Local Non League Fixtures – 04.03.23
Written by Hitmix Local News on 3 March 2023
Local Non League Fixtures – Saturday 4th March 2023
By Dave Johnson
Newcastle Town v Clitheroe
With a relegation battle staring them in the face, the visit of fourth-placed Clitheroe is perhaps not the fixture they would have chosen this weekend to help them move up the table.
With the two sides fighting for points for opposite reasons, this one could well be a scrappy affair, but one the Newcastle will be desperate to come out of the game with something to show for their efforts.
Kust four points above second bottom Hanley Town, Castle know that now is the time to start putting a run together and with two consecutive defeats – four in their last five games, it won’t be easy.
Clitheroe are sitting in the play-off places but can’t afford to be complacent when they visit the Lyme Valley Stadium at the weekend and they will be determined to take maximum points away with them.
Bootle v Kidsgrove
Whilst a trip to the Berry Street Garage Stadium won’t define Kidsgrove’s season, it may well keep their slim play-off hopes alive should they come away with a win.
As things stand, they have seven points to make up on fifth placed Runcorn Linnets and with just nine remaining fixtures it is a big ask.
But football has a habit of producing surprises just when you are not expecting them, and while there is hope Grove have to keep aiming high.
They need to overcome the challenge of this weekend’s opponents Bootle first of all. The Merseyside outfit have lost each of their last two home fixtures and Kidsgrove are unbeaten in their last two on their travels – this could be interesting.
Workington AFC v Hanley Town
Hanley Town face the biggest trip in the club’s history this weekend, their opponents Workington will certainly pose a tough test as Hanley’s need for points is becoming more desperate.
The 346 mile round trip could prove daunting in itself, but their opponents , Workington, will be hoping to take advantage of any further slip-ups by Leek Town, who are three points better off in second place.
With a big home derby fixture against Kidsgrove Athletic coming up next weekend, perhaps the best Hanley can wish for is that they don’t pick up any fresh injuries,
Recent signing from Nantwich Town, Matty Bell could be in line for his full debut for the club after coming off the bench midway through the second half last weekend.
Leek Town v City of Liverpool
Whilst Leek won’t have given up on top spot just yet, the likelihood of them achieving that goal is fast slipping away, due in part to the number of games remaining and also because of recent results.
City of Liverpool will arrive at Harrison Park in a good run of form, having won four of their last five games and they will look at Leek’s recent form and fancy their chances.
Neil Baker’s side followed up a 0-0 away to struggling Hanley Town and followed that with a 3-1 home defeat to Trafford, leaving them nine points off top spot.
Baker will drive his side forward, but how they get over the disappointment of recent results after aiming so high will be interesting to see.
1874 Northwich v Macclesfield
The title hasn’t yet been decided, but with a nine-point lead on their closest rivals, Macclesfield know it is all in their hands.
Whilst they are unlikely to let things slip between now and the end of the season, it is a case of carrying on as normal as they prepare to face 1874 Northwich this weekend.
Without a win in three games, Northwich know they must up their game f they are going to come out of this one with anything to show for their efforts.
Macclesfield haven’t lost on their travels since a 2-1 defeat at Runcorn Linnets back in November and they are unbeaten in thirteen games since that loss.
Ashton Athletic v Congleton Town
Success in cup competitions has left Congleton with a lot to do in the league since the turn of the year – they have won just the one league match since Boxing Day
They have a perfect opportunity to pick up all three points on Saturday, however, when they make the trip to bottom-of-the-table Ashton United.
Ashton have picked up a paltry five points at home all season, losing twelve of their fifteen home fixtures and with sixteen points in the bag, are a further sixteen points from safety.
The Bears still have it all to do of course, they will have to earn the three points and after slipping down to ninth place in the league they will be determined to do so.
Stafford Rangers v Warrington Ryands
Stafford’s win at Stalybridge last weekend has given them some breathing space after looking like they might get dragged into a relegation scrap.
Rangers are, however, in no man’s land, stuck in the middle of the table with nine games to play and arguably nothing to play for – that is apart from pride.
Like any other club of course, they will want to finish the season as high as possible and a home game against a side better off than Rangers on goal difference only will be the first step in achieving that.
Stafford are now unbeaten in three games, while Rylands have picked up a solitary point in four fixtures. Stafford will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run and will go into this one with some belief.
Nantwich Town v Hyde United
Nantwich departed with manager Ritchie Sutton and his assistant Gary Taylor-Fletcher earlier this week following their recent poor results against Relegation rivals Marske United and Morpeth Town.
Both games were billed as ‘six-pointers’, but the Dabbers came out of the two games with nothing to show for their efforts and they now sit fourth from bottom with teams below them having the ‘luxury’ of games in hand.
Nantwich wasted no time in appointing a new manager. Paul Carden will be joined by John Miles, who will take on the role of his assistant.
Carden has a wealth of experience at this level, having spent five seasons in charge of Warrington Town, finishing third in the table in three of those seasons.
They could hardly have chosen a tougher fixture to start off with as they face second placed Hyde United at the Swansway Stadium.
ewcastle Town
