Week 3: Manager Quotes

Mon 17th August 2026 | Manager Reactions | By Jay Cooper

Isuzu FA Vase:

This past weekend saw the return of the Isuzu FA Vase, with a total of 31 NWCFL sides making their competition bow on Saturday. Of those sides, 11 progressed to the next round, including Premier Division Atherton LR on penalties after a 2-2 draw with First Division North side Cammell Laird 1907.

Following such a tense victory, manager Dave Jones said: "I thought we put in a really good performance on and off the ball for 55 minutes. Once they got a goal out of nothing, the picture just changed slightly and gave them something to go after.

"It’s about finding a way to win in cup games and we done that. Full credit to Cammell Laird - I thought they were organised and played really well, and they pushed us all the way. We need to kick on now, rest up and go again on Tuesday at home to Chadderton."

Another Premier Division side that came out on top in a Vase outing on Saturday were Trafford. They put Armthorpe Welfare to the sword in a 4-0 away victory, after which manager Tom Baker said: "We're pleased to get into the next round - that was the main objective.

"It's always difficult having two coach journeys over the space of six days. We played against a really good side, who are at the top of their league, and they've had a really good start. We knew the game was going to be difficult, and that we were going to have to apply ourselves properly, but I felt that if we did that, we were going to win the game.

"Being honest, I wasn't happy with the first half performance - I thought we were ambling through the first 45. We got out noses in front, but I felt like we were making it a contest, but if we had put our foot on the gas, we could have got a few goals in the first half.

"I think it took us probably 10 minutes in the second half to find our groove, but then for the next 30 or 35 minutes, we were the dominant team. We started to do the basics really well, which allowed us to create space, and then we showed some real quality in the goals that we scored."

FC St Helens also guaranteed their place in the next round after their 2-0 victory away from home against Ashton Athletic. Following the result, manager Mike Smith said: "It was a performance that started with a little bit of nerves.

"But we grew into the game and settled down once we scored the first goal. Our second half performance was really good, and we played the majority of it in Ashton Athletic's half of the pitch.

"It was controlled performance and a good, much-needed win."

Finally from the Vase, in something of an upset, First Division South side Barnton knocked of Premier Division Irlam to secure their place in the hat for the next round. Following the whistle, manager Lewis Wood called it a "huge result for the lads!

"A massive win for us against Irlam, who are a strong team and a league above us. The boys showed incredible character, effort and belief from start to finish.

"Credit to every player and every member of the club who was involved. We’ve shown exactly what it means to be a Villager this weekend. What a performance. What a result!"

Premier Division:

Away from the cup contests of the weekend, there was a handful of league action to speak of, including at the home of Chadderton. They welcome Nelson to the Emplas Commercial North Stadium, and saw them off with a 2-1 win, after which, joint-manager Ben Greenidge said: "We went into the game Saturday off the back of two very good midweek training sessions.

"We knew the threat Nelson had in targeting their big man up top, and the boys handled him very well. We needed a fast start and we got exactly that; a great goal in the first couple of minutes finished off by the returning Lazenbury. We weathered a load of corners against us in the first half and went in at half time 1-0 up.

"In the second half, we asked questions of their defence by putting it on them from throw-ins etc, and that's where our second goal came from. A great finish from captain Luke!

"An unforced error with 10 minutes to go gave them a penalty, which Ollie saved tremendously, put they reacted quickest, scoring from the rebound. It made the last five minutes of the game a bit nervy, when we should have been seeing the game out comfortably at 2-0, but we got the three points. Now, it's onto Tuesday away at Atherton LR."

First Division North:

Also in league action were Garstang, in the First Division North. Aided by a Weslie Bajraliu hat-trick, they recorded a 3-0 home win over divisional newcomers AFC Knowsley. After full-time, gaffer Guy Heffernan said: "First of all, it’s great to get on the board, and gain some points - but we should have scored more!

"We missed a penalty, and missed some guilt-edge chances that we should have punished AFC Knowsley for. Fair play to our visitors - they never stopped, and they have some decent players.

"But overall, it's a massive three points for us, but we need to find some consistency now, and keep gaining points going forward."