Fylde coast cricket preview: St Annes won't give up Blackpool chase

If his first full year of captaincy has taught him anything it is to expect the unexpected, and that is why Nathan Armstrong says his St Annes side can't be ruled out of the Northern Premier Cricket League title race.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Aug 2018, 14:00 BST
Amar Ullah has now departed St AnnesAmar Ullah has now departed St Annes
Amar Ullah has now departed St Annes

With two games to play, Blackpool have 228 points and Netherfield 226.

St Annes on 208 are the only team still able to overhaul the top two, and as they face relegated bottom club Preston tomorrow Armstrong is hoping to take the title race down to the wire.

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That will only happen if neither of the leading pair win tomorrow but Armstrong says the future is bright for his Vernon Road club no matter what.

He told The Gazette: “Anything can happen in cricket, so never say never. I’m just happy with the way the team has been playing.

“We had a bit of a difficult patch in the middle of the season but we have bounced back and are playing good cricket.

“Everyone at some point has stood up and been counted. It has been a real team effort.

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“We are building each year and at the start of the season our aim was to finish with a higher points tally than last season. We will do that.

“We have Preston and then a tricky test against Barrow. All we can do is win our games and see.”

Jonny Whitehead will step in as sub pro tomorrow following the departure of Amar Ullah.

Armstrong said of his first full season at the helm: “It has been an honour. It is a great experience and I’m looking forward to the last couple of games.”

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Blackpool could effectively wrap up the title tomorrow if they win at Morecambe and Netherfield lose to Leyland.

Tomorrow’s fixtures:

Northern Premier League: Barrow v Fleetwood, Fulwood and Broughton v Chorley, Morecambe v Blackpool, Netherfield v Leyland, Penrith v Garstang, Preston v St Annes.

Liverpool Competition ECB premier league: Northern v Lytham

Moore and Smalley Palace Shield premier division: Eccleston v Great Eccleston, Kendal v South Shore, Lancaster v New Longton, Longridge v Croston, Penwortham v Torrisholme, Vernon Carus v Thornton Cleveleys

Division 1A: Freckleton v Standish, Fylde v Mawdesley, Grimsargh v Carleton, Hoghton v Withnell Fold, Norcross v Kirkham and Wesham, Rufford v BAC/EE Preston.

Related topics:St AnnesNathan ArmstrongBlackpoolFyldePreston