‘Advantage Colls?’

That’s how Ian Street summed up a race for the North West Counties League’s Premier Division title following Saturday’s defeat.

It leaves Atherton Collieries tied on 70 points with Bootle at the table’s summit, but with two games in hand.

1874 slip to fourth place.

“It’s not theirs to throw away – we’re not that far down the line,” said the Northwich manager.

“Colls have a really tough run-in, but they’ve just beaten Bootle and then us in successive matches. Their tails are up.”

All of the contenders for first place still have more than a quarter of their matches left to play this season.

Michael Clegg’s men have won their past dozen games in the top-flight, a sequence that started at West Didsbury in October.

They’re the team to catch.

However they still have to play Runcorn Town home and away, visit 1874 for a return and host Runcorn Linnets.

1874 Northwich against ‘the big teams’

Before this weekend, 1874 Northwich were the only side in the top five that could boast of an unbeaten record this season against the others.

That sequence included creditable draws at Runcorn Linnets, where they played for an hour with 10 men, and at free-scoring Bootle who they shut out.

A double against Runcorn Town completed their record, suggesting a question over their fortitude when faced with a direct rival had been answered at last.

In contrast, Colls had lost at Bootle and Linnets.

“I still think what you do against the bigger teams matters,” reflected Street.

“And we missed a trick not playing at the level we’re capable of.

“Yes, we’ve improved, but we’re still not quite there yet.”

Curiously Linnets, who many rate as outsiders now to be promoted to the Northern Premier League, have the best record to date in a mini-table of the five in contention.

Northwich Guardian:

In praise of backlines

It is true strikers settle matches, but defenders win titles.

The rearguards of both teams came out on top in a game settled by a solitary goal, ironically borne of an episode when 1874 briefly lost concentration at a corner.

However it must be said that Craig Farnworth, picked by the match sponsors as the visitors’ best player, kept the shackles on Colls’ front man Jordan Cover.

Similarly, at the other end Jamie Forbes and Daniel Lafferty prevented in-form Tom Bailey from having a clear glimpse of goal all afternoon.

Colls have shut out their opponents now in four successive league fixtures, and can boast of having the best defensive record in the Premier Division.

1874 are second on that list, and failed to score on Saturday for only the third time in 30 league matches to date this season.

Northwich Guardian:

1874 Northwich full-back Matty Russell, right, and his fellow defenders stayed solid during Saturday's head-to-head with Atherton Collieries

A ‘below-par’ Northwich, but why?

“It didn’t have the feel of a big game, it was missing an edge.”

Ian Street told the Guardian afterwards that his players couldn’t explain why they did not muster a rousing finale in pursuit of a goal that would have earned a draw.

They were not outplayed by Colls, but nor did they cause their opponents’ defence – as good as it is – enough discomfort.

It wasn’t for a lack of effort, or a cautious selection by the manager; indeed, he picked Sam Hind and Tyler Edwards as wide players in support of Tom Bailey and Jason Carey in attack.

The introduction of Joe Woolley and Scott McGowan as substitutes was a positive move, too.

With so many games of the season left, this fixture was never likely to be decisive.

However the reaction of Colls players and management team on hearing the final whistle revealed they knew a psychological edge is a significant prize.

Where now for 1874?

A dash back to the drawing board would feel like an overreaction.

After all, previous results this season – and a run of nine wins in 11 league games before arriving at Atherton – suggests not much is wrong with their form.

The manner of their defeat on Saturday, when Colls’ goalkeeper Adam Reid was not prompted to make a single testing save, will be more of a concern for the manager.

It must be remembered though that nobody has beaten Colls at Alder Street in a Premier Division fixture since August – it’s a fortress for the hosts, and they know it.

1874 had lost four league matches this season before Saturday, and on each occasion have responded positively; three wins, and a draw.

Maine Road visit St Luke’s Barton Stadium next on Tuesday week, so they have plenty of time to be ready to react decisively.