Boro look for boost in form at Lancaster
8:20am Friday 17th February 2012 in Other Football By Craig Nelson
RADCLIFFE Borough may go into their match at Lancaster City eight places and 19 points below their hosts in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North, but both sides are on an almost identical run of poor form.
They have both lost four of their last eight league games, while Boro have won three and Lancaster just two in that time.
Benny Phillip’s men let a two goal lead slip in the second half of their last match, drawing 2-2 at home to Harrogate Railway Athletic on Tuesday, while Lancaster go into the game on the back of a 4-0 defeat at Warrington Town.
Phillips is eager to arrrest his side’s recent slump by bringing in a few new faces, running the rule over centre midfielder Brian Summerskill, who was released by Altrincham last week, and Clitheroe winger Dan Barnett at training last night.
Ramsbottom United will have a break from the serious business of the North West Counties League Premier Division title race this weekend when they travel to 10th placed Winsford United in the third round of the League Challenge Cup.
The league leaders have not played this month, but have still managed to supplement their place at the top after their closest rivals Bootle and Barnoldswick Town both dropped points this week.
Second placed Bootle drew 3-3 at home to Ashton Athletic on Tuesday, leaving them a point behind Rammy having played two games more.
It was an even worse night for third placed Barnoldswick, who lost 2-1 at home to Squires Gate. They remain two points behind Rammy, but now only have one game in hand.
Atherton LR continue to languish at the foot of the table, having claimed just four points in their last 16 games.
One of those points came at home to Padiham on January 14, and they will be playing the return fixture on Saturday.
In the NWCL First Division, Atherton Collieries are due to entertain league leaders Abbey Hey on Saturday in what will be the first of six consecutive home games - weather permitting.
The Colls, who are seventh in the table despite not having played since January 21, still have half of their fixture programme to complete with just 10 weeks of the season remaining.
Dasiy Hill, who sit in ninth place after showing some good early season form, face a trip to bottom side Leek CSOB as they bid to get back to winning ways after suffering back-to-back away defeats at Norton United and Rochdale Town.
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