Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 23
Tue 31st December 2024 | Manager Reactions | By Jay Cooper
With a good amount of NWCFL teams in action across this final weekend of 2024, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Premier Division:
Steve Wilkes, of Ramsbottom United (Ramsbottom United 2-1 Squires Gate)
“We got another important win, but we didn’t half make hard work of it. We must give credit to Luke (Evans) and Squires Gate for making it so difficult for us. We created so many chances but just couldn’t finish them off.
“When you miss a sitter from four yards in the 90th minute, you think that your chance has gone. But this group have been brilliant for me all season, and never gave up – and what at a great strike from Harvey Whyte to win it for us!”
Martin Ryman, of South Liverpool (Colne 2-3 South Liverpool)
“We started OK, playing uphill in the first half. It was a bad goal for us to concede on seven minutes, and we struggled to get going. They pounced a lot quicker than us, won those second balls and deservedly got their second. We were lucky to get to half time at 2-0 down.
“Again, in the first 10 or 15 minutes of the second half, we weren’t great, but we slowly started getting there after making five subs after an hour - two of those subs scored. Then when we got our third, it felt like a fantastic win, if a bit underserved based on some areas, with Colne probably being the much better side for long periods.
“But once we did get that first goal back, we just had that feeling that we were going to get the second and third, and thankfully we came through. It was a big six-pointer, and luckily, we got the win.”
First Division North:
Ryan Eiselt, of Maine Road (Maine Road 4-0 Thornton Cleveleys)
“Saturday’s result was a much-needed win after a dip in our form recently. The scoreline certainly doesn't paint the whole picture of the game. We had two outstanding first-half penalty saves from Oliver Brockbank within the space of 5 minutes, and that laid a platform for us to go on and control the second half.
“With attacking threats in our side, we always back ourselves to create chances, and in the second half we were ruthless and got our rewards. We must give credit to Thornton Cleveleys, because they were well in the game for that first hour.”
First Division South:
Adam Bond, of Cheadle Heath Nomads (Barnton 1-2 Cheadle Heath Nomads)
“We knew what Barnton would be about from the 0-2 loss at our place at the beginning of the season – they’d be defensively difficult to break down and direct.
“We were caught in transition early on which lead to us going 1-0 behind, but quickly regained control of the game with Alex May putting us back level a couple of minutes later.
“For me, it was like that for the remainder of the game. We dominated possession, with Barnton being difficult to break down, and it took a 97th minute winner from Harrison Cunningham to get us over the line.
“I'm happy for the boys because, despite the pitch quality and stubbornness from our opposition, we played our game for 90+7 minutes and didn’t settle for anything other than three points, which shows how far this young group of players have come.”
Liam Kelly, of Eccleshall (Eccleshall 3-1 Shawbury United)
“Considering our lack of games in the last two months, our lads have stuck together, worked extremely hard on the training ground and reaped the rewards with two great wins in just 72 hours!
“Both of these were potential banana skins on paper and we knew anything less than six points would see us drift away from any play-off hopes. We completely dominated the Shawbury game and if I'm honest 3-1 flattered the opposition, who won't mind me saying that we could have had plenty more if it wasn't for their goalkeeper, who was excellent.
“Tom Messham and Jay Ford were exceptional in the final third, with our back three also standing tall until we unfortunately conceded with the very last kick of the game. We've made some useful additions to the playing squad in recent weeks, and bringing Sam Golden in as my assistant manager is proving to be a masterstroke as the group has just clicked.”
Declan Swan, of Sandbach United (Cammell Laird 1907 1-2 Sandbach United)
“It was great to get back to winning ways after our defeat against Winsford last time out.
“We played very well throughout the match against an improving Cammell Laird side that I am sure will pick up plenty of points between now and the end of the season.
“We’ve got to do the same to keep up our play-off push!”
Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 23
Tue 31st December 2024 | Manager Reactions
By Jay Cooper
With a good amount of NWCFL teams in action across this final weekend of 2024, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Premier Division:
Steve Wilkes, of Ramsbottom United (Ramsbottom United 2-1 Squires Gate)
“We got another important win, but we didn’t half make hard work of it. We must give credit to Luke (Evans) and Squires Gate for making it so difficult for us. We created so many chances but just couldn’t finish them off.
“When you miss a sitter from four yards in the 90th minute, you think that your chance has gone. But this group have been brilliant for me all season, and never gave up – and what at a great strike from Harvey Whyte to win it for us!”
Martin Ryman, of South Liverpool (Colne 2-3 South Liverpool)
“We started OK, playing uphill in the first half. It was a bad goal for us to concede on seven minutes, and we struggled to get going. They pounced a lot quicker than us, won those second balls and deservedly got their second. We were lucky to get to half time at 2-0 down.
“Again, in the first 10 or 15 minutes of the second half, we weren’t great, but we slowly started getting there after making five subs after an hour - two of those subs scored. Then when we got our third, it felt like a fantastic win, if a bit underserved based on some areas, with Colne probably being the much better side for long periods.
“But once we did get that first goal back, we just had that feeling that we were going to get the second and third, and thankfully we came through. It was a big six-pointer, and luckily, we got the win.”
First Division North:
Ryan Eiselt, of Maine Road (Maine Road 4-0 Thornton Cleveleys)
“Saturday’s result was a much-needed win after a dip in our form recently. The scoreline certainly doesn't paint the whole picture of the game. We had two outstanding first-half penalty saves from Oliver Brockbank within the space of 5 minutes, and that laid a platform for us to go on and control the second half.
“With attacking threats in our side, we always back ourselves to create chances, and in the second half we were ruthless and got our rewards. We must give credit to Thornton Cleveleys, because they were well in the game for that first hour.”
First Division South:
Adam Bond, of Cheadle Heath Nomads (Barnton 1-2 Cheadle Heath Nomads)
“We knew what Barnton would be about from the 0-2 loss at our place at the beginning of the season – they’d be defensively difficult to break down and direct.
“We were caught in transition early on which lead to us going 1-0 behind, but quickly regained control of the game with Alex May putting us back level a couple of minutes later.
“For me, it was like that for the remainder of the game. We dominated possession, with Barnton being difficult to break down, and it took a 97th minute winner from Harrison Cunningham to get us over the line.
“I'm happy for the boys because, despite the pitch quality and stubbornness from our opposition, we played our game for 90+7 minutes and didn’t settle for anything other than three points, which shows how far this young group of players have come.”
Liam Kelly, of Eccleshall (Eccleshall 3-1 Shawbury United)
“Considering our lack of games in the last two months, our lads have stuck together, worked extremely hard on the training ground and reaped the rewards with two great wins in just 72 hours!
“Both of these were potential banana skins on paper and we knew anything less than six points would see us drift away from any play-off hopes. We completely dominated the Shawbury game and if I'm honest 3-1 flattered the opposition, who won't mind me saying that we could have had plenty more if it wasn't for their goalkeeper, who was excellent.
“Tom Messham and Jay Ford were exceptional in the final third, with our back three also standing tall until we unfortunately conceded with the very last kick of the game. We've made some useful additions to the playing squad in recent weeks, and bringing Sam Golden in as my assistant manager is proving to be a masterstroke as the group has just clicked.”
Declan Swan, of Sandbach United (Cammell Laird 1907 1-2 Sandbach United)
“It was great to get back to winning ways after our defeat against Winsford last time out.
“We played very well throughout the match against an improving Cammell Laird side that I am sure will pick up plenty of points between now and the end of the season.
“We’ve got to do the same to keep up our play-off push!”
