Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 21
Wed 18th December 2024 | Manager Reactions | By Jay Cooper
With a good amount of NWCFL teams in action across this (and last) weekend, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Last week:
Premier Division:
Ben Greenidge and Carl Taylor, of Chadderton (Chadderton 4-2 Glossop North End)
BG: “We came into the game in good form, so it was important that we stayed focussed for a tough game against Glossop.
“We started the game really well and scored a couple of goals in the first 15 minutes. The conditions were awful, but we still managed to impose our game plan. We went in at half-time 4-1 up, and in truth, in the second half, we struggled. Glossop built up some momentum but we managed the game quite well to earn another important three points.”
CT: “It was always going to be a game of two halves last weekend on Saturday against Glossop. With a strong wind blowing from one end to the another, we knew once we won the coin toss that we had to make the most of the first half. That we did, racing into a 2-0 lead with two very well-taken goals. Matty Crothers scored his goal from past the halfway line, but an individual error let Glossop back in the game.
“Thankfully, we established our dominance with two more well-taken goals before half time to lead 4-1 at the break. The second half was always going to be tougher, going against the wind, but we still played some nice football. Although our keeper was forced to make a couple of good saves, we also had chances to extend our lead. Glossop pulled one back, but we were always fairly comfortable and managed the game out with a solid performance and another valuable three points.”
This week:
FA Vase:
Jon Beaumont, of Abbey Hulton United (Abbey Hulton United 4-2 Droitwich Spa)
“It was a tough game and Droitwich were a very good footballing team. As we all expected, the start of the game was very cagey with both teams not wanting to put a foot wrong, Droitwich had a great chance also, smashing the ball against the bar after, before Matt Bell hit a brilliant strike to give us the lead and we took that into half time.
“After half time, we didn't come out with the same intensity and our quality slipped at times. We conceded a goal from a long throw-in, then one from a corner, which we were very disappointed about. But, not long after we conceded the second goal, we won a corner and the delivery was spot on to Adien Blaise, who us back level in the game.
“We made a change to bring some fresh legs in and our substitute had a massive impact going forward. In added time, we were awarded a free kick and Matt Bell stepped up and hit the wall, and the referee gave a hand ball in our favour. Up stepped Danny Cocks after a few minutes of the Droitwich team delaying the penalty – he confidently slotted the ball away!
“Droitwich committed bodies forward and we defended bravely, and managed to catch them on then break when Kie Brown ran from the halfway line and managed to beat the keeper in the last minute. It was a tough game for us, and we had to work really hard, and I am proud of my lads’ commitment and hard work to pull us back and get into the next round. I’m really happy for the community around the club, who put all the hard work in for the club all year round.”
Dave Jones, of Atherton LR (Atherton LR *1-1 Ashton Town (Atherton LR won 7-6 on penalties))
“It was a great day for the club on Saturday. To get to the last 32 of a national competition which had 596 teams in it is a great achievement for us.
“Maybe the most pleasing thing for me was seeing the club as busy as it was, and to see all the smiles on faces. It really is turning into a hub of our community.
“The players were fantastic again with a resilient, honest, hardworking performance. We are now looking forward to the next tie where we host Hallam. That will be another difficult game but we will be ready to give it everything.”
First Division North:
Kevin Watkin, of Holker Old Boys (Holker Old Boys 4-0 Skelmersdale United)
“Overall, it was a very good performance both in and out of possession from our lads against Skem on Saturday.
“We started quickly, with two early goals and managed to create lots of chances. Once we went 3-0 up, it gave us a good opportunity to get a number of young squad players more minutes and experience at this level in the NWCFL.
“We’ve got two more tough games in 2024 before a real push in the second half of the season, with our aim being to be competing for promotion come the end of April.”
Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 21
Wed 18th December 2024 | Manager Reactions
By Jay Cooper
With a good amount of NWCFL teams in action across this (and last) weekend, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Last week:
Premier Division:
Ben Greenidge and Carl Taylor, of Chadderton (Chadderton 4-2 Glossop North End)
BG: “We came into the game in good form, so it was important that we stayed focussed for a tough game against Glossop.
“We started the game really well and scored a couple of goals in the first 15 minutes. The conditions were awful, but we still managed to impose our game plan. We went in at half-time 4-1 up, and in truth, in the second half, we struggled. Glossop built up some momentum but we managed the game quite well to earn another important three points.”
CT: “It was always going to be a game of two halves last weekend on Saturday against Glossop. With a strong wind blowing from one end to the another, we knew once we won the coin toss that we had to make the most of the first half. That we did, racing into a 2-0 lead with two very well-taken goals. Matty Crothers scored his goal from past the halfway line, but an individual error let Glossop back in the game.
“Thankfully, we established our dominance with two more well-taken goals before half time to lead 4-1 at the break. The second half was always going to be tougher, going against the wind, but we still played some nice football. Although our keeper was forced to make a couple of good saves, we also had chances to extend our lead. Glossop pulled one back, but we were always fairly comfortable and managed the game out with a solid performance and another valuable three points.”
This week:
FA Vase:
Jon Beaumont, of Abbey Hulton United (Abbey Hulton United 4-2 Droitwich Spa)
“It was a tough game and Droitwich were a very good footballing team. As we all expected, the start of the game was very cagey with both teams not wanting to put a foot wrong, Droitwich had a great chance also, smashing the ball against the bar after, before Matt Bell hit a brilliant strike to give us the lead and we took that into half time.
“After half time, we didn't come out with the same intensity and our quality slipped at times. We conceded a goal from a long throw-in, then one from a corner, which we were very disappointed about. But, not long after we conceded the second goal, we won a corner and the delivery was spot on to Adien Blaise, who us back level in the game.
“We made a change to bring some fresh legs in and our substitute had a massive impact going forward. In added time, we were awarded a free kick and Matt Bell stepped up and hit the wall, and the referee gave a hand ball in our favour. Up stepped Danny Cocks after a few minutes of the Droitwich team delaying the penalty – he confidently slotted the ball away!
“Droitwich committed bodies forward and we defended bravely, and managed to catch them on then break when Kie Brown ran from the halfway line and managed to beat the keeper in the last minute. It was a tough game for us, and we had to work really hard, and I am proud of my lads’ commitment and hard work to pull us back and get into the next round. I’m really happy for the community around the club, who put all the hard work in for the club all year round.”
Dave Jones, of Atherton LR (Atherton LR *1-1 Ashton Town (Atherton LR won 7-6 on penalties))
“It was a great day for the club on Saturday. To get to the last 32 of a national competition which had 596 teams in it is a great achievement for us.
“Maybe the most pleasing thing for me was seeing the club as busy as it was, and to see all the smiles on faces. It really is turning into a hub of our community.
“The players were fantastic again with a resilient, honest, hardworking performance. We are now looking forward to the next tie where we host Hallam. That will be another difficult game but we will be ready to give it everything.”
First Division North:
Kevin Watkin, of Holker Old Boys (Holker Old Boys 4-0 Skelmersdale United)
“Overall, it was a very good performance both in and out of possession from our lads against Skem on Saturday.
“We started quickly, with two early goals and managed to create lots of chances. Once we went 3-0 up, it gave us a good opportunity to get a number of young squad players more minutes and experience at this level in the NWCFL.
“We’ve got two more tough games in 2024 before a real push in the second half of the season, with our aim being to be competing for promotion come the end of April.”
