With pre-season now upon us, 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 for the 22 teams all looking to finish top of the tree…
Matlock Town
Defensively formidable last season, the Gladiators fought their way to the play-offs before exiting at the first hurdle. Goals were the problem towards the tail end of the campaign as they seemingly dried up. They’ve played three pre-season games in four days to kick-off their preparations; a brutal reintroduction to the season that will see them either hit the ground running or falter with injuries.
Prediction: Defensive solidity goes a long way in this division. Expect Matlock to feature prominently in a play-off tussle.
Morpeth Town
With seven players departing, some of long standing, and four arriving, it is something of a new dawn at Craik Park in Craig Lynch’s first full season in charge. Connor Thomson looks electric down the flank but it will be fascinating to see how Dale Pearson deals with the step up. Morpeth gave the division too much of a head-start last season, before finishing just outside the play-offs. If the first eight games hadn’t existed, they’d be top three! That says a lot ahead of the new season.
Prediction: A quicker start is key, but this is a hugely talented squad that gelled quickly during pre-season. I don’t know about you but I want a reet good play-off push at least! Morpeth always deliver on the excitement front, don’t they?
Nantwich Town
Surprisingly disappointing last season, the Dabbers really struggled to string consistent form together. Winning only eight of 21 home league games is a record that must be improved upon if they are to return to being the street-wise mainstays of the Premier Division they once were. The addition of Joel Grant – he of Crewe Alexandra and Wycombe fame, to name a few – will help after he scored in his first two pre-season appearances.
Prediction: Got to expect more from Nantwich this season as they look to break into the upper echelons. Mid-table.
Radcliffe
I may have lost count but hasn’t there been nine new summer signings at Radcliffe over the summer, including former league footballer Jem Karacan, Nicky Adams, and Luke Joyce?! These additions should help rectify a lumpy campaign last time out. Morpeth enjoyed their trips to the Neuven Stadium, leading 3-0 and 5-1 at half-time on their last two visits.
Prediction: A much more comfortable lower mid-table finish for Radcliffe under the stewardship of former league footballer Bobby Grant.
South Shields
If you can’t win promotion by spending big, then double down and spend even more. That seems to be the mantra for Kevin Phillips at South Shields. A full-time squad signing players from the divisions above to reinforce it tips the scales heavily in their favour. They should win the division at a canter but, like last season, they will find teams up their game to beat the big spenders.
Prediction: If they don’t win the league by a distance, something has gone wrong.
Stafford Rangers
Well organised, combative, and free-flowing going forward, Stafford impressed many last season as much on the road as they did at home. Re-signing Tom Tonks for another 12 months, after he made league team of the year, bodes well for them as Rangers benefit not least from his long throw.
Prediction: Can they replicate their play-off push that came up short in the closing stages? It will be tough but it is possible. I think upper mid-table is most likely.
