Atherton Collieries return to the Dreams2Reality Stadium to face Bootle on Saturday, with the chance to officially confirm their place in next season’s Northern Premier League Division One West.
The Colls claimed a solid point on the road against promotion-chasing Vauxhall Motors last time out, with that goalless draw extending their current unbeaten streak to five matches.
In fact, it’s now just one defeat in their last ten for Michael Clegg’s men; a run of late-season form that has seen them spring significantly clear of the division’s relegation zone.
And this weekend marks the first opportunity to put any related fears conclusively to rest, with a home win and anything less for Wythenshawe Town against Stalybridge Celtic extending that gap to a double-digit margin that would be insurmountable with just three further games remaining in the campaign.
Looking to delay that decisive milestone will be a Bootle side themselves not entirely clear of danger, with their overall record of 48 points from 38 games played (amassed via 14 wins, six draws and 18 defeats) placing them 16th ahead of this latest round of fixtures, five points clear of the bottom four.
The Bucks have largely been drawn into that battle due to a poor run of recent form, with their only victory in their last seven games coming against the already-relegated City of Liverpool.
That sits in stark contrast to the Stripes’ recent successes, then, though it was Saturday’s visitors who emerged victorious in the reverse running of this fixture, picking up a 2-0 win all the way back in August.
Much has changed in the intervening months, however, and with Colls having the chance to clinch survival with time to spare, it would be great to see a bumper home crowd backing the lads as they look to secure three particularly meaningful points.
And for those who are planning on attending Saturday’s game, entry will be available via our cash and card turnstiles, priced as follows:
Adults: £10
Concessions/students: £7
Under 18s: £4
Accompanied Under 11s/1916 Club members: Free.
