Five Things We Learned 2024/25 - Gameweek 8
Fri 20th September 2024 | Five Things | By Jay Cooper
1. Bury blasting through qualifying
The Shakers are often the biggest headline-makers in the NWCFL, last weekend was no different as they faced Blyth Spartans in the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round. As one of three remaining NWCFL sides left in England's oldest competition, there was plenty of pressure.
Not that it particularly mattered to Dave McNabb and his players, who breezed past their Northumberland-based hosts in a 3-0 win to become the last remaining NWCFL side in the FA Cup. What makes this outcome even more interesting is who Bury have drawn in Round 3 - Radcliffe. A trip to the Neuven Stadium will be all too familiar to the fans who were present during the days of Bury AFC.
2. Local trophies are off and running
It's not a given that NWCFL sides will do extremely well in local cup competitions, but we're more than happy to bring attention to when they do, and this past week has seen the commencement of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy.
Unfortunately, Premier Division side West Didsbury and Chorlton fell at the first hurdle, losing on penalties to Atherton Collieries. Euxton Villa proved far more successful in their clash with fellow NWCFL side Daisy Hill, however, battering them 4-1. This result sees Matty Atherton's side soar comfortably into Round 2 of the competition.
3. Fixture list foreshadowing
Speaking of West Didsbury and Chorlton, one interesting thing about them is the fact that, in the Premier Division, they are currently one of just two teams to have played less than 10 league games so far this season - the other is Barnoldswick Town.
Both Barlick and West have had FA Cup runs that has lasted up until last Saturday, with four games being played in that time on what might otherwise have been league game weekends. And the same applies to this past Tuesday for West. Whilst this is not a negative, as everyone loves a good cup run, we just have to hope that it won't lead to any fixture cramming once Mother Nature inevitably starts to get in the way of the regular flow of matches.
4. The top three begin to pull away in the North
With the double-figure mark for gameweeks drawing closer by the day, it seems that there is finally daylight beginning to show between who the true contenders for the title will be and the chasing pack in the First Division North.
Last weekend, both Holker Old Boys and Atherton LR won convincingly against Steeton and Maghull respectively. And these wins came on a weekend that the previous league leaders, Nelson, were beaten at home by Ashton Athletic. Now, these three teams are all within 2 points of each other, and a full 6 ahead of everyone else. This potential triple threat tussle for the title may shape up to be a thriller.
5. Who can stop Stafford?
The First Division South, by contrast, looks a little more cut and dry at this stage. With at least 12 league games played by all of the teams in the league, there is one side currently building walls around themselves at the top of the pile.
Stafford Town are five points ahead of second-placed Winsford United, who themselves are in recovery mode after a tough first campaign in the South last time out. Stafford's winning streak extended to 8 games in all competitions last Saturday, and they will face Sutton United (not those ones, the ones from Birmingham) this weekend in the FA Vase. On form, you could probably put Stafford Town against Sutton United of the National League, and the result would still be tough to call.
Five Things We Learned 2024/25 - Gameweek 8
Fri 20th September 2024 | Five Things
By Jay Cooper
1. Bury blasting through qualifying
The Shakers are often the biggest headline-makers in the NWCFL, last weekend was no different as they faced Blyth Spartans in the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round. As one of three remaining NWCFL sides left in England's oldest competition, there was plenty of pressure.
Not that it particularly mattered to Dave McNabb and his players, who breezed past their Northumberland-based hosts in a 3-0 win to become the last remaining NWCFL side in the FA Cup. What makes this outcome even more interesting is who Bury have drawn in Round 3 - Radcliffe. A trip to the Neuven Stadium will be all too familiar to the fans who were present during the days of Bury AFC.
2. Local trophies are off and running
It's not a given that NWCFL sides will do extremely well in local cup competitions, but we're more than happy to bring attention to when they do, and this past week has seen the commencement of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy.
Unfortunately, Premier Division side West Didsbury and Chorlton fell at the first hurdle, losing on penalties to Atherton Collieries. Euxton Villa proved far more successful in their clash with fellow NWCFL side Daisy Hill, however, battering them 4-1. This result sees Matty Atherton's side soar comfortably into Round 2 of the competition.
3. Fixture list foreshadowing
Speaking of West Didsbury and Chorlton, one interesting thing about them is the fact that, in the Premier Division, they are currently one of just two teams to have played less than 10 league games so far this season - the other is Barnoldswick Town.
Both Barlick and West have had FA Cup runs that has lasted up until last Saturday, with four games being played in that time on what might otherwise have been league game weekends. And the same applies to this past Tuesday for West. Whilst this is not a negative, as everyone loves a good cup run, we just have to hope that it won't lead to any fixture cramming once Mother Nature inevitably starts to get in the way of the regular flow of matches.
4. The top three begin to pull away in the North
With the double-figure mark for gameweeks drawing closer by the day, it seems that there is finally daylight beginning to show between who the true contenders for the title will be and the chasing pack in the First Division North.
Last weekend, both Holker Old Boys and Atherton LR won convincingly against Steeton and Maghull respectively. And these wins came on a weekend that the previous league leaders, Nelson, were beaten at home by Ashton Athletic. Now, these three teams are all within 2 points of each other, and a full 6 ahead of everyone else. This potential triple threat tussle for the title may shape up to be a thriller.
5. Who can stop Stafford?
The First Division South, by contrast, looks a little more cut and dry at this stage. With at least 12 league games played by all of the teams in the league, there is one side currently building walls around themselves at the top of the pile.
Stafford Town are five points ahead of second-placed Winsford United, who themselves are in recovery mode after a tough first campaign in the South last time out. Stafford's winning streak extended to 8 games in all competitions last Saturday, and they will face Sutton United (not those ones, the ones from Birmingham) this weekend in the FA Vase. On form, you could probably put Stafford Town against Sutton United of the National League, and the result would still be tough to call.
