Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 10
Tue 1st October 2024 | Manager Reactions | By Jay Cooper
With the majority of NWCFL teams in action across the weekend, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Premier Division:
Simon Heaton, of Abbey Hey (Abbey Hey 4-1 Longridge Town)
"They always say football is a game of two halves. Well, our game on Saturday certainly showed that. We could have been 5-0 down at half time, but luckily it was only one. We changed our shape, made some substitutions and it paid off in the second half. I thought we were outstanding and maybe could have scored 5 ourselves."
Ben Greenidge and Carl Taylor, of Chadderton (AFC Liverpool 1-7 Chadderton)
“The lads were ruthless on Friday. Right from the start of the game they had the bit between their teeth to avenge our only league defeat of the season a few weeks back. We scored some great goals, and we are consistently making the right decisions in the final third.
“AFC Liverpool are a good side and to dispatch them the way we did shows how good our performance was. We have to remain consistent though, as there is no let-up in this league. Every fixture poses you different problems, but the lads are hungry to keep working hard and maintain the form that we are in.”
Jake Davies, of Cheadle Town (Irlam 1-3 Cheadle Town)
"I was really pleased with the performance as a whole. We looked very dangerous going forward which is what we have needed to show.
“I thought we moved the ball really well and caused Irlam issues, especially in wide areas.
“Our press from the front was brilliant too, and the intensity we played with is something we need to match in every game moving forward.
“We are growing as a team, and I hope we can start to make the next step and be more consistent over the next few games."
First Division North:
Dave Jones, of Atherton LR (Atherton LR 6-0 Daisy Hill)
“The lads applied themselves really well on Friday night and matched the intensity and edge that a Friday night derby game under the lights brings.
“We challenged them to meet that and to try and control the game, as well as making sure we attacked with a purpose. The lads were relentless from the first whistle to the last, and all 16 lads contributed.
“It was a great evening for the football club. To see the ground as a real hub of the community for the evening was a good marker to show how far the football club has come both on and off the pitch in the last few years.”
Matty Atherton, of Euxton Villa (Euxton Villa 1-0 Steeton)
“It’s great to get back to winning ways in the league and keep our unbeaten home record. However, it’s not a game that will live long in the memory for us, as we struggled to keep momentum throughout the game like we have in our last two performances.
“Saying that, the Steeton GK pulled off three or four fantastic saves to keep the score at 1-0, particularly early on. Credit to Steeton, who really put it on us late on and will feel disappointed not to come away with something. I am sure they will go on and cause some issues for plenty of sides this season.
“Looking ahead, we face Bacup in the cup on Tuesday, before a run of five consecutive away games through October which will provide us with our toughest test yet. Hopefully wins like today, with a hard-earned clean sheet, shows the lads that you can still win games without always being at your best.”
First Division South:
Steven Scott, of Ashville (Allscott Heath 4-7 Ashville)
“Saturday was an exciting game. It was very end to end, where we capitalised on our chances in the first half. Although the game was never totally under our own control, we were certainly good for a convincing lead.
“Allscott Heath inevitably came out firing in the second half, going for broke, which for a short period of time threatened to pay off. From three attacks they finished off all three clinically – it was game on at 6-4.
“The last 20 minutes or so were much more comfortable for us. We regained some control and looked dangerous again going forward, an in the last five minutes we sealed the points with our 7th goal to earn a very good 3 points on the road, against a side who were towards the top of the form table.
“I was delighted with our lads’ commitment and quality on Saturday. There are signs that they are developing a good understanding of what we want to do, and they showed great character in the tougher moments which will hold them in good stead as a young squad, some of whom are experiencing NWCFL football for the first time this season.”
Danny Moss, of Barnton (Barnton 5-4 Runcorn Town)
“In a game that meant a lot to everyone at the club I'm delighted to get the 3 points.
“We played really well and dominated the game, aside from a mad 20 minutes in the first half. Credit to Runcorn, they are a real handful with set pieces and took their chances when they came.
“From the moment we got the equaliser there was only going to be one team who were going to get the winner. While I would have loved a comfortable afternoon there's no better way to win a game than with a last-minute goal!”
Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 10
Tue 1st October 2024 | Manager Reactions
By Jay Cooper
With the majority of NWCFL teams in action across the weekend, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Premier Division:
Simon Heaton, of Abbey Hey (Abbey Hey 4-1 Longridge Town)
"They always say football is a game of two halves. Well, our game on Saturday certainly showed that. We could have been 5-0 down at half time, but luckily it was only one. We changed our shape, made some substitutions and it paid off in the second half. I thought we were outstanding and maybe could have scored 5 ourselves."
Ben Greenidge and Carl Taylor, of Chadderton (AFC Liverpool 1-7 Chadderton)
“The lads were ruthless on Friday. Right from the start of the game they had the bit between their teeth to avenge our only league defeat of the season a few weeks back. We scored some great goals, and we are consistently making the right decisions in the final third.
“AFC Liverpool are a good side and to dispatch them the way we did shows how good our performance was. We have to remain consistent though, as there is no let-up in this league. Every fixture poses you different problems, but the lads are hungry to keep working hard and maintain the form that we are in.”
Jake Davies, of Cheadle Town (Irlam 1-3 Cheadle Town)
"I was really pleased with the performance as a whole. We looked very dangerous going forward which is what we have needed to show.
“I thought we moved the ball really well and caused Irlam issues, especially in wide areas.
“Our press from the front was brilliant too, and the intensity we played with is something we need to match in every game moving forward.
“We are growing as a team, and I hope we can start to make the next step and be more consistent over the next few games."
First Division North:
Dave Jones, of Atherton LR (Atherton LR 6-0 Daisy Hill)
“The lads applied themselves really well on Friday night and matched the intensity and edge that a Friday night derby game under the lights brings.
“We challenged them to meet that and to try and control the game, as well as making sure we attacked with a purpose. The lads were relentless from the first whistle to the last, and all 16 lads contributed.
“It was a great evening for the football club. To see the ground as a real hub of the community for the evening was a good marker to show how far the football club has come both on and off the pitch in the last few years.”
Matty Atherton, of Euxton Villa (Euxton Villa 1-0 Steeton)
“It’s great to get back to winning ways in the league and keep our unbeaten home record. However, it’s not a game that will live long in the memory for us, as we struggled to keep momentum throughout the game like we have in our last two performances.
“Saying that, the Steeton GK pulled off three or four fantastic saves to keep the score at 1-0, particularly early on. Credit to Steeton, who really put it on us late on and will feel disappointed not to come away with something. I am sure they will go on and cause some issues for plenty of sides this season.
“Looking ahead, we face Bacup in the cup on Tuesday, before a run of five consecutive away games through October which will provide us with our toughest test yet. Hopefully wins like today, with a hard-earned clean sheet, shows the lads that you can still win games without always being at your best.”
First Division South:
Steven Scott, of Ashville (Allscott Heath 4-7 Ashville)
“Saturday was an exciting game. It was very end to end, where we capitalised on our chances in the first half. Although the game was never totally under our own control, we were certainly good for a convincing lead.
“Allscott Heath inevitably came out firing in the second half, going for broke, which for a short period of time threatened to pay off. From three attacks they finished off all three clinically – it was game on at 6-4.
“The last 20 minutes or so were much more comfortable for us. We regained some control and looked dangerous again going forward, an in the last five minutes we sealed the points with our 7th goal to earn a very good 3 points on the road, against a side who were towards the top of the form table.
“I was delighted with our lads’ commitment and quality on Saturday. There are signs that they are developing a good understanding of what we want to do, and they showed great character in the tougher moments which will hold them in good stead as a young squad, some of whom are experiencing NWCFL football for the first time this season.”
Danny Moss, of Barnton (Barnton 5-4 Runcorn Town)
“In a game that meant a lot to everyone at the club I'm delighted to get the 3 points.
“We played really well and dominated the game, aside from a mad 20 minutes in the first half. Credit to Runcorn, they are a real handful with set pieces and took their chances when they came.
“From the moment we got the equaliser there was only going to be one team who were going to get the winner. While I would have loved a comfortable afternoon there's no better way to win a game than with a last-minute goal!”
