Preview: Emirates FA Cup
Fri 5th August 2022 | Match Previews | By Martin Fallon
The Emirates FA Cup kicks off this weekend with 21 Premier Division sides in action plus Abbey Hey and New Mills by virtue of their points per game last season.
Unusually the most common opponent for our sides are those from the Northern Premier League. With a whopping 95 sides across Step 4 entering at this round this year, it certainly begs the question of why 64 sides got a bye to the Preliminary Round instead of allowing an extra 64 sides from Step 6 to enter the competition?
The FA Cup marks the first competitive game of the season for all Step 4 teams who don't begin their seasons until next week.
Let's start with our Premier Division champions Macclesfield who will be travelling to Wythenshawe Town. It's an intriguing tie with Wythenshawe the only side to win at Macclesfield last season in the league. The home side have played just once this season, that a 3-1 home win against Irlam on the opening day. For both sides, this is only the third FA Cup tie that they have played, with both winning one and losing one in their inaugural season 12 months ago.
Also promoted from our league last season was Skelmersdale United who won the Step 4/5 Playoff after finishing runners-up. They will play Padiham this weekend, with that game taking place at the Community Ground in Burscough. Padiham were denied an opening day win at Charnock Richard with the home side scoring in the last minute to draw 3-3, and they went down 5-3 at home to Bury in midweek.
New Mills travel to Ossett United who will be making their first appearance against an NWCFL side. The Millers finished third in the First Division South last season, reaching the play-off final, and they have had two games so far this season, both on the road. They won 4-2 at Stafford Town on the opening day before drawing 1-1 at Alsager Town in midweek.
Ashton Athletic have a relatively short trip as they travel to Prescot Cables for what is a first ever meeting between the sides. Ashton are still looking for their first win of the season having drawn 1-1 at home to West Didsbury & Chorlton on the opening day and losing 4-0 at Congleton Town in midweek.
AFC Liverpool are also on the road as they visit Trafford, again a first meeting between the two sides. The non-league Reds have had a good start to the season with a 4-1 win over Squires Gate on the opening day followed up by a 2-0 win against Irlam in midweek.
Finally Winsford United host Widnes with the two sides meeting for the first time since 2018. Widnes lead the head to head by three to one, with three of the five games they have played coming in the Macron Cup. Winsford are still searching for their first points of the season having lost 3-1 at Barnoldswick town and 3-0 at home to Avro so far.
There are four all NWCFL ties, and we will start with Abbey Hey at home to Congleton Town. Last season saw Abbey reach the play offs in the First Division South, but they were stunned on the opening day losing 4-0 at Ashville. They bounced back midweek though with a 2-0 win against Maine Road. Similarly Congleton lost on the opening day 2-1 at Longridge, but won their midweek game 4-0 against Ashton. This is their first meeting since 2019.
Longridge Town host West Didsbury & Chorlton for the first meeting between the two sides. As mentioned, Longridge won their opening day match 2-1 over Congleton but did not have a midweek fixture so have had a week to prepare for this. After West Didsbury's 1-1 draw at Ashton last Saturday, they beat Prestwich heys 21 midweek to extend their good opening start.
Prestwich Heys welcome Litherland REMYCA with these two meeting at this stage for the second season running. Last season saw Prestwich win 3-1 with Krisel Prifti, Lee Grimshaw and Anthony Hall scoring, Neil Monaghan grabbing REMY's goal. Prestwich have one win and a loss from their opening two games, with REMYCA losing both games by the odd goal at Bury AFC and at home to FC Isle of Man.
Squires Gate host Northwich Victoria in the final game, with both sides looking for their first win of the season. Squires Gate have lost at home to AFC Liverpool and at Charnock Richard so far, whilst Northwich Victoria lost at home to Avro. This is the first Cup meeting between the two sides, and of the eight league games there's nothing to separate them with three wins each.
Just one tie is against Northern League opposition as Kendal Town travel to Thornaby. The home side play in the top division of the league but have not had the best start to the season with two defeats coming from their opening two games. Both of these were at hoome by the odd goal against Guisborough Town and Carlisle City. Kendal themselves have lost both games so far, with both on the road at Vauxhall Motors and Barnoldswick Town.
Speaking of Barnoldswick, they are one of five ties against Northern Counties East League opposition, and they host Albion Sports. Their 4-1 win over Kendal was on the back of a 3-1 win at home to Winsford United last week, those results seeing them top the early table. Albion, who were reprieved from relegation last season after finishing second bottom, have played just once this season, that a 0-0 draw last Saturday at Barton Town.
Barlick have faced Albion before in the FA Cup in 2017 at the First Qualifying Round stage. Despite levelling twice through Joel Melia and Danny Boyle, they lost 3-2 to a last minute goal.
Also playing each other again are Lower Breck and Penistone Church, who met at this stage last season. After a goalless draw at Breck, they came from behind in the replay to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Jamie McDonald and Anthony Brown.
After struggling in the second-half of last season, Breck opened up with a 1-0 win at FC Isle of Man on the opening day of the season, however they were defeated in their midweek game when they went down 2-1 at home to Vauxhall Motors. Penistone finished 6th last season in the league, but having won all their pre-season home games, lost 2-0 at home on the opening day to Handsworth.
The third tie sees Burscough travel to former NWCFL side Silsden. Burscough have played just once, that a 3-0 loss at Prestwich Hays on the opening day with their midweek game postponed. Silsden have also played once, losing one nil at bottersford town thanks to an early own goal. The two sides met in Silsden's final season in the league with both games finishing 3-2, however Burscough lead the head to head after a 3-0 away win in the Macron Cup.
Charnock Richard travel to Yorkshire Amateur. After the Champions Cup Final, Charnock have had two league games so far, drawing 3-3 with Padiham and beating Squires Gate 3-1. Yorkshire Amateur, who have last seasons NWCFL First Divison North Leading Goalscorer Ash Flynn playing for them, lost 1-0 in their only game so far, this at home to Goole AFC.
Finally we have one game at home to Midland League opposition, and that is another ex-NWCFL side in Whitchurch Alport who entertain Vauxhall Motors. Alport finished 12th in their first Midland League season, but have not started the season yet as their league don't start until 13th August. Vauxhall beat Kendal Town 2-0 on opening day, and continued their good start midweek when they won 2-1 at Lower Breck. Remarkably, despite 29 miles separating the two sides, this is their first ever meeting.
The final game is on Sunday when Bury AFC start their campaign at Hallam, this game being put back as cricket is played on the ground on a Saturday during August and September. Bury have had a great start to life in the Premier Division with a 1-0 win at home to Litherland REMYCA followed by a 5-3 win away at Padiham midweek. Hallam have played just one game, this being a 3-1 away win last Saturday at Knaresborough Town which put them second in the early table.
Preview: Emirates FA Cup
Fri 5th August 2022 | Match Previews
By Martin Fallon
The Emirates FA Cup kicks off this weekend with 21 Premier Division sides in action plus Abbey Hey and New Mills by virtue of their points per game last season.
Unusually the most common opponent for our sides are those from the Northern Premier League. With a whopping 95 sides across Step 4 entering at this round this year, it certainly begs the question of why 64 sides got a bye to the Preliminary Round instead of allowing an extra 64 sides from Step 6 to enter the competition?
The FA Cup marks the first competitive game of the season for all Step 4 teams who don't begin their seasons until next week.
Let's start with our Premier Division champions Macclesfield who will be travelling to Wythenshawe Town. It's an intriguing tie with Wythenshawe the only side to win at Macclesfield last season in the league. The home side have played just once this season, that a 3-1 home win against Irlam on the opening day. For both sides, this is only the third FA Cup tie that they have played, with both winning one and losing one in their inaugural season 12 months ago.
Also promoted from our league last season was Skelmersdale United who won the Step 4/5 Playoff after finishing runners-up. They will play Padiham this weekend, with that game taking place at the Community Ground in Burscough. Padiham were denied an opening day win at Charnock Richard with the home side scoring in the last minute to draw 3-3, and they went down 5-3 at home to Bury in midweek.
New Mills travel to Ossett United who will be making their first appearance against an NWCFL side. The Millers finished third in the First Division South last season, reaching the play-off final, and they have had two games so far this season, both on the road. They won 4-2 at Stafford Town on the opening day before drawing 1-1 at Alsager Town in midweek.
Ashton Athletic have a relatively short trip as they travel to Prescot Cables for what is a first ever meeting between the sides. Ashton are still looking for their first win of the season having drawn 1-1 at home to West Didsbury & Chorlton on the opening day and losing 4-0 at Congleton Town in midweek.
AFC Liverpool are also on the road as they visit Trafford, again a first meeting between the two sides. The non-league Reds have had a good start to the season with a 4-1 win over Squires Gate on the opening day followed up by a 2-0 win against Irlam in midweek.
Finally Winsford United host Widnes with the two sides meeting for the first time since 2018. Widnes lead the head to head by three to one, with three of the five games they have played coming in the Macron Cup. Winsford are still searching for their first points of the season having lost 3-1 at Barnoldswick town and 3-0 at home to Avro so far.
There are four all NWCFL ties, and we will start with Abbey Hey at home to Congleton Town. Last season saw Abbey reach the play offs in the First Division South, but they were stunned on the opening day losing 4-0 at Ashville. They bounced back midweek though with a 2-0 win against Maine Road. Similarly Congleton lost on the opening day 2-1 at Longridge, but won their midweek game 4-0 against Ashton. This is their first meeting since 2019.
Longridge Town host West Didsbury & Chorlton for the first meeting between the two sides. As mentioned, Longridge won their opening day match 2-1 over Congleton but did not have a midweek fixture so have had a week to prepare for this. After West Didsbury's 1-1 draw at Ashton last Saturday, they beat Prestwich heys 21 midweek to extend their good opening start.
Prestwich Heys welcome Litherland REMYCA with these two meeting at this stage for the second season running. Last season saw Prestwich win 3-1 with Krisel Prifti, Lee Grimshaw and Anthony Hall scoring, Neil Monaghan grabbing REMY's goal. Prestwich have one win and a loss from their opening two games, with REMYCA losing both games by the odd goal at Bury AFC and at home to FC Isle of Man.
Squires Gate host Northwich Victoria in the final game, with both sides looking for their first win of the season. Squires Gate have lost at home to AFC Liverpool and at Charnock Richard so far, whilst Northwich Victoria lost at home to Avro. This is the first Cup meeting between the two sides, and of the eight league games there's nothing to separate them with three wins each.
Just one tie is against Northern League opposition as Kendal Town travel to Thornaby. The home side play in the top division of the league but have not had the best start to the season with two defeats coming from their opening two games. Both of these were at hoome by the odd goal against Guisborough Town and Carlisle City. Kendal themselves have lost both games so far, with both on the road at Vauxhall Motors and Barnoldswick Town.
Speaking of Barnoldswick, they are one of five ties against Northern Counties East League opposition, and they host Albion Sports. Their 4-1 win over Kendal was on the back of a 3-1 win at home to Winsford United last week, those results seeing them top the early table. Albion, who were reprieved from relegation last season after finishing second bottom, have played just once this season, that a 0-0 draw last Saturday at Barton Town.
Barlick have faced Albion before in the FA Cup in 2017 at the First Qualifying Round stage. Despite levelling twice through Joel Melia and Danny Boyle, they lost 3-2 to a last minute goal.
Also playing each other again are Lower Breck and Penistone Church, who met at this stage last season. After a goalless draw at Breck, they came from behind in the replay to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Jamie McDonald and Anthony Brown.
After struggling in the second-half of last season, Breck opened up with a 1-0 win at FC Isle of Man on the opening day of the season, however they were defeated in their midweek game when they went down 2-1 at home to Vauxhall Motors. Penistone finished 6th last season in the league, but having won all their pre-season home games, lost 2-0 at home on the opening day to Handsworth.
The third tie sees Burscough travel to former NWCFL side Silsden. Burscough have played just once, that a 3-0 loss at Prestwich Hays on the opening day with their midweek game postponed. Silsden have also played once, losing one nil at bottersford town thanks to an early own goal. The two sides met in Silsden's final season in the league with both games finishing 3-2, however Burscough lead the head to head after a 3-0 away win in the Macron Cup.
Charnock Richard travel to Yorkshire Amateur. After the Champions Cup Final, Charnock have had two league games so far, drawing 3-3 with Padiham and beating Squires Gate 3-1. Yorkshire Amateur, who have last seasons NWCFL First Divison North Leading Goalscorer Ash Flynn playing for them, lost 1-0 in their only game so far, this at home to Goole AFC.
Finally we have one game at home to Midland League opposition, and that is another ex-NWCFL side in Whitchurch Alport who entertain Vauxhall Motors. Alport finished 12th in their first Midland League season, but have not started the season yet as their league don't start until 13th August. Vauxhall beat Kendal Town 2-0 on opening day, and continued their good start midweek when they won 2-1 at Lower Breck. Remarkably, despite 29 miles separating the two sides, this is their first ever meeting.
The final game is on Sunday when Bury AFC start their campaign at Hallam, this game being put back as cricket is played on the ground on a Saturday during August and September. Bury have had a great start to life in the Premier Division with a 1-0 win at home to Litherland REMYCA followed by a 5-3 win away at Padiham midweek. Hallam have played just one game, this being a 3-1 away win last Saturday at Knaresborough Town which put them second in the early table.
