NCEL Weekend Preview
8th December, 2006
Five NCEL sides are aiming for a place in the last thirty-two of the FA Vase this weekend.
At least one team from the League will progress as there is an all-NCEL clash between Glasshoughton Welfare and Winterton Rangers at Leeds Road.
It is an intriguing tie as Rangers, who are currently heading Division One, get a chance to taste what life would be like after promotion against a Welfare side who are in the bottom six of the Premier Division.
Two other NCEL sides hope to use home advantage to its fullest against teams from the Northern League.
Gedling Town host West Auckland Town whilst Retford United entertain Shildon.
And, Thackley will be hoping to avoid becoming Barwell's third NCEL scalp of the season in the competition.
The Dennyfield side travel to the Midland Alliance outfit who have already dispatched Mickleover Sports and Arnold Town out of the Vase.
Good luck to all our sides in the competition.
In the Premier Division, leaders Sheffield have what looks an easy game on paper as they entertain the next-to-bottom side Brodsworth Welfare.
The visitors have yet to pick up a point on their travels having lost their seven away matches so far.
But, Welfare will be keen to change that to start moving away from bottom side Shirebrook Town.
Meanwhile, Shirebrook will be determined to alter their fortunes in a massive local derby at home to Sutton Town with the points very important for both sides.
For the hosts, it gives them a chance to cut the four point gap between them and the rest whilst, for Sutton, a victory would stop a seven game run without a win that has left them in thirteenth position.
Back at the top end of the table, third-placed Maltby Main host an ever-improving Glapwell side who have climbed to ninth.
Fourth-placed Hallam entertain the side just two spots behind them, Mickleover Sports, at Sandygate in what is probably the match of the day in the Premier Division.
Arnold Town, who are sixteenth yet still unbeaten at home, will want to extend that record against mid-table Liversedge.
Carlton Town are at home to Garforth Town whilst Pickering Town travel to Eccleshill United and Long Eaton United entertain Armthorpe Welfare in the rest of the top flight action.
With Winterton in the FA Vase, there is a chance for Parkgate to take over at the top of Division One as they host tenth-placed Tadcaster Albion.
Nostell Miners Welfare, who are third, could also close the gap with a win at home to Pontefract Collieries.
The bottom two sides, meanwhile, are hoping to pick up their first points away from home at top-half teams.
Basement outfit Rossington Main go to Staveley Miners Welfare whilst Yorkshire Amateur are at Lincoln Moorlands.
The team above them Borrowash Victoria will hope to continue a recent upturn in fortune that would stop hosts South Normanton Athletic from a chance of claiming a top three spot at Lees Lane.
And, in mid-table clashes, Hall Road Rangers are at home to AFC Emley whilst Teversal are at Worsbrough Bridge.