Gameweek 27: Review

Mon 27th January 2025 | Match Reviews | By Jay Cooper

Another weekend, another round of games from all 3 divisions of the NWCFL. Let's run through the best and worst of what the last week has had to offer.

Premier Division:

• In a lower-mid table clash between Burscough and Barnoldswick Town, hosted at the former’s Community Ground, the home side had a one-goal deficit to overturn at the break. They managed to do so, with Callum Laird and Che Trapasso-Tully both netting to see the game end 2-1 to Burscough.
• Another team with a one goal deficit that needed turning over was Bury, who had conceded in their home match against Lower Breck in the first minute. They only needed another 26 to complete the turnaround, amassing a 3-1 lead that eventually settled to be a 3-2 victory by full time.
• Charnock Richard faced an almighty test this weekend, with play-off chasing Chadderton making the trip to the Mossie Park. Despite Chaddy being the favourites on paper, Charnock took three separate leads throughout the match, and came away with maximum points and a 3-2 victory.
• I hope no one left the match between FC Isle of Man and AFC Liverpool early! With the score at 0-0 when the electronic board went up, somehow, there were still three goals yet to come. Jacob Crook opened the scoring for the Ravens, AFC’s Elliot Taylor got the equaliser immediately, but Stephen Whitley secured the win for FC Isle of Man in the 99^th minute of play.
• In a game where everything happened in the second half, Glossop North End found the breakthrough just before the hour mark as they faced Irlam. GNE couldn’t hold on to what they had gained though, and Irlam turned the game around to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Mason Everton and John Johnston.
• Like Lower Breck away at Bury, Padiham took very little time to take the lead on their travels to Pilkington. Joshua Briggs opened the scoring within two minutes, and he’d later score another, with a Joel Brownhill goal sandwiched in between to help the Storks see out a 3-1 win.
• League leaders Ramsbottom United had a firm grip on their game away at Squires Gate, that gradually loosened as time ticked towards the end of the match. Rammy had a 3-0 advantage that Gate chipped away at to claw the game back to 3-2, but the visitors got over the line and kept their place at the top of the tree.

Other scores:

• Colne 2-1 FC St Helens
• Longridge Town 0-1 Cheadle Town
• Prestwich Heys 1-0 Litherland REMYCA
• South Liverpool 1-2 Stockport Town
• West Didsbury and Chorlton 0-0 Abbey Hey

First Division North:

• Thornton Cleveleys went into their game away at Ashton Athletic hovering just above the relegation zone by one position. They knew that they had the opportunity to leapfrog Steeton in the standings with the Chevrons not playing this weekend, and they grabbed that chance with both hands. Aspinall and Lang scored a brace each to help Cleveleys secure a 4-2 win.
• Ashton Town have the Lomax’s to thank for their three points on Saturday. Christopher Lomax got them up and running with two goals in as many minutes just after the hour mark, and George Lomax put the gloss on proceedings with an 86^th minute third to see Ashton win 3-0 against Garstang.
• Maine Road’s play-off push was dented on Saturday with the visit of play-off (at least) guarantees Atherton LR. Rovers raced into a 3-0 lead within 25 minutes of the start, but they took their foot off the gas and let Road bag one of their own with just under half an hour left to play. Aside from that, it was business as usual for the 3-1 victorious Rovers.

Other scores:

• Daisy Hill 1-2 Darwen FC
• Euxton Villa 1-2 Droylsden
• Route One Rovers 2-0 Skelmersdale United

First Division South:

• On their travels to Cammell Laird 1907, Abbey Hulton United might’ve wished that the daylight that would eventually show between the two sides by full time had been acquired sooner. It was a slender 1-0 lead for AHU until stoppage time, before a very late Kieran Brown brace sealed a 3-0 victory.
• Cheadle Heath Nomads’ match against Allscott Heath started like a gung-ho action movie, with three goals in the first 15 minutes. Things clamed down after that, but Allscott, who were trailing, equalised 10 minutes into the second half and the game would finish 2-2.
• In the highest scoring game of the weekend, Runcorn Town were certainly the biggest beneficiaries of a goal-fest. Thomas Ruffer was the hat-trick hero, scoring three of the five that Darren Moore’s side would score as they swept Barnton aside to win 5-1.
• It was one for all the marbles at Winsford United’s Wharton Road, as they welcomed fellow joint league leaders Stafford Town. The hosts took a 1-0 lead into the break, and had to re-take the lead after an equaliser, but Staffs proved to be worthy adversaries, equalising again with less than 10 minutes to go. The match ended 2-2.

Other scores:

• Alsager Town 0-2 Sandbach United
• Foley Meir P-P Stockport Georgians
• Market Drayton Town 0-1 Shawbury United
• Wolves Sporting 0-0 New Mills