Week 32: Preview
Fri 27th February 2026 | Match Previews | By Jay Cooper
It’s Groundhop weekend! Lots of games, with lots of different dates and times to cover – let’s see who is facing whom this weekend…
Groundhop 2026
Friday:
The Groundhop around the Lancashire area of the NWCFL begins strongly tonight at 7:45pm, with the Darwen FC, currently second in the First Division North, playing host to Colne, who are currently sitting just three points ahead of the relegation places. Maximum points for the hosts would see them, at least temporarily, assume top spot in the table.
Saturday:
The First Division North takes centre stage again all throughout Saturday, beginning at 11:00am, with Fulwood Amateurs welcoming bottom side Garstang to Lightfoot Green Lane, with the visitors coming into this game off the back of a relegation six-pointer victory in midweek.
At 2:00pm, the day continues with Thornton Cleveleys taking on MSB Woolton at Gamble Road, with the visitors to the coast knowing they can reassume top spot in the table with the right set of results this weekend.
Staying in the greater Blackpool area, 5:00pm will see the day’s third game take place at the Skiddle Community Stadium, as fifth placed Squires Gate go toe to toe with seventh placed Nelson – just three points separates these two sides in the table ahead of this battle.
To close out day two of the Groundhop, at 7:30pm, there is one more clash from the coast to come your way, as 14th placed AFC Blackpool meet 12th placed Holker Old Boys at the Mechanics Ground, knowing victory would see them leapfrog their opponents in the league standings.
Sunday:
Blackpool becomes Bolton as Saturday becomes Sunday in this year’s Groundhop, with the Premier Division getting a slice of the pie at 11:30am. Atherton LR will welcome Euxton Villa to Crilly Park as the home side look to keep themselves in the race for the play-offs, which they currently sit just five points behind.
Finally, to see off this fantastic occasion for another season, we return to the First Division North at 2:30pm to watch Daisy Hill accommodate Steeton at the Ginge Power Stadium. Like AFCB and Holker on Saturday, just two points and two places separate these two sides ahead of the weekend, with the host eyeing up the chance to overtake their opponents in the table.
Other Games:
Friday:
Premier Division:
One game to present on Friday night away from the Groundhop, and it’s a greater Liverpool derby that might see either team’s play-off hopes go up in smoke. Ninth placed FC St Helens, seven points off the play-offs, will meet Burscough, who are two places above them in the table but have also played three more games at this stage – could go either way.
Saturday:
Isuzu FA Vase, sixth round:
We’re at the quarter final stage of the Vase, and there’s still two NWCFL sides going for Wembley glory at this stage of the competition.
First Division North league leaders Droylsden – the only Step Six side left in the competition – have a home tie in the last eight against Spartan South Midlands League Prem side Cockfosters.
Elsewhere, Premier Division promotion challengers West Didsbury & Chorlton will be on the road this Saturday to Hellenic League Premier Division side Hallen – a six-plus hour round trip for Paul Marshall and his players.
Premier Division:
Back in the league, there are nine Prem games coming your way on Saturday that are scheduled for a regular kick-off time. Arguably the most interesting of these features league leaders Wythenshawe, who have an away trip on their hands this weekend to the home of rapidly rising third-placed side Chadderton. Despite the Ammies 12-point gap at the top of the league, Chaddy could pose a serious challenge this weekend.
Second in the table and hoping to keep their top seed in the play-offs going forward are Ramsbottom United, who have an equally mouthwatering tie on their hands this weekend, as they play hosts to fifth placed Padiham. The Storks are four points behind Rammy, and are level on points with Chaddy and one other side in the top five.
That other side is fourth placed Irlam, who have the good fortune of being the sole promotion/play-off place occupants not facing one of their closest challengers on Saturday. However, they shouldn’t underestimate 18th placed AFC Liverpool, who won 3-0 last time they played.
The two sides in the relegation spots remain the same right now, and both will be in action this weekend. Second-bottom City of Liverpool were hit for six and shipped their 100th goal of the season last time out, but they will look to improve against Cheadle Town. Bottom side Litherland REMYCA were beaten last time out after two straight draws, but they will hope to reduce that loss to being their only one in four when they host fourth bottom Pilkington.
Right outside of the drop zone are Abbey Hey, who have been semi-comfortable in the safety places since beating City of Liverpool three games ago, but they’ve lost two since, including a 7-1 defeat, and they will play in the day’s late kick-off on Saturday against FC Isle of Man.
The perpetrators of that 7-1 hammering of Abbey Hey were Charnock Richard, who followed that up with a 1-0 victory in midweek, and will hope to carry that momentum into a home clash with 12th placed Prestwich Heys, who are breathing right down their necks in the league standings. Glossop North End were the beaten side by Charnock on Tuesday, and will aim to course correct tomorrow with the visit of Longridge Town to the Asgard Engineering Stadium.
With the two sides directly above them playing one another, 13th placed South Liverpool can go 11th in the league – just one place behind their opponents this weekend – with the right set of results. Those opponents: Stockport Town, who have won their last five in the legue.
First Division North:
Just two non-Groundhop games coming from the First Division North this weekend. At the top of the table, fourth placed Bacup Borough – one of three sides within touching distance of top spot – will accommodate 10th placed Ashton Town, whose status as promotion contenders has faded in recent weeks.
Simultaneously, at the bottom of the table, second-bottom Asthon Athletic will be aiming to right the ship following defeat to bottom side Garstang last time out when they contest another six-pointer against third-bottom Maine Road, who are only ahead of their hosts in the standings on goal difference at the time of writing.
First Division South:
With a midweek win, league leaders Runcorn Town were able to re-establish a four point gap between themselves and chasing pack in the South title race, and they will be aiming to retain that advantage going into Saturday’s clash with fifth placed Telford Town, whose position in the top five is precarious right now.
Eccleshall, in second, are still banking on a Runcorn slip-up to take charge of their own destiny, but they need to win themselves on Saturday away at seventh placed play-off hopefuls Ashville to keep hope alive. The hosts know that a win and the right set of results could see them breach the top five, but they’ll need a favour from fourth-bottom Market Drayton Town away at sixth placed Stafford Town in order to pull that off.
Another side inside the top five right now that ought to be checking over their shoulders are fourth placed Sandbach United, whose current point total has them inside the play-off places by just three. They will be aiming to extend that with an away trip to second-bottom Shawbury United this weekend.
The final top five side in action on Saturday are Stockport Georgians, who know that they will keep a spot in the play-off places coming out of the weekend regardless of results elsewhere. Still, a home win this weekend would be preferable, if possible, against third-bottom Alsager Town, who are only inside the safety places in the division by three points and a hefty goal differential.
Foley Meir and Wolves Casuals met on Tuesday in the Staffordshire Senior Cup, and the latter buried the former 8-0. This weekend, they face each other in the league at Foley’s Trentham Foods Stadium, with the hosts out for revenge.
Allscott Heath were the side beaten 4-0 in midweek by Runcorn to set the title picture scene ahead of this weekend. On Saturday, they aim to lick their wounds with another home game, this time welcoming 13th placed Cammell Laird to the Giant Stadium.
Finally, the division’s propper-uppers, Haughmond, need to course correct ASAP if they want to preserve their NWCFL status next season after shipping 11 in their last two games. Their challenge this weekend is an away trip to eighth placed New Mills, who’ve won three of their last four.
Week 32: Preview
Fri 27th February 2026 | Match Previews
By Jay Cooper
It’s Groundhop weekend! Lots of games, with lots of different dates and times to cover – let’s see who is facing whom this weekend…
Groundhop 2026
Friday:
The Groundhop around the Lancashire area of the NWCFL begins strongly tonight at 7:45pm, with the Darwen FC, currently second in the First Division North, playing host to Colne, who are currently sitting just three points ahead of the relegation places. Maximum points for the hosts would see them, at least temporarily, assume top spot in the table.
Saturday:
The First Division North takes centre stage again all throughout Saturday, beginning at 11:00am, with Fulwood Amateurs welcoming bottom side Garstang to Lightfoot Green Lane, with the visitors coming into this game off the back of a relegation six-pointer victory in midweek.
At 2:00pm, the day continues with Thornton Cleveleys taking on MSB Woolton at Gamble Road, with the visitors to the coast knowing they can reassume top spot in the table with the right set of results this weekend.
Staying in the greater Blackpool area, 5:00pm will see the day’s third game take place at the Skiddle Community Stadium, as fifth placed Squires Gate go toe to toe with seventh placed Nelson – just three points separates these two sides in the table ahead of this battle.
To close out day two of the Groundhop, at 7:30pm, there is one more clash from the coast to come your way, as 14th placed AFC Blackpool meet 12th placed Holker Old Boys at the Mechanics Ground, knowing victory would see them leapfrog their opponents in the league standings.
Sunday:
Blackpool becomes Bolton as Saturday becomes Sunday in this year’s Groundhop, with the Premier Division getting a slice of the pie at 11:30am. Atherton LR will welcome Euxton Villa to Crilly Park as the home side look to keep themselves in the race for the play-offs, which they currently sit just five points behind.
Finally, to see off this fantastic occasion for another season, we return to the First Division North at 2:30pm to watch Daisy Hill accommodate Steeton at the Ginge Power Stadium. Like AFCB and Holker on Saturday, just two points and two places separate these two sides ahead of the weekend, with the host eyeing up the chance to overtake their opponents in the table.
Other Games:
Friday:
Premier Division:
One game to present on Friday night away from the Groundhop, and it’s a greater Liverpool derby that might see either team’s play-off hopes go up in smoke. Ninth placed FC St Helens, seven points off the play-offs, will meet Burscough, who are two places above them in the table but have also played three more games at this stage – could go either way.
Saturday:
Isuzu FA Vase, sixth round:
We’re at the quarter final stage of the Vase, and there’s still two NWCFL sides going for Wembley glory at this stage of the competition.
First Division North league leaders Droylsden – the only Step Six side left in the competition – have a home tie in the last eight against Spartan South Midlands League Prem side Cockfosters.
Elsewhere, Premier Division promotion challengers West Didsbury & Chorlton will be on the road this Saturday to Hellenic League Premier Division side Hallen – a six-plus hour round trip for Paul Marshall and his players.
Premier Division:
Back in the league, there are nine Prem games coming your way on Saturday that are scheduled for a regular kick-off time. Arguably the most interesting of these features league leaders Wythenshawe, who have an away trip on their hands this weekend to the home of rapidly rising third-placed side Chadderton. Despite the Ammies 12-point gap at the top of the league, Chaddy could pose a serious challenge this weekend.
Second in the table and hoping to keep their top seed in the play-offs going forward are Ramsbottom United, who have an equally mouthwatering tie on their hands this weekend, as they play hosts to fifth placed Padiham. The Storks are four points behind Rammy, and are level on points with Chaddy and one other side in the top five.
That other side is fourth placed Irlam, who have the good fortune of being the sole promotion/play-off place occupants not facing one of their closest challengers on Saturday. However, they shouldn’t underestimate 18th placed AFC Liverpool, who won 3-0 last time they played.
The two sides in the relegation spots remain the same right now, and both will be in action this weekend. Second-bottom City of Liverpool were hit for six and shipped their 100th goal of the season last time out, but they will look to improve against Cheadle Town. Bottom side Litherland REMYCA were beaten last time out after two straight draws, but they will hope to reduce that loss to being their only one in four when they host fourth bottom Pilkington.
Right outside of the drop zone are Abbey Hey, who have been semi-comfortable in the safety places since beating City of Liverpool three games ago, but they’ve lost two since, including a 7-1 defeat, and they will play in the day’s late kick-off on Saturday against FC Isle of Man.
The perpetrators of that 7-1 hammering of Abbey Hey were Charnock Richard, who followed that up with a 1-0 victory in midweek, and will hope to carry that momentum into a home clash with 12th placed Prestwich Heys, who are breathing right down their necks in the league standings. Glossop North End were the beaten side by Charnock on Tuesday, and will aim to course correct tomorrow with the visit of Longridge Town to the Asgard Engineering Stadium.
With the two sides directly above them playing one another, 13th placed South Liverpool can go 11th in the league – just one place behind their opponents this weekend – with the right set of results. Those opponents: Stockport Town, who have won their last five in the legue.
First Division North:
Just two non-Groundhop games coming from the First Division North this weekend. At the top of the table, fourth placed Bacup Borough – one of three sides within touching distance of top spot – will accommodate 10th placed Ashton Town, whose status as promotion contenders has faded in recent weeks.
Simultaneously, at the bottom of the table, second-bottom Asthon Athletic will be aiming to right the ship following defeat to bottom side Garstang last time out when they contest another six-pointer against third-bottom Maine Road, who are only ahead of their hosts in the standings on goal difference at the time of writing.
First Division South:
With a midweek win, league leaders Runcorn Town were able to re-establish a four point gap between themselves and chasing pack in the South title race, and they will be aiming to retain that advantage going into Saturday’s clash with fifth placed Telford Town, whose position in the top five is precarious right now.
Eccleshall, in second, are still banking on a Runcorn slip-up to take charge of their own destiny, but they need to win themselves on Saturday away at seventh placed play-off hopefuls Ashville to keep hope alive. The hosts know that a win and the right set of results could see them breach the top five, but they’ll need a favour from fourth-bottom Market Drayton Town away at sixth placed Stafford Town in order to pull that off.
Another side inside the top five right now that ought to be checking over their shoulders are fourth placed Sandbach United, whose current point total has them inside the play-off places by just three. They will be aiming to extend that with an away trip to second-bottom Shawbury United this weekend.
The final top five side in action on Saturday are Stockport Georgians, who know that they will keep a spot in the play-off places coming out of the weekend regardless of results elsewhere. Still, a home win this weekend would be preferable, if possible, against third-bottom Alsager Town, who are only inside the safety places in the division by three points and a hefty goal differential.
Foley Meir and Wolves Casuals met on Tuesday in the Staffordshire Senior Cup, and the latter buried the former 8-0. This weekend, they face each other in the league at Foley’s Trentham Foods Stadium, with the hosts out for revenge.
Allscott Heath were the side beaten 4-0 in midweek by Runcorn to set the title picture scene ahead of this weekend. On Saturday, they aim to lick their wounds with another home game, this time welcoming 13th placed Cammell Laird to the Giant Stadium.
Finally, the division’s propper-uppers, Haughmond, need to course correct ASAP if they want to preserve their NWCFL status next season after shipping 11 in their last two games. Their challenge this weekend is an away trip to eighth placed New Mills, who’ve won three of their last four.
