Week 2: Preview
Fri 7th August 2026 | Match Previews | By Ben Wilkinson
There's no rest for the wicked as the football season is in full flow. Taking the headlines for our Premier Division clubs this weekend is the Emirates FA Cup; as clubs up and down the country dream of a life-changing cup run and the most unlikeliest of Wembley appearances - just 14 rounds away!
The Edward Case Cup also gets off to a start with the Preliminary Round, featuring the newly-promoted clubs and those who finished towards the bottom of last season's standings. Rounding out the weekend is a handful of league games for those who received byes in the ECC.
Saturday 8 August – Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Abbey Hey v Ossett United
Abbey Hey come into this tie on the back of a bruising 6-2 midweek defeat at Chadderton, having earlier drawn 2-2 with Barnoldswick Town on the opening day of the Premier Division season. Ossett United, of the Northern Premier League, will come into this tie as favourites but Abbey Hey will fancy their chances if they can tighten up their back line. Ossett are no strangers to NWCFL opposition since their formation in 2018, most recently going 1-0 down at Atherton LR at this stage of the FA Cup last term.
Barnoldswick Town v Atherton Collieries
Barnoldswick have opened their Premier Division campaign with two draws, sharing the points in a 1-1 at Prestwich Heys following on from the opening day draw with Abbey Hey. Atherton Collieries, former NWCFL members but now plying their trade in the Northern Premier League, arrive as higher‑level opposition and will look to impose their quality, but Barnoldswick’s stubborn start suggests this could be a tight cup tie.
Burscough v Droylsden
Burscough have started the Premier Division season in style, beating Prestwich Heys 4-1 and then winning 5-2 away at FC St Helens, marking them out as the early pacesetters and the only side to have won 2 from 2. Droylsden also have a 100% record, but only from one game after their midweek clash against South Liverpool was abandoned. The Linnets harbour high hopes for this campaign following a productive close-season and a good cup run would help breed further confidence.
Chadderton v Witton Albion
Chadderton have carried last season’s free-scoring nature into this campaign, the 6-2 win at home to Abbey Hey following a 1-1 at Charnock Richard. Witton Albion, another Northern Premier League club with history in the Counties, are the higher-ranked side here but Chadderton’s home advantage, momentum and goalscoring form make this one ripe for a ‘cupset’.
Clitheroe v AFC Liverpool
Clitheroe, another NPL Division One West outfit, host AFC Liverpool, who have endured a tough start to the season with defeats to Droylsden and Euxton Villa. The Non-League Reds will hope the cup offers a reset, but Clitheroe will pose a very tough test at their Shawbridge ground and have had recent cup competition exploits of their own.
Euxton Villa v Atherton LR
This is an all-Premier Division tie between two sides who have had a mixed start to the campaign, winning one and losing one each. The H2H between the pair is also finely poised - LR have won 5 of the 9 previous meetings, the other four going the way of Villa, though Dave Jones’ side did win both league games last term, including a thumping 5-0 win away at Euxton.
Handsworth v Prestwich Heys
Handsworth, from the Northern Counties East League, welcome Prestwich Heys, who have had a mixed Premier Division start; heavy defeat at Burscough followed by a 1-1 draw with Barnoldswick Town. Prestwich will hope to continue that improvement into the cup, while Handsworth will look to use home advantage to bridge the gap to their NWCFL visitors.
Keighley Town v Longridge Town
Keighley Town (the new name for ex-NWCFL side Eccleshill United) step into the FA Cup against Longridge Town, who lost 3-0 at new boys Trafford in the Premier Division last weekend.
Litherland REMYCA v Charnock Richard
Litherland REMYCA have taken one point from two Premier Division games; a 1-1 draw with Ramsbottom United followed by a 2-0 home defeat to Charnock Richard. The cup brings an immediate rematch, and Charnock will be confident of another victory, though REMYCA will be desperate to respond and avoid back‑to‑back home losses to the same opponent.
Nelson v Stockport Georgians
Nelson, promoted as last season’s First Division North champions, have already shown they can compete at Premier Division level with a 2-1 win at Atherton LR before their home game with Longridge was postponed midweek. Stockport Georgians, newly up from the First Division South and now in the Midland League, make their FA Cup debut, and this tie may prove to be a good yardstick for both sides.
North Ferriby v FC St Helens
North Ferriby, of the Northern Counties East League, host FC St Helens, who have had a rough start in the Premier Division with defeats to FC Isle of Man and a 5-2 thumping at home to Burscough. St Helens will hope the cup offers respite from league struggles, but this may be a daunting away assignment on Humberside.
Ramsbottom United v South Liverpool
Ramsbottom United have begun the Premier Division season impressively, drawing at Litherland REMYCA and then beating Trafford 3-0 at home. South Liverpool have drawn with Irlam and seen a game abandoned at Droylsden, so they’re still searching for a first victory of the campaign.
Tadcaster Albion v Glossop North End
Tadcaster Albion, from the Northern Premier League, welcome Glossop North End, who have started well in the Premier Division with a 2-0 win over Euxton Villa and a goalless draw against FC Isle of Man. Glossop’s defence will surely be tested by Step 4 opposition, but their early form suggests they won’t be overawed by the trip to Yorkshire.
Saturday 8 August – Edward Case Cup Preliminary Round North
Fulwood Amateurs v Halewood Apollo
Fulwood Amateurs have taken four points from two First Division North games, drawing at Maine Road and winning away at Squires Gate whilst Halewood Apollo have taken to the NWCFL like a duck to water and have beaten Garstang and Ashville and will be looking to make it three in three and progress to the first round.
Maine Road v AFC Blackpool
AFC Blackpool have suffered back-to-back defeats to open their season whilst hosts Maine Road followed up an opening day draw at home to Fulwood with a narrow reverse against Bacup during the week. Two sides who are perhaps expected to struggle this season - a bit of a cup run could be just what one of them needs to boost confidence.
Steeton v AFC Knowsley
Steeton have had an horror start to the season, a 5-0 defeat at Daisy Hill only slightly improved by a 2-0 loss at home to Holker Old Boys, results that leave them at the foot of the table at this very early stage. AFC Knowsley’s life in the NWCFL hasn’t got off to an ideal start either as they are also yet to open their account this season. One of these will taste victory for the first time on Saturday afternoon, and with it safe passage into the next round.
Uppermill v Daisy Hill
Uppermill have taken a point from their first two First Division North games following promotion, drawing at Ashville and losing 3-0 at Ashton Athletic. Daisy Hill, by contrast, have started superbly with big wins over Steeton and AFC Knowsley, scoring freely; this particular tie pits a side still settling into the division against one riding high on early‑season confidence.
Other fixtures:
- Flixton v Ashton Athletic
- Garstang v Colne
Saturday 8 August – Edward Case Cup Preliminary Round South
AFC Bridgnorth v Bilston Town
AFC Bridgnorth began their debut First Division South campaign with a 3-1 home win over Foley Meir and then followed it up with a thumping win away at Saturday’s opposition: Bilston Town, another side new to the NWCFL. Football throws up shocks all the time and the weekend’s hosts will be making absolutely no assumptions based on the midweek meeting.
Dawley Town v Brereton Social
Dawley Town’s first home game in the Counties takes the form of an outing against fellow freshmen Brereton Social. Dawley’s four goals thus far have only translated into one point, whilst back-to-back 2-0 wins for Brereton have given them a dream start. If they can keep their defence as tight as that, they may well be able to keep the Dawley strike force at bay.
Wednesfield Community v Widnes Town
Wednesfield Community have had a mixed start to life in the First Division South, beating Dawley Town 3-2 at home during the week to get their first points on the board after an opening day reverse. Widnes Town have struggled somewhat in their opening exchanges and are yet to secure their first win in their history.
Other fixtures:
- Market Drayton Town v Crewe
Saturday 8 August – First Division North
Bacup Borough v Ashville
Bacup Borough have started the season superbly, beating Ashton Town 3-0 and then winning 3-2 at Maine Road, putting them among the early pace‑setters in First Division North with a perfect record so far. Ashville have taken one point from their two games, drawing with Uppermill but losing at home to Halewood Apollo, so this trip to an in‑form Bacup side looks a stern early‑season examination.
Cammell Laird 1907 v Squires Gate
Cammell Laird’s first two games have been dramatic - a 4-3 win at Flixton followed by a narrow 3-2 defeat at Thornton Cleveleys puts them at the top end of both the goals scored and against columns. Squires Gate have drawn with Flixton and lost at home to Fulwood Amateurs, so both of these sides are still searching for a bit of consistency; this fixture could hinge on which defence settles quickest.
Maghull v Holker Old Boys
Maghull have had a mixed start, losing at Darwen but beating AFC Blackpool 1-0 at home to get their points tally on the rise. Holker Old Boys, meanwhile, have won both games in high‑scoring fashion against AFC Knowsley and Steeton, so they arrive looking to extend their perfect start and will test Maghull’s defensive organisation.
Other fixtures:
- Ashton Town v Thornton Cleveleys
- Darwen v Woolton
Saturday 8 August – First Division South
Foley Meir v Shawbury United
Foley Meir lost 3-1 at AFC Bridgnorth but bounced back with a 3-2 home win over Sandbach United. Shawbury United have drawn at Telford Town and lost narrowly at Stafford Town in their opening duo, so they’ll be keen to find a first win of the season up in ST3, and expect goals galore in this one.
New Mills v Allscott Heath
New Mills have had possibly the most up-and-down start to the season you will ever see; the high of an opening day 6-0 win at home to Telford Town was soon replaced with despair as Stafford Town hit them for five without reply on Tuesday evening. The visitors to Church Lane on Saturday, Allscott Heath, also come into this clash off the back of a heavy defeat as they went down 4-0 to Eccleshall. Both sides therefore come into this one needing a reaction, and the outcome could shape their early‑season confidence.
Sandbach United v Stafford Town
These two familiar foes have both been at the upper end of the First Division South table for the past couple of years without tasting success. The visiting Stafford side have won two from two so far, including a 5-0 drubbing of New Mills during the week.
Other fixtures:
- Cheadle Heath Nomads v Wolverhampton Casuals
- Eccleshall v Barnton
- Telford Town v Alsager Town
Sunday 9 August – Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Sunday sees two Premier Division clubs travel over the Pennines to face Yorkshire opposition in the FA Cup. Trafford go to Worsborough Bridge Athletic off the back of a hot and cold start to life back in the NWCFL, flying off the mark with a 3-0 win over Longridge before losing by the same scoreline at Ramsbottom United. Trafford may be expected to triumph here, but Worsborough Bridge will be looking to make a good start to their first FA Cup campaign since 2002-03! Their previous history against NWCFL opposition in the FA Vase will be something they want to change too, having lost their last seven outings!
Also on Sunday, Irlam travel east to take on Sheffield-based NCEL side Hallam.
Week 2: Preview
Fri 7th August 2026 | Match Previews
By Ben Wilkinson
There's no rest for the wicked as the football season is in full flow. Taking the headlines for our Premier Division clubs this weekend is the Emirates FA Cup; as clubs up and down the country dream of a life-changing cup run and the most unlikeliest of Wembley appearances - just 14 rounds away!
The Edward Case Cup also gets off to a start with the Preliminary Round, featuring the newly-promoted clubs and those who finished towards the bottom of last season's standings. Rounding out the weekend is a handful of league games for those who received byes in the ECC.
Saturday 8 August – Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Abbey Hey v Ossett United
Abbey Hey come into this tie on the back of a bruising 6-2 midweek defeat at Chadderton, having earlier drawn 2-2 with Barnoldswick Town on the opening day of the Premier Division season. Ossett United, of the Northern Premier League, will come into this tie as favourites but Abbey Hey will fancy their chances if they can tighten up their back line. Ossett are no strangers to NWCFL opposition since their formation in 2018, most recently going 1-0 down at Atherton LR at this stage of the FA Cup last term.
Barnoldswick Town v Atherton Collieries
Barnoldswick have opened their Premier Division campaign with two draws, sharing the points in a 1-1 at Prestwich Heys following on from the opening day draw with Abbey Hey. Atherton Collieries, former NWCFL members but now plying their trade in the Northern Premier League, arrive as higher‑level opposition and will look to impose their quality, but Barnoldswick’s stubborn start suggests this could be a tight cup tie.
Burscough v Droylsden
Burscough have started the Premier Division season in style, beating Prestwich Heys 4-1 and then winning 5-2 away at FC St Helens, marking them out as the early pacesetters and the only side to have won 2 from 2. Droylsden also have a 100% record, but only from one game after their midweek clash against South Liverpool was abandoned. The Linnets harbour high hopes for this campaign following a productive close-season and a good cup run would help breed further confidence.
Chadderton v Witton Albion
Chadderton have carried last season’s free-scoring nature into this campaign, the 6-2 win at home to Abbey Hey following a 1-1 at Charnock Richard. Witton Albion, another Northern Premier League club with history in the Counties, are the higher-ranked side here but Chadderton’s home advantage, momentum and goalscoring form make this one ripe for a ‘cupset’.
Clitheroe v AFC Liverpool
Clitheroe, another NPL Division One West outfit, host AFC Liverpool, who have endured a tough start to the season with defeats to Droylsden and Euxton Villa. The Non-League Reds will hope the cup offers a reset, but Clitheroe will pose a very tough test at their Shawbridge ground and have had recent cup competition exploits of their own.
Euxton Villa v Atherton LR
This is an all-Premier Division tie between two sides who have had a mixed start to the campaign, winning one and losing one each. The H2H between the pair is also finely poised - LR have won 5 of the 9 previous meetings, the other four going the way of Villa, though Dave Jones’ side did win both league games last term, including a thumping 5-0 win away at Euxton.
Handsworth v Prestwich Heys
Handsworth, from the Northern Counties East League, welcome Prestwich Heys, who have had a mixed Premier Division start; heavy defeat at Burscough followed by a 1-1 draw with Barnoldswick Town. Prestwich will hope to continue that improvement into the cup, while Handsworth will look to use home advantage to bridge the gap to their NWCFL visitors.
Keighley Town v Longridge Town
Keighley Town (the new name for ex-NWCFL side Eccleshill United) step into the FA Cup against Longridge Town, who lost 3-0 at new boys Trafford in the Premier Division last weekend.
Litherland REMYCA v Charnock Richard
Litherland REMYCA have taken one point from two Premier Division games; a 1-1 draw with Ramsbottom United followed by a 2-0 home defeat to Charnock Richard. The cup brings an immediate rematch, and Charnock will be confident of another victory, though REMYCA will be desperate to respond and avoid back‑to‑back home losses to the same opponent.
Nelson v Stockport Georgians
Nelson, promoted as last season’s First Division North champions, have already shown they can compete at Premier Division level with a 2-1 win at Atherton LR before their home game with Longridge was postponed midweek. Stockport Georgians, newly up from the First Division South and now in the Midland League, make their FA Cup debut, and this tie may prove to be a good yardstick for both sides.
North Ferriby v FC St Helens
North Ferriby, of the Northern Counties East League, host FC St Helens, who have had a rough start in the Premier Division with defeats to FC Isle of Man and a 5-2 thumping at home to Burscough. St Helens will hope the cup offers respite from league struggles, but this may be a daunting away assignment on Humberside.
Ramsbottom United v South Liverpool
Ramsbottom United have begun the Premier Division season impressively, drawing at Litherland REMYCA and then beating Trafford 3-0 at home. South Liverpool have drawn with Irlam and seen a game abandoned at Droylsden, so they’re still searching for a first victory of the campaign.
Tadcaster Albion v Glossop North End
Tadcaster Albion, from the Northern Premier League, welcome Glossop North End, who have started well in the Premier Division with a 2-0 win over Euxton Villa and a goalless draw against FC Isle of Man. Glossop’s defence will surely be tested by Step 4 opposition, but their early form suggests they won’t be overawed by the trip to Yorkshire.
Saturday 8 August – Edward Case Cup Preliminary Round North
Fulwood Amateurs v Halewood Apollo
Fulwood Amateurs have taken four points from two First Division North games, drawing at Maine Road and winning away at Squires Gate whilst Halewood Apollo have taken to the NWCFL like a duck to water and have beaten Garstang and Ashville and will be looking to make it three in three and progress to the first round.
Maine Road v AFC Blackpool
AFC Blackpool have suffered back-to-back defeats to open their season whilst hosts Maine Road followed up an opening day draw at home to Fulwood with a narrow reverse against Bacup during the week. Two sides who are perhaps expected to struggle this season - a bit of a cup run could be just what one of them needs to boost confidence.
Steeton v AFC Knowsley
Steeton have had an horror start to the season, a 5-0 defeat at Daisy Hill only slightly improved by a 2-0 loss at home to Holker Old Boys, results that leave them at the foot of the table at this very early stage. AFC Knowsley’s life in the NWCFL hasn’t got off to an ideal start either as they are also yet to open their account this season. One of these will taste victory for the first time on Saturday afternoon, and with it safe passage into the next round.
Uppermill v Daisy Hill
Uppermill have taken a point from their first two First Division North games following promotion, drawing at Ashville and losing 3-0 at Ashton Athletic. Daisy Hill, by contrast, have started superbly with big wins over Steeton and AFC Knowsley, scoring freely; this particular tie pits a side still settling into the division against one riding high on early‑season confidence.
Other fixtures:
- Flixton v Ashton Athletic
- Garstang v Colne
Saturday 8 August – Edward Case Cup Preliminary Round South
AFC Bridgnorth v Bilston Town
AFC Bridgnorth began their debut First Division South campaign with a 3-1 home win over Foley Meir and then followed it up with a thumping win away at Saturday’s opposition: Bilston Town, another side new to the NWCFL. Football throws up shocks all the time and the weekend’s hosts will be making absolutely no assumptions based on the midweek meeting.
Dawley Town v Brereton Social
Dawley Town’s first home game in the Counties takes the form of an outing against fellow freshmen Brereton Social. Dawley’s four goals thus far have only translated into one point, whilst back-to-back 2-0 wins for Brereton have given them a dream start. If they can keep their defence as tight as that, they may well be able to keep the Dawley strike force at bay.
Wednesfield Community v Widnes Town
Wednesfield Community have had a mixed start to life in the First Division South, beating Dawley Town 3-2 at home during the week to get their first points on the board after an opening day reverse. Widnes Town have struggled somewhat in their opening exchanges and are yet to secure their first win in their history.
Other fixtures:
- Market Drayton Town v Crewe
Saturday 8 August – First Division North
Bacup Borough v Ashville
Bacup Borough have started the season superbly, beating Ashton Town 3-0 and then winning 3-2 at Maine Road, putting them among the early pace‑setters in First Division North with a perfect record so far. Ashville have taken one point from their two games, drawing with Uppermill but losing at home to Halewood Apollo, so this trip to an in‑form Bacup side looks a stern early‑season examination.
Cammell Laird 1907 v Squires Gate
Cammell Laird’s first two games have been dramatic - a 4-3 win at Flixton followed by a narrow 3-2 defeat at Thornton Cleveleys puts them at the top end of both the goals scored and against columns. Squires Gate have drawn with Flixton and lost at home to Fulwood Amateurs, so both of these sides are still searching for a bit of consistency; this fixture could hinge on which defence settles quickest.
Maghull v Holker Old Boys
Maghull have had a mixed start, losing at Darwen but beating AFC Blackpool 1-0 at home to get their points tally on the rise. Holker Old Boys, meanwhile, have won both games in high‑scoring fashion against AFC Knowsley and Steeton, so they arrive looking to extend their perfect start and will test Maghull’s defensive organisation.
Other fixtures:
- Ashton Town v Thornton Cleveleys
- Darwen v Woolton
Saturday 8 August – First Division South
Foley Meir v Shawbury United
Foley Meir lost 3-1 at AFC Bridgnorth but bounced back with a 3-2 home win over Sandbach United. Shawbury United have drawn at Telford Town and lost narrowly at Stafford Town in their opening duo, so they’ll be keen to find a first win of the season up in ST3, and expect goals galore in this one.
New Mills v Allscott Heath
New Mills have had possibly the most up-and-down start to the season you will ever see; the high of an opening day 6-0 win at home to Telford Town was soon replaced with despair as Stafford Town hit them for five without reply on Tuesday evening. The visitors to Church Lane on Saturday, Allscott Heath, also come into this clash off the back of a heavy defeat as they went down 4-0 to Eccleshall. Both sides therefore come into this one needing a reaction, and the outcome could shape their early‑season confidence.
Sandbach United v Stafford Town
These two familiar foes have both been at the upper end of the First Division South table for the past couple of years without tasting success. The visiting Stafford side have won two from two so far, including a 5-0 drubbing of New Mills during the week.
Other fixtures:
- Cheadle Heath Nomads v Wolverhampton Casuals
- Eccleshall v Barnton
- Telford Town v Alsager Town
Sunday 9 August – Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Sunday sees two Premier Division clubs travel over the Pennines to face Yorkshire opposition in the FA Cup. Trafford go to Worsborough Bridge Athletic off the back of a hot and cold start to life back in the NWCFL, flying off the mark with a 3-0 win over Longridge before losing by the same scoreline at Ramsbottom United. Trafford may be expected to triumph here, but Worsborough Bridge will be looking to make a good start to their first FA Cup campaign since 2002-03! Their previous history against NWCFL opposition in the FA Vase will be something they want to change too, having lost their last seven outings!
Also on Sunday, Irlam travel east to take on Sheffield-based NCEL side Hallam.
