Five Things We Learned 2024/25 - Gameweek 5
Wed 28th August 2024 | Five Things | By Jay Cooper
1. The Isuzu FA Vase is back!
You ready for a rundown? The Isuzu FA Vase is back in 2024/25, and there are a number of NWCFL sides who have already fought their way past the First Qualifying Round.
All of Allscott Heath, AFC Liverpool, Ashton Athletic, Barnton, Burscough, Bury, Chadderton, Cheadle Town, Colne, Darwen, Euxton Villa, FC St Helens, Market Drayton Town, Padiham, Route One Rovers, Stafford Town, Sandbach United, Stockport Town AND Winsford United won outright in their matches. In addition, both Ashton Town and New Mills advanced on penalties.
2. The pacesetters are emerging
We’re a handful of games into the new league season now, and the first few games that often see unbeaten runs are now behind us. In the Premier Division, it’s Ramsbottom United who’ve gotten out on the furthest forward foot. They’ve only lost once in 8 games and are top by two points as it stands. Circling, as ever, are Bury, who are unbeaten, but have played two less league games than Rammy, so currently sit 5 points and 4 places behind.
In the First Division North, Bacup Borough’s early charge has since made way for both last season’s title challengers Atherton LR and perennial also-rans Nelson to make a beeline for pole position. Atherton are a point clear of Nelson after 10 games, but Holker Old Boys and Droylsden have intentions of their own too.
In the South, strangely, there are teams who’ve played less games than their adversaries that are leading the way. All of Alsager Town, Stafford Town, New Mills and Winsford United make up the top 4, despite Ashville in 5th having played a game more.
3. Don’t leave The Community Ground early!
For anyone who left the Premier Division clash between Burscough and Padiham early to beat the traffic on bank holiday Monday, I feel so sorry for you.
You may well have thought the game ended 1-1 until you got home and checked twitter. However, a 95th minute Jack McConville strike looked to have won the game for the hosts, right up until the 97th minute, when Tyler James dragged Padiham level. Lesson learned – stay to the whistle.
4. MDT are no longer short on goals
Last season, it was a continued problem for Market Drayton Town that they couldn’t score the goals in their games to get a win. They went a mind-blowing 24 consecutive NWCFL matches ending in defeat, carrying over from last season.
This campaign, however, they’re laying those demons to rest, and nowhere was that more evident than in their battle with league leaders Alsager Town on Saturday. Alright, they didn’t win, but they put four past the team at the top of the pile and only drew thanks to a 93rd minute equaliser from Alsager. This Market Drayton Town side is very far removed from last season’s it seems.
5. Runcorn still struggling
There’s no hiding it - it has been a dreadful start to 2024/25 for Runcorn Town. After being laterally moved from the First Division North to the South, they’ve struggled to get off the ground this season.
They’ve changed their manager once already this campaign, brining in Chris Jones to replace Karl Brown, but they’re still yet to pick up points from 9 matches. With 8 points between themselves and second-bottom Shawbury Town, Runcorn are already looking at a mountain they must climb if they are to survive this season.
Five Things We Learned 2024/25 - Gameweek 5
Wed 28th August 2024 | Five Things
By Jay Cooper
1. The Isuzu FA Vase is back!
You ready for a rundown? The Isuzu FA Vase is back in 2024/25, and there are a number of NWCFL sides who have already fought their way past the First Qualifying Round.
All of Allscott Heath, AFC Liverpool, Ashton Athletic, Barnton, Burscough, Bury, Chadderton, Cheadle Town, Colne, Darwen, Euxton Villa, FC St Helens, Market Drayton Town, Padiham, Route One Rovers, Stafford Town, Sandbach United, Stockport Town AND Winsford United won outright in their matches. In addition, both Ashton Town and New Mills advanced on penalties.
2. The pacesetters are emerging
We’re a handful of games into the new league season now, and the first few games that often see unbeaten runs are now behind us. In the Premier Division, it’s Ramsbottom United who’ve gotten out on the furthest forward foot. They’ve only lost once in 8 games and are top by two points as it stands. Circling, as ever, are Bury, who are unbeaten, but have played two less league games than Rammy, so currently sit 5 points and 4 places behind.
In the First Division North, Bacup Borough’s early charge has since made way for both last season’s title challengers Atherton LR and perennial also-rans Nelson to make a beeline for pole position. Atherton are a point clear of Nelson after 10 games, but Holker Old Boys and Droylsden have intentions of their own too.
In the South, strangely, there are teams who’ve played less games than their adversaries that are leading the way. All of Alsager Town, Stafford Town, New Mills and Winsford United make up the top 4, despite Ashville in 5th having played a game more.
3. Don’t leave The Community Ground early!
For anyone who left the Premier Division clash between Burscough and Padiham early to beat the traffic on bank holiday Monday, I feel so sorry for you.
You may well have thought the game ended 1-1 until you got home and checked twitter. However, a 95th minute Jack McConville strike looked to have won the game for the hosts, right up until the 97th minute, when Tyler James dragged Padiham level. Lesson learned – stay to the whistle.
4. MDT are no longer short on goals
Last season, it was a continued problem for Market Drayton Town that they couldn’t score the goals in their games to get a win. They went a mind-blowing 24 consecutive NWCFL matches ending in defeat, carrying over from last season.
This campaign, however, they’re laying those demons to rest, and nowhere was that more evident than in their battle with league leaders Alsager Town on Saturday. Alright, they didn’t win, but they put four past the team at the top of the pile and only drew thanks to a 93rd minute equaliser from Alsager. This Market Drayton Town side is very far removed from last season’s it seems.
5. Runcorn still struggling
There’s no hiding it - it has been a dreadful start to 2024/25 for Runcorn Town. After being laterally moved from the First Division North to the South, they’ve struggled to get off the ground this season.
They’ve changed their manager once already this campaign, brining in Chris Jones to replace Karl Brown, but they’re still yet to pick up points from 9 matches. With 8 points between themselves and second-bottom Shawbury Town, Runcorn are already looking at a mountain they must climb if they are to survive this season.
