It was a blistering weekend of action across all three divisions this weekend as a whopping 114 goals were scored, including 59 just in the 12 Premier Division games alone!
PREMIER DIVISION
The biggest goal fest of the lot was at Jericho Lane, where visitors Chadderton triumphed over the hosts South Liverpool by six goals to four. Chaddy were five goals to the good after 58 minutes before a slight fightback from South reduced the deficit to just two goals by the full-time whistle. There weren't as many goals at Gigg Lane, but it was Bury who were the big winners of the weekend as they hit Longridge Town for EIGHT without reply in BL9. Djavan Pedro scored a goal in each half to bag a brace while the other six goals were all scored by different players, including an own goal to get the day's proceedings underway after just 13 minutes.
Another side up at the top end of the table won big too as Lower Breck safely dispatched of Glossop North End by five goals to nil, with five different players getting their name on the scoresheet there. FC Isle of Man overcame a two-goal half time deficit at home to Burscough to triumph 3-2 as three goals within eight minutes midway through the second period stunned the visitors. Christopher Hill bagged a hat-trick at the Brian Addison Stadium as FC St Helens saw off Squires Gate by the same scoreline. Gate equalised twice but ran out of time after Hill's third of the afternoon was scored in the 93rd minute.
Not so many goals in this one but a result that I'm sure raised more than a couple of eyebrows across the North West as Colne got the better of West Didsbury & Chorlton 2-0 to secure their second league win in succession and reduce the gap between them and safety as 3rd-bottom Pilkington lost away at Ramsbottom United by the same scoreline in a result that maintains Rammy's four point advantage at the summit, albeit having played three games more than nearest challengers Bury.
Other scores:
Abbey Hey 4-1 Stockport Town
Barnoldswick Town 2-2 Irlam
Charnock Richard 1-3 Padiham
Litherland REMYCA 3-1 AFC Liverpool
Prestwich Heys 1-4 Cheadle Town
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
It would have been tough for either of the First Divisions to go toe-to-toe with the Prem's goal tally but there was no shortage of action, particularly at the Community Stadium where Nelson put Skelmersdale United to the sword with a 5-0 rout. Max Cane and Jude Entwistle both scored twice with Billy Priestley getting the other as the Admirals ran riot against a struggling Skem who are still yet to win this season.
Euxton Villa returned to the play-off places after a hard fought 2-1 win away at Thornton Cleveleys. Goals from Alex Colquhoun and Jack Wyers-Roebuck put Villa in the driving seat at the break and Oliver Wilkinson's 50th minute strike proved to just be a consolation for the home side. League leaders Atherton LR got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 4-0 triumph away at Garstang that sees them maintain their five point advantage over Nelson. All the action came in the second half at the Anchor Ground where Darwen comfortably saw off Daisy Hill 4-1, with the first goal there now arriving until the 54th minute! At the Brian Boys West View Stadium, Holker Old Boys left it late to avoid making it three league defeats on the bounce as a 93rd minute Jamie Hodgson penalty meant they took a point back up to Barrow.
Other scores:
Droylsden 1-0 Maghull
Route One Rovers 2-3 AFC Blackpool
Maine Road 3-1 Ashton Town (Edward Case Cup - Second Round)
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
Last but certainly not least comes the First Division South. Match of the day here certainly came at the Viridor Community Stadium where Runcorn Town saw off Cammell Laird 1907 by four goals to three and lifted themselves off the foot of the table for the first time this season. Lairds took the lead through James Eaton with just four minutes on the clock before Town turned it round with goals from Charlie Harland, Joshua Osifo and Thomas Ruffer before the break. Ruffer added his second and his side's fourth of the game just after the restart and although the visitors did get goals back through Jack Kelly and Rory Alldis, they had left themselves with too much to do and Town secured the three points.
Elsewhere, Stafford Town maintained their grip on pole position with a 2-0 win away at New Mills while Winsford United remain hot on their tails as they survived a late fightback from Foley Meir to win 3-2 at the Trentham Foods Stadium in a game that saw three penalties scored in the second half! Joseph Bevan scored an 11-minute hat-trick for Sandbach United as they won 4-1 away at Ashville to leapfrog over their hosts into the top five. The play-off race was hotting up and Abbey Hulton United ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against Cheadle Heath Nomads to take the last spot at close of play in a game where Matthew Ward put them in front after a matter of seconds.
Other scores:
Alsager Town 2-3 Eccleshall
Stockport Georgians 1-0 Barnton
Wolverhampton Sporting Community 2-0 Allscott Heath
All results can be found at the dedicated page on the website here:
NWCFL Results
