Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 6
Sun 1st September 2024 | Manager Reactions | By Jay Cooper
With the majority of NWCFL teams in action across the weekend, in both the League and FA Cup, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
The Emirates FA Cup:
Steve Pickup, of Barnoldswick Town (Lancaster City 0-0 Barnoldswick Town)
“The game was very close and there weren’t many chances. Both teams had a couple of chances each. A draw was a fair result. To go to the Giant Axe and compete with a team 2 leagues above us - every credit goes to the players.
“We could have really done without a third replay with already beating Brighouse Town and my old club Northwich Victoria. The players will be ready come Tuesday to try and get the job done. We still have 5 key players missing, but that's why we have a 23-man squad.”
Premier Division:
Russell Saunders, of Prestwich Heys (Squires Gate 0-1 Prestwich Heys)
“Yesterday was a scrappy game. It was even for the most part and could have gone either way. Over the last few weeks, we've been the ones that have come out on the wrong side of tight games, so it was pleasing to be on the right side of it today. It will give the lads a boost going into September - they deserve it, they've grafted for the win, and hopefully it kicks us on now.”
First Division North:
Paul Jones, of Ashton Town (Route One Rovers 1-3 Ashton Town)
“The lads had to work really hard for the three points today against a Route One Rovers side who are very comfortable in possession. We knew that they would keep the ball well and that there would be times that we would need to keep our shape for extended periods.
“We did that really well yesterday and limited Route One to very few opportunities on goal. Our work rate out of possession was the key to our three points today and gave us the platform to go and play when we won the ball back, creating quite a few chances when in possession.”
Dave Jones, of Atherton LR (Atherton LR 1-0 Steeton)
“It's been a hectic first month of the season, with 11 games done and dusted already. The lads have applied themselves really well and got the rewards for that so far.
“To score so late on is always special and to see the celebrations of the supporters and players together at the end shows what it means to everyone and how the whole club is pulling in the same direction.”
First Division South:
Jonathan Beaumont, of Abbey Hulton United (Abbey Hulton United 5-1 Sandbach United)
"We started the game very slowly and not to the standards we all expect, and Sandbach were the better team for the first 25/30 minutes. Once we changed a few things and upped our work rate we started to get more control of the game and we began creating chances.
"Once we equalised we started to apply pressure and that was very pleasing. To score just before the half was great - it's always good to go in at half time ahead.
"With regard to the 2nd half, we were very professional with our approach and again created a number of chances and took them this week, unlike other weeks.
"It was a great team performance and we will be looking to continue this now into the upcoming weeks of the season."
Adam Bond, of Cheadle Heath Nomads (Foley Meir 1-3 Cheadle Heath Nomads)
“We knew it wouldn't be straight forward with both teams coming in from Monday afternoon wins, and Foley winning their last 3 home games. We had an early scare with Foley receiving a penalty in the 3rd minute after breaking away but a good save from Ryan Forde keeping the score level.
“Once settled, we've dominated majority of possession but never really creating anything clear cut. Like the penalty, Foley caught us on the break from our own corner and finished well at the back post. Not much changed after the goal, we've carried on probing and finally got our breakthrough when Harlan Rodgers-Morris got brought down in the box and converted the penalty.
“We rode their wave well and our subs were the difference. Alex May who slotted into the bottom corner in the 86th minute, and substitute Matty Sumner put the game to bed a few minutes later. All the best to Foley for the rest of the season and we look forward to hosting them at our place in the return fixture.”
Richard Brown, of Shawbury United (Alsager Town 0-1 Shawbury United)
“The lads were unbelievable today, to go to top of the league who were yet to lose a game. We started brightly, having a couple of half-chances, then after 25 mins we had a player sent off for a comment which resulted in a red card.
“Full credit goes to all the lads who played today, with the work rate and commitment for 70 mins playing with 10 men. And especially our goalkeeper Ash Rawlings, with the saves he made yesterday. All in all, it was a great team performance. Credit to Alsager – they were gracious in defeat, and we wish them all the best for the rest of the season.”
Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 6
Sun 1st September 2024 | Manager Reactions
By Jay Cooper
With the majority of NWCFL teams in action across the weekend, in both the League and FA Cup, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
The Emirates FA Cup:
Steve Pickup, of Barnoldswick Town (Lancaster City 0-0 Barnoldswick Town)
“The game was very close and there weren’t many chances. Both teams had a couple of chances each. A draw was a fair result. To go to the Giant Axe and compete with a team 2 leagues above us - every credit goes to the players.
“We could have really done without a third replay with already beating Brighouse Town and my old club Northwich Victoria. The players will be ready come Tuesday to try and get the job done. We still have 5 key players missing, but that's why we have a 23-man squad.”
Premier Division:
Russell Saunders, of Prestwich Heys (Squires Gate 0-1 Prestwich Heys)
“Yesterday was a scrappy game. It was even for the most part and could have gone either way. Over the last few weeks, we've been the ones that have come out on the wrong side of tight games, so it was pleasing to be on the right side of it today. It will give the lads a boost going into September - they deserve it, they've grafted for the win, and hopefully it kicks us on now.”
First Division North:
Paul Jones, of Ashton Town (Route One Rovers 1-3 Ashton Town)
“The lads had to work really hard for the three points today against a Route One Rovers side who are very comfortable in possession. We knew that they would keep the ball well and that there would be times that we would need to keep our shape for extended periods.
“We did that really well yesterday and limited Route One to very few opportunities on goal. Our work rate out of possession was the key to our three points today and gave us the platform to go and play when we won the ball back, creating quite a few chances when in possession.”
Dave Jones, of Atherton LR (Atherton LR 1-0 Steeton)
“It's been a hectic first month of the season, with 11 games done and dusted already. The lads have applied themselves really well and got the rewards for that so far.
“To score so late on is always special and to see the celebrations of the supporters and players together at the end shows what it means to everyone and how the whole club is pulling in the same direction.”
First Division South:
Jonathan Beaumont, of Abbey Hulton United (Abbey Hulton United 5-1 Sandbach United)
"We started the game very slowly and not to the standards we all expect, and Sandbach were the better team for the first 25/30 minutes. Once we changed a few things and upped our work rate we started to get more control of the game and we began creating chances.
"Once we equalised we started to apply pressure and that was very pleasing. To score just before the half was great - it's always good to go in at half time ahead.
"With regard to the 2nd half, we were very professional with our approach and again created a number of chances and took them this week, unlike other weeks.
"It was a great team performance and we will be looking to continue this now into the upcoming weeks of the season."
Adam Bond, of Cheadle Heath Nomads (Foley Meir 1-3 Cheadle Heath Nomads)
“We knew it wouldn't be straight forward with both teams coming in from Monday afternoon wins, and Foley winning their last 3 home games. We had an early scare with Foley receiving a penalty in the 3rd minute after breaking away but a good save from Ryan Forde keeping the score level.
“Once settled, we've dominated majority of possession but never really creating anything clear cut. Like the penalty, Foley caught us on the break from our own corner and finished well at the back post. Not much changed after the goal, we've carried on probing and finally got our breakthrough when Harlan Rodgers-Morris got brought down in the box and converted the penalty.
“We rode their wave well and our subs were the difference. Alex May who slotted into the bottom corner in the 86th minute, and substitute Matty Sumner put the game to bed a few minutes later. All the best to Foley for the rest of the season and we look forward to hosting them at our place in the return fixture.”
Richard Brown, of Shawbury United (Alsager Town 0-1 Shawbury United)
“The lads were unbelievable today, to go to top of the league who were yet to lose a game. We started brightly, having a couple of half-chances, then after 25 mins we had a player sent off for a comment which resulted in a red card.
“Full credit goes to all the lads who played today, with the work rate and commitment for 70 mins playing with 10 men. And especially our goalkeeper Ash Rawlings, with the saves he made yesterday. All in all, it was a great team performance. Credit to Alsager – they were gracious in defeat, and we wish them all the best for the rest of the season.”
