure of former professional striker, Richard Brodie, as manager has seen the Community Ground club stranded in the lower reaches of the table in 21st – just 10 points above the division’s solitary relegation place.
Since the arrival of former AFC Fylde Women and current Coasters Academy Manager, Conrad Prendergast, last month, Berscough have shown the early season quality. aving been knocked out of the FA Vase and Liverpool Senior Cup in the past week, the Linnets will fancy their chances for all three points.
Just a place above their hosts, AFC Liverpool are currently in a sequence of six games without a win including 4-1 and 3-6 losses, in their last two fixtures.
It may not be a six-pointer just yet, but it could be crucial in determining who’ll have a better chance of keeping their head above water, come April.
Litherland REMYCA vs Chadderton:
Litherland REMYCA’s previous six fixtures have been testament to their league form throughout the season – inconsistent. Three wins and three losses in that sequence have been bookended by a 3-2 victory over Colne, before Luke Denson’s audacious acrobatic finish knocked Pilkington out of the Macron Cup. This is the start of a run of four consecutive home matches in all competitions, ending against the same opponents, The REMY will be hoping this will be a platform to build on, in their hunt for a play-off push.
They welcome a Chadderton side, who are unbeaten in six games, who have the same play off hopes at least.
Pilkington vs Padiham:
Following a run of three consecutive losses, in all competitions, including agonising penalty shoot out defeat in the FA Vase, Pilkington’s season went from bad to worse.
A commendable comeback from 3-1 down to beat Skelmersdale United side 4-3 in the Liverpool Senior Cup, could well be the tonic required for Stephen Palfrey’s side to get back on track.
They welcome a Padiham side in their best form of the season, following three consecutive league wins – distancing the gap between them and the drop-zone to 15 points.
The reverse fixture saw Pilks surrender a two-goal lead to draw 2-2, when the match was seemingly sewn up with 10 minutes remaining.
However, Palfrey’s men remain unbeaten in the league on home turf this season and will be hopeful that they can banish any demons of the corresponding fixture.
Squires Gate vs Skelmersdale United:
Skelmersdale United travel to Squires Gate after an emphatic victory over Barnoldwick last week, and a 4-3 defeat to Pilkington on Wednesday night – despite getting themselves into a commanding position.
Former Wigan, Spurs and France defender, Pascal Chimbonda, has taken the reins as manager, and already looks to have implemented his own philosophy on a side that looked dead and buried, before he began his tenure.
Still only on just six points for the season, they face a Squires Gate side a place higher, on 13 points – but with four games in hand. If f the Frenchman’s side can secure a win this weekend, the battle to overcome the drop could take an entirely new look.
Ashton Town vs Daisy Hill:
Ashton Town are enduring their worst run of form since the first week, having lost three consecutive matches. they play host to Daisy Hill in the NWCFL First Division North. Kevin Towey’s side have proved to be one of the goal specialists of the division, with 42 to their name – something that has clearly come from the former striker.
They been on the end of two 4-2 losses – either side of a 5-1 defeat.
They face a 14th placed Daisy Hill side, who have just lost five consecutive matches, scoring only four goals in the process.
Runcorn Town vs Darwen:
The entertainers of the NWCFL First Division North, Runcorn Town, were disappointed by a 1-0 defeat to Abbey Hey last week – ending a three-match winning run, which included victory over beating Ashton Town. They were just the second side to beat FC St Helens in the league, this season. Runcorn have the experienced Kevin Ellison, who once played for Leicester with Roberto Mancini.
South Liverpool vs AFC Blackpool:
With just three losses from their last 10 matches, in all competitions, South Liverpool are one of the NWCFL First Division North’s in-form sides. On the back of a 6-3 drubbing of local rivals, AFC Liverpool, they come up against a lowly AFC Blackpool team that look devoid of confidence, having won just twice all season. On the back of nine consecutive losses, in all competitions, the visitors come into this fixture as the underdogs – with the hosts licking their lips at the prospect of an emphatic victory, especially having won 5-1 in this fixture a year ago.
