Local Non League Weekend Matches – 19.11.22
Written by Hitmix Local News on 17 November 2022
Pre-match Information by Dave Johnson
Newcastle Town v Ramsbottom United
Newcastle must put the disappointment of a home defeat to Colne in midweek behind them if they are to get back on track as they face Ramsbottom United at the Lyme Valley Stadium.
There is still very little between the teams occupying the mid-table places and the chasing pack, so there is still everything to play for.
Ramsbottom are currently second from bottom in the table and the point they picked up in a goalless draw at home to Colne last weekend was their first point earned in five games.
One win in seven away fixtures so far this season doesn’t bode well for the Rams, but Castle have been quite generous on home soil, dropping points in six of their eight home games.
Kidsgrove Athletic v Clitheroe
Kidsgrove’s opponents this weekend, Clitheroe, will be looking to add to their already impressive away form this weekend when they make the trip to Hollingwood Grove.
Two-one up at one stage in their match at Leek Town last weekend, Clitheroe almost went home with a point from Harrison Park, had it not been for a 90th minute winner scored by Leek’s Josh Ryder.
How much of a surprise that would have been is up for debate, but their form away from home is quite impressive to say the least.
Apart from their loss against Leek, they have only been beaten once more on their travels and that was on the opening day of the season against Macclesfield.
Hanley Town v Prescot Cables
Hanley must dread playing in front of their home fans after a complete wipeout up to now since the start of the season – they are yet to pick up a single point at the Potteries Park.
Prescot Cables are the latest visitors hoping to take all three points home to Merseyside, but surely the trend must come to an end any time soon?
It’s not as though Hanley don’t know how to win a game of football – they have won more games away from home than any other side in the league – but at home, nobody has a worse record.
The Pesky Bulls as they are known have failed to win in six of their away games, so perhaps that will give Hanley boss Ryan Shotton some hope going into this one.
Chorley v Leek Town (FA Trophy)
Unbeaten at home in the league this season, Leek have an opportunity to test themselves in the FA Trophy this weekend as they make the trip to Chorley.
Chorley, who currently sit in seventh place in the National League North, beat Kettering Town in their last outing and have won three of their last four league fixtures.
Leek will be keen to prove themselves and show just why they are just a point behind leaders Macclesfield in the league table.
They dispatched Worksop Town in the first round of the FA Trophy with a 2-1 home win at the end of October and Neil Baker will be keen to make further progress in the competition.
Macclesfield v Mossley
After Leek Town cut Macclesfield’s lead to a single point in midweek, Leek’s involvement in the FA Trophy this weekend gives the Silkmen an opportunity to restore their four-point advantage.
Saturday’s opponents at the Leasing.com Stadium have ambitions of their own, sitting in fifth place in the table, four points clear of the chasing pack.
With eight goals to his name, Mason Fawns is the man to watch, as Dave McNabb’s side look to record their four consecutive win since the former Warrington Rylands boss took charge.
McNabb welcomed one of his former players to the club during the week, the highly-rated Kane Drummond, a 21-year-old striker who looks to have a great future in the game.
Brocton v Congleton Town (The Macron Cup 2nd Round)
After five straight wins in all competitions, all at the Cleric Stadium, Congleton now turn their attention to The Macron Cup as they get back on the road again.
A short trip to Silkmore Lane where they take on a Brocton side who were 5-2 winners away to Foley Meir in the previous round of the competition.
The Badgers have won their last three games by a 1-0 score, including a successful FA Trophy game at home to Whitchurch Alport last weekend – their midweek fixture at New Mills was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Congleton will be in a buoyant mood after coming back from two goals down to beat Winsford United on Tuesday night – can they make it six wins in a row?
South Shields v Stafford Rangers
With just one home defeat so far this season, it’s fair to say South Shields wouldn’t be Stafford’s first choice of destination this weekend.
Stafford’s record of a single win in their last six away fixtures doesn’t exactly breed confidence, but Matt Hill’s side have to battle on and attempt to grind out a result.
Despite their recent run, Rangers are still just six points off top spot and a win this weekend would see them leap-frog Saturday’s opponents in the table.
Stafford can still have a successful season, there’s no doubt about that, but they need to get their fingers out and start to hit form again – a favourable result on Saturday would do no harm to their cause.
Radcliffe v Nantwich Town
If ever there was proof that Nantwich are in recovery mode, the proof was there for all to see on Tuesday night when they played second-placed Gainsborough Trinity.
After winning three games on the bounce in all competitions, the Dabbers went into the game with renewed belief, but when Trinity took the lead with three minutes to go that belief was tested.
Come the 90th minute, against all odds, Harry Nevin levelled the score to deny Gainsborough top spot in the table, and now the whole club can feel optimistic.
They face another tough test with a trip to Radcliffe, who have lost just once on home soil and who have gone six games unbeaten.
