Matchday 4: Review

Mon 12th August 2024 | Match Reviews | By Jay Cooper

Another weekend, another round of games coming from all 3 divisions of the NWCFL. Let's run through the best and worst of what the last couple of days have had to offer.

Premier Division:

• Abbey Hey and AFC Liverpool, two teams who seem to have had very differing starts to the new season, played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Abbey Stadium, with all 4 goals coming in the first half. The hosts had to fight back after going 2-0 down.
• Speaking of 4-goal games, Chadderton scored every single one in their clash with Barnoldswick Town. Chaddy took maximum points from the Silentnight Stadium, with Dale, Sutcliffe and Crothers all contributing to a 4-0 win.
• In a hat-trick of 4-goal games, Bury and Irlam were evidently reading from the same playbook as Abbey Hey and AFC Liverpool. Both teams converted a penalty each from this game at Gigg Lane, that finished 2-2.
• Charnock Richard were sailing as smooth as you can be when they were heading into half time 3-0 up against Pilkington on Saturday. But a late first-half goal from McCarthy brought Pilks back to life ahead of the second period. In the end, the game finished 4-2.
• Another team winning 4-2 were Stockport Town, despite being away from home in their match against Litherland REMYCA. Daniel Lewis got two in this game for the visitors.
• Tom Douglas scored the first and last goals of the afternoon for Lower Breck in their 4-1 demolition of Padiham at the Anfield Sports Community Centre.
• Another first-half heavy game came from Squires Gate, who hosted Cheadle Town at the Brian Addison Stadium. All 5 goals in this one came between the 25^th and 45^th minute, with visiting Town escaping with a 3-2 win.

• Other scores:
• FC Isle of Man 0-1 Longridge Town
• FC St Helens 0-3 Ramsbottom United
• Glossop North End 1-2 South Liverpool
• Prestwich Heys 1-1 Colne
• West Didsbury and Chorlton 1-2 Burscough

First Division North:

• Droylsden were again involved in a goal-fest when playing host to Steeton. In Chevrons' gaffer Roy Mason's 600th game, Droylsden scored a goal for every century that Mason has managed for Steeton. The game ended 6-1 to the hosts, featuring a first-half hat-trick from Joel Ankers.
• The streak is over - not only did Bacup Borough concede a goal for the first time at the weekend, but they lost to newly-promoted Maghull. Nathan Moffitt scoring twice towards the end of the game was enough for the hosts of this match to come away with maximum points in a 3-2 win.
• Nelson piled more misery on Skelmersdale United, who suffered their second consecutive 5-0 league defeat at Little Wembley. Nelson's jack Doherty managed 2 of the 5 that his team scored in this game, as the hosts topped the table.
• Thornton Cleveleys' good run of form was stopped in its tracks by the visit of Daisy Hill to Gamble Road. O'Brien, Prifti and Talbot all contributed to a 3-1 win for Lee Hill's men.

• Other scores:
• Ashton Town 0-3 Holker Old Boys
• Darwen FC 2-1 AFC Blackpool
• Euxton Villa 1-0 Atherton LR
• Garstang 0-3 Maine Road
• Route One Rovers 0-1 Ashton Athletic

First Division South:

• Kieran Brown was the man of the hour for Abbey Hulton United, scoring a brace as they knocked off Foley Meir 4-2 on Saturday at Drayton Beaumont Park.
• Alsager Town continued their perfect start to the 2023/24 campaign, seeing off visiting Stafford Town 3-2 in their latest attempt to prove they are the true pacesetters of the First Division South.
• Ashville returned to winning ways upon the visit of Wolverhampton SC to the Ray Parker Stadium. Peter Morgan scored twice in the first half of a 4-0 victory for Steven Scott's side.
• Runcorn Town were heartbreakingly denied their first points of the season when playing host to Eccleshall. Jordan Benton scored the winner in the 92nd minute of play to secure all 3 points for the ST21 side.
• Market Drayton Town's long-awaited upswing in fortunes continued at pace on Saturday, with Stockport Georgians feeling the wrath of Dan Dawson's men; Sam Finney in particular. He bagged two for his side in a 5-1 away victory.

• Other scores:
• Allscott Heath 0-3 Cheadle Heath Nomads
• New Mills 0-0 Barnton
• Shawbury United 0-3 Cammell Laird 1907
• Winsford United 3-0 Sandbach United