Local Non League Matches – 25.03.23
Written by Hitmix Local News on 26 March 2023
Local Non League Matches – 25.03.23
By Dave Johnson
Newcastle Town 1 v 6 City of Liverpool
If ever there was a warning of the possibility of relegation becoming a reality for Newcastle, then this was surely it following a heavy home defeat to one of their rivals towards the foot of the table.
Castle could have leap-frogged their opponents in the table with a victory at their Lyme Valley home, but a heavy defeat, and the fact that only one team below them were beaten sees them licking their wounds.
They are five points clear of the drop zone and have five remaining fixtures to ensure they avoid finishing in the bottom four – next Saturday’s six-pointer against Glossop North End could prove crucial.
By the time Tommy van der Laan found the net for the home side, City of Liverpool were already four goals to the better, and a further two goals in the final two minutes were the final nails in the coffin.
Prescot Cables 0 v 0 Kidsgrove Athletic
The important thing as far as Kidsgrove are concerned is the fact they were not beaten as they continue to chase slim hopes of achieving a play-off place.
Whilst their fate won’t be decided by this result alone, a win would have seen them three points off the to five and given them just a little bit more hope.
Anything can happen between now and the end of the season of course and it is important that Grove retain the belief that it a-can be done, but with five games remaining time is running out.
Two of their final five fixtures see them up against two of the bottom three, but the other three games see them go toe to toe with sides who currently sit in the play-off places.
Trafford 0 v 2 Hanley Town
Hanley showed they are ready to fight for the right to play in this league next season with a notable away win against a Trafford side who are still hopeful of finishing in the top five.
Going into the game their home form has been quite impressive, but they had won just one in their last eight on their travels, whilst Trafford had recorded six straight wins.
Hanley settled into the game early on when Louis Dodds met Jake Twyford’s flag kick to send a header past home ‘keeper Matt Cooper and into the net.
Midway through the second half the visitors doubled their advantage with Twyford again claiming an assist, crossing for Sam Turner to fire home.
Leek Town 0 v 1 Witton Albion
Leek’s slim chances of stealing a march on leaders Macclesfield were dealt a crushing blow with this home defeat against a side with a play-off place firmly in their sights.
Thanks to Macclesfield’s win at Skelmersdale and Leek’s home defeat to Witton Albion the gap is now an almost insurmountable thirteen points.
The race is now on for second spot and Leek boss Neil Baker knows the importance of momentum going into their final six games, and hopefully the play-off games after that.
In this game, the all-important goal that won the game for the visitors was scored in the 65th minute when Leek ‘keeper Dan Roberts was beaten by Sam Billington, direct from a free kick.
Skelmersdale United 1 v 4 Macclesfield
Macclesfield increased their lead at the top of the table with a superb away win against a Skelmersdale side who, going into the game, still had a realistic chance of finishing in the top five.
It was the Silkmen who hit first, however, when Dan Sweeney flicked the ball over home goalkeeper Joel Torrence and the ball had enough momentum to carry it over the line.
Callum Lees levelled the scores twelve minutes later and there were no further goals in the first half, but the drama happened in the second half when the home side had players sent off in the 74th and 75th minutes.
A minute later Nicky Maynard restored Macclesfield’s lead and then goals from Alex Curran (90 minutes) and Kane Drummond (96 minutes) finished off the scoring.
Litherland REMYCA 1 v 0 Congleton Town
Congleton’s impressive run of eight games without defeat came to an end at Litherland Sports Park, the home of REMYCA in Merseyside.
The game was the second of a trio of fixtures for the Bears in the space of three games in five days, following their win at home to Barnoldswick Town on Thursday.
The only goal of the game came in the 39th minute when the home side managed to beat Congleton’s offside trap to score.
The visitors pressed hard for an equalizer in the second half, all to no avail. They now face an away trip to Charnock Richard on Tuesday evening ahead of the big FA Vase semi-final at the weekend.
Stafford Rangers 0 v 0 Morpeth Town
Although Stafford drew a blank in this game against struggling Morpeth Town, they will perhaps see it as a positive, as they edge further away from the drop.
Out of the seven sides below them in the table, only bottom side Belper Town managed to record a win, so Rangers sit eight points above the drop zone.
Rangers are certainly not out of the woods just yet and with five games remaining they still have plenty to do if they are to avoid getting dragged into things.
Whilst every point gained is valuable, perhaps this result will suit Morpeth more than Stafford as it means they remain five points behind today’s hosts, but they have two games in hand.
Nantwich Town 0 v 1 Bamber Bridge
Though this was always going to be a difficult game against a side doing well in the table, it will still bring disappointment to everybody associated with Nantwich.
Bamber Bridge have moved into second spot, courtesy of the three points earned at the Swansway Stadium, while the Dabbers remain in the bottom four.
The goal that won the game was pretty special. It came in the 36th minute when Fin Sinclair-Smith flicked the ball up, before crashing a sweetly-hit volley past home ‘keeper Tom Booth.
Nantwich now have five games to save their season – it can be done, but with games against leaders South Shields, third placed Radcliffe and Marine in seventh included in their last five fixtures, things are not looking too promising.
