Local Non League Matches- 25.02.23

Local Non League Matches – by Dave Johnson

Saturday 25^th February 2023

Newcastle Town v Skelmersdale United

After four successive home defeats, Newcastle have looked a little better in their last two at the Lyme Valley Stadium, with a draw against Hanley Town followed by a win over Prescot Cables.

They come across a Skelmersdale side who have been more than impressive on their travels of late and if Newcastle are to make up the three points deficit Saturday’s visitors have over them they need to be in top form.

The Lancashire outfit have won four of their last five away fixtures and will believe they can extend that impressive run against a side who have lost three of their last four games.

As far as Robin van der Laan’s side are concerned, they need to look after the short term to ensure long-term success, and at the moment that means a couple of wins under their belts to move them away from the drop zone.

Mossley v Kidsgrove

A win and a draw in their last two games following three successive defeats were just what the doctor ordered as Kidsgrove look to get their stuttering season back on track.

They still have an outside chance of getting into those coveted play-off places and with ten games remaining they will be looking to put a fun together.

This weekend they travel to Mossley, who currently sit one place below the play-off positions and Kidsgrove could do themselves a huge favour should they win this one.

They won’t underestimate their opponents, however, and will be armed with the knowledge that Mossley are without a win in their last four games, though they have  more than decent home record.

Widnes v Hanley Town

Hanley have a must-win game against second from bottom Widnes on the cards this weekend with the knowledge that if they lose they could be in deep trouble.

Fourth from bottom themselves, Hanley are just two points better off and they will be desperate to return home with maximum points from this one.

Both teams have similar records in recent weeks, each losing just one of their last five games, but after a home draw against Leek Town last weekend, Hanley will surely be full of confidence.

Hanley must resurrect their early season away form if they are to push themselves up the table – their recent run of one point from eighteen on their travels just won’t cut it.

Leek Town v Trafford

After a disappointing goalless draw in their derby match at Hanley Town last weekend, Leek know the chances of making up the gap on leaders Macclesfield is becoming increasingly unlikely.

Rob Stevenson and Tim Grice got the goals in a two-nil win for Leek when the two sides met at Shawe View in early November and Neil Baker will be demanding a similar result this weekend at Harrison Park.

Leek have only lost four games all season – two of those were against Macclesfield, but they face a side who, despite being only five points from the drop zone, are in a decent run of form.

Trafford have only been beaten once in their last five games and away from home they are unbeaten in their last four outings – something for Leek to ponder.

Workington v Macclesfield

Six points clear of second placed Leek Town, Macclesfield are closing in on the league title with the fixture list gradually winding down.

Although favourites  not only to win the league, but to come out on top this weekend, visitors Workington have aspirations of their own and they will be keen to take something away from the game at Moss Rose.

Macclesfield won the corresponding fixture at Borough Park earlier in the season by four goals to one and are expected to come out on top once again this weekend.

Sitting in third place just three points behind Leek Town, The Reds’ only blip in their last fifteen games since losing to the Silkmen was a 1-0 home defeat to Bootle two weeks ago.

Congleton Town v Vauxhall Motors

Congleton will need to get back to their very best if they are to return to winning ways this weekend as they go looking for a first league win since Boxing Day.

Vauxhall Moors are the visitors to the Cleric Stadium, a side currently only kept from the top spot on goal difference, but with a game in hand over leaders Avro.

Although The Bears haven’t won a league game since the turn of the year, they are on a run of seven unbeaten games in all competition, with different cup competitions more or less taking over their fixture list of late.

The Motors were beaten 1-0 by Prestwich Heys in their last away fixture, coincidently the very same side who beat Congleton in their last match in midweek. Vauxhall have won one and drawn one of their last four fixtures and it’s that form which should give Congleton some belief.

Stalybridge Celtic v Stafford Rangers

Rangers must have breathed a collective sigh of relief after their win against Lancaster City lifted them further away from the danger zone, as they were looking in real danger of being dragged into a relegation battle.

They will be expecting a battle this weekend when they face another side desperate to pick up maximum points as they too are too close for comfort at the wrong end of the table.

It is not expected to be a game for the football purists if the form table is anything to go by. Despite a terrific away record, Stalybridge have lost their last three home games.

How Rangers handle that statistic is anybody’s guess, but despite being unbeaten in two themselves, they have lost their last six games on their travels.

Morpeth Town v Nantwich Town

A midweek home defeat to fellow-strugglers Marske United is hardly the ideal preparation for an away trip to face Morpeth Town, but Nantwich really need to drag themselves up from the floor.

Saturday’s away fixture is another six-pointer, and if they lose this one, whilst they should never throw in the towel, it would make it a lot more difficult to dig themselves out of a hole.

Saturday’s opponents are one place and two points better off and have the so-called luxury of having two games in hand – not guarantee of anything, but the Dabbers would gladly change places.

Nantwich are unbeaten in three on the road and have only been beaten twice in their last eight on their travels. After losing four consecutive home fixtures, Morpeth have won two and lost two of their last four.