Gameweek 28: Preview
Fri 31st January 2025 | Match Previews | By Ben Wilkinson
We reach the month of February with all to play for across all divisions in the NWCFL as the business end of the season gets closer and closer. We also still have one club in the Isuzu FA Vase this weekend and the Edward Case Cup reaches the Quarter Final stage. Strap yourselves in for a bumper preview...
SATURDAY 1ST FEBRUARY
ISUZU FA VASE
The 'road to Wembley' for Step 5 and 6 clubs hits the Fifth Round stage on Saturday afternoon as 16 clubs vie to keep their run going. Just one of those clubs currently plays at Step 6 and that club is Atherton LR of the First Division North. LR have had a fantastic season so far, winning 18 of 23 league games alongside very healthy cup progression. Triumphs against fellow NWCFL clubs Cheadle Town, Colne, Abbey Hey and Ashton Town saw them reach the Fourth Round before a late, late winner from Ryan Talbot saw off Hallam to set up this colossal clash against Bourne Town on Saturday afternoon.
Bourne have already come up against one Counties side this term, getting the better of Market Drayton Town by three goals to one back in the Second Round, and incredibly they have won five away fixtures to reach this stage, their only home game coming way back in August in the First Qualifying Round. They also sit pretty at the top of the UCL Premier Division having picked up 60 points from 25 games. Best of luck to everyone at Atherton LR for what is shaping up to be a brilliant cup tie.
EDWARD CASE CUP
Just eight clubs remain in the First Division Trophy, and in a curious coincidence all four Quarter Finals see a club from the South division host one of their Northern counterparts. Holker Old Boys make the 264-mile round trip to Drayton Beaumont Park to face off against Abbey Hulton United in what will be their first meeting since the 2017/18 season, before the First Division was split into two the following summer. Holker won 3-0 in this fixture back then but plenty has changed in the intervening 7 and a bit years! At Evans Park, South leaders Stafford Town welcome Maine Road of the North. The visitors are bang out of form, having lost six of their seven fixtures since a 3-1 win over Ashton Town in the last round, while Stafford have been virtually unstoppable with only 1 reverse in their last 11. Both of these sides exited this competition early doors last term but one will be in the final four in 2024/25.
The third tie on Saturday is Villa versus Villa at the Ray Parker Stadium where Ashville and Euxton Villa battle for a semi-final place. The visitors went all the way to the final last season where they were undone 2-1 by Bacup Borough and they will be aiming to go one better this time round whilst also aiming for promotion to the Premier Division. The hosts were beaten in a shootout at this stage last season and are also fighting on two fronts as they currently sit 7th in the standings. The fourth and final tie has been pushed back to Monday evening and Atherton LR play their second cup game in three days when they visit Cheadle Heath Nomads for what will be the first recorded meeting between the pair.
PREMIER DIVISION
Just short of a full schedule in the Prem, with eleven fixtures kicking off on Saturday afternoon. There's an interesting clash at Avro's Whitebank Stadium as Chadderton and Padiham go head-to-head. Chaddy have only picked up three points from their last six as their title charge looks to be fading away. Things couldn't be much different for the 'Storks' though as their winning run was extended to 11 matches with a Macron Cup spot kick victory over Longridge Town on Thursday evening. A win for the visitors would see them leapfrog the Oldham side into 4th position, with plenty of games in hand on those above them. Kick off there is at the slightly later time of 4pm.
Colne begin a gameweek outside the bottom two for the first time this season and they make the journey to south Manchester seeking to pick up more points against play-off chasing West Didsbury & Chorlton. The 'Red Army' are seeking to do the double over their hosts on Saturday after triumphing 2-0 on home turf back in November but they won't find it easy against a West side unbeaten in their last six home league games. In a late kick off in Douglas there's a big game in the play-off race as 6th-placed Irlam make the journey over to face 8th-placed FC Isle of Man. A run of ten league games without defeat for the Silver Street outfit has propelled them to the cusp of the top five whilst their hosts have lost five of their last seven to see them slip down the table as they currently sit seven points adrift of Padiham in 5th.
Level on points with the 'Ravens' are Stockport Town and they face a tall task when Bury visit Stockport Sports Village. The visiting 'Shakers' are still locked in a battle for pole position and know that any slip up runs the risk of Ramsbottom pulling clear at the summit. It's been an impressive first season at Step 5 for Paul Turnbull's men and any play-off ambitions that they may have would surely increase markedly should they claim victory this time round.
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
With three of the top five in Edward Case Cup and/or FA Vase action this weekend, current leaders Nelson have a gilt-edged opportunity to put some breathing space between them and those below them. Standing in the 'Admirals' way are new boys Maghull. The two sides last met just four weeks ago at Nelson's Daisy Arena; the hosts ran riot that day, hitting five without reply, but certainly won't be complacent heading into the reverse fixture with the Merseyside outfit looking for revenge.
The other top five club in league action, Droylsden, are away at Darwen, who sit in 6th place as it stands after a superb run over the winter. Leighton Mills has masterminded a run of nine league wins in ten games to launch the 'Salmoners' right into contention, and a 10th win in 11 would lift them into the play-off spots for the first time this term. It certainly won't be easy for them though, with the visiting 'Bloods' last league defeat coming all the way back on 5th October!
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
Rounding out Saturday's action is six games in the First Division South. Of the top five, only Winsford United have the chance to pick up some points as they make the short trip to the Viridor Community Stadium where an in-form Runcorn Town await them. Town have given themselves a three point buffer between them and the bottom three after picking up 11 points in their last five, with a 5-1 victory over a struggling Barnton coming last time out. Winsford remain locked in battle with Stafford Town, but with the current league leaders on cup duties this week, the boys from the Barton Stadium can reach the summit if they avoid defeat on Saturday afternoon.
Two of the current bottom three lock horns at Pride Park as Barnton visit Wolverhampton Sporting Community. The last time either of these won a league game was mid-November, although Wolves SC have at least stemmed the tide at the back recently with two 0-0s on the bounce heading into this clash. The same defensive security hasn't made its way to the Bianconeri however as they have picked the ball out of the net no fewer than 17 times in the past four outings. These two first met all the way back on the opening day with the Cheshire club winning that one by the odd goal in seven.
THE WEEK AHEAD...
As is usual, there's no let up in the Premier Division as 14 sides find themselves taking to the field under the lights on either Tuesday or Wednesday evening. The pick of Tuesday's action is at Gigg Lane where FC Isle of Man are the visitors. Ben Hockenhull scored a 95th minute equaliser for the 'Shakers' in front of a crowd of 2055 at The Bowl in the return fixture that kept the BL9 club's unbeaten run intact. There's also a single game in the First Division South on Wednesday; Eccleshall the visitors to Barnton's Creative Hut Stadium.
Three of the four TJ Vickers Premier Cup semi-finalists hail from the NWCFL; Tuesday's semi sees Shawbury United host a former Counties side in Whitchurch Alport. Alport were transferred out of our Premier Division in 2021 and finished 10th in the 18-club Midland League Premier Division in 2023/24, whilst Shawbury currently prop up the First Division South table in their first season in the NWCFL. These two are the past two winners of this competition and one of them will be 90 minutes away from picking up another trophy after this week. It's an all-NWCFL semi on Wednesday with Market Drayton Town and Allscott Heath. The 'Gingerbread Men' fell at this stage last year, losing 6-2 on aggregate to Shifnal Town whilst the 'Monners' of Allscott lost by an aggregate of 7-2 to Shawbury at the same stage.
Gameweek 28: Preview
Fri 31st January 2025 | Match Previews
By Ben Wilkinson
We reach the month of February with all to play for across all divisions in the NWCFL as the business end of the season gets closer and closer. We also still have one club in the Isuzu FA Vase this weekend and the Edward Case Cup reaches the Quarter Final stage. Strap yourselves in for a bumper preview...
SATURDAY 1ST FEBRUARY
ISUZU FA VASE
The 'road to Wembley' for Step 5 and 6 clubs hits the Fifth Round stage on Saturday afternoon as 16 clubs vie to keep their run going. Just one of those clubs currently plays at Step 6 and that club is Atherton LR of the First Division North. LR have had a fantastic season so far, winning 18 of 23 league games alongside very healthy cup progression. Triumphs against fellow NWCFL clubs Cheadle Town, Colne, Abbey Hey and Ashton Town saw them reach the Fourth Round before a late, late winner from Ryan Talbot saw off Hallam to set up this colossal clash against Bourne Town on Saturday afternoon.
Bourne have already come up against one Counties side this term, getting the better of Market Drayton Town by three goals to one back in the Second Round, and incredibly they have won five away fixtures to reach this stage, their only home game coming way back in August in the First Qualifying Round. They also sit pretty at the top of the UCL Premier Division having picked up 60 points from 25 games. Best of luck to everyone at Atherton LR for what is shaping up to be a brilliant cup tie.
EDWARD CASE CUP
Just eight clubs remain in the First Division Trophy, and in a curious coincidence all four Quarter Finals see a club from the South division host one of their Northern counterparts. Holker Old Boys make the 264-mile round trip to Drayton Beaumont Park to face off against Abbey Hulton United in what will be their first meeting since the 2017/18 season, before the First Division was split into two the following summer. Holker won 3-0 in this fixture back then but plenty has changed in the intervening 7 and a bit years! At Evans Park, South leaders Stafford Town welcome Maine Road of the North. The visitors are bang out of form, having lost six of their seven fixtures since a 3-1 win over Ashton Town in the last round, while Stafford have been virtually unstoppable with only 1 reverse in their last 11. Both of these sides exited this competition early doors last term but one will be in the final four in 2024/25.
The third tie on Saturday is Villa versus Villa at the Ray Parker Stadium where Ashville and Euxton Villa battle for a semi-final place. The visitors went all the way to the final last season where they were undone 2-1 by Bacup Borough and they will be aiming to go one better this time round whilst also aiming for promotion to the Premier Division. The hosts were beaten in a shootout at this stage last season and are also fighting on two fronts as they currently sit 7th in the standings. The fourth and final tie has been pushed back to Monday evening and Atherton LR play their second cup game in three days when they visit Cheadle Heath Nomads for what will be the first recorded meeting between the pair.
PREMIER DIVISION
Just short of a full schedule in the Prem, with eleven fixtures kicking off on Saturday afternoon. There's an interesting clash at Avro's Whitebank Stadium as Chadderton and Padiham go head-to-head. Chaddy have only picked up three points from their last six as their title charge looks to be fading away. Things couldn't be much different for the 'Storks' though as their winning run was extended to 11 matches with a Macron Cup spot kick victory over Longridge Town on Thursday evening. A win for the visitors would see them leapfrog the Oldham side into 4th position, with plenty of games in hand on those above them. Kick off there is at the slightly later time of 4pm.
Colne begin a gameweek outside the bottom two for the first time this season and they make the journey to south Manchester seeking to pick up more points against play-off chasing West Didsbury & Chorlton. The 'Red Army' are seeking to do the double over their hosts on Saturday after triumphing 2-0 on home turf back in November but they won't find it easy against a West side unbeaten in their last six home league games. In a late kick off in Douglas there's a big game in the play-off race as 6th-placed Irlam make the journey over to face 8th-placed FC Isle of Man. A run of ten league games without defeat for the Silver Street outfit has propelled them to the cusp of the top five whilst their hosts have lost five of their last seven to see them slip down the table as they currently sit seven points adrift of Padiham in 5th.
Level on points with the 'Ravens' are Stockport Town and they face a tall task when Bury visit Stockport Sports Village. The visiting 'Shakers' are still locked in a battle for pole position and know that any slip up runs the risk of Ramsbottom pulling clear at the summit. It's been an impressive first season at Step 5 for Paul Turnbull's men and any play-off ambitions that they may have would surely increase markedly should they claim victory this time round.
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
With three of the top five in Edward Case Cup and/or FA Vase action this weekend, current leaders Nelson have a gilt-edged opportunity to put some breathing space between them and those below them. Standing in the 'Admirals' way are new boys Maghull. The two sides last met just four weeks ago at Nelson's Daisy Arena; the hosts ran riot that day, hitting five without reply, but certainly won't be complacent heading into the reverse fixture with the Merseyside outfit looking for revenge.
The other top five club in league action, Droylsden, are away at Darwen, who sit in 6th place as it stands after a superb run over the winter. Leighton Mills has masterminded a run of nine league wins in ten games to launch the 'Salmoners' right into contention, and a 10th win in 11 would lift them into the play-off spots for the first time this term. It certainly won't be easy for them though, with the visiting 'Bloods' last league defeat coming all the way back on 5th October!
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
Rounding out Saturday's action is six games in the First Division South. Of the top five, only Winsford United have the chance to pick up some points as they make the short trip to the Viridor Community Stadium where an in-form Runcorn Town await them. Town have given themselves a three point buffer between them and the bottom three after picking up 11 points in their last five, with a 5-1 victory over a struggling Barnton coming last time out. Winsford remain locked in battle with Stafford Town, but with the current league leaders on cup duties this week, the boys from the Barton Stadium can reach the summit if they avoid defeat on Saturday afternoon.
Two of the current bottom three lock horns at Pride Park as Barnton visit Wolverhampton Sporting Community. The last time either of these won a league game was mid-November, although Wolves SC have at least stemmed the tide at the back recently with two 0-0s on the bounce heading into this clash. The same defensive security hasn't made its way to the Bianconeri however as they have picked the ball out of the net no fewer than 17 times in the past four outings. These two first met all the way back on the opening day with the Cheshire club winning that one by the odd goal in seven.
THE WEEK AHEAD...
As is usual, there's no let up in the Premier Division as 14 sides find themselves taking to the field under the lights on either Tuesday or Wednesday evening. The pick of Tuesday's action is at Gigg Lane where FC Isle of Man are the visitors. Ben Hockenhull scored a 95th minute equaliser for the 'Shakers' in front of a crowd of 2055 at The Bowl in the return fixture that kept the BL9 club's unbeaten run intact. There's also a single game in the First Division South on Wednesday; Eccleshall the visitors to Barnton's Creative Hut Stadium.
Three of the four TJ Vickers Premier Cup semi-finalists hail from the NWCFL; Tuesday's semi sees Shawbury United host a former Counties side in Whitchurch Alport. Alport were transferred out of our Premier Division in 2021 and finished 10th in the 18-club Midland League Premier Division in 2023/24, whilst Shawbury currently prop up the First Division South table in their first season in the NWCFL. These two are the past two winners of this competition and one of them will be 90 minutes away from picking up another trophy after this week. It's an all-NWCFL semi on Wednesday with Market Drayton Town and Allscott Heath. The 'Gingerbread Men' fell at this stage last year, losing 6-2 on aggregate to Shifnal Town whilst the 'Monners' of Allscott lost by an aggregate of 7-2 to Shawbury at the same stage.
