Macron Cup 2024/25: And then there were four...
Wed 19th February 2025 | Macron Cup | By Jay Cooper
Last weekend, the Macron Cup quarter-finals took place, and there were plenty of headlines made on both Friday and Saturday.
Firstly, on Friday night, First Division South strugglers Barnton, under new managers Lewis Wood and Craig Humphries, upset the odds to knock out Premier Division promotion hopefuls Lower Breck on home soil. They did so in dramatic fashion, with George Edwards bagging a 94th minute goal to secure the 3-2 victory.
Next, on Saturday, there was an early kick-off between Ramsbottom United and Stafford Town. In another Premier Division VS First Division South clash, Stafford were hoping to do exactly as Barnton did - they would never have dreamed of how similar their story would be. With the score at 1-1 in added time at Rammy's Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, Scott Wilding scored in the 95th minute for Staffs to make it 2-1 and ensure their progression.
Then, at Charnock Richard's Mossie Park, where the semi-final draw would take place, Maghull were the visitors, hoping for a third upset of the weekend - it wasn't to be. Despite a strong start from the First Division North side, Charnock took the lead at 1-0, re-took the lead at 2-1, and then manoeuvred through the gears to eventually pick up a 5-1 win. Ryan Donnellan's men were in the hat for the semi-finals.
Finally. in Saturday's later kick off, Chadderton and AFC Blackpool arguably saved the best game for last, from a neutral perspective anyway. Chaddy, at their temporary home of Avro's Vestacare Stadium, looked dead and buried by the final quarter hour, 4-1 down to their visitors from the First Division North. However, an unbelievable rally from the hosts led to an eventual 91st minute equaliser at 4-4, and a subsequent penalty shootout. Chaddy's grit had gotten them to this point, but wouldn't get them any further, as AFC Blackpool ran out 4-3 winners from the shootout.
The draw results were announced on Saturday evening, and they read as follows:
- AFC Blackpool VS Stafford Town
- Charnock Richard VS Barnton
With the quarter-finals now in the rearview mirror, and with the semi-finals scheduled for the first weekend in April, here's what all the remaining managers from this years' Macron Cup had to say about their team's successes so far, with one eye on what they might be able to achieve.
Congratulations on your victory - what were your main takeaways from your quarter-final match?
John Salanki, of AFC Blackpool:
“Thank you, we really enjoyed that! It was great for AFC Blackpool to get through that tie. We were fantastic for 75 minutes, going 4-1 up against higher opposition away from home, but then it ended up 4-4.
“Eventually, we went through on penalties. It was an interesting experience for sure. We have taken a lot away from the game as a group and have learned even more about what we can work on, and where to focus going forward. But overall, I'd say a great performance that I'm over the moon with.”
Adam Wall, of Stafford Town:
“Thanks very much! I saw a lot of positives from my team on Saturday. We matched a very good Premier Division team, and even in the tough moments we did all we could to make it difficult for them. We showed what a threat we can be to anyone when we are fully fit and right!”
Ryan Donnellan, of Charnock Richard:
“The scoreline was decent, but to be honest, I thought in the first half that we huffed and puffed a little bit, and we went through the motions. I had to go in at half time and give the lads a bit of a rally call, and things felt a little bit on the negative side, despite being 3-1 up. But they needed it, that boost was important, and the lads implemented everything we spoke about at half time on the pitch in the second half, and we got the result that we wanted.”
Lewis Wood and Craig Humphries, of Barnton:
“It was a special night for us both, one we will not forget for a very long time. It will take some topping - put it that way.
“The togetherness that the lads showed was first class, and for a local lad who has played for Barnton’s youth teams to come on and score a 94th minute winner? He’s probably been dreaming about that since he was a kid.
“We rode our luck at times, and Lower Breck were a very good team and played some good football. But we managed the game well and stayed in it right until the very last minute.”
Was a cup semi-final something you would have given much thought to at the start of the season/of your tenure as manager?
John:
“Last season, I took over halfway through the season. We were rock bottom with 7 points, and everyone wrote us off. Eventually, we stayed up on the last day with 30 points. It was a great day, and our great escape and change was accomplished for that season. Everyone could see we had improved dramatically.
“We kept everyone together for this year and added a few more key players. I knew this year would be different, and we would be nowhere near the bottom. Our main focus was to be near the playoffs this season. High hopes for a team that just survived, I know, but I knew what my lads were capable of.
“Everyone wants a good cup run, but we never really thought past each game, to be honest. We have not had easy fixtures in this competition. It started with Route One Rovers away on a Monday night – awful weather and a long journey for us. Then it was Barnoldswick Town at home, Padiham away, and then Chadderton away.
“We are over the moon to be in the semi-final, and we look forward to it.”
Adam:
“Honestly, no. I knew I'd improved this group massively in the summer, but didn't realise the leap we had made. We are chasing a league title/promotion, the Edward Case Cup, the Macron Cup, and the Staffordshire Senior Cup, where we’re in the quarter final. We have only been knocked out of the FA Vase so far this year. I literally couldn’t have asked the lads for more!”
Ryan:
“Yes and no. We always try and go as far as we can in every cup that that we're in, whether it be FA Cup - I know you're not going to get too far in that because it's a tough competition, but certainly we're always trying to go as far as we possibly can - and in the Macron Cup. We won it a couple of seasons ago, and we always try and go as far as we can.
“Realistically, this is our big chance of silverware this year. We've had a good draw for the quarters, and then we've got a good draw for the semi-final, at home too. But no game is easy, no matter who you're playing, or whatever league they're from. It's about the day, and whoever works hardest, whoever has that desire, and goes for the full 90 minutes. So, anything can happen.”
Lewis/Craig:
“Definitely not! As we said in the post-match interview, this was a free hit for our guys. Our main priority was staying in the league, and to climb as high as we could. And then to start to build for next season – this is just a bonus for us.”
What are your thoughts ahead of your semi-final, given that we now know who your opponents will be?
John:
“Stafford Town are having a great season. They are right up there in the First Division South, and I have heard a lot of good things about them. They are in two cup semi-finals and they have a great chance for promotion.
“There’s no doubt that they are a good team, and this will be another tough fixture, but we know what we are capable of. We look forward to welcoming them to the Mechanics Ground at the start of April.”
Adam:
“I like to think my staff are thinking a tad more professionally than my players - they are all buzzing for the night out in Blackpool! In all seriousness, we are buzzing for the whole day. AFC Blackpool are clearly a very good side to knock Chadderton out the way they did, so we know we have to respect them, but we feel that this match represents a great chance for us to make a major final!”
Ryan:
“We haven’t started thinking about that just yet. We’ll first concentrate on the games between now and then, go game by game, and then we'll fully address the semi-final against Barnton nearer the time.
“Like I said, we're playing a team from a lower level again, but to me, it doesn't matter who you play. It's about who’s better on the day - who turns up, and who wants it the most.”
Lewis/Craig:
“Charnock Richard are clearly a very good side. We are just going to enjoy the occasion that the game brings, and we’re going to play the way we have been playing. We need to make sure we don’t overthink it.”
What would it mean to you and your team to go on and win the Macron Cup?
John:
“Winning the Cup would be an incredible day for us – one we wouldn't forget. I'm sure the club and players would be overwhelmed after everything the club has been through, and is still going through even now.
It is no secret that financially we have struggled, and we still are struggling after some unfortunate events. So, this would give us even more hope on this special journey we’re on, rebuilding this fantastic club.”
Adam:
“It'd be huge. The club has seen a fair few struggles over the last decade, just about surviving at Step 6 and getting by. It's been a while since they’ve seen a cup final, or any similar success really. These struggles were only intensified when we had the difficult adjustment upon coming into the NWCFL. To get to not just a cup final, but the major cup final of the NWCFL, would be a huge statement of where we as a club feel we want to be.”
Ryan:
“It'd be really good for us to win it. At the start of every season, you have your expectations, and you always set out to try and get a bit of silverware. Whether that be winning the league, getting promotion, or winning a cup. And I think this is a really good opportunity for us to win something this season.”
Lewis/Craig:
“It would mean a hell of a lot to us all, but as we have said, our focus is to secure our place in the league and finish as high as we can in the table. If we can get to the final and win the Macron Cup in our first season, we would be over the moon, but there is no pressure on us or the team. We are the underdogs in this cup, and everyone loves a good underdog story.”
Macron Cup 2024/25: And then there were four...
Wed 19th February 2025 | Macron Cup
By Jay Cooper
Last weekend, the Macron Cup quarter-finals took place, and there were plenty of headlines made on both Friday and Saturday.
Firstly, on Friday night, First Division South strugglers Barnton, under new managers Lewis Wood and Craig Humphries, upset the odds to knock out Premier Division promotion hopefuls Lower Breck on home soil. They did so in dramatic fashion, with George Edwards bagging a 94th minute goal to secure the 3-2 victory.
Next, on Saturday, there was an early kick-off between Ramsbottom United and Stafford Town. In another Premier Division VS First Division South clash, Stafford were hoping to do exactly as Barnton did - they would never have dreamed of how similar their story would be. With the score at 1-1 in added time at Rammy's Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, Scott Wilding scored in the 95th minute for Staffs to make it 2-1 and ensure their progression.
Then, at Charnock Richard's Mossie Park, where the semi-final draw would take place, Maghull were the visitors, hoping for a third upset of the weekend - it wasn't to be. Despite a strong start from the First Division North side, Charnock took the lead at 1-0, re-took the lead at 2-1, and then manoeuvred through the gears to eventually pick up a 5-1 win. Ryan Donnellan's men were in the hat for the semi-finals.
Finally. in Saturday's later kick off, Chadderton and AFC Blackpool arguably saved the best game for last, from a neutral perspective anyway. Chaddy, at their temporary home of Avro's Vestacare Stadium, looked dead and buried by the final quarter hour, 4-1 down to their visitors from the First Division North. However, an unbelievable rally from the hosts led to an eventual 91st minute equaliser at 4-4, and a subsequent penalty shootout. Chaddy's grit had gotten them to this point, but wouldn't get them any further, as AFC Blackpool ran out 4-3 winners from the shootout.
The draw results were announced on Saturday evening, and they read as follows:
- AFC Blackpool VS Stafford Town
- Charnock Richard VS Barnton
With the quarter-finals now in the rearview mirror, and with the semi-finals scheduled for the first weekend in April, here's what all the remaining managers from this years' Macron Cup had to say about their team's successes so far, with one eye on what they might be able to achieve.
Congratulations on your victory - what were your main takeaways from your quarter-final match?
John Salanki, of AFC Blackpool:
“Thank you, we really enjoyed that! It was great for AFC Blackpool to get through that tie. We were fantastic for 75 minutes, going 4-1 up against higher opposition away from home, but then it ended up 4-4.
“Eventually, we went through on penalties. It was an interesting experience for sure. We have taken a lot away from the game as a group and have learned even more about what we can work on, and where to focus going forward. But overall, I'd say a great performance that I'm over the moon with.”
Adam Wall, of Stafford Town:
“Thanks very much! I saw a lot of positives from my team on Saturday. We matched a very good Premier Division team, and even in the tough moments we did all we could to make it difficult for them. We showed what a threat we can be to anyone when we are fully fit and right!”
Ryan Donnellan, of Charnock Richard:
“The scoreline was decent, but to be honest, I thought in the first half that we huffed and puffed a little bit, and we went through the motions. I had to go in at half time and give the lads a bit of a rally call, and things felt a little bit on the negative side, despite being 3-1 up. But they needed it, that boost was important, and the lads implemented everything we spoke about at half time on the pitch in the second half, and we got the result that we wanted.”
Lewis Wood and Craig Humphries, of Barnton:
“It was a special night for us both, one we will not forget for a very long time. It will take some topping - put it that way.
“The togetherness that the lads showed was first class, and for a local lad who has played for Barnton’s youth teams to come on and score a 94th minute winner? He’s probably been dreaming about that since he was a kid.
“We rode our luck at times, and Lower Breck were a very good team and played some good football. But we managed the game well and stayed in it right until the very last minute.”
Was a cup semi-final something you would have given much thought to at the start of the season/of your tenure as manager?
John:
“Last season, I took over halfway through the season. We were rock bottom with 7 points, and everyone wrote us off. Eventually, we stayed up on the last day with 30 points. It was a great day, and our great escape and change was accomplished for that season. Everyone could see we had improved dramatically.
“We kept everyone together for this year and added a few more key players. I knew this year would be different, and we would be nowhere near the bottom. Our main focus was to be near the playoffs this season. High hopes for a team that just survived, I know, but I knew what my lads were capable of.
“Everyone wants a good cup run, but we never really thought past each game, to be honest. We have not had easy fixtures in this competition. It started with Route One Rovers away on a Monday night – awful weather and a long journey for us. Then it was Barnoldswick Town at home, Padiham away, and then Chadderton away.
“We are over the moon to be in the semi-final, and we look forward to it.”
Adam:
“Honestly, no. I knew I'd improved this group massively in the summer, but didn't realise the leap we had made. We are chasing a league title/promotion, the Edward Case Cup, the Macron Cup, and the Staffordshire Senior Cup, where we’re in the quarter final. We have only been knocked out of the FA Vase so far this year. I literally couldn’t have asked the lads for more!”
Ryan:
“Yes and no. We always try and go as far as we can in every cup that that we're in, whether it be FA Cup - I know you're not going to get too far in that because it's a tough competition, but certainly we're always trying to go as far as we possibly can - and in the Macron Cup. We won it a couple of seasons ago, and we always try and go as far as we can.
“Realistically, this is our big chance of silverware this year. We've had a good draw for the quarters, and then we've got a good draw for the semi-final, at home too. But no game is easy, no matter who you're playing, or whatever league they're from. It's about the day, and whoever works hardest, whoever has that desire, and goes for the full 90 minutes. So, anything can happen.”
Lewis/Craig:
“Definitely not! As we said in the post-match interview, this was a free hit for our guys. Our main priority was staying in the league, and to climb as high as we could. And then to start to build for next season – this is just a bonus for us.”
What are your thoughts ahead of your semi-final, given that we now know who your opponents will be?
John:
“Stafford Town are having a great season. They are right up there in the First Division South, and I have heard a lot of good things about them. They are in two cup semi-finals and they have a great chance for promotion.
“There’s no doubt that they are a good team, and this will be another tough fixture, but we know what we are capable of. We look forward to welcoming them to the Mechanics Ground at the start of April.”
Adam:
“I like to think my staff are thinking a tad more professionally than my players - they are all buzzing for the night out in Blackpool! In all seriousness, we are buzzing for the whole day. AFC Blackpool are clearly a very good side to knock Chadderton out the way they did, so we know we have to respect them, but we feel that this match represents a great chance for us to make a major final!”
Ryan:
“We haven’t started thinking about that just yet. We’ll first concentrate on the games between now and then, go game by game, and then we'll fully address the semi-final against Barnton nearer the time.
“Like I said, we're playing a team from a lower level again, but to me, it doesn't matter who you play. It's about who’s better on the day - who turns up, and who wants it the most.”
Lewis/Craig:
“Charnock Richard are clearly a very good side. We are just going to enjoy the occasion that the game brings, and we’re going to play the way we have been playing. We need to make sure we don’t overthink it.”
What would it mean to you and your team to go on and win the Macron Cup?
John:
“Winning the Cup would be an incredible day for us – one we wouldn't forget. I'm sure the club and players would be overwhelmed after everything the club has been through, and is still going through even now.
It is no secret that financially we have struggled, and we still are struggling after some unfortunate events. So, this would give us even more hope on this special journey we’re on, rebuilding this fantastic club.”
Adam:
“It'd be huge. The club has seen a fair few struggles over the last decade, just about surviving at Step 6 and getting by. It's been a while since they’ve seen a cup final, or any similar success really. These struggles were only intensified when we had the difficult adjustment upon coming into the NWCFL. To get to not just a cup final, but the major cup final of the NWCFL, would be a huge statement of where we as a club feel we want to be.”
Ryan:
“It'd be really good for us to win it. At the start of every season, you have your expectations, and you always set out to try and get a bit of silverware. Whether that be winning the league, getting promotion, or winning a cup. And I think this is a really good opportunity for us to win something this season.”
Lewis/Craig:
“It would mean a hell of a lot to us all, but as we have said, our focus is to secure our place in the league and finish as high as we can in the table. If we can get to the final and win the Macron Cup in our first season, we would be over the moon, but there is no pressure on us or the team. We are the underdogs in this cup, and everyone loves a good underdog story.”
