Over the course of the season, NWCFL managers will get there chance to have their say on their weekend's game. To ensure an even split between them all, they have been split into different groups so, throughout the campaign, each manager will have roughly the same chance to have their say.
Manager's do not have to give us their thoughts, it is up to them, but from the response from the first weekend, we are confident it will be a popular feature. Not every match is featured but over the course of the season, it will even out.
NWCFL Frist Division North
AFC Blackpool | 1-2 | Steeton |
Blackpool manager Martin Baird gave us his extensive thoughts after their narrow loss, "Touching on today’s thoughts against Steeton. I thought the lads played really well with the ball. Without the ball, I thought we were a bit naïve. For me, when we’re playing and we’re trying to create a space to play in, we’ve got to think, “Where’s my man? What if we lose this? Is recovery run good? Am I in a good position?” That side of the game we do need to improve.
"Credit to Steeton. We touched on it before the game what they could do. They like to defend. They like to be resilient then hit you on the counter because they’re organised from that. It’s their style, which is great, but they’ve had three chances today. One was disallowed and they took all three.
"For me, brilliant. You’ve got to take your hat off and give them credit but, from our point of view, the number of chances we’ve missed today, we can’t keep affording to do it this season. You come off and people are saying how have you not got a point from that at least? At the end of the day, if you don’t take your chances, you don’t win games.
Above: AFC Blackpool celebrate. Credit Purple Peg Photography.
"We all believe in the process. We played some great football. We’re not the finished article – nowhere near it – but you can see, if you’ve got a process and a style and you believe in it, it’s only a matter of time before it comes good. The boys had a little warning today but it’s a good warning because I think the County sides are getting better each season, which is great for us and great for everyone involved with it.
"We’ve got Cleator Moor on Tuesday and I can’t wait for that. It’s miles better than having a training session. You want to get back and you want to put things right on the pitch so we get a reaction. We’re happy with going to Nelson on Saturday but, again, well done to Steeton on their win today. For us, it’s something to work on, something to improve. As long as we are improving and learning from it, I’m more than happy.
"It’s a process and I believe in that process and so do the boys. There’s no chance we’re going to be having our heads down. We’re going to bounce back on Tuesday and we’ll be up for it. I know Cleator Moor will because they won 3-0 today. We’ll do a little bit of stuff on them again but, for me, at the end of the day you can do as much homework as you want on the opposition, if you’ve got the lads in your set up, you’ve got to trust them – and I do. The boys understand. They’ve learned quickly. They’ll be disappointed tonight but tomorrow’s a new day and we go again.
"It’s a long, hard season. Already today, there’s been some surprising results so you can already see what’s going to be happening. We’ve just got to kick on and bounce back. It’s one of those days but it’s great to start the season off and I’m looking forward to Tuesday night now."
Holker Old Boys | 1-6 | AFC Darwen |
Darwen manager Luke Evans was pleased with the away win, "A very pleasing result for us today. We went one behind after two minutes which sparked us into life and we dominated for long spells after that. 6-1 was nothing more than we deserved.
"Our new strikers Jack Iley and Aaron Fleming grabbed two goals each on debut which was pleasing and our other debutant centre half Luke Holden weighed in with a towering header. Special praise must go to Leon Creech and Sam Knowles who showed their class for long periods. It’s a great start and we hope to build on that away to Bacup on Wednesday."
Interview with @FootballEvo after today's win. #OneClub @nwcfl pic.twitter.com/eHfZIFRVnv
— AFC Darwen (@AFCDarwen1) August 3, 2019
Ashton Town | 5-1 | AFC Liverpool |
A home win, and three points to start the season saw David Dempsey a happy man, "The players did exactly what was asked of them today. Our game plan was to concentrate on our own performance and take the form into the league that we had created through pre-season. We've been moving the ball extremely well and that showed in the second half.
"Our players have been working hard with Chris Stammers and myself in the sessions working on implementing a brand of football that is different from past years. At times in the second half, this shone through and our best goal of the game was deemed offside. The lads are delighted with today's win and we are looking forward to building on that come Tuesday. The new players have come in and gelled with last seasons players extremely well, we couldn't have asked for a better dressing room, to be honest with you and we've got a lot of competition in every area.
It's only one game down and we will certainly not be getting carried away with ourselves. However, it is a great way to start the season and the lads have done everybody proud today!"
Nelson | 1-1 | Atherton LR |
New Atherton manager felt his side should have taken all three points home after several missed chances, "We went 1-0 up with a decent goal and hit the bar four times. We were winning 1-0 at half time and, really, three points dropped. The lads were so disappointed at the end of the game because this is a game we should have won 3-0 or 4-0.
"I recruited with a brand new squad. Last season and two or three seasons before that, it's not been good. Last season certainly was horrendous. My remit was to get some players in who have the commitment and attitude that was missing and hopefully add the ability to that too.
Check out the full gallery from today's #AthertonLRFC game away at @Nelsonfc1➡️ https://t.co/gS5E0QBIMq
— Atherton Laburnum Rovers FC (@AthertonLRFC) August 3, 2019
📷 by @JamesLobley7 🔥#UpTheLR pic.twitter.com/WRQb1qNwd8
"Pre-season was very good. We had some decent games. I think today the occasion got the better of them. We'd built it up to be a game that we felt we could have won and, in the first half, I don't think Nelson had a single chance that they created. We hit the bar two or three times in the first half and could have easily been 3-0 up at half-time. We took the lead and, within two minutes, we conceded a free kick. I thought our 'keeper made a fantastic save but we've been second to react. One of their lads followed up at the back post and put it back across the 'keeper to tie at 1-1. I think the scoreline flattered them, to be honest.
"They [Lower Breck] won today and they'll bring a side that is favourites. In the corresponding fixture last season, Atherton LR lost 8-2 so we'll plan on something more respectable in my mind. I think we're a good team. We're a good footballing team. We're still one or two players away from being a side that I think would be comfortably mid-table or challenging towards the top half of the table. As we are, I think as we are, teams are going to get a surprise with how organised we are, offensively and when we've lost the ball and turn around.
"The guys need a little more confidence in their own ability and, if they do that now we've got the first game out of the way, I think we'll actually see some of them settling down a bit more. I think we'll see some decent results coming from us over the next couple of weeks."
Daisy Hill | 3-1 | Bacup Borough |
Bacup boss Brent Peters is never one to shy away from being honest, "Following on from my Pre-Match comments, my worst fear of being without special players in key positions came back to haunt me, with Captain Laquan Esdaille missing from the heart of the defence. This meant the back four unit had not played together before, and it was no surprise to me that both centre-backs were the catalyst in gifting the home side goals.
"Ben Oldfield making his senior debut with a stretching leg put the ball past his own keeper, with less than one minute from the own goal, his centre back partner Reece Gregory made the cardinal sin of an attempted pass down the gully of the pitch which was given away, we had no chance it killed us, then the same player allowed his marker to get a run on him from a corner to send a bullet header into the net.
"At the top end of the pitch where we were missing the experienced finisher Matthew Bryan, this was also an area where we fell short, despite Daisy Hil'ls three goals we had worked enough opportunities where we could have been level. Alex Luby and Josh Walne should have done better with the excellent opportunities they had."
Peter's added, "We made errors at the back which Daisy Hill punished us. They make errors at the back and we don't punish them by trying to place the ball, this rather than putting something behind the efforts Credit to Daisy Hill who put in an honest performance and deserved the points, but I am a frustrated manager at the moment. Frustrated by the fact big players in key positions were missing.
"It tells you all you need to know that for the past couple of weeks I have been trying to get another defender and striker in because what I thought may happen, did happen and that is why I am frustrated by not getting my targets over the line."
Chadderton | 3-2 | St Helens Town |
An opening day three points left Fish (pitcured below) happy, "St Helens made us work hard for the three points yesterday. I felt it took us twenty minutes to get going and we didn't start playing until after we'd conceded the first goal. After that, we played some good football but didn't ever get into top gear and were scrappy at times.
"We did create a number of chances though, but for the performance of Carl Williams in St Helens goal would have recorded a much more comfortable win. The new and returning players have settled well, the team spirit is good and we've started with three points so overall a positive opening day."
Pilkington | 0-3 | Cleator Moor Celtic |
Cleator boss Craig Routledge commented, "It was a good game. A difficult game but a good game. We all knew it was always going to be difficult against Pilkington for different reasons – and today there were a few more circumstances together that made it even more difficult for us. We got off to a good start through 16-year-old James Bell who impressed along with the other young lads that stepped up to first-team duties.
"Good performances throughout the side but special mention goes to our goalkeeper, Craig Devine & captain Callum Birdsall who I thought was exceptional & set the standard for all the lads to play to. The second half, I was really happy - not only because we scored two goals, but because we played more football - how mature it was, how strong we looked, how good we defended. Pilkington has a lot of quality - they are quick on the wing, strong, hard challenges and all that stuff. That’s a massive confidence boost for us."
NWCFL Frist Division South
Abbey Hulton United | 0-4 | FC Oswestry Town |
Russell Leadbetter, Abbey Hulton boss was less than impressed with his side's display, "We were nowhere near. The way we've played preseason hasn't been reflected in what I've seen today. People looked miles off. I think we may have to reconsider the way we play to be in with a shout of finishing in that top 4/6.
"We need to be more solid, and after conceding today our heads went down and we just didn't bounce back. It can't happen. So I'd expect to see a different showing on Wednesday."
Alsager Town | 1-2 | Maine Road |
In probably the shortest post-match review we will have all season, Alsager boss Lee Bennett said, "I thought we were very unlucky today. Going down to 10 men so early on in the game was tough and I believe it shouldn't have been a sending off and missing a penalty didn't help. However, I am proud of the lads. We go again on Tuesday."
Ellesmere Rangers | 0-3 | Barnton |
James McShane was please following their 3-0 away win, "Today went well. Always nice to start with three points away from home. Thought the new players settled in really well and played well. I expected Ellesmere to improve since last season, which they have. They have some good exciting youngsters who will do well and pick up more points this season. We roll onto Tuesday night now away at Vauxhall Motors which will be a big test for us."
Cammell Laird 1907 | 2-0 | Cheadle Town |
Phil Burton was delighted with the win, "Yeah it was a good start for us and clubs first opening day win since becoming 1907. We started the game really well and scored then stopped playing and I have to say Cheadle were excellent and unlucky not to score but for some great saves and defending from our lads.
"Second half we then controlled the game and limited them to no shots and just waited to hit them on the break for the second goal. Overall pleased with the win but not the performance but with this new look squad it going to take time and we still have few key players to come back so will only get stronger as a squad."
Whilst from the opposite dugout Will Griffiths commented, "I am really disappointed with the result from our opening game. However, really happy with our performance. Lairds had three chances (I think) and scored two. We had at least eight very good chances that hit the target but their goalkeeper managed to keep out.
"Any of those chances are a yard or two either side of the keeper and it's a far different result. Should have gone it at half time 6-1 up. Fair play to Lairds, goals win games, they took there chances and we didn't. On the plus side, we don't have to wait a week to put things right as we play Stockport Town on Monday night."
Cheadle Heath Nomads | 1-1 | Stone Old Alleynians |
Cheadle boss Andy Gray commented, "I thought it was a good game well contested. They set up exactly as we thought and looked strong first half, probably just shaded it, but second half we dominated from about the hour mark and finished the stronger.
"We had some really good chances that we should have finished to win the game but wasn't to be on the day. The new players that we brought in settled well and the players from last season are stronger for the experience and look more comfortable. It's only the first game but it's a point more than we took from these last season so a positive start! We look to keep that level up as we go to New Mills on Tuesday night and prepare for another tough encounter."
Credit: @LT_014
Eccleshall | 0-4 | West Didsbury & Chorlton |
Kyle Adams had this to say following their defeat, "Unfortunately, we have come up against a very impressive outfit on the opening day, who I have no doubt will be right up there come to the end of the season. They are effective in how they play and they've got some talented players with some great experience. We started slowly and were second best in the opening stages by quite a distance.
"I was disappointed with how we dealt with set pieces - or didn't deal with them I should say and that really cost us. We were never really able to create much going forward even though we were the much better second half, showing some fight and retaining the ball better. The lads can take something from that. It'll be nice to have a few of the lads back Wednesday that was missing today and we'll dust ourselves down and go again."
A big thank you to all the managers who contributed.