Photo by Mark Parsons (Source: Emley AFC)
By David Foy
Emley
When do they next play?
Saturday 29th February 2020 3pm.
Emley vs Atherton
2nd placed Emley travel to 15th placed Atherton in the North West Counties League Division One North. The Pewits eight points behind leaders Lower Breck, do however have a game in hand on their title rivals. Atherton meanwhile are six points above the two relegation places in the league and a game in hand on St. Helens Town who occupy that final demotion spot.
Prediction: Emley wins 4-1
Team News:
Emley have launched a new academy team that will blend youth into an Under-23 side also. The side is to be managed by Sam Sutton. A UEFA B Licence holder Sutton also has previous experience within Kirklees with Huddersfield YMCA Under-19 side of 2018 as well as still working within Barnsley’s academy structure.
Emley First Team Manager Richard Tracey said, “We welcome Sam to the club as our new Academy Manager. We identified that a U23 side would be an integral part of the club’s future development, developing our own players from within, who have vision and aspirations to play for the first team at Emley AFC.”
Sam Sutton, new Academy Manager said, “I’m delighted to be joining such a well-established club. There are some really good people here at Emley and I’m looking forward to being a part of things moving forward. Setting up an academy structure is a really exciting project for the club, one which I’m pleased to have been asked to lead.”
“We want to develop players, we want to attract the best young players to our club, and we want to see our own players come through the system and into the first-team squad. We’ve already started preparing for next season, so they’ll be lots more announcements over the coming months to look out for.”
Golcar United
When do they play next?
Friday 28th February 2020 8pm.
Golcar United vs Garstang
Golcar are currently 7th in the North West Counties League Division One North. There is still a chance of making the playoffs provided they win their two games in hand on fellow Kirklees side Shelley in the final playoff spot. If so that would leave United two points behind 4th placed Shelley. Garstang, on the other hand, have their sights set on staying in the division. Three points clear of St. Helens Town and five clear of bottom club Steeton they do however have games in hand on both the bottom two.
Prediction: Golcar wins 3-2
Team News:
Only one burning issue for Golcar to bring to light: the drainage and pitch problems at Longfield Avenue. This has caused United to play ‘home’ matches at both Brighouse Town and Oldham club Avro. The club tweeted on Monday 24th February 2020,
“As some of you may be aware we are going to have to do some extensive work on our pitch and the drainage in the summer to get it back into decent condition.
The recent weather hasn’t helped.
Please see below and contact us asap if you or your company can help.
Thank you.” – @golcarunited on Twitter.
The club went on to ask persons to pledge £1,000 each to be paid back within five years in return for 3-year sponsorship deals around the ground via advertising boards, in their programme, and on social media. The club has the highest average attendance for the level, nineteen affiliated teams (250+ players), community and social events, and are a club that receives strong local press coverage/exposure.
Shelley
When do they play next?
Saturday 29th February 2020 3pm.
AFC Darwen vs Shelley
4th Placed Shelley make the trip into Lancashire to face 10th placed AFC Darwen. A win for Shelley would all but guarantee Darwen would not be able to catch them. Already having played two more matches than Shelley they find themselves still eight points behind the Kirklees club and have a much worse goal difference.
Prediction: Draw 2-2 or 3-3
Team News:
The club have progressed to the Semi-Final of the Macron Cup. The 3-2 win on Saturday versus Ellesmere Rangers sees the club face North West Counties Premier Division league leaders 1874 Northwich. The Cheshire club are also leaders of the league above The Shells who are First Division North.
The Shells had found themselves a goal behind to a Jack Briscoe penalty in the 36th minute however moments later Josh Dyson levelled. Five minutes later Shelley went ahead through Matty Waller. Five minutes into the second half however Rangers Karl Bailey equalised matters for the Merseyside club. Alex O’Keefe was to be the hero for The Shells as his 63rd minute strike proved to be the winner.
Macron Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg:
Saturday 28th March 2020: Shelley vs 1874 Northwich.
Macron Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg:
Saturday 4th April 2020: 1874 Northwich vs Shelley.