Local non-league Match Previews – 18.02.23
Written by Hitmix Local News on 17 February 2023
Local non-league Match Previews – 18.02.23
By Dave Johnson
Sat 18th February
Bootle v Newcastle Town
Newcastle Town face a trip to Merseyside this weekend in the knowledge that failure to come back with all three points could well see them drop into the bottom four.
Opponents Bootle are four points better off and their Narrow defeat to Macclesfield in their last home fixture was their first loss in six games on home soil.
If Newcastle are to prosper, they will have to get back to the form which saw them go four games unbeaten on their travels before losing their last three away fixtures.
The pressure will all be on Castle to come up with something. Glossop North End and Hanley Town could both climb above them, though that is unlikely this weekend as they face Macclesfield and Leek Town respectively.
Kidsgrove Athletic v City of Liverpool
With two defeats in their last nine games, City of Liverpool should pose a tough obstacle to get over when the two sides meet at Hollingwood Grove at the weekend.
Their form is in sharp contrast over the last three games played – City of Liverpool have come out on top in their last three, whilst Kidsgrove have suffered three consecutive defeats.
This weekend’s visitors have steadily climbed the table after a disastrous start to the season which saw them lose their opening six league fixtures.
With a paltry four points harvested from their last eight games, Scott Dundas will be hoping his side can get back to winning ways before they get drawn into a relegation scrap.
Hanley Town v Leek Town
Leek Town make the short trip to the Potteries Park on Saturday, guaranteed a large following as they take on a Hanley Town outfit with just one home win all season.
There’s no doubt that the Moorlands outfit are one of the league’s form teams at the moment as they sit in second place, just four points off leaders Macclesfield.
Neil Baker’s side are strong on their travels, having won eight of their last nine games away from Harrison Park and they will certainly fancy their chances in this one.
But despite just the one home win all season, Hanley are unbeaten in six home games and they would love nothing more than to extend that run this weekend.
Macclesfield v Glossop North End
With rivals Leek just four points away, Macclesfield will go into this game having total confidence of yet another three home points.
Despite a decent start to the season, North End are currently down there in 16th place and in trouble should other results go against them.
After seven consecutive home victories, the Silkmen were held to a 1-1 draw by Witton Albion in their last home game and they will be in no mood for a repeat.
Glossop’s away form has been something of a mixed bag, but they will need to pull something special out of the bag if they are to record a win at the Moss Rose.
Congleton Town v Northwich Victoria (MACRON CUP)
Congleton put the league on the back burner once again this weekend when Northwich Victoria are the visitors to the Cleric Stadium as the two sides compete for a place in the semi-final of the Macron Cup.
Congleton are unbeaten in their last six games, though they have drawn four of those games and they will obviously be keen to progress in this one.
The Bears were given a huge boost after reaching the quarter finals of the FA Vase when they beat AFC Wulfrunians last weekend.
Northwich will welcome back suspended Matty Clarke, whilst Tom Walker and Luke Sephton will both be available for selection after missing the game in midweek.
Stafford Rangers v Lancaster Town
Rangers are well aware of the fact that one win and a draw from their last nine games just doesn’t cut it and they will be hoping for better fortune at Marston Road at the weekend.
After an impressive run of three wins and three draws away from home, Lancaster have been beaten in their last two, but they have already shown they are a force to be reckoned with on their travels.
A look at the foot of the table doesn’t make good reading for Matty Hill’s men as six of the nine sides below them could feasibly move above them should they take maximum points from their games in hand.
That is unlikely to happen of course, but Rangers need to start adding points to their total sooner rather than later o=if they are to stay out of trouble.
