Gameweek 16: Preview
Fri 8th November 2024 | Match Previews | By Ben Wilkinson
The Isuzu FA Vase takes centre stage this weekend as the famous competition reaches the Second Round stage with 16 NWCFL clubs still on the road to Wembley. The Second Rounds of both the Edward Case Cup and Macron Cup also kick off this week and some league action completes the next seven days.
FA VASE
We'll start with the FA Vase, shall we? An immediate eye-catcher is the battle of the league leaders as Premier Division table-toppers Ramsbottom United travel to Yorkshire to play Silsden, who currently occupy top spot in the NCEL Premier Division. The Cobbydalers are no strangers to those in the NWCFL after their 15-year stint in our system between 2004 and 2019, when they were laterally moved by the FA into the division they still play in to this day. After two curtailed seasons and three mid-table finishes, the side from BD20 are in fine form this term and sit 5 points clear of their nearest challengers, having yet to taste defeat at home. This isn't their first fixture against NWCFL opposition this season as they went down 4-2 to West Didsbury & Chorlton in the FA Cup back in September. Rammy beat Euxton Villa 2-0 to reach this stage, while Silsden received a bye thanks to their run in the Vase last season.
There are three all-NWCFL clashes, with only one featuring two sides from the same division. That one is at Jericho Lane where South Liverpool host Chadderton in an all Premier Division tie. The two haven't played each other yet this season, the first of those fixtures coming at the same venue next Saturday! South were another club to receive a bye based on last season's performance, in stark contrast to their visitors who have already won three ties to get this far, scoring an incredible 16 goals! A 7-3 win at Eccleshill United got them up and running before a stunning 8-4 victory at home to Retford United set up a 'home' clash against Bury, which was played at Gigg Lane. That one was low-scoring in comparison, finishing 1-2 after 90 minutes before a 4-3 penalty shootout win for Chaddy booked their spot in the Second Round.
Abbey Hey welcome Atherton LR to the Abbey Stadium for the first time since November 2018, while Darwen travel to face Winsford United in a fixture that will guarantee NWCFL Step 6 representation in the Third Round. Another Step 6 club in action is Market Drayton Town as they welcome Bourne Town of the United Counties Premier Division to Greenfields Sports Ground in a fixture that kicks off at the slightly earlier time of 2pm. Ashton Town and Ashville also have home ties as they welcome FC Hartlepool and Wombwell Town respectively, while Sandbach United host Heanor Town.
LEAGUE FIXTURES
Away from the fun and games of the FA Vase, there's a decent programme in the Premier Division. Unusually, two fixtures kick off at 1pm this weekend. FC Isle of Man make the trip over the Irish Sea looking to tighten their grip on a play-off place, with Squires Gate looking for a desperately needed victory themselves. Sticking by the seaside but heading further south, AFC Liverpool welcome Bury to the Marine Travel Arena in a massive game at the top end of the division. The Shakers' three match winning run came to an end with a 1-1 home draw against FC St Helens during the week and they will be aiming to put recent off-field issues behind them by continuing their long unbeaten run in the league, putting a dent in a promotion rivals' hopes of climbing into the top five in the process.
Seven fixtures kick off at 3pm; five in the Premier Division and one in each of the First Divisions. It's a battle at the bottom of the South division when Shawbury United and Runcorn Town face off. The visitors would move to just one point behind the hosts if they were to pick up a win in Shropshire. The sole fixture in the North sees Steeton host Ashton Athletic in a game both sides will be hoping to win for differing reasons; the Chevvies are just one place above the drop zone while the Yellows are the same distance from the play-off places. Back to the Premier Division and Pilkington host Prestwich Heys in a rearranged fixture after the initial attempt was abandoned due to a serious injury to Heys' Dylan Fitzgerald, who is thankfully now on the road to recovery.
There are a further four league matches on Tuesday night; three in the Prem and one in the North. Three of the current top eight are in action in the Prem while Atherton LR have an opportunity to extend their lead at the First Division North summit if they get the better of Ashton Town at Crilly Park.
NWCFL CUPS
The Edward Case Cup Second Round gets underway with three fixtures on Saturday afternoon and a further three on Tuesday evening. The reigning champions Bacup Borough fell at the first hurdle of their three-peat attempt however last season's beaten finalists Euxton Villa are still going strong and they travel to the side they beat in the semi-finals, Droylsden in what is sure to be a tasty affair. The pair have already met at the Butchers' Arms this season, when the Bloods dispatched of Villa 2-1 back on the opening day of the season. First Division South leaders Stafford Town travel to divisional rivals Stockport Georgians while Holker Old Boys make the journey down the M6 to Daisy Hill's New Sirs ground. Tuesday evening's fixtures are all between First Division South clubs: Ashville entertain Barnton, Sandbach United welcome Cheadle Heath Nomads and Abbey Hulton United go to Winsford United.
The bulk of the Macron Cup Second Round ties aren't until next week, however there are a handful this week just to whet the appetite. AFC Liverpool play host to Monday Night Football this week (definitely without the Sky cameras and probably without Carra and Neville too!) with Ashton Athletic the visitors to the MTA. Euxton Villa welcome the Premier Division's basement club Colne to the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground on Tuesday night while Steeton host Nelson hoping to avenge the 3-1 defeat that the Admirals handed them in the league in August.
Gameweek 16: Preview
Fri 8th November 2024 | Match Previews
By Ben Wilkinson
The Isuzu FA Vase takes centre stage this weekend as the famous competition reaches the Second Round stage with 16 NWCFL clubs still on the road to Wembley. The Second Rounds of both the Edward Case Cup and Macron Cup also kick off this week and some league action completes the next seven days.
FA VASE
We'll start with the FA Vase, shall we? An immediate eye-catcher is the battle of the league leaders as Premier Division table-toppers Ramsbottom United travel to Yorkshire to play Silsden, who currently occupy top spot in the NCEL Premier Division. The Cobbydalers are no strangers to those in the NWCFL after their 15-year stint in our system between 2004 and 2019, when they were laterally moved by the FA into the division they still play in to this day. After two curtailed seasons and three mid-table finishes, the side from BD20 are in fine form this term and sit 5 points clear of their nearest challengers, having yet to taste defeat at home. This isn't their first fixture against NWCFL opposition this season as they went down 4-2 to West Didsbury & Chorlton in the FA Cup back in September. Rammy beat Euxton Villa 2-0 to reach this stage, while Silsden received a bye thanks to their run in the Vase last season.
There are three all-NWCFL clashes, with only one featuring two sides from the same division. That one is at Jericho Lane where South Liverpool host Chadderton in an all Premier Division tie. The two haven't played each other yet this season, the first of those fixtures coming at the same venue next Saturday! South were another club to receive a bye based on last season's performance, in stark contrast to their visitors who have already won three ties to get this far, scoring an incredible 16 goals! A 7-3 win at Eccleshill United got them up and running before a stunning 8-4 victory at home to Retford United set up a 'home' clash against Bury, which was played at Gigg Lane. That one was low-scoring in comparison, finishing 1-2 after 90 minutes before a 4-3 penalty shootout win for Chaddy booked their spot in the Second Round.
Abbey Hey welcome Atherton LR to the Abbey Stadium for the first time since November 2018, while Darwen travel to face Winsford United in a fixture that will guarantee NWCFL Step 6 representation in the Third Round. Another Step 6 club in action is Market Drayton Town as they welcome Bourne Town of the United Counties Premier Division to Greenfields Sports Ground in a fixture that kicks off at the slightly earlier time of 2pm. Ashton Town and Ashville also have home ties as they welcome FC Hartlepool and Wombwell Town respectively, while Sandbach United host Heanor Town.
LEAGUE FIXTURES
Away from the fun and games of the FA Vase, there's a decent programme in the Premier Division. Unusually, two fixtures kick off at 1pm this weekend. FC Isle of Man make the trip over the Irish Sea looking to tighten their grip on a play-off place, with Squires Gate looking for a desperately needed victory themselves. Sticking by the seaside but heading further south, AFC Liverpool welcome Bury to the Marine Travel Arena in a massive game at the top end of the division. The Shakers' three match winning run came to an end with a 1-1 home draw against FC St Helens during the week and they will be aiming to put recent off-field issues behind them by continuing their long unbeaten run in the league, putting a dent in a promotion rivals' hopes of climbing into the top five in the process.
Seven fixtures kick off at 3pm; five in the Premier Division and one in each of the First Divisions. It's a battle at the bottom of the South division when Shawbury United and Runcorn Town face off. The visitors would move to just one point behind the hosts if they were to pick up a win in Shropshire. The sole fixture in the North sees Steeton host Ashton Athletic in a game both sides will be hoping to win for differing reasons; the Chevvies are just one place above the drop zone while the Yellows are the same distance from the play-off places. Back to the Premier Division and Pilkington host Prestwich Heys in a rearranged fixture after the initial attempt was abandoned due to a serious injury to Heys' Dylan Fitzgerald, who is thankfully now on the road to recovery.
There are a further four league matches on Tuesday night; three in the Prem and one in the North. Three of the current top eight are in action in the Prem while Atherton LR have an opportunity to extend their lead at the First Division North summit if they get the better of Ashton Town at Crilly Park.
NWCFL CUPS
The Edward Case Cup Second Round gets underway with three fixtures on Saturday afternoon and a further three on Tuesday evening. The reigning champions Bacup Borough fell at the first hurdle of their three-peat attempt however last season's beaten finalists Euxton Villa are still going strong and they travel to the side they beat in the semi-finals, Droylsden in what is sure to be a tasty affair. The pair have already met at the Butchers' Arms this season, when the Bloods dispatched of Villa 2-1 back on the opening day of the season. First Division South leaders Stafford Town travel to divisional rivals Stockport Georgians while Holker Old Boys make the journey down the M6 to Daisy Hill's New Sirs ground. Tuesday evening's fixtures are all between First Division South clubs: Ashville entertain Barnton, Sandbach United welcome Cheadle Heath Nomads and Abbey Hulton United go to Winsford United.
The bulk of the Macron Cup Second Round ties aren't until next week, however there are a handful this week just to whet the appetite. AFC Liverpool play host to Monday Night Football this week (definitely without the Sky cameras and probably without Carra and Neville too!) with Ashton Athletic the visitors to the MTA. Euxton Villa welcome the Premier Division's basement club Colne to the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground on Tuesday night while Steeton host Nelson hoping to avenge the 3-1 defeat that the Admirals handed them in the league in August.
