Five Things We Learned 2024/25 - Gameweek 27
Thu 30th January 2025 | Five Things | By Jay Cooper
1. Don't leave early, whatever you do!
It's easy to be unimpressed by a seemingly inevitable 0-0, which is what I'm sure some FC Isle of Man fans felt that they were seeing this past Saturday. But let's say, hypothetically, that some fans decided to head home before the full-time whistle, I can only imagine they were regretting it.
The Ravens' hosting of AFC Liverpool was deadlocked going into stoppage time, but they found the breakthrough on 94 minutes. Great! And then they conceded immediately after... well, drat. Maybe it was worth beating the traffic. Wait, hold on? In the 98th minute, Stephen Whitley scores for FC Isle of Man to seal the points in the most unpredictably dramatic manner! Lesson learned - play (and stay) to the whistle.
2. Steve Wilkes is 1,250 up!
It was a cause for celebration this past weekend for Ramsbottom United. Not only are Rammy holding onto top spot in the Premier Division table, and not only did they hold onto a 3-goal advantage away at Squires Gate to eventually win 3-2, but their manager, Steve Wilkes, also hit a personal milestone.
Since beginning his managerial career in 1998 with the predecessors to the team we now know as Darwen FC (also called Darwen Football Club), he has been an NWCFL regular with the likes of Padiham, Northwich Victoria and now Rammy. Saturday marked his 1,250th game managed in his career, and he marked it with three points. Congratulations, Steve!
3. Lewis-Simon Byrne-ing the competition
The name Lewis-Simon Byrne has popped up a large number of times during our matchday reviews this season, because the former Chadderton and now Bury player has made a habit of finding the back of the net this season. Sitting and looking at his record compared to his league compatriots is where you begin to see just how efficient he has been in front of goal.
From 41 matches in 2024/25, 39 of which came during his time with Chaddy, Byrne has managed 35 goals in all competitions, 34 of which came during his time at Chaddy. The Shakers' latest weapon's closest competitor in the race for the golden boot is AFC Liverpool's Elliot Taylor, who has 25 goals in all competitions. Byrne has 10 MORE than the chasing pack. Deadly!
4. Nelson on thin ice
This past Saturday was a perfect advert as to why Nelson need to be looking over their shoulder - not because of something they've done wrong, but more to do with something they were unable to do this Saturday that their title rivals did.
At the time of writing, there is a mere point between leaders Nelson and Atherton LR in the First Division North table. The big problem for Gerald Harrison and his side is that Rovers currently have three games in hand on them. On Saturday, Nelson, not playing, could only watch as Atherton closed the gap to a point with a 3-1 away win at Maine Road. It's up to Nelson to keep winning and hope that Atherton slip on a banana skin or three.
5. Heath hanging on for now
For the three sides that were moved laterally into the NWCFL from the Midlands League ahead of this season, it has not been an easy ride thus far. At the time of writing, both Shawbury United and Wolves Sporting are currently occupying places in the relegation zone, and, until this past weekend, the same was true of Allscott Heath.
However, a tense 2-2 draw for Allscott away at Cheadle Heath Nomads was the bringer of the single point they needed to leapfrog Barnton into the safe spaces in the table. Barnton have had a turbulent season of their own, and Allscott Heath will know that every point will matter between now and mid-April in this relegation battle.
Five Things We Learned 2024/25 - Gameweek 27
Thu 30th January 2025 | Five Things
By Jay Cooper
1. Don't leave early, whatever you do!
It's easy to be unimpressed by a seemingly inevitable 0-0, which is what I'm sure some FC Isle of Man fans felt that they were seeing this past Saturday. But let's say, hypothetically, that some fans decided to head home before the full-time whistle, I can only imagine they were regretting it.
The Ravens' hosting of AFC Liverpool was deadlocked going into stoppage time, but they found the breakthrough on 94 minutes. Great! And then they conceded immediately after... well, drat. Maybe it was worth beating the traffic. Wait, hold on? In the 98th minute, Stephen Whitley scores for FC Isle of Man to seal the points in the most unpredictably dramatic manner! Lesson learned - play (and stay) to the whistle.
2. Steve Wilkes is 1,250 up!
It was a cause for celebration this past weekend for Ramsbottom United. Not only are Rammy holding onto top spot in the Premier Division table, and not only did they hold onto a 3-goal advantage away at Squires Gate to eventually win 3-2, but their manager, Steve Wilkes, also hit a personal milestone.
Since beginning his managerial career in 1998 with the predecessors to the team we now know as Darwen FC (also called Darwen Football Club), he has been an NWCFL regular with the likes of Padiham, Northwich Victoria and now Rammy. Saturday marked his 1,250th game managed in his career, and he marked it with three points. Congratulations, Steve!
3. Lewis-Simon Byrne-ing the competition
The name Lewis-Simon Byrne has popped up a large number of times during our matchday reviews this season, because the former Chadderton and now Bury player has made a habit of finding the back of the net this season. Sitting and looking at his record compared to his league compatriots is where you begin to see just how efficient he has been in front of goal.
From 41 matches in 2024/25, 39 of which came during his time with Chaddy, Byrne has managed 35 goals in all competitions, 34 of which came during his time at Chaddy. The Shakers' latest weapon's closest competitor in the race for the golden boot is AFC Liverpool's Elliot Taylor, who has 25 goals in all competitions. Byrne has 10 MORE than the chasing pack. Deadly!
4. Nelson on thin ice
This past Saturday was a perfect advert as to why Nelson need to be looking over their shoulder - not because of something they've done wrong, but more to do with something they were unable to do this Saturday that their title rivals did.
At the time of writing, there is a mere point between leaders Nelson and Atherton LR in the First Division North table. The big problem for Gerald Harrison and his side is that Rovers currently have three games in hand on them. On Saturday, Nelson, not playing, could only watch as Atherton closed the gap to a point with a 3-1 away win at Maine Road. It's up to Nelson to keep winning and hope that Atherton slip on a banana skin or three.
5. Heath hanging on for now
For the three sides that were moved laterally into the NWCFL from the Midlands League ahead of this season, it has not been an easy ride thus far. At the time of writing, both Shawbury United and Wolves Sporting are currently occupying places in the relegation zone, and, until this past weekend, the same was true of Allscott Heath.
However, a tense 2-2 draw for Allscott away at Cheadle Heath Nomads was the bringer of the single point they needed to leapfrog Barnton into the safe spaces in the table. Barnton have had a turbulent season of their own, and Allscott Heath will know that every point will matter between now and mid-April in this relegation battle.
