Ashton Preview

Jan 6, 2020 | Club News

Yet another 6 pointer, so no pressure on the Rangers then. If you look at corresponding league records, then there is a very strong similarity. Ashton at home in the league have won 1, drawn 2 and lost 6 whereas on our league travels we have won 1, drawn 2 and lost 8. Ashton lie 21st in the table with 15 points from their games while we are 3 points behind them but having played 2 more games. Goal difference is tight such that a win for the Rangers by 2 goals will take us of the bottom. Ashton’s poor home form has seen only 1 home win, that being against fellow relegation candidates, Gainsborough, and they have two draws with Atherton and Matlock. Defeats have come at the hands of FC United, Nantwich, Radcliffe, South Shields, Stalybridge and Whitby.

Ashton came into non-league hierarchy in 1992 with promotion from the North West Counties to the Northern Premier League 1, gaining promotion to the Northern Premier League in 2002. 2004 saw promotion to Conference North, but that lasted only for one season, and became the clubs first ever relegation in their history. Last season saw their second season in Conference North, but they returned to the Northern Premier league with another relegation. They were tipped for a quick return but find themselves, like us, deep in a relegation battle. However, just before Christmas the Ashton Board acted, parted company with manager Jody Banim. They quickly appointed Michael Clegg having tempted him from Atherton Collieries. His first move was to transfer in two players from Atherton in Ben Hardcastle and Michael Brewster. Clegg had won three promotions in five years in charge at Atherton Collieries. He has however had a tough start, yet to get a victory, so hopefully we intend to stop him getting his first win.

In recent years Hurst Cross has not been a happy hunting ground for us, with defeats in seasons 2013/14, 2016/17 and 2017/18. However, our first three visits saw us gain points in 2004/05, 2011/12 and 2012/13.

I know it is asking a lot for a large away following in our current form, but for those intrepid followers you need the sat nav of OL6 8DY to find Hurst Cross, Surrey Street, Ashton Under Lyne. Please note that there is limited street parking around the ground. Railway travellers have a choice of train from Manchester Victoria or a tram ride from Manchester Piccadilly, but with both you will have a good 30-minute walk. Admission is £12 Adult, £8 concession, (Junior 12-17, students and OAP’s) and £3 for Under 12’s, however all under 12’s must be accompanied by an adult.

Games played on January 11 this century
2003 Moor Green A 1-1 Southern League
2005 Alfreton A 1-0 Conference North
2011 Telford H 0-2 Conference North
2014 Blyth A 2-6 Northern Premier League

Louis Departs for Gresley

Jan 3, 2020 | Club News

Grantham Preview

Jan 2, 2020 | Club News

Cast your minds back just short of 12 months to 19th Jan 2019. Rangers played an away game at Grantham and came away with all three points. Not just the points but 5 goals in a thriller with all the goals coming from headers. 247 witnessed that thriller and of the side that day only 5 of our squad look likely to play in the corresponding fixture this year. Let’s hope for a similar result this season.

The reverse fixture was played on a Tuesday night in August, with a crowd of 564. While we took the lead through Danny Burns, Grantham pegged us back late on with an Adelekan goal. Only 6 of the Grantham 16-man squad appeared in their Boxing Day fixture, so expect to see a different Grantham team than the one we played in August. Mention must be made of the Boxing Day fixture as Grantham lost at home 5-1 to relegation candidates Gainsborough. Grantham took the lead in the game but lost out in the end. Having watched the highlights of that game Grantham make full use of very long throws from the left side so we need to be prepared. I do not want to hear of any comments about the state of our pitch as their pitch looked a lot worse. Considering it was a holiday fixture the crowd was only 259.

Grantham lie in 17th place with 22 points. Away, they have only amassed 5 points from draws and are the only team in the league yet to win away. However, it is at home where they do the damage with 5 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats. Wins have come against Bamber Bridge, Basford, FC United Radcliffe and Scarborough. Mickleover and Hyde were draws and they have lost to Gainsborough, Ashton, Morpeth and Whitby. Their home games against the relegation battlers is mixed so we need to add to their Boxing Day defeat and take all 3 points. If we can perform like we did new Years day then that could be possible

For those that have not been to the South Kesteven Sports Stadium before you need some essential items. Standing behind the goals will require a telescope and binoculars are useful on the touchline. Only joking, but the stadium is an athletics stadium so at times lacks some atmosphere as the pitch appears a long way off. Admission Charges are, Adults £10, Concessions £6, Juniors 15-18 £3 and 15s are free. There is no additional charge to sit in the main stand. There is a large car park at the stadium. There is a hot food facility in the bar area open before the game and again at half time, but last season they had a hut serving some delicious fayre. The ground is easy to find, arriving on the A52 from Nottingham you turn right by the Muddle Go Nowhere pub and at the end of Barrowby Gate, turn right and quickly left into Trent Road and the ground will appear on your left.

Games played on January 4th this century

2003 Folkstone H 6-0 Southern League
2014 Stocksbridge H 3-1 Northern Premier League