Gameweek 26: Preview
Fri 17th January 2025 | Match Previews | By Ben Wilkinson
With a significantly milder weather forecast this weekend, we may see more than one NWCFL game go ahead as scheduled, after Darwen's 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Maghull was the sole survivor of last Saturday's calendar. Without further ado, let's get into what the next week has in store for us...
ISUZU FA VASE
It's take two for our three remaining sides in the Isuzu FA Vase after all three saw their ties postponed last weekend. West Didsbury & Chorlton make the trip up to the North East to play North Shields of the Northern League Division One. The 'Robins' currently sit 7th in their division, just one point outside the play-off places. They have got the better of Redcar Town, Billingham Town, Wakefield AFC, Charnock Richard and Redcar (not Town) to reach this stage of the competition. Abbey Hulton United have home advantage in their tie; they welcome Heanor Town of the United Counties League Premier Division. Heanor have won three away ties to reach this stage, including a 3-2 win against Sandbach United back in the Second Round in November. Atherton LR welcome Hallam to Crilly Park with a home tie against Bourne Town awaiting the victors of that one. We wish our three clubs well as they bid to reach the last eight.
PREMIER DIVISION
Chadderton return in their Friday night home slot with a clash against FC St Helens at Avro's Vestacare Stadium. Chaddy currently sit in 3rd, six points behind pacesetters Ramsbottom United while the visitors are 10 points further back in 8th and four points off the play-off positions. This game is of course a repeat of the 2022/23 First Division North Play-off Final, where Chaddy won in a penalty shootout to secure promotion. The Stripes, who have earlier today secured the signature of former Premier League forward Jefferson Montero, will be aiming to do the double over their hosts having triumphed 1-0 in the return fixture back in November.
Onto Saturday and there are ten Prem games to whet the appetite. A couple of earlier kick-offs to note as Cheadle Town host Irlam at 2pm, with Colne v Glossop North End kicking off at the same time. The remaining fixtures occupy the traditional 3pm slot, with the stand-out taking place in L6 where Lower Breck welcome Ramsbottom United for a 4th v 1st contest. Breck ran out 2-1 winners over Prestwich Heys on Thursday night to extend their winning streak to eight games while Rammy are on a nine-match unbeaten run of their own - one of these impressive feats must come to an end on Saturday afternoon in what is sure to be a fantastic battle.
FC Isle of Man make the trip to the mainland to take on Padiham at the Ruby Civil Arena in a key fixture in the play-off race. The 'Storks' have only lost four league games all season and are three points off the top five with a significant number of games in hand. The 'Ravens' harbour play-off ambitions themselves as they sit just a point behind their hosts this weekend, however they head into this match having won just one of their last six outings. Elsewhere, Bury make the trip up to the Silentnight Stadium to take on Barnoldswick Town. The Shakers have gone off the boil recently after a blistering start to the campaign, however they are still well in title contention, assisted by their front line that have scored a fantastic 89 league goals this term, ten more than the next highest (Chadderton).
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
Most clubs are in action tomorrow afternoon, with seven fixtures scheduled to kick off at 3pm. With nearest challengers Atherton LR in FA Vase action, league leaders Nelson can go four points clear at the summit if they pick up maximum points at home to Maine Road. The 'Admirals' have won their last three games by an aggregate scoreline of 15-0 to rise back to the top of the table, although LR have played three games fewer thanks to cup involvements and weather-related postponements. Maine Road's play-off hopes have faded after a tough run, however a victory here would put them right back in the mix.
4th-placed Holker Old Boys play their first home game in five weeks as they welcome Ashton Athletic to the Handmark Engineering Stadium. Ten points behind Nelson but with three games in hand, Holker are still well in with a chance of securing their first promotion since 1994! At the other end of the table, Garstang welcome Maghull to The Riverside hoping to avoid a sixth straight defeat. Sat ten points from safety with 11 games to go, the 'Stang' will need to start picking up the points quickly if they are to avoid a return to the West Lancashire League.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
Leaders Stafford Town are on the road as they make the trip north to take on Barnton at The Creative Hut Stadium. A surprise defeat at home to New Mills two weeks ago ended Town's long unbeaten run and now only goal difference keeps them in pole position, with Winsford United breathing down their necks. The Blues are also playing away from home this week as the trek to Shropshire to face Allscott Heath awaits them on Saturday afternoon. Defeat to Stafford in the Macron Cup last month has been followed by two straight away wins as the Barton Stadium outfit continue their charge.
Abbey Hulton United can make up some ground on 5th-placed Alsager Town when they host Barton on Monday evening. The side from Stoke-on-Trent have as many as four games in hand on those directly above them and won their last league fixture by a staggering nine goals to nil!
Gameweek 26: Preview
Fri 17th January 2025 | Match Previews
By Ben Wilkinson
With a significantly milder weather forecast this weekend, we may see more than one NWCFL game go ahead as scheduled, after Darwen's 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Maghull was the sole survivor of last Saturday's calendar. Without further ado, let's get into what the next week has in store for us...
ISUZU FA VASE
It's take two for our three remaining sides in the Isuzu FA Vase after all three saw their ties postponed last weekend. West Didsbury & Chorlton make the trip up to the North East to play North Shields of the Northern League Division One. The 'Robins' currently sit 7th in their division, just one point outside the play-off places. They have got the better of Redcar Town, Billingham Town, Wakefield AFC, Charnock Richard and Redcar (not Town) to reach this stage of the competition. Abbey Hulton United have home advantage in their tie; they welcome Heanor Town of the United Counties League Premier Division. Heanor have won three away ties to reach this stage, including a 3-2 win against Sandbach United back in the Second Round in November. Atherton LR welcome Hallam to Crilly Park with a home tie against Bourne Town awaiting the victors of that one. We wish our three clubs well as they bid to reach the last eight.
PREMIER DIVISION
Chadderton return in their Friday night home slot with a clash against FC St Helens at Avro's Vestacare Stadium. Chaddy currently sit in 3rd, six points behind pacesetters Ramsbottom United while the visitors are 10 points further back in 8th and four points off the play-off positions. This game is of course a repeat of the 2022/23 First Division North Play-off Final, where Chaddy won in a penalty shootout to secure promotion. The Stripes, who have earlier today secured the signature of former Premier League forward Jefferson Montero, will be aiming to do the double over their hosts having triumphed 1-0 in the return fixture back in November.
Onto Saturday and there are ten Prem games to whet the appetite. A couple of earlier kick-offs to note as Cheadle Town host Irlam at 2pm, with Colne v Glossop North End kicking off at the same time. The remaining fixtures occupy the traditional 3pm slot, with the stand-out taking place in L6 where Lower Breck welcome Ramsbottom United for a 4th v 1st contest. Breck ran out 2-1 winners over Prestwich Heys on Thursday night to extend their winning streak to eight games while Rammy are on a nine-match unbeaten run of their own - one of these impressive feats must come to an end on Saturday afternoon in what is sure to be a fantastic battle.
FC Isle of Man make the trip to the mainland to take on Padiham at the Ruby Civil Arena in a key fixture in the play-off race. The 'Storks' have only lost four league games all season and are three points off the top five with a significant number of games in hand. The 'Ravens' harbour play-off ambitions themselves as they sit just a point behind their hosts this weekend, however they head into this match having won just one of their last six outings. Elsewhere, Bury make the trip up to the Silentnight Stadium to take on Barnoldswick Town. The Shakers have gone off the boil recently after a blistering start to the campaign, however they are still well in title contention, assisted by their front line that have scored a fantastic 89 league goals this term, ten more than the next highest (Chadderton).
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
Most clubs are in action tomorrow afternoon, with seven fixtures scheduled to kick off at 3pm. With nearest challengers Atherton LR in FA Vase action, league leaders Nelson can go four points clear at the summit if they pick up maximum points at home to Maine Road. The 'Admirals' have won their last three games by an aggregate scoreline of 15-0 to rise back to the top of the table, although LR have played three games fewer thanks to cup involvements and weather-related postponements. Maine Road's play-off hopes have faded after a tough run, however a victory here would put them right back in the mix.
4th-placed Holker Old Boys play their first home game in five weeks as they welcome Ashton Athletic to the Handmark Engineering Stadium. Ten points behind Nelson but with three games in hand, Holker are still well in with a chance of securing their first promotion since 1994! At the other end of the table, Garstang welcome Maghull to The Riverside hoping to avoid a sixth straight defeat. Sat ten points from safety with 11 games to go, the 'Stang' will need to start picking up the points quickly if they are to avoid a return to the West Lancashire League.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
Leaders Stafford Town are on the road as they make the trip north to take on Barnton at The Creative Hut Stadium. A surprise defeat at home to New Mills two weeks ago ended Town's long unbeaten run and now only goal difference keeps them in pole position, with Winsford United breathing down their necks. The Blues are also playing away from home this week as the trek to Shropshire to face Allscott Heath awaits them on Saturday afternoon. Defeat to Stafford in the Macron Cup last month has been followed by two straight away wins as the Barton Stadium outfit continue their charge.
Abbey Hulton United can make up some ground on 5th-placed Alsager Town when they host Barton on Monday evening. The side from Stoke-on-Trent have as many as four games in hand on those directly above them and won their last league fixture by a staggering nine goals to nil!
