West Preview: Pressure building on Colls

Colls slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Widnes last week, their third defeat in their last eight games, and could be overtaken by Radcliffe should the Manchester side win their two games in hand.

Right on Colls’ tail at the top are Runcorn Linnets, who face a tricky trip to the division’s form side, Ramsbottom United.

Trafford, who are unbeaten in their last 10 games but have drawn each of their last three, welcome Droylsden to Shawe View.

Leek Town have had a bit of an up and down season so far, though do have games in hand, and they will be hoping to push towards the play-off places when they welcome Kendal Town.

They come out of a difficult November which has seen defeats to promotion-chasing Atherton, Runcorn Linnets and Colne.

Third-bottom Kendal this week lost assistant manager James Marshall, who has taken up a managerial position at Milnthorpe Corinthians.

It’s a first ever meeting for two mid-table sides at Shawbridge, as Clitheroe welcome Market Drayton Town, while Chasetown will be hoping to end their winless league run at home against Colne.

There’s a local derby between Widnes and Prescot Cables, albeit it will be played “away” at Barnton as Widnes continue to wait to return to their Halton Stadium home, which is currently having its artificial pitch re-laid.

Manager Kev Towey said: "We're 10th. We're halfway up the table. Any side coming into a new division would probably be happy with that but we've been disappointed because we believe we have the players to have us further up the table.

"On the flip side, I did say if we can get back to the stadium and we're in and around the top-half of the table then the second-half of the season we can mount a challenge to push for them playoffs."

Newcastle Town have adopted an “if you’re good enough, you are old enough” philosophy so far this season and the average age of their squad in the draw at Runcorn last weekend was under 21.

Man of the match was Ben Fraser, a goalscorer on his debut, and this weekend they welcome Mossley to the Red Industries Stadium.

Struggling Glossop North End have had a busy week off the field, with club secretary Lesley O’Donnell standing down, and the club also appointing Chris Haughton as a director.

They travel to Colwyn Bay, who are missing Lassana Mendes through suspension and Craig Pritchard who is on international duty.

Bottom club Skelmersdale United welcome Kidsgrove Athletic, looking for their first win since September. Neither side are in particularly great form, with Skelmersdale having lost their last five and Kidsgrove winless in four.

To view all the weekend's games, visit the EVO-STIK League fixtures page.