. 
Atherton Collieries avoided relegation by a point last season and are favourites to go down this season. They have shown some improved form lately but without getting a win in their last five matches. Since that unlucky drew with Radcliffe they have lost by the odd goal against  Hyde Utd, 3-2, Morpeth 2-1 and Guiseley 2-1.With only nine matches left they have to start turning better performances into points. Tonight they travel to Bamber Bridge and Saturday they are home to FC United. It’s a decent chance to pick up points and they can’t afford not to if they want to pull off another great escape. They are currently 5 points adrift of safety. They trail Stafford Rangers by 2 points and both Bradford and Basford by 5 points.
Atherton still have to play against Basford at home March 30th and Stafford Rangers at home on 13th April.
Their other remaining fixtures are against: Workington away, Ilkeston away, Macclesfield home, Marine away and Worksop home. Not many points likely to be gleaned there. 
So if they fail to win against Bamber Bridge tonight and FC United on Saturday then they look doomed.

  


 

Last edited by Matchman (12/3/2024 5:44 PM)