Five Things We Learned 2024/25 - Gameweek 29
Thu 13th February 2025 | Five Things | By Jay Cooper
1. …of the Month!
The backbone of these lists! Last weekend saw the announcements of the winners of the NWCFL’s January Club, Player and Goalkeeper of the Month awards. All of Irlam, Atherton LR and Sandbach United were honoured in the Club department for their respective impressive starts to the new calendar year.
For players, we turn to Padiham goal machine Josh Briggs for the Premier Division; Joe White, of Ashton Athletic for the First Division North; and Ryan Goodwin, who makes it two awards from two for Sandbach United in the First Division South. As for the Goalkeepers, we have Prestwich Heys’ Harry Allen in the Prem; Darwen FC’s James Aspinall for the North; and, making it a clean sweep for Sandbach, Andrew Jones in the South. Congratulations to all our winners!
2. GO WEST, if you want some goals
It has been an interesting fortnight to be a West Didsbury and Chorlton fan. Just over a week ago. A mid-week 2-1 defeat to Prestwich Heys last Tuesday notwithstanding, their games have been full of goals. Firstly, in their hosting of Colne nearly two weeks ago, they were 3-0 down at the break, only to win the game 4-3 in the end.
Now, this past Saturday, on the road to Charnock Richard, West were in a much more comfortable half-time position, leading 2-0. And then, a very busy second half eventually saw the game end 5-2 to Paul Marshall’s side. If you want goals, the team from Brookburn Road has got ‘em!
3. Maghull with men to spare
This past weekend was a stellar one for Maghull football club. They began Saturday by hosting Maine Road in a mid-table battle, and they came away victorious, winning 2-1. Darren Brannigan and Jacob Till were in amongst the goals, and they would be in the club’s news cycle later that very night.
It was announced on the club’s official X page later that day, that both Darren and Jacob, as well as Levi Adebisi, Nathan Moffitt and Harrison Worden, had signed contracts, committing their long-term future to the club. All five players have been integral to what they’ve accomplished this season, and the club will be pleased to have them all under wraps for the time being.
4. Route score One in under 10
It was a result to forget at the weekend for Route One Rovers, who hosted Daisy Hill at Marley Stadium. They shipped three to their visitors within the opening 20 minutes, but did break a positive record before they even conceded one.
Umar Ali Zahoor broke the deadlock for Route One, and he did so within the first eight seconds of the match. It is absolutely the quickest goal scored by Rovers in their time in the NWCFL, and it’s up in the air as possibly the quickest goal in the league’s history.
5. A pivotal weekend at the top of the South
There were two key results in the First Division South last Saturday. Relegation zone occupiers Shawbury United hosted title-chasing Stafford Town at their Community Sports and Recreation Centre. Shawbury were so close to a win, but they conceded a 95th minute equaliser to draw 1-1. It was a point earned for United, but two lost for Town.
And that two points dropped would be a massive hindrance to their hopes of becoming champions, as, elsewhere, top of the tree Winsford United were hosting other relegation zone occupiers Wolves Sporting. Winsford were ruthless, battering Wolves 7-0 and grabbing maximum points with both hands. With that, the gap between United and Stafford at the top was stretched to five points, which has become six after United’s midweek draw.
Five Things We Learned 2024/25 - Gameweek 29
Thu 13th February 2025 | Five Things
By Jay Cooper
1. …of the Month!
The backbone of these lists! Last weekend saw the announcements of the winners of the NWCFL’s January Club, Player and Goalkeeper of the Month awards. All of Irlam, Atherton LR and Sandbach United were honoured in the Club department for their respective impressive starts to the new calendar year.
For players, we turn to Padiham goal machine Josh Briggs for the Premier Division; Joe White, of Ashton Athletic for the First Division North; and Ryan Goodwin, who makes it two awards from two for Sandbach United in the First Division South. As for the Goalkeepers, we have Prestwich Heys’ Harry Allen in the Prem; Darwen FC’s James Aspinall for the North; and, making it a clean sweep for Sandbach, Andrew Jones in the South. Congratulations to all our winners!
2. GO WEST, if you want some goals
It has been an interesting fortnight to be a West Didsbury and Chorlton fan. Just over a week ago. A mid-week 2-1 defeat to Prestwich Heys last Tuesday notwithstanding, their games have been full of goals. Firstly, in their hosting of Colne nearly two weeks ago, they were 3-0 down at the break, only to win the game 4-3 in the end.
Now, this past Saturday, on the road to Charnock Richard, West were in a much more comfortable half-time position, leading 2-0. And then, a very busy second half eventually saw the game end 5-2 to Paul Marshall’s side. If you want goals, the team from Brookburn Road has got ‘em!
3. Maghull with men to spare
This past weekend was a stellar one for Maghull football club. They began Saturday by hosting Maine Road in a mid-table battle, and they came away victorious, winning 2-1. Darren Brannigan and Jacob Till were in amongst the goals, and they would be in the club’s news cycle later that very night.
It was announced on the club’s official X page later that day, that both Darren and Jacob, as well as Levi Adebisi, Nathan Moffitt and Harrison Worden, had signed contracts, committing their long-term future to the club. All five players have been integral to what they’ve accomplished this season, and the club will be pleased to have them all under wraps for the time being.
4. Route score One in under 10
It was a result to forget at the weekend for Route One Rovers, who hosted Daisy Hill at Marley Stadium. They shipped three to their visitors within the opening 20 minutes, but did break a positive record before they even conceded one.
Umar Ali Zahoor broke the deadlock for Route One, and he did so within the first eight seconds of the match. It is absolutely the quickest goal scored by Rovers in their time in the NWCFL, and it’s up in the air as possibly the quickest goal in the league’s history.
5. A pivotal weekend at the top of the South
There were two key results in the First Division South last Saturday. Relegation zone occupiers Shawbury United hosted title-chasing Stafford Town at their Community Sports and Recreation Centre. Shawbury were so close to a win, but they conceded a 95th minute equaliser to draw 1-1. It was a point earned for United, but two lost for Town.
And that two points dropped would be a massive hindrance to their hopes of becoming champions, as, elsewhere, top of the tree Winsford United were hosting other relegation zone occupiers Wolves Sporting. Winsford were ruthless, battering Wolves 7-0 and grabbing maximum points with both hands. With that, the gap between United and Stafford at the top was stretched to five points, which has become six after United’s midweek draw.
