The seventh week of action is already upon us, and here we take a look at some of the standout clashes over the next seven days...

FRIDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER

Just one game tonight to kick off the weekend, as Chadderton and AFC Liverpool go head-to-head at Avro's Vestacare Stadium. Chadderton are yet to lose in the league so far this season and currently sit second, just one point behind leaders Ramsbottom United and having played a game less. The visitors haven't had as good a start but can still be proud of the 16 points they've picked up so far from their eight league games. It was a 1-1 draw in the equivalent fixture last term, with Chaddy winning 4-0 at the Marine Travel Arena earlier in the season.

SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER

The match of the round this week in the Premier Division is almost certainly the late kick-off in Douglas where Bury are the visitors to FC Isle of Man. This has been one of the most highly-anticipated fixtures for the past couple of seasons and this year is no different. The Shakers have been free-scoring this season, finding the net a whopping 36 times in 11 games in all competitions and they arrive on the Isle of Man on the back of seven consecutive victories, including success in both FA Cup and FA Vase. The Ravens have struggled for consistency so far and currently sit 12th in the table, although seven of their nine games have been away from home. Bury got the better of their hosts 2-0 in this fixture last season; one which was played at 11am on a Sunday morning due to travel disruption over the Irish Sea. A weekend that lives long in the memory for those in attendance!

Back on the mainland, FC St Helens have had a fantastic start to life at this level, having only dropped points in two of their opening eight fixtures. They will hope to continue this run of form on home turf against Litherland REMYCA, who have struggled thus far and occupy the last relegation spot at this early stage. Current league leaders Ramsbottom United are also at home as the Rams go up against Glossop North End. GNE looked to have stopped the rot with two clean sheets and four points in their last two outings and they will certainly be hoping for more of the same tomorrow afternoon in East Lancashire.

There's a battle at the wrong end of the table at Jericho Lane where South Liverpool and Squires Gate take to the field in search of what would only be a second league win of the season for whoever comes out on top in that one. South have the second best defence in the bottom half of the table but it's the other end of the pitch where they have struggled, having only found the net three times in eight games so far! The last game we will highlight in this division for Saturday is up in north east Preston where Longridge Town welcome West Didsbury & Chorlton. Longridge have won all but two of their league games while West come into this off the back of yet another cup success and they have an eye watering tie against Darlington to come next weekend.

We are well underway in the First Division North and the top five teams look to have already made a break for it as a six point gap has opened up between 5th-placed Euxton Villa and Maine Road in 6th. Two of these five play each other at the newly-renamed Daisy Arena as Euxton Villa travel up the M65 to take on Nelson. Nelson had a bit of a blip after a fiery start but appear to have recovered as they have won their last four going into this, while Euxton comfortably saw off Skelmersdale United during the week. Home advantage has certainly been evident in the four clashes between these two since Euxton's promotion in 2022, with the points going to the hosts every time.

Atherton LR are currently top of the pile and they make the short journey to Ashton Town and know that anything other than three points could see them ousted from top spot come 5 o'clock Saturday. There could be an interesting 90 minutes at the Mechanics Ground when Maghull visit AFC Blackpool. Games involving the Mechanics haven't been short of goals so far this season, with all bar one seeing both teams score and they've already been on the wrong end of a 5-4 and 5-3 scoreline! Maghull haven't been shy of a goalfest either, with a 4-4 draw at Ashton Town being the pick of the bunch.

Last but never least it's the First Division South, where all 18 teams are in action at 3pm tomorrow afternoon. The bottom two sides will both spy an opportunity to take maximum points this week, but only one can do so as they take on each other at Runcorn Town's Viridor Community Stadium. Town have lost all 10 of their league games this campaign and they sit eight points adrift of Stockport Georgians, who travel to Runcorn having lost two of their last three. With Runcorn being a lateral transfer from the North division for this season, this will be the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

Elsewhere, current divisional top scorers Winsford United head south to Wolverhampton Sporting Community. The hosts looked like they'd turned a corner with three wins in a row in mid-August, but two defeats in their three games since sees them occupy the third and final relegation position. This is a stark contrast to Winsford's form, as they have won five out of their last six including a 4-0, 5-0 and a 7-0 win! Stafford Town go into their fixture at Cheadle Heath Nomads with six maximums on the bounce under their belt as they top the table going into this matchday.

THE WEEK AHEAD...

The fixtures come thick and fast in the Premier Division and there are a further ten games for you to sink your teeth into on Tuesday evening, with Chadderton v Stockport Town being one of the highlights. This is being played at Wythenshawe Town's Ericstan Park as Chadderton's usual Falcon Fire Stadium home is currently out of action as a brand new pitch is installed. Other highlights include cup heroes Barnoldswick Town hosting Longridge Town and AFC Liverpool's trip to Charnock Richard.

The Edward Case Cup also gets underway on Tuesday with two Preliminary Round ties to get the tournament started, with another one on Wednesday. New Mills welcome newly-promoted Foley Meir to Church Lane while Winsford United host Market Drayton Town. We head North for Wednesday's cup action when Garstang travel to Nelson. The other Preliminary Round tie, between Maghull and Thornton-Cleveleys, is being played on Saturday 21st September.

Irlam are in Manchester Premier Cup action on Tuesday against a familiar face in Wythenshawe, who now ply their trade in the NPL West after winning our Premier Division last season. There's just one league fixture on Wednesday - Cheadle Town v Padiham in the Premier Division.

All fixtures can be found on the fixtures page here: NWCFL Fixtures, with any recent changes to fixtures recorded here: Fixture Changes