Week 5: Manager Quotes

Mon 31st August 2026 | Manager Reactions | By Jay Cooper

Premier Division:

Amidst another busy weekend of action in the NWCFL, Barnoldswick Town showed great resilience to come back from behind more than once in a 3-2 win against table-topping Burscough. Following the game, joint manager Gerry Harrison said: "It was a close game, and we fought hard. Both teams enjoyed good periods throughout.

"Picking up our first three points of the season is testament to the hard work that the lads have put it since Lewis and I have come in. We are a young, new team who are learning all the time and still getting to know each other. We will endeavour to keep improving moving forwards."

One of the biggest winners in the division were FC St Helens, who hit Longridge Town for five without reply away from home. After such a dominant win, gaffer Mike Smith said: "It was a very controlled and pleasing performance from to finish.

"Defensively we were outstanding, and we attacked with intent. I'm really pleased with the performance and now hopefully we can build on that."

Also victorious in the top tier on Saturday were Ramsbottom United, who, by their own high standards, have had a slow start to the 2026/27 league season. They won 4-1 against bottom side AFC Liverpool, after which, manager Rob Henry said: "It was an important three points for us which lifts the mood following a few disappointing results.

"We started the game really well, on the front foot, and that was exactly what we wanted from the players. We maintained the intensity, kept the pressure on the opposition and tried to really take control of the game by scoring more goals in the early stages. Frustratingly, this was followed by a sloppy spell in the game, where we gave the ball away cheaply and provided the opposition with counter attacking opportunities.

"Thankfully, in the second half, we were much better. We were playing better football with more quality and creating some really good opportunities, and but for a coupe of really good saves from their keeper, it could have been more. This is certainly a platform for us to build on leading into Tuesday night, but we still know we have lots of room to improve.

First Division North:

In the North, AFC Blackpool recorded their first competitive win of the new campaign with a 2-1 victory against newly promoted Halewood Apollo. Following the whistle, gaffer John Salanki said: "We’ve been playing some good football and putting in strong performances, but unfortunately, we haven’t always been getting the results our efforts deserved.

"Finally, on Saturday, we changed that with a huge win. Now it’s about building on that result, taking the confidence forward and continuing to improve every single week.

"This squad has so much potential, and I have absolutely no doubt that we will keep getting better as the season goes on."

Also in action, and emerging with a win, were Maghull. Joe Burns' men took Maine Road to the cleaners, winning 5-1 on home soil, after which he said: "It was a fantastic win against a dangerous side in Maine Road.

"We got better as the game went on and the scoreline could have been more in the end."

Maghull followed up that victory with a second on the spin for this long weekend on bank holiday Monday. They took three points from new boys AFC Knowsley, in a victory that the gaffer commented on by saying: "We conceded first from poor defending.

Thankfully, we dug deep to go ahead again, but we conceded just before the half time against the run of play. In the second half, we really controlled the play much better, and deserved the eventual win."

There were also maximum points taken on the road by free-scoring Flixton. Alex Mortimer's men came away from a six-goal thriller against Ashville with a 4-2 victory, following which he said: "It was a tough, competitive game.

"Ashville were coming into the game on the back of two good wins, but we knew that if we remained patient and kept playing like we know we can, the chances would come - the lads we have at the top end of the pitch will cause problems for anyone! I’m very pleased with the result, and we move on to the next game."

First Division South:

In the South, one of the weekends biggest winners were Barnton, who were uncompromising in their home victory over new boys Wednesfield Community. Lewis Wood's side came away from the game with a 4-0 win, after which he said: "A performance like that has been coming. We’re going to keep grafting away, keep working hard and hopefully there’ll be plenty more results like this to come.

"We’re now five games unbeaten, which is a great platform for the lads to build on. The hard work doesn’t stop, though - we’ll keep pushing, keep improving and keep believing. And now we look forward to three more games at the Creative Hut Stadium. We've got two important league games and an FA Vase tie. 

"We want to keep building that momentum and, with the support behind us, hopefully there’s plenty more to come!"