FA Vase weekend is upon us again! One game tonight to kickstart the weekend before a bumper day tomorrow and fixtures every night during the week!
FRIDAY 18TH OCTOBER
Both Daisy Hill and Ashton Town progressed into the Second Round of the Edward Case Cup under the lights this week, however only one of the pair will see the same stage of the FA Vase as they lock horns tonight at The Plumb Factory Stadium. The visitors have won the last five head-to-head meetings, including a comprehensive 5-0 victory in September 2023.
SATURDAY 19TH OCTOBER
Bury dust themselves off after their first two defeats of the season arrived over the past seven days as their great FA Cup run ended in their sixth game of the competition away at Harborough Town before a young side let slip a 2-0 lead at Abbey Hey to lose 4-2 in the Manchester Premier Cup. It's another away cup tie this week, but only on paper as their fixture against Chadderton has been switched to Gigg Lane. These two met in the league earlier this month when the Shakers ran out 3-1 winners to partially atone for last season's double for Chaddy.
There are five other all-NWCFL ties in the Vase. Premier Division leaders Ramsbottom United host Euxton Villa of the First Division North in this competition for the second season running, Rammy running out 3-0 winners in the Second Qualifying Round last time out. High-flying Atherton LR welcome struggling Colne to Crilly Park with just two places separating them in the pyramid while AFC Liverpool travel to Winsford United for their first meeting in just shy of two years.
Looking towards our clubs travelling 'out-of-area', Allscott Heath embark on a mammoth 8-hour round trip to the east coast to take on Skegness Town. The Lilywhites, as they are known, currently lie 13th in the United Counties League Premier Division North (Step 5) after falling short in the playoffs last season. Also making a long trip east are Abbey Hey as they travel to Beverley Town of the Northern Counties East Premier Division (Step 5). It's only been a year since Beverley last played one of our sides as Prestwich Heys got the better of them 4-1 in the First Qualifying Round stage last term.
Abbey Hulton United head south to Rothwell Corinthians of the Spartan South Midlands League Division One (Step 6) while Barnoldswick Town travel the other way up to Ryton & Crawbrook Albion, based just west of Newcastle and currently 5th in the Northern League Division Two (Step 6). The North East club beat another NWCFL side in Garstang 5-2 in the last round to reach this stage and fell 5-3 away at Cheadle Town in this round last season.
Another five NWCFL are at home to clubs from elsewhere. Market Drayton Town welcome familiar faces in Hereford Pegasus after the Hellenic League Premier Division side won 5-0 at Greenfields Sports Ground in the Second Qualifying Round of this competition last year and Harrogate Railway Athletic visit Darwen's Anchor Ground for their first game against a NWCFL club since they beat Cleator Moor Celtic 3-2 back in 2021/22.
Away from the FA Vase, there's still plenty of league action. Starting with the Premier Division, half of the clubs are in action today. Lower Breck will be hoping to close the gap on the two clubs above them in the table when they travel to Charnock Richard who themselves will be looking to get their season on track after a middling start to the campaign. FC St Helens could also jump up to 4th place should they get the better of Cheadle Town while Pilkington host Prestwich Heys just across town in a relegation six-pointer.
In the First Division North, the winner of the Ashton Athletic v Maine Road fixture will end the day in the play-off places while basement club Skelmersdale United are at home against AFC Blackpool. Looking to the South, Stafford Town could extend their lead at the summit to seven points if they make it 11 league wins in a row away at Shawbury United.
THE WEEK AHEAD...
There are eight of our clubs playing in the Cheshire Senior Cup over the course of the week, with the pick of the bunch being Ashville's trip to local EFL League Two side Tranmere Rovers' Prenton Park on Thursday evening in what the club have billed as the biggest game in their history. The Macron Cup First Round finally draws to a close on Tuesday when Shawbury United and Allscott Heath lock horns with a home tie against Stafford Town the prize for whoever is victorious. Garstang get a second chance in the Edward Case Cup when they host Euxton Villa on Wednesday after they were reinstated into the competition at Nelson's expense. There's also Premier Division action through the week as teams look to reduce early fixture backlogs caused by cup involvements.
