Saturday saw games in the FA Cup and all three divisions of the League. We caught up with several NWCFL Managers after the games to give their thoughts on the games.
BURY AFC MANAGER ANDY WELSH ON THEIR DRAW AT CLITHEROE
"Saturday was another excellent day for our club. Another very tough game awaits at home to clitheroe as they are a very strong side as we saw on Saturday. We look forward to the replay on Wednesday which gives a chance for our club to come together and create another amazing atmosphere in another exciting cup tie".
BURY AFC MATCHDAY SECRETARY ANDREW CORNS
"I think it would be remiss to quote just on the draw alone away at Clitheroe which showed the fighting spirit within the team after going behind in the 10th minute of the game. This is our fifth round game and our 3rd replay, whilst only one round was against a team from our level. Since that Extra Preliminary Round, we have played three rounds against teams from Step 4 and one round against Step 3 opponents. Bury fans are loving the non-league journey.
"This is Bury AFC first foray in the FA Cup, venturing further in the FA Cup than some more established clubs in Step 4 and 5. It is an achievement that everyone involved with the club can be extremely proud of. Well done to Andy, coaching staff, the players, the volunteers, and the fans for being part of this incredibly journey.
"We hope we can be representing the NWCFL in the Final Qualifying Round after Wednesday's replay. I would also like to add on behalf of everybody connected with Bury AFC, we would like to wish Congleton good luck in their replay too."
CONGLETON TOWN MANAGER RICHARD DUFFY ON THEIR DRAW WITH AFC FYLDE
"It was a great day for the club and community which I’m proud of the performance from the lads and we gave a good account of ourselves live on TV. It was disappointing to concede so late on having had a good chance to go through minutes earlier, but that's football I guess.
"We go again on Tuesday in the replay away at Flyde which will be tough of course, but on our day we can beat anyone. We've matched them once, and we have to do it all over again now."
LONGRIDGE TOWN MANAGER LEE ATHERTON AFTER HIS SIDES 5-1 WIN OVER LOWER BRECK
"It’s been a frustrating month for everyone involved with Longridge Town. We have competed and done well in all of our games but have got nothing from them, however on Saturday we played well against a good Lower Breck side and finally got our rewards.
"I was made up for my players, the fans and everyone involved with Longridge Town. Let’s hope we can go on a bit of run now, with 4 away games to follow! Uptheridge!"
ASHTON ATHLETIC MANAGER JAY FOULDS AFTER HIS SIDES SECOND WIN IN THREE DAYS AT BARNOLDSWICK TOWN
"It was another tough away game having played at Lower Breck on Thursday night less than 48 hours earlier. To come away with six points from those two games is testament to the team spirit that the lads have.
"Our recent performances have not returned what we deserved but I’m a firm believer luck will even itself out over the 42 league games. We haven’t felt sorry for ourselves and we have stuck with hard work and determination which has served me well over the years. We now have something to build on and will continue to work hard in every game."
CHARNOCK RICHARD MANAGER RYAN DONNELLAN AFTER HIS SIDE CAME FROM BEHIND TO BEAT FC ISLE OF MAN
HOLKER OLD BOYS BOSS KEVIN WATKIN ON HIS SIDES 6-2 WIN AT ASHTON TOWN
"it was nice to return to league fixture after a good result away at Padiham but it was a frustrating start to the game for us, we gave two cheap goals away very early as a result of being poor in possession of the ball but the two goal deficit shocked us into a reaction and improved our performance both in and out of possession of the ball.
"We always believed that once we got the breakthrough we had enough to go on and win the game and our second half performance was a lot closer to the level it needs to be. We managed the game well and took our chances at the right times to seal a good home win".
RUNCORN TOWN MANAGER MATT BARNES AFTER HIS SIDES THIRD WIN IN FOUR GAMES OVER GARSTANG
"We always knew that the this group of lads would put in some good performances when they started to click, but we have had horrendous injury problems which hasn't helped. This weekend is the first time this season that we have managed to put out the same team and it showed with some nice combinations.
"I thought this was a good performance, The build up play to all three goals was good and we have had back to back wins for the first time. There's still work to do but I a lot happier than I was three weeks ago!".
FC ST HELENS JOINT MANAGER JACK GRAHAM ON HIS SIDES 2-0 WIN OVER STEETON
"A well fought game against two teams in a similar position in the league. We had the much better chances in the game, especially in the second half but goals change games and it could have gone in a different direction if Steeton put their chance away before half time.
"An outstanding performance second half from the Steeton goalkeeper made it tough for us but still we looked comfortable and I thought we managed the game brilliantly. A great set of lads and we wish them them the best of luck for the season".
EUXTON VILLA MANAGER MATTY ATHERTON AFTER HIS SIDE BEAT DAISY HILL 1-0
"Another excellent result from the players against a very strong Daisy Hill side. It was an explosive start to the game where both teams were probably disappointed not to have scored more. But as the game wore on we became more and more difficult to break down and felt like we deserved the three points in the end.
"I’m particularly happy for Josh Brooks our goalkeeper as it was our first clean sheet of the season and he was instrumental in this with his early penalty save. We look forward to facing Daisy Hill again in just a few weeks in the cup and I have no doubt that they will be in the mix come the end of the season".
ELLESMERE RANGERS JOINT MANAGER MATT BURTON AFTER AN IMPRESSIVE WIN AT SANDBACH UNITED
"Sandbach away is always a tough away day and with conceding a penalty in the fourth minute I thought it was going to be a long day. However we have a group of players this season that work their socks off for each other and have started to trust each other and understand their individual roles.
"They are honest and have touches of quality that can win games. I felt that we grew into the game after the slow start and thoroughly deserved the win on this occasion."
ABBEY HEY MANAGER TERRY HINCKS AFTER HIS SIDES 3-1 WIN OVER ECCLESHALL
"This was a fantastic three points for us against a very good Eccleshall side who are probably the toughest test we have had up to now.
"We looked solid for the majority of the game and fully deserved the win. Daryl Mason was clinical in his finishing and our second was a clever combination between Jack Tuohy and Luke Jackson with a top finish from Jack. A great afternoons work from all the players".
STOCKPORT GEORGIANS MANAGER ANDY JENKINS AFTER HIS SIDES 4-1 THUMPING OF STAFFORD TOWN
"I was pleased with the performance that the lads put in against Stafford Town. It was a tight 1st half with few chances for both teams really, and probably fair to go in level.
"We improved in the second half and controlled more of the play, took our chances and restricted Stafford Towns chances to mainly from set pieces. Teenager Taylor Apsley, who had his 1st start of the season, caused problems for Stafford down our right all day and I'm pleased he got his first senior goal for us too".
BARNTON MANAGER LIAM PAGE AFTER ANOTHER GOOD WIN FOR HIS SIDE AT FOLEY MEIR
"It was great result this week against Foley Meir. We quickly refocused after the disappointment of the FA Vase defeat last weekend. The lads gained tight control of the game and dominated the 1st half with just a penalty to show for it. This continued right into the 2nd half.
"The early sending off in the Foley Meir’s side placed the opponents under further pressure. We were relentless in keeping the possession and this resulted in a fantastic strike and the winning goal by Freddy Garbutt. The final score line could have looked a lot different had we have played more clinical in the final 3rd. Foley Meir’s keeper pulled off a number of good saves, keeping the result at 2-0. A great win!
