Local Non-League Matches – 01.04.23

Local Non-League Matches – 01.04.23

By Dave Johnson

   

Glossop North End v Newcastle Town

Castle are not out of the woods just yet – five points above the drop zone with five games remaining, Saturday’s game at Glossop is a big one.

A victory at Glossop’s Surry Street ground would all but ensure they don’t finish in the bottom two, whilst doing neighbours Hanley Town a favour at the same time.

Glossop have picked up just two points from their last eight games and will be desperate to win the game if they are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation.

Second from bottom in the table, they are six points from safety going into this fixture against a Castle side who have won two of their last three away from home.

Kidsgrove Athletic v Runcorn Linnets

If Kidsgrove are to achieve their dream of a play-off place this season then it is imperative they see off Runcorn Linnets this weekend.

Linnets sit in fifth spot, five points better off than the Grove, but a further three points gap between the two after this game might just be insurmountable, given that there will be just four remaining fixtures.

An own goal from Scott Lycett and one from Linnets top scorer Jamie Rainford saw Runcorn win the corresponding fixture back in November.

Linnets have lost their last two games, whilst Kidsgrove go into this fixture on the back of seven games without defeat. This one could be interesting.

Hanley Town v 1874 Northwich

Having picked up all three points in each of their last two outings, Hanley have given themselves a fighting chance of remaining in this division, but they are not there yet.

Northwich come into the game in indifferent form, having won one, drawn two and lost three of their last six games, but will be a tough test for Hanley.

It is one they really need to pass, however, and with Colne – the side directly below them in the table – facing bottom of the pile Ramsbottom United this weekend, the pressure is one.

Should the unthinkable happen, A Hanley defeat and a Colne victory, then the Bucknall-based outfit would find themselves back in the bottom four.

Clitheroe v Leek Town

A tough fixture against Clitheroe this weekend will be important for both sides but for slightly different reasons as the season’s end closes in.

Clitheroe want a win to ensure they stay in the top five, whilst a defeat for Leek could see them lose second spot, should Workington beat third-from-bottom Widnes.

A defeat for Leek would of course be great news for leaders Macclesfield, who, should they see off Trafford this weekend be all but guaranteed the league title.

Such is the extent of their superior goal difference, it would surely be impossible for Leek to do anything like match it in the four games that would remain,

Macclesfield v Trafford

A win against Trafford this weekend and favourable results elsewhere would all but guarantee the league title for the Silkmen this weekend.

If not, then it would surely just be putting off the inevitable and delay the crowning of this season’s champions by seven days when they are at home to City of Liverpool on Easter Saturday.

Trafford, despite being beaten by Hanley Town last weekend will come into this fixture with some belief, however, after previously winning six consecutive fixtures.

That won’t put off Macclesfield, who themselves have been in fine form. They are unbeaten in sixteen league games and will relish the opportunity to extend that run.

Radcliffe v Stafford Rangers

Anything Stafford can scrape from a tricky trip to Radclife on Saturday will be a bonus as they attempt to ensure they are not dragged into a relegation battle.

With five games remaining, perhaps their two most important fixture are still to come, when they play both Whitby and Nantwich over the Easter weekend.

Hopefully, from a Stafford point of view, they will have enough points in the bag to avoid needing something from their last game of the season, at home to champions elect South Shields.

Stafford have lost just one of their last seven games, having won just two of them, whilst Radcliffe, who held South Shields to a 0-0 draw last weekend, have lost one in fourteen.

Marine v Nantwich Town

Nantwich are in trouble and the chances of them getting out of it are looking quite slim if truth be told, with just five games left to save their skin.

After this fixture comes a daunting task of taking on leaders South Shields on Easter Saturday, before a home fixture against Stafford two days later.

Then comes another massive six-pointer against Marske United who are currently one place and one point ahead of them in the table.

First up though is a tough fixture against a Marine side who are just three points off the play-offs, a Marine side whp have wone four and drawn one of their last six home games. Keep your fingers crossed for the Dabbers.