Non League pre-match reports -21.02.23
Written by Hitmix Local News on 19 February 2023
Non League pre-match reports -21.02.23
by Dave Johnson
Witton Albion v Newcastle Town
After a terrific confidence-boosting win away to Bootle at the weekend, Newcastle have a chance to further themselves from the bottom four should they come back from Witton with something.
A victory for Castle would see them leap-frog their opponents and move up a few places in the table ahead of another big game at the Lyme Valley Stadium at the weekend.
Witton were beaten at home by Widnes on Saturday after a run of three wins and a draw at their Wincham Park home and recently took a point home with them from a trip to leaders Macclesfield.
When the two sides met on the opening day of the season the game finished all-square when a second half equalizer from Jacob Lovatt earned the home side a point.
1874 Northwich v Kidsgrove Athletic
Kidsgrove and Northwich go head-to-head on Tuesday evening with the two sides each looking to edge that little bit closer to the play-off places.
Northwich are ahead of Grove on goal difference, with both sides on 37 points in seventh and eight place respectively, and eight points behind Runcorn Linnets in fifth spot with a game in hand.
Kidsgrove had almost been written off in recent weeks after a poor run of five defeats in six games before their victory at the weekend over City of Liverpool at the weekend.
They will now have a little more belief and are suddenly looking up in the table instead of at the teams below them – things could be looking better still after this one.
Prestwich Heys v Congleton Town
After their recent cup heroics, Congleton get back down to the bread and butter when they take on Prestwich Heys at Adie Moran Park.
After their win against AFC Wulfurnians last weekend to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Vase and their quarter-final win in the Macron Cup over the weekend, they will be keen to pick up three league points for the first time since Boxing Day.
They have enjoyed five cup wins since then, but their league form has suffered slightly win three draws and a single defeat – their only loss since the end of November.
Prestwich, who were beaten at the Cleric Stadium back in October when Richard Duffy scored the only goal of the game, are currently four points and one place better off than the Bears, who have a game in hand.
Nantwich v Marske United
Following a blank weekend, Nantwich are back in action, looking to move out of the bottom four with a win against one of their relegation rivals in what is truly a six-pointer.
The Dabbers’ opponents themselves are in trouble, third from bottom – one place behind the Dabbers who have a six-point advantage, but Marske have what could turn out to be a very useful five games in hand.
The fact that the side directly above Nantwich in the table, Morpeth Town, playing bottom-of-the table Liversedge puts extra importance on this game.
Nantwich daren’t contemplate the consequences of a defeat. Whilst it would be far from all over for them, it would add to the pressure and make it even more difficult to avoid the drop.
