With pre-season nearly over, it’s time for our media manager to embarrass himself by making wild predictions of who is going to finish where in the forthcoming Pitching In NPL Premier Division season.
With a huge bias for our Morpeth Town, and tongue firmly in cheek, let’s see what he thinks lies in store in the final instalment of our pre-season previews…
Stalybridge Celtic
Celtic had an up and down campaign last season, finishing lower mid-table. They took four points off Morpeth last season, including a chastening 2-0 loss at Staly, where Ioan Evans scored twice before leaving for Matlock Town. Their trouble is keeping hold of talented players in a congested area of the country thick with non-league sides scrapping in the same talent pool.
Prediction: There are some big budgets in this division now and this may see Stalybridge struggle this season. But they have a habit of picking up points at crucial times. Street-wise, but they’re going to need to be.
Warrington Rylands
Recently promoted, with a new stand, new hospitality areas and new changing rooms, Warrington have come up fast from the Cheshire League which they inhabited not too long ago. Suggestions of hefty financial backing driving their success has been dismissed as “lazy” by chairman Mark Pye but make no mistake Rylands are going to feature in a top 10 all vying for a play-off spot.
Prediction: Despite the infancy at this level, they’re going to feature prominently and make waves.
Warrington Town
Not too far down the road is NPL Premier Division stalwarts Warrington Town. Adding the novelty of a Warrington derby will alter the complexion of the division slightly, but Warrington know how it’s done at this level and will be hoping for an end of season shoot-out once again, after losing in the play-off final last time out. Losing Mark Roberts and keeper Dan Atherton is a blow, but they’re experienced and should manage without the pair.
Prediction: They may just fall short of the play-offs on this occasion, with stiff competition for places among a strong division.
Whitby Town
Another team that has been around the block a few times is Whitby Town. But their squad has gone through significant change over the summer with established starters like Jassem Sukar and league top scorer Jacob Hazel both leaving for Darlington. Adam Gell has gone to Marske, making for some big shoes to fill in that starting XI.
Prediction: A bit of an unknown with the changes, but a challenger for the play-offs for sure.
