Northop Hall are aiming to keep promotion push on course

Slater and his Northop Hall side are enjoying a fine season in Liverpool Competition action and they are well in the mix to secure promotion from Division Two.
Looking to stretch their unbeaten run, Hall make the trip to Whitefield (Roby) tomorrow, while they were left frustrated last time out as their crunch top-of-the-table showdown with Caldy had to be abandoned.
Skipper Slater said: 'We thought we had a chance of seeing where we were at, but unfortunately the rain came.
'We managed to get out for five-ish overs, but after that the heavens opened. I think it would have given us an idea of where we are at, so it was a bit disappointing.'
Hall have experienced defeat on just one occasion so far this summer and they will be targeting a sixth success of the season at Whitefield, who are currently in ninth place.
'It's one of those,' admitted Slater, looking ahead to tomorrow. 'In this league, anyone can beat anyone. I think they're a relatively new team to the competition, but they've had a bit of a change in squad since last year.'
Liam Evans-Ford is rewarded with his promising second team showings by stepping into the first XI once more.
There are home comforts in store for Hall's second team tomorrow as they tackle Highfield.
In the Shropshire League, Chirk will be aiming to maintain their promising run of form.
There have been three wins in their last four encounters for Liam Walker's side, who will be looking for their fourth Division One triumph of the campaign as they welcome fourth-placed Cound.
The upturn in outcomes has moved Chirk up into seventh position in the table and they will head into the encounter on the back of a 35-run success at home to Quatt Seconds.
Ten overs were knocked off each innings and Chirk's effort in the middle produced 193 for seven. Captain Walker led the way with 86 from 87 deliveries, while opener Oliver Gough struck 58.
Walker said: 'It was a good day. We batted well and we bowled well.
'Me and Ollie had a good partnership that set us on the way. We would have liked to kick on to 200-210, but we limped a bit at the end.'
Quatt's reply ended on 158 for seven. Mark Shaw was the pick of the attack with three for 33, while there was a wicket apiece for Gough and Luke Gardner (pictured below).
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Walker added: 'They have got a good side and they have got good players in their side. They will be strong batting, but we will take it as it comes.
'It's been good (three wins out of four). We never start well, to be honest.'
Chirk Seconds are looking to bounce back from a 51-run reverse when they travel to Ludlow Thirds in Division Seven.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Leader Live

21 hours ago

• Leader Live

Promotion-seeking Northop Hall aim for home comforts benefit

However, there are no certainties and third-placed Hall will not be taking lowly visitors St Helens Town lightly. Skipper Ben Slater said: 'Obviously, we're not taking our eye off the ball. They only came down from Division One last year and they have got some good players in their squad.' It's just a case of trying to win matches from Hall's perspective as they look to maintain the pressure on Ainsdale and Caldy, the sides in the Division Two promotion spots. Northop Hall Seconds are on their travels to New Brighton Seconds tomorrow. Chirk are on an excellent run of form in the Shropshire League and they will be looking to continue the positive vibes when they make the Division One trip to Bomere Heath tomorrow. It's a meeting of two in-form teams, with both triumphing in their last two run outs. Last time out, Chirk were able to get the better of Cound by 16 runs in a tight showdown. Captain Liam Walker led from the front with his effort of 88 in Chirk's 157 all out. Hidayat Haroonkhail then picked up four for 25 as Cound's response was concluded on 141. Nitish Sharma (2-22) and Walker (2-28) also impressed for Chirk. In Division Seven, Chirk Seconds host Condover Seconds. St Asaph's Will Ryan will be the captain when Wales National County (North) tackle Staffordshire Seconds this Sunday. Stone Cricket Club will be the venue for the 50 overs-per-side encounter. A trio of St Asaph players are in the North Wales 12, with Dan Evans and Matt Ryan also included. Hawarden Park's Evan Shaw is included, alongside Bangor pair Nat Scott and Jamie Grimshaw, Menai Bridge's Patrick Glover, Neston's Ben Beaver (pictured above), Nantwich's Jason Foulkes and Newtown's Griff Davies. The line-up is completed by Denbigh duo Harrison Jones and Ranija Abeysinghe. North Wales will look to build on their 71-run success versus Shropshire Academy last time out. Harrison Jones (71), Brymbo's Sam Aplin (54) and Will Ryan (52 not out) pushed North Wales to 295 for four, before three wickets apiece from Jason Foulkes and Matt Russell played their part in the home side's 224 all out.

Daily Mirror

3 days ago

• Daily Mirror

Everton put four Premier League stars on transfer wishlist including Kyle Walker

Everton are in need of more depth at right-back after the exit of Ashley Young, while competition is also needed for club captain Seamus Coleman, and Kyle Walker has been identified as a target Kyle Walker is leading Everton 's four-man transfer wishlist of right-backs this summer as David Moyes looks to provide competition for Seamus Coleman. Everton battled relegation last season under Sean Dyche before Moyes arrived and saved them from the drop, securing a 13th placed finish with 48 points. ‌ Moyes has inspired superb displays from the likes of Iliman Ndiaye and Beto and now he wants to bolster his squad with more quality to ensure the Toffees push on next season - with right-back seen as an area of weakness. ‌ Everton have veteran Seamus Coleman at right-back, but the club captain is 36 and the club know they need more options in that position, especially after Ashley Young departed. According to the Times, Everton have identified four right-backs who could add depth to the sign this summer, with Manchester City star Walker heading up that list. The England right-back spent last season on loan at AC Milan after telling manager Pep Guardiola he wanted a new challenge. He is not expected to stay at the Etihad this summer and Everton are among a "growing list" interested in signing him. While they have offered a one-year extension to Coleman, they still need cover at right-back and are optimistic City will be eager to offload Walker. Everton have been given hope that they could be one of the frontrunners to sign 35-year-old Walker after Milan declined the chance to sign him permanently. Fenerbahce and Galatasaray in Turkey are included in the teams keen on a move. ‌ Another option for Everton is Fulham star Kenny Tete, who will be available on a free transfer when his contract at Craven Cottage expires later this month. With Everton having limited money to spend as they prepare for a first season in their new stadium, Moyes will have to look for bargains. Former West Ham star Vladimir Coufal and former Southampton man Kyle Walker-Peters are two more targets under consideration, the report says. As Walker looks for clarity on his future, another report from the Guardian claims that he would be "enthusiastic" about joining Everton and is not looking at another move abroad after his spell at Milan. Walker has played a total of 646 career games and has won an impressive array of trophies. He boasts six Premier League titles, while he has won the Champions League, the League Cup four times, the FA Cup twice and also the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

• Daily Mail​

Pep Guardiola ignores his key rule on captaincy to name Man City star in leadership group - as boss breaks silence on Jack Grealish's Club World Cup snubbing

Pep Guardiola broke his own managerial rules to appoint Erling Haaland as one of Manchester City 's captains for the season ahead in a significant show of faith in the superstar striker. Haaland's leadership stock had continuingly grown over his three years at the Etihad Stadium and, with Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker leaving the club, City needed a shake-up. Players and staff usually vote on a five-man leadership group in August but Guardiola has taken matters into his own hands. The Catalan was left disappointed with how the captaincy was managed last term, with ex-skipper Walker departing for AC Milan in January. Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Rodri are joining Haaland in the four as City start their defence of the Club World Cup against Wydad AC in Philadelphia on Wednesday. 'I'm the manager and for the first time in my career I decide the captains,' Guardiola said. 'I didn't like what happened last season and I decide who will represent the team. 'Sometimes I want to be the boss. This season I decided to do it, choose the four captains and after the tournament maybe we choose one or two more. 'Erling is incredibly well respected. He has to learn what it means to be a captain because he will hopefully be here for many years and sooner or later he will take that position to be the first one. 'When you have Bernardo, Rodri, Ruben and Gundogan – who was captain when we won the Treble - he will learn. 'The four will guide the new players. There will be problems this season, like any season, but it's more than fine. 'These four players on the pitch, they are huge personalities. They say, 'We cannot accept what is going on' and make the step up.' Guardiola addressed Jack Grealish's omission from the 27-man squad taken to the United States. Grealish is set to leave the club this summer, with Napoli among those monitoring his situation, and Guardiola reiterated his comments on the final day of the season when maintaining that the 29-year-old needs regular game time. 'He had a conversation with the club and they decided it was best,' Guardiola said. 'Jack is an exceptional player. The only reason why he didn't play last season is of course my decisions. 'We decide that he has to play. The club was honest, he was honest. We decide that the best thing is to stay (behind) and have a place that he can feel like he can come back to be the player like he was in the year of the Treble or all his career in Aston Villa. 'Without him it would have been more difficult in the year of the Treble. The fact is in the last two seasons he didn't play much minutes. He has to come back to play and have the butterflies in his stomach that he can play every three days, every three days and show again the quality he has.'