Week 1: Summary

Sat 1st August 2026 | Match Reviews | By Martin Fallon

PREMIER DIVISION

Burscough were the big winners on the opening day of the 2026/27 season in the Premier Division after a 4-1 win over Prestwich Heys. Joel Skillen scored twice for the home side there with both of his goals coming in stoppage time.

Trafford also impressed on their return to the NWCFL after relegation last season with a 3-0 win at home to Longridge Town in front of an impressive crowd of 362.

Glossop North End ran out 2-0 winners at home to Euxton Villa with Droylsden's first game in the Premier Division ending in a 1-0 win over AFC Liverpool. Nelson also won on their return with a 2-1 win at Atherton LR, their winner coming in stoppage time.

Abbey Hey drew 2-2 with Barnoldswick Town thanks to Callum Pugh's 90th minute penalty, with Charnock Richard drawing 1-1 with Chadderton. There was also a 1-1 draw at South Liverpool against Irlam, the visitors levelling in stoppage time there, whilst Litherland REMYCA and Ramsbottom United also played out the same scoreline.

FC Isle of Man play the final game of the day at 18:00 at home to FC St Helens.

FIRST DIVISION NORTH

It was a superb opening day of the season for Daisy Hill who ran out 5-0 winners at home to Steeton. Gerald-Junior McCullion and William Shawcross both scored twice for the Westhoughton side in their biggest opening day win.

There were seven goals in Cumbria as Holker Old Boys ran out 4-3 winners against AFC Knowsley. There were three equalisers in that game, before Patrick Allington hit the winner for Holker three minutes into stoppage time.

Thornton Cleveleys came from two goals down to win 3-2 at home to Cammell Laird 1907, with Kyle Higham hitting a late winner. Woolton were impressive 3-1 winners at Colne. 

Bacup Borough were impressive 3-0 winners at home to Ashton Town, with Halewood Apollo getting a win on debut as they won 3-1 at Garstang.

Darwen came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Maghull thanks to Sam Holt's late goal, that in front of the divisions biggest crowd of 279, with Ashton Athletic winning 2-0 at home to AFC Blackpool thanks to Josh Nicholson's late double.

Squires Gate and Flixton played out a 1-1 draw with Maine Road drawing with Fulwood Amateurs by the same scoreline. 

FIRST DIVISION SOUTH

New Mills are the early leaders in the South as they won 6-0 at home to Telford Town, with Solomon Richards and Luke Evans both scoring twice.

Wolverhampton Casuals won 3-0 at newly promoted Crewe with Kieran Cook scoring twice, whilst it was a good day for AFC Bridgnorth in their debut game with Suar Dedja scoring twice in a 3-1 win over Foley Meir.

Bilston Town also won on debut, 2-0 at home to Shawbury United, with fellow new-boys Brereton Social matching their scoreline with victory at Market Drayton Town.

Last seasons runners up Eccleshall started this campaign with a 3-1 win at home to Widnes Town, with Joe Bevan grabbing a brace as Sandbach United beat Wednesfield Community 2-1.

Barnton scored the first goal of the new season in just the second minute of their game through Jordan Sherlock, but visitors Stafford Town hit back to win 2-1. 

The final two games both ended 2-2. Dawley Town looked to be heading to defeat on debut when Alsager Town made it 2-0 with four minutes remaining, however a Ross Jones penalty and an own goal gave them a point. The final game saw Cheadle Heath Nomads come from two down to draw at Allscott Heath.