1896/97 Division 1 - Week 18
Aston Villa vs. Preston North End
Our first match of the week is one that would have likely had major implications for the title 5 years ago. Now though it sees an Aston Villa side in poor form taking on a Preston side that are currently in contention to face relegation playoffs. It is pretty unsurprising that Villa walk away with the win here as Preston continue to look poor, conceding in the 23rd and 37th minutes to lose by two goals.
Sheffield United vs. Woolwich Arsenal
Being a bit lazy this week, so in a couple of these clashes the colours will clash a bit, sorry for that. Last season this would have been an important match in deciding who would face the relegation playoffs. This season however Arsenal have managed to build a 4 point cushion, while the Blades are high flying the top half of the table, although currently well out of title contention. Unsurprisingly the Blades looked the better side in this one, scoring in the 52nd minute to walk away with the win.
Walsall vs. Birmingham St George's
Two sides in the lower half of the table as Walsall have been thoroughly disappointing this season after multiple years of strong performances in the top half of the table. For the Dragons, it has been years of barely surviving, with the incredible finish of 5 years now a distance memory. A poor turn in form recently has seen them drop from looking set to avoid the playoffs to dropping into the bottom 2. St George's attack looked toothless in this match, unable to register even a single shot on target. Even worse however was their defence which was leaking goals throughout the course of this match, holding out for half an hour before conceding two in quick succession. The second half was not any better as Walsall scored in the 68th and a final one in the 89th minute to take a dominant win.
Sunderland Albion vs. Blackburn Rovers
Sunderland Albion are fighting for their survival in this one, stuck in a tight bottom 4 battle to avoid the relegation playoffs. Blackburn are unlikely to provide the greatest opportunity to pick up points as the side is currently sitting securely in the top half and looking well clear of any danger. Albion actually looked pretty good in this one, managing to put one past Blackburn in the 34th minute to take the lead going into half-time, looking the better side. 10 minutes into the second half Blackburn would find the equaliser, only for Albion to take the lead once more in the 62nd minute. Blackburn would hit back 8 minutes latter to tie things back up and show why they are currently sitting third by putting one more past Albion in the 83rd minute to walk away with the win.
Middlesbrough Ironopolis vs. Derby County
A lot of people are rightfully talking about Sheffield United's recent change in form to become a strong side, but I think Derby County also deserve a mention. For the last 4 seasons they have failed to get out of the double digit positions, having consistently looked like a number filling side. This year however they now sit in 2nd place and are the closest team we have to a title challenger. This week they head out to Paradise to take on an Ironopolis side who have spent the last few years struggling. The Irons have just never been the same sides for the past 3 years from the genuine threat they were when they were first welcomed into the league. Ironopolis's keeper was man of the match here, as it certainly was never going to be their pitiful attack. Derby had plenty of chances and the majority of the possession, but failed to convert a single one as Ironpolis's goalie managed to stop every shot and forcing the Rams to accept a draw
West Bromwich Albion vs. Crewe Alexandra
The two sides who faced off in the playoffs last year, both have definitely stepped up. West Brom are securely midtable, while Crewe are in the top half and looking good. There was very little to split these two sides and it showed in a very tight and defensively solid match. Crewe would eventually manage to score in the 64th minute, only to suffer and equaliser in the 83rd minute as the two sides split the points.
Bootle vs. The Wednesday
With the way this season is going, it certainly looks like the Bucks are set to claim their 3rd title in 4th years. Their opponents this week are not going to be easy to beat though as The Wednesday have been a consistently strong side in the league for many years now. This match would see plenty of chances for both sides, although with The Wednesday managing to score first in the 32nd minute, taking a lead into half-time. A goal in the 52nd would bring Bootle back into the match and just as it was looking set to be Bootle's second draw of the season, an 89th minute winner would hand Bootle their 15th win of the season instead.
Darwen vs. Newton Heath
It is hard to believe last season Newton Heath finished 4th with the way they have been performing this season, while the side are hardly in the relegation mix, they are certainly struggling to compete with many of the better sides in the division. Darwen meanwhile a decent, most notable this season for often being involved in the most high scoring matches of the week. Goals in the the 32nd, 55th, 76th and 83rd really showed the gulf in quality between the two sides as Newton Heath looked poor throughout the match, to the point it was unsurprising they would concede so many goals.
- DinoKea
