Local Non League Weekend Games – 03.12.22
Written by Hitmix Local News on 2 December 2022
Local Non League Weekend Games – 03.12.22
Pre-match Thoughts – by Dave Johnson
Newcastle v Workington
Newcastle have their work cut out if they are to kick-start their season as they face third placed Workington at the Lyme Valley Stadium.
Robin Van Der Laan’s side have only won two home fixtures all season and have won just once in their last seven games, which is clearly not good enough.
Their opponents this weekend have only lost one in their last seven outings and since a defeat at the hands of leaders Macclesfield at the beginning of November have won four on the bounce.
Sitting twelfth in the table, ‘Castle could easily rescue their season and push for a play-off place with a couple of victories – they still have everything to play for.
Skelmersdale United v Kidsgrove Athletic
Looking good in recent weeks, Kidsgrove will go into their fixture away to Skelmersdale United with confidence, believing they can come away with the spoils this weekend.
Grove have won four of their last five games and boss Scott Dundas will be urging his players to produce more of the same.
Saturday’s hosts are certainly in need of a pick-me-up following a disastrous run of form which has seen them suffer four straight defeats.
Kidsgrove will of course be looking to pile on the misery, whilst giving them a realistic chance of creeping into the play-offs, should other results go their way.
Hanley Town v Mossley
Mossley are the visitors to the Potteries Park this weekend, and despite sitting sixth in the table, the Lilywhites have not been too successful on their travels up to now.
Hanley will be crossing their fingers and anything else that will cross that that continues as Ryan Shotton’s side are still looking for their first points on home soil
Mossley have only won one in their last seven away games, but Hanley have to take a good look at their own performances if they are to pick up.
Saturday’s hosts have lost three games on the bounce – and are probably dreading the fact that their next game is at home, given their past results.
Leek Town v Runcorn Linnets
This one looks like it could prove to be an absolute classic between two sides who are bang on form – Leek in second place and Linnets just two places behind them, with a game in hand on third placed Workington.
Leek are four points behind leaders Macclesfield but have a game in hand on the Silkmen and Neil Baker’s men sit on top of the form table.
They have lost just one league game all season and go into this fixture on the back of seven straight wins – not that Runcorn will be too concerned.
Linnets themselves are unbeaten in six and have won their last two games on their travels, with a 1-0 win at Clitheroe and a 3-1 victory at Ramsbottom.
Colne v Macclesfield
Another opportunity for Macclesfield to cement their position at the top of the table, despite Leek Town breathing down their necks.
The Silkmen will believe they can win this one and will be hoping Leek drop points in their home fixture against Runcorn Linnets as they take full advantage.
Colne have lost five home games already and were beaten 1-0 by Leek Town last weekend, though there was some controversy about the decoding goal.
Dave McNabb’s side won’t be too concerned about that either way and he will be demanding his side concentrate on the job at hand.
Congleton Town v Lye Town
Congleton are in action in the FA Vase on Saturday as they face Lye Town at the Cleric Stadium, knowing tht few teams go away with anything when they are playing at home.
The Bears go into the game on the back of six consecutive wins in all competitions, before losing at Kendal Town last time out and of those six victories, five of them have come on home soil.
Lyle Town come into the game on the back of a 3-1 home win against Bewdley Town, but this one could prove to be a difficult task for them.
Richard Duffy’s side know how to win, especially when playing at home and should have enough to see them through this one.
Stafford Rangers v Atherton Collieries (10th v 15th)
Stafford have lost 1 in 7 at home
Stafford take on Atherton Collieries in the knowledge that a win could move them into the play-off places – they are currently a point behind Marine who sit in fourth place.
Rangers got back to winning ways in the last fixture, following two straight defeats, when they picked up all three points with a 1-0 win over FC United of Manchester.
Saturday’s visitors Atherton are the draw specialists of the league (along with Gainsborough Trinity) having drawn nine games so far – they have only lost twice on their travels.
But Stafford, with one defeat in their last seven home fixtures will believe they can continue their decent home form and keep up the pressure on the sides sitting in the play-off places,
Warrington Rylands v Nantwich Town (8th v 19th)
Two sides in decent form in recent weeks meet at Gorsey Lane this weekend, each needing to continue that good form for contrasting reasons.
Nantwich have won their last two away games and are unbeaten in four, winning three of those fixtures and drawing one, but still occupy a lowly spot in the table.
Warrington have also won three and drawn one of their last four games, so something could well change this weekend, though both sides would perhaps settle for a draw.
Ryalands, who have been beaten on three occasions on home turf know that a win could possibly catapult them into fourth spot, though having played an extra two games, that could well be just temporary.
