Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 1
Tue 30th July 2024 | Manager Reactions | By Jay Cooper
The content is coming thick and fast with in the NWCFL with the new season getting underway, and another new piece that you can expect more of going forward is this – our Manager’s Quotes from the Weekend.
With all 60 NWCFL teams in action across Friday and Saturday, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
With this being the first collection of quotes for the new campaign, we’ve gone overwhelmingly positive, and grabbed a brief word from some of the managers across all 3 divisions whose sides picked up maximum points in Matchweek 1.
Premier Division:
Mike Smith, of FC St Helens (FC St Helens 3-0 Abbey Hey)
I thought it was a thoroughly deserved 3 points. After the first 10 minutes, we settled into the game and began to take control. Although we've worked hard fitness wise in pre-season, we've also worked a lot of how we want to play. The players executed the majority of that yesterday and fitness levels also shone through. I’m delighted to begin our debut campaign (in the Premier Division) with 3 points. Now we have to keep working and build towards our next game.
Paul Turnbull, of Stockport Town (Irlam 1-2 Stockport Town)
The lads were class - we set a game plan and they stuck to it. We sat in a low block to frustrate Irlam and it worked. We waited them to force passes to try and break us down; they did that, and Toby (Green) scored an unreal goal (on the counter). From them forcing passes centrally, the gaps had opened up and he shot from 40 yards, and it went into the top corner! We conceded a penalty in 2nd half and the game could have changed, but the lads dug deep and stuck to the game plan, and we scored late to secure our first win in the Premier Division. I couldn't be any more proud of them.
Paul Marshall, of West Didsbury and Chorlton (West Didsbury and Chorlton 3-0 Glossop North End)
It was a great start for us. For the first game of the season I think most people are a little nervous due to not much being know about how any team will perform or what course their season will be. My lads were superb yesterday. We were too strong for Glossop all over the pitch. Another pleasing thing for me is that we have 5/6 key players missing, that are still to come back in, so I am really happy with the squad we have built.
On another note, it's looking like we have lost Jake Parker due to a serious knee injury, and I am gutted about that for him and the lads.
First Division North:
Brent Peters, of Bacup Borough (Bacup Borough 5-0 Ashton Athletic)
It was a quality performance from the team. It is performances like the boys put in which brings with it a lot of pride from the coaching staff; seeing their work all coming to fruition, It is fair to say we dominated the game from the off, and had they have been more ruthless in the first half in front of goal, the game would have been well put to bed. Going into the second half with a slender one goal lead scored by Callum Hewitt, the game was still very much in the balance, until Toby Wright struck the second. The further goals came from Toby Wright, Connor Morris and Oliver Hodgeson, who got a rapturous applause for a cool finish. Some fine goals from an excellent team performance.
Guy Heffernan, of Garstang (Route One Rovers 0-2 Garstang)
Great win at the weekend against a good R1R side, who will win more than they will lose at home. The lads listened and did everything we wanted from them. I have to say they deserve all the praise – all of them did their job, including the subs that came on. We have spoken about roles and responsibilities all through pre-season and how everyone has one on a matchday, even the subs, and for me, it was an outstanding, honest performance which should set us a foundation to build from. Of course, it's the first game of the season, but if we perform and work at 90% of what we did on Saturday, we will do OK.
Pre-season and the start of things (for me as manager) has been very positive, and very good as a group. We needed them to build a team on and off the field and enjoy each other’s company more, and for me, Saturday was a perfect outcome of the good 7 weeks we have had. But it's only one game. We can be positive and happy with that but if things go below the standards that we’ve set, then Saturday result wasn't worth it.
Joe Burns, of Maghull (Maghull 3-2 Darwen FC)
I’m made up with the attitude that our lads showed against Darwen, especially after going down to 10 men after 5 minutes, then going 2-0 by half time! In the second half, our work rate, quality and determination was second to none, and we came away with a well-deserved 3 points!
First Division South:
Steve Rogers, of Allscott Heath (Allscott Heath 4-3 Abbey Hulton United)
I really enjoyed the game yesterday. I was really pleased to start with a win and 3 points against a good Abbey Hulton side. It's great to be involved in such a well-run league, and to be playing against new teams. Our lads played well, we moved the ball quickly, put them under pressure for long periods, and deserved the win on the day. It’s a big game against Shawbury United on Tuesday now.
Steven Scott, of Ashville (Ashville 1-0 Market Drayton Town)
We knew it was going to be a tricky opener for us, with lots of changes across both clubs this summer. Our lads got out of the blocks quickly and established themselves in the game with a series of chances. However, unable to break the deadlock we feared the important first goal may not come. That was until Joe Dulson made an immediate impact, switching inside and delivering a crisp finish on his left foot which put us ahead, and in our view, just about deservedly so. The last few minutes were a little uncomfortable as Market Drayton tried to respond, but in the end, when the whistle went we felt we'd been good for the result and we're delighted to get up and running with 3 points.
Danny Moss, of Barnton (Barnton 4-3 Wolverhampton SC)
We flew out of the blocks, which was really pleasing, and once we scored we could and should have probably been out of sight after 30 minutes. At any level of football if you don't take your chances, you run the risk of being caught out and we certainly were. We found ourselves 1-2 down out of nowhere. We regrouped well in the second half and were deserved winners in my opinion. In terms of our opponents, we’ve got to give them massive credit, as the game could have been out of sight early on. But they stuck together and took their chances when they came. They have a couple of really good ball carriers in midfield and out wide who will cause teams real problems this season, and their number 9 took his 2 chances really well.
Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 1
Tue 30th July 2024 | Manager Reactions
By Jay Cooper
The content is coming thick and fast with in the NWCFL with the new season getting underway, and another new piece that you can expect more of going forward is this – our Manager’s Quotes from the Weekend.
With all 60 NWCFL teams in action across Friday and Saturday, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
With this being the first collection of quotes for the new campaign, we’ve gone overwhelmingly positive, and grabbed a brief word from some of the managers across all 3 divisions whose sides picked up maximum points in Matchweek 1.
Premier Division:
Mike Smith, of FC St Helens (FC St Helens 3-0 Abbey Hey)
I thought it was a thoroughly deserved 3 points. After the first 10 minutes, we settled into the game and began to take control. Although we've worked hard fitness wise in pre-season, we've also worked a lot of how we want to play. The players executed the majority of that yesterday and fitness levels also shone through. I’m delighted to begin our debut campaign (in the Premier Division) with 3 points. Now we have to keep working and build towards our next game.
Paul Turnbull, of Stockport Town (Irlam 1-2 Stockport Town)
The lads were class - we set a game plan and they stuck to it. We sat in a low block to frustrate Irlam and it worked. We waited them to force passes to try and break us down; they did that, and Toby (Green) scored an unreal goal (on the counter). From them forcing passes centrally, the gaps had opened up and he shot from 40 yards, and it went into the top corner! We conceded a penalty in 2nd half and the game could have changed, but the lads dug deep and stuck to the game plan, and we scored late to secure our first win in the Premier Division. I couldn't be any more proud of them.
Paul Marshall, of West Didsbury and Chorlton (West Didsbury and Chorlton 3-0 Glossop North End)
It was a great start for us. For the first game of the season I think most people are a little nervous due to not much being know about how any team will perform or what course their season will be. My lads were superb yesterday. We were too strong for Glossop all over the pitch. Another pleasing thing for me is that we have 5/6 key players missing, that are still to come back in, so I am really happy with the squad we have built.
On another note, it's looking like we have lost Jake Parker due to a serious knee injury, and I am gutted about that for him and the lads.
First Division North:
Brent Peters, of Bacup Borough (Bacup Borough 5-0 Ashton Athletic)
It was a quality performance from the team. It is performances like the boys put in which brings with it a lot of pride from the coaching staff; seeing their work all coming to fruition, It is fair to say we dominated the game from the off, and had they have been more ruthless in the first half in front of goal, the game would have been well put to bed. Going into the second half with a slender one goal lead scored by Callum Hewitt, the game was still very much in the balance, until Toby Wright struck the second. The further goals came from Toby Wright, Connor Morris and Oliver Hodgeson, who got a rapturous applause for a cool finish. Some fine goals from an excellent team performance.
Guy Heffernan, of Garstang (Route One Rovers 0-2 Garstang)
Great win at the weekend against a good R1R side, who will win more than they will lose at home. The lads listened and did everything we wanted from them. I have to say they deserve all the praise – all of them did their job, including the subs that came on. We have spoken about roles and responsibilities all through pre-season and how everyone has one on a matchday, even the subs, and for me, it was an outstanding, honest performance which should set us a foundation to build from. Of course, it's the first game of the season, but if we perform and work at 90% of what we did on Saturday, we will do OK.
Pre-season and the start of things (for me as manager) has been very positive, and very good as a group. We needed them to build a team on and off the field and enjoy each other’s company more, and for me, Saturday was a perfect outcome of the good 7 weeks we have had. But it's only one game. We can be positive and happy with that but if things go below the standards that we’ve set, then Saturday result wasn't worth it.
Joe Burns, of Maghull (Maghull 3-2 Darwen FC)
I’m made up with the attitude that our lads showed against Darwen, especially after going down to 10 men after 5 minutes, then going 2-0 by half time! In the second half, our work rate, quality and determination was second to none, and we came away with a well-deserved 3 points!
First Division South:
Steve Rogers, of Allscott Heath (Allscott Heath 4-3 Abbey Hulton United)
I really enjoyed the game yesterday. I was really pleased to start with a win and 3 points against a good Abbey Hulton side. It's great to be involved in such a well-run league, and to be playing against new teams. Our lads played well, we moved the ball quickly, put them under pressure for long periods, and deserved the win on the day. It’s a big game against Shawbury United on Tuesday now.
Steven Scott, of Ashville (Ashville 1-0 Market Drayton Town)
We knew it was going to be a tricky opener for us, with lots of changes across both clubs this summer. Our lads got out of the blocks quickly and established themselves in the game with a series of chances. However, unable to break the deadlock we feared the important first goal may not come. That was until Joe Dulson made an immediate impact, switching inside and delivering a crisp finish on his left foot which put us ahead, and in our view, just about deservedly so. The last few minutes were a little uncomfortable as Market Drayton tried to respond, but in the end, when the whistle went we felt we'd been good for the result and we're delighted to get up and running with 3 points.
Danny Moss, of Barnton (Barnton 4-3 Wolverhampton SC)
We flew out of the blocks, which was really pleasing, and once we scored we could and should have probably been out of sight after 30 minutes. At any level of football if you don't take your chances, you run the risk of being caught out and we certainly were. We found ourselves 1-2 down out of nowhere. We regrouped well in the second half and were deserved winners in my opinion. In terms of our opponents, we’ve got to give them massive credit, as the game could have been out of sight early on. But they stuck together and took their chances when they came. They have a couple of really good ball carriers in midfield and out wide who will cause teams real problems this season, and their number 9 took his 2 chances really well.
