Last weekend’s important win against a strong Charnock Richard side means that we remain in third place in the table with at least two games in hand over the sides above us.
However, we now face a huge game against local rivals Wythenshawe Town, and will need to pick up at least a point if we are to stay ahead of them in the race for promotion.
The Opposition
Wythenshawe had a fantastic 21-22 league campaign, and were in pole position to secure the second place finish which would have earned them a promotion play off match until the penultimate game of the campaign. Unfortunately for them, a 95th minute winner for Northwich Victoria at Ericstan Park in that game ultimately proved costly, as they finished one point behind Skelmersdale United on 78 points in third position. However, their season was still one of which to be proud, especially for their defence who only conceded 43 goals, meaning that they had the second best defensive record in the league. They also reached the quarter finals of the FA Vase, and were thus just three games from an appearance at Wembley Stadium until Loughborough Students ended their involvement in the competition.
Town’s form so far this season has been even better, as they have recorded seven wins from all seven games played. Their attacking tendencies have brought them a total of 27 goals, with their best result being a 7-0 thrashing of Winsford United. At the other end of the pitch, their defence have managed to replicate last season’s fine form, conceding only five goals so far.
Wythenshawe Town last six results
13/08/22 Kendal Town (A) W 3-1
17/08/22 Litherland REMYCA (A) W 3-1
03/09/22 Squires Gate (A) W 3-1
06/09/22 Burscough (H) W 5-0
13/09/22 Longridge Town (H) W 3-1
17/09/22 Winsford United (H) W 7-0
Head to Head
Despite two tightly contested encounters last season, Wythenshawe ultimately managed to do the double over us. Their first victory was last October, when an Avro side reduced to ten men after Lewis Lacy was sent off held firm until Blake Norton scored in the 84th minute to secure the three points.
The second encounter at the Vestacare also went the way of the visitors, with Connor Brotherton’s goal early on and a second goal after the break from a Matthew Hewitt free kick sealing another impressive victory for Town.
One to Watch
Striker Matty Bryan has been prolific for Wythenshawe Town since joining the club, netting 26 goals last season and another eleven goals in only eight appearances at the start of this campaign, a statistic which not surprisingly has him at the top of the goalscoring charts going into this weekend’s fixtures.
