Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 31
Tue 25th February 2025 | Manager Reactions | By Jay Cooper
With a good amount of NWCFL teams in League action across this past weekend, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Premier Division:
Phil Stafford, of AFC Liverpool (AFC Liverpool 3-0 Prestwich Heys)
“It was one of our better performances. It's always good to pick up three points, but a clean sheet makes it feel even sweeter. I thought our lads were brilliant on Saturday, and they are now starting to show a maturity beyond their years.
“With an average age of just 21, we have said all season long that once this group gain the experience at this level, they will be a force for anyone in this division. On Saturday, they showed that we are moving in the right direction.”
Luke Denson of Litherland REMYCA (Litherland REMYCA 4-1 Charnock Richard)
“I’m absolutely delighted with the win this weekend against a very strong Charnock Richard team. After an average first half, the lads came out in the second half like a different team, and they did everything we asked of them.
“We were strong in defence and ruthless going forward, and we thoroughly deserved the three points.”
First Division North:
Jay Foulds, of Ashton Athletic (Ashton Athletic 1-0 Holker Old Boys)
“After recent results, it was a much-needed three points on Saturday. The game was fairly even and could have gone either way. Holker are having a fantastic season, but it was great to reverse the result from a few weeks ago at their place.
“We scored six minutes before half time with a quick counter, with in-form striker Del Hill notching his 20th goal of the season. In the second half we showed discipline and determination to keep Holker at bay, although the final minutes were tense. It was also important we kept a clean sheet, which will give us confidence going into Saturday’s game with Maine Road.”
Gerry Harrison, of Nelson (Atherton LR 1-3 Nelson)
“We’re obviously delighted with the result - not only for the players, but for all concerned at the club. We have been working really hard at being difficult to beat, especially out of possession, and we will continue with that same determination and effort to the end of the season.
“I think Atherton LR’s manager, like us, will say that when they have possession, they have played better this season. Fortunately, we were able to come out on top. We will now get ourselves ready and prepare for Steeton away next Saturday.”
First Division South:
Jon Beaumont, of Abbey Hulton United (Abbey Hulton United 4-0 Allscott Heath)
“It was a good win for us against a direct and strong team in Allscott. Early in our season, we struggled against teams that played in that way, so credit must go to our lads. Their work rate, and their understanding of what we as a management team have asked of them has been great, and it’s come from our work on the training pitch all season.
“We created a good number of chances first half and went in at half time 2-0 up which was very pleasing. We discussed at half time that the next goal would be key to how the game plays out, and lucky for us we had the quality to get the 3-0 from some fantastic play.
“We then pushed on to make it 4-0 and managed the game out well. Overall, my team and I were pleased with our attitude and approach to the game, and we are looking forward to pushing on now with the remaining fixtures this season.”
Dan Dawson, of Market Drayton Town (Market Drayton 6-2 Stockport Georgians)
“It was really impressive performance from start to finish from us on Saturday! Stockport are a strong side, and we had to match their physicality before we could play our football.
“We scored some fantastic goals that would deserve to win any game. The three points were really important for us, given where both teams sat in the table before kick-off, so we are delighted to have taken the spoils!”
Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 31
Tue 25th February 2025 | Manager Reactions
By Jay Cooper
With a good amount of NWCFL teams in League action across this past weekend, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Premier Division:
Phil Stafford, of AFC Liverpool (AFC Liverpool 3-0 Prestwich Heys)
“It was one of our better performances. It's always good to pick up three points, but a clean sheet makes it feel even sweeter. I thought our lads were brilliant on Saturday, and they are now starting to show a maturity beyond their years.
“With an average age of just 21, we have said all season long that once this group gain the experience at this level, they will be a force for anyone in this division. On Saturday, they showed that we are moving in the right direction.”
Luke Denson of Litherland REMYCA (Litherland REMYCA 4-1 Charnock Richard)
“I’m absolutely delighted with the win this weekend against a very strong Charnock Richard team. After an average first half, the lads came out in the second half like a different team, and they did everything we asked of them.
“We were strong in defence and ruthless going forward, and we thoroughly deserved the three points.”
First Division North:
Jay Foulds, of Ashton Athletic (Ashton Athletic 1-0 Holker Old Boys)
“After recent results, it was a much-needed three points on Saturday. The game was fairly even and could have gone either way. Holker are having a fantastic season, but it was great to reverse the result from a few weeks ago at their place.
“We scored six minutes before half time with a quick counter, with in-form striker Del Hill notching his 20th goal of the season. In the second half we showed discipline and determination to keep Holker at bay, although the final minutes were tense. It was also important we kept a clean sheet, which will give us confidence going into Saturday’s game with Maine Road.”
Gerry Harrison, of Nelson (Atherton LR 1-3 Nelson)
“We’re obviously delighted with the result - not only for the players, but for all concerned at the club. We have been working really hard at being difficult to beat, especially out of possession, and we will continue with that same determination and effort to the end of the season.
“I think Atherton LR’s manager, like us, will say that when they have possession, they have played better this season. Fortunately, we were able to come out on top. We will now get ourselves ready and prepare for Steeton away next Saturday.”
First Division South:
Jon Beaumont, of Abbey Hulton United (Abbey Hulton United 4-0 Allscott Heath)
“It was a good win for us against a direct and strong team in Allscott. Early in our season, we struggled against teams that played in that way, so credit must go to our lads. Their work rate, and their understanding of what we as a management team have asked of them has been great, and it’s come from our work on the training pitch all season.
“We created a good number of chances first half and went in at half time 2-0 up which was very pleasing. We discussed at half time that the next goal would be key to how the game plays out, and lucky for us we had the quality to get the 3-0 from some fantastic play.
“We then pushed on to make it 4-0 and managed the game out well. Overall, my team and I were pleased with our attitude and approach to the game, and we are looking forward to pushing on now with the remaining fixtures this season.”
Dan Dawson, of Market Drayton Town (Market Drayton 6-2 Stockport Georgians)
“It was really impressive performance from start to finish from us on Saturday! Stockport are a strong side, and we had to match their physicality before we could play our football.
“We scored some fantastic goals that would deserve to win any game. The three points were really important for us, given where both teams sat in the table before kick-off, so we are delighted to have taken the spoils!”
