Gameweek 32: Preview
Fri 28th February 2025 | Match Previews | By Ben Wilkinson
While a lot of attention will be on the seven fixtures in this weekend's Groundhop, there's no shortage of entertainment in the NWCFL with a near-full calendar over the weekend...
GROUNDHOP FIXTURES
League Director Martin Fallon previews all seven showpiece events in the #NWCFLGroundhop2025
here.
FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY
Aside from the game at Ramsbottom, there are three other fixtures in the NWCFL on Friday evening. Chadderton welcome Irlam to Avro's Whitebank Stadium in a big game in the play-off race, with the two clubs occupying 6th and 7th place respectively, both of them just a point behind West Didsbury & Chorlton who currently sit in the final spot for the promotion lottery. Irlam saw their long unbeaten run end last time out with a 2-1 defeat at their Silver Street home but they will see this fixture against an out-of-form Chaddy as a gilt-edged opportunity to return to winning ways. This will actually be the second time this duo have met this month; a 90th minute John Main free kick gave Irlam a 3-2 win to take them into the Manchester Premier Cup final for the very first time.
There's also a pair of fixtures in the First Division North; basement club Skelmersdale United make the short journey up the M6 to take on play-off candidates Euxton Villa. Matt Atherton's Villa have swiftly put two disappointing home defeats in January behind them with an impressive 2-1 at Atherton LR being followed up by a 4-1 rout of Route One Rovers last time out. The 'Blueboys'' struggles this campaign have been well documented, however they did have something to cheer about in their last game two weeks ago as they saw off Garstang 2-1 to record their first home win of the season
Daisy Hill have their first home game under the chairmanship of Aaron Hunt when Atherton LR visit The Plumb Factory Stadium. While 'the Cutters' look certain to be playing Step 6 football again next year, LR still harbour strong hopes of promotion and the league title. A 3-1 defeat at the hands of current leaders Nelson may have dented those hopes slightly however the championship is still in their hands and a victory under the lights on Friday would make a statement ahead of Saturday's action.
SATURDAY 1ST MARCH
PREMIER DIVISION
There is another unusual kick off time outside of the scheduled Groundhop and it comes at Burscough's Community Stadium where FC Isle of Man are the visitors for a 1.30pm kick off. This is actually the 'Ravens' final fixture on the mainland this season (thanks to only suffering one away postponement all season!) and they will be aiming to finish their travels on a high note by picking up their 12th win of the season on the road (drawing two and losing the other nine). The 'Linnets' have a similarly polar record at home, drawing only one of their 19 games back at base (W8, L10) so previous form certainly suggests that one side will be the happier come full time in L40.
Six Prem games get underway at 3pm, including a massive game in the relegation battle at the Brian Addison Stadium. Squires Gate currently prop up the rest of the table, however visitors South Liverpool are only three places and four points better off. 'Gate' haven't won since October but they have scored in each of their last nine outings while 'South' come into this one on the back of six straight defeats, having lost 1-0 at home to leaders Bury last weekend.
Padiham put back-to-back defeats behind them last week with a 3-2 win away at FC St Helens before edging Colen out 2-1 in an East Lancashire derby during the week. This pair of results have put the 'Storks' in the driving seat for a second successive play-off campaign. A title charge is almost certainly out of reach but Michael Morrison's side will have eyes locked on those directly above them as they bid to continue their climb up the table. Saturday's visitors to the Ruby Civil Arena are AFC Liverpool, who sit firmly in mid-table going into the final strait. Both sides have players that can do some damage; Elliot Taylor netting 18 times so far this season for the 'Non-League Reds', picking up 8 MOTM awards in the process, while Joshua Briggs has found the net no fewer than 23 times for Padiham, 17 of those coming in the league.
Elsewhere, Bury host Litherland REMYCA looking to continue their rich home form this season, having last tasted a league defeat at Gigg Lane all the way back in March 2024 (with a 'home' defeat to Padiham a month later being played at Broadhurst Park). Pilkington welcome Barnoldswick Town to Ruskin Drive with aims of recording their first home win since November and putting some breathing space between them and the drop zone while Colne will be attempting to do the same at home to Charnock Richard.
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
League leaders Nelson make the trip over to West Yorkshire looking to make it eight wins on the bounce in their pursuit of the league title. Steeton stand in their way, and while a couple of wins at the turn of the year meant that the 'Chevvies' now have a comfortable gap between themselves and the bottom three, nothing is certain and they will be looking for revenge over the 'Admirals', having already been on the losing side in both league and cup H2Hs this term.
It's a first visit to The Riverside since September 2017 for Thornton Cleveleys when they make the short trip to take on Garstang. Both clubs were in the West Lancashire League back then and are having differing levels of success at avoiding a return there over the summer. The 'Stang' sit 12 points from fourth-bottom and guaranteed Step 6 football next term while it's Thornton that currently occupy that spot in their NWCFL debut season and they may take confidence into this game from their surprisingly good away record. Despite losing 12 of their 15 home games to date, they have won six and drawn one of their 13 games on the road, including three of their last four. Another win here would be a huge step towards safety and all but consign their hosts to the bottom three.
Holker Old Boys make the journey south to Maghull looking to put their faltering league campaign back on track. A season that started with 12 wins from their opening 15 games started to unravel in October and the 'Stags' have only won four of the subsequent 11 in the league, although they do have an Edward Case Cup semi-final to look forward to in the middle of March. This run has seen the Cumbrians slip to 4th in the table, looking over their shoulder at the chasing pack. Despite a 1-0 reverse at Ashton Athletic last time out, their record on the road is quite favourable with plenty of reasons to be positive before the showdown at the DT Hughes Community Stadium.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The nailbiting title race in the South division has become much more comfortable for Winsford United in recent weeks, their eight-match unbeaten streak coinciding with challengers Stafford Town's slight dip, as Town have dropped points in three of their last six outings. With both teams having seven games remaining, the 'Blues' have a five point cushion over the 'Reds' at the top of the table, and they welcome Eccleshall to the Barton Stadium on Saturday. The visitors are in with a very real shout of a play-off place, being just two points off 5th place with a game in hand and the 'Eagles' currently top the form table with 15 points from their last six outings and they haven't dropped points on the road since September!
Runcorn Town continue their charge towards safety with a tough trip to Stafford Town's Evans Park. A disastrous start to the season feels like an age away; Town have only lost one league game since mid-October and now sit three points above the bottom three. Bagsman Tom Ruffer has been central to this run of form, finding the net no fewer than ELEVEN times in his previous eight league appearances, including a hat-trick in the recent 6-3 win at Foley Meir. Stafford Town have some firepower of their own of course, the front two of Matthew Hearsay and Patryk Mazurkiewicz scoring a whopping 56 between them this season as Adam Wall's men continue to battle for promotion to Step 5.
Shawbury United host Barnton in a relegation six-pointer down in Shropshire. The newcomers to the NWCFL have found it tough this season and they currently sit bottom of the table, however all is not lost as they are only eight points adrift of this weekend's opposition in 15th position, having played a game fewer. Shawbury's games have been low scoring of late, with all of their last five producing three goals or less. Meanwhile, the 'Bianconeri' of Cheshire have arrested their slide down the table recently with wins over fellow relegation rivals Allscott Heath and Wolverhampton SC, and produced a shock win over Premier Division high-flying Lower Breck to reach the semi-finals of the Macron Cup.
THE WEEK AHEAD...
Just three games across the divisions during the week as clubs catch up after previous postponements, and all three feature big battles for either promotion or relegation. Ramsbottom United host Padiham in the Premier Division on Tuesday evening in what could prove to be a pivotal clash in the promotion picture before Lower Breck welcome West Didsbury & Chorlton to the Anfield Sports Community Centre on Thursday. Sandwiched between the two is a single game in the First Division South; Barnton and Allscott Heath going head-to-head at the formers' Creative Hut Stadium on Wednesday.
Gameweek 32: Preview
Fri 28th February 2025 | Match Previews
By Ben Wilkinson
While a lot of attention will be on the seven fixtures in this weekend's Groundhop, there's no shortage of entertainment in the NWCFL with a near-full calendar over the weekend...
GROUNDHOP FIXTURES
League Director Martin Fallon previews all seven showpiece events in the #NWCFLGroundhop2025
here.
FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY
Aside from the game at Ramsbottom, there are three other fixtures in the NWCFL on Friday evening. Chadderton welcome Irlam to Avro's Whitebank Stadium in a big game in the play-off race, with the two clubs occupying 6th and 7th place respectively, both of them just a point behind West Didsbury & Chorlton who currently sit in the final spot for the promotion lottery. Irlam saw their long unbeaten run end last time out with a 2-1 defeat at their Silver Street home but they will see this fixture against an out-of-form Chaddy as a gilt-edged opportunity to return to winning ways. This will actually be the second time this duo have met this month; a 90th minute John Main free kick gave Irlam a 3-2 win to take them into the Manchester Premier Cup final for the very first time.
There's also a pair of fixtures in the First Division North; basement club Skelmersdale United make the short journey up the M6 to take on play-off candidates Euxton Villa. Matt Atherton's Villa have swiftly put two disappointing home defeats in January behind them with an impressive 2-1 at Atherton LR being followed up by a 4-1 rout of Route One Rovers last time out. The 'Blueboys'' struggles this campaign have been well documented, however they did have something to cheer about in their last game two weeks ago as they saw off Garstang 2-1 to record their first home win of the season
Daisy Hill have their first home game under the chairmanship of Aaron Hunt when Atherton LR visit The Plumb Factory Stadium. While 'the Cutters' look certain to be playing Step 6 football again next year, LR still harbour strong hopes of promotion and the league title. A 3-1 defeat at the hands of current leaders Nelson may have dented those hopes slightly however the championship is still in their hands and a victory under the lights on Friday would make a statement ahead of Saturday's action.
SATURDAY 1ST MARCH
PREMIER DIVISION
There is another unusual kick off time outside of the scheduled Groundhop and it comes at Burscough's Community Stadium where FC Isle of Man are the visitors for a 1.30pm kick off. This is actually the 'Ravens' final fixture on the mainland this season (thanks to only suffering one away postponement all season!) and they will be aiming to finish their travels on a high note by picking up their 12th win of the season on the road (drawing two and losing the other nine). The 'Linnets' have a similarly polar record at home, drawing only one of their 19 games back at base (W8, L10) so previous form certainly suggests that one side will be the happier come full time in L40.
Six Prem games get underway at 3pm, including a massive game in the relegation battle at the Brian Addison Stadium. Squires Gate currently prop up the rest of the table, however visitors South Liverpool are only three places and four points better off. 'Gate' haven't won since October but they have scored in each of their last nine outings while 'South' come into this one on the back of six straight defeats, having lost 1-0 at home to leaders Bury last weekend.
Padiham put back-to-back defeats behind them last week with a 3-2 win away at FC St Helens before edging Colen out 2-1 in an East Lancashire derby during the week. This pair of results have put the 'Storks' in the driving seat for a second successive play-off campaign. A title charge is almost certainly out of reach but Michael Morrison's side will have eyes locked on those directly above them as they bid to continue their climb up the table. Saturday's visitors to the Ruby Civil Arena are AFC Liverpool, who sit firmly in mid-table going into the final strait. Both sides have players that can do some damage; Elliot Taylor netting 18 times so far this season for the 'Non-League Reds', picking up 8 MOTM awards in the process, while Joshua Briggs has found the net no fewer than 23 times for Padiham, 17 of those coming in the league.
Elsewhere, Bury host Litherland REMYCA looking to continue their rich home form this season, having last tasted a league defeat at Gigg Lane all the way back in March 2024 (with a 'home' defeat to Padiham a month later being played at Broadhurst Park). Pilkington welcome Barnoldswick Town to Ruskin Drive with aims of recording their first home win since November and putting some breathing space between them and the drop zone while Colne will be attempting to do the same at home to Charnock Richard.
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
League leaders Nelson make the trip over to West Yorkshire looking to make it eight wins on the bounce in their pursuit of the league title. Steeton stand in their way, and while a couple of wins at the turn of the year meant that the 'Chevvies' now have a comfortable gap between themselves and the bottom three, nothing is certain and they will be looking for revenge over the 'Admirals', having already been on the losing side in both league and cup H2Hs this term.
It's a first visit to The Riverside since September 2017 for Thornton Cleveleys when they make the short trip to take on Garstang. Both clubs were in the West Lancashire League back then and are having differing levels of success at avoiding a return there over the summer. The 'Stang' sit 12 points from fourth-bottom and guaranteed Step 6 football next term while it's Thornton that currently occupy that spot in their NWCFL debut season and they may take confidence into this game from their surprisingly good away record. Despite losing 12 of their 15 home games to date, they have won six and drawn one of their 13 games on the road, including three of their last four. Another win here would be a huge step towards safety and all but consign their hosts to the bottom three.
Holker Old Boys make the journey south to Maghull looking to put their faltering league campaign back on track. A season that started with 12 wins from their opening 15 games started to unravel in October and the 'Stags' have only won four of the subsequent 11 in the league, although they do have an Edward Case Cup semi-final to look forward to in the middle of March. This run has seen the Cumbrians slip to 4th in the table, looking over their shoulder at the chasing pack. Despite a 1-0 reverse at Ashton Athletic last time out, their record on the road is quite favourable with plenty of reasons to be positive before the showdown at the DT Hughes Community Stadium.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The nailbiting title race in the South division has become much more comfortable for Winsford United in recent weeks, their eight-match unbeaten streak coinciding with challengers Stafford Town's slight dip, as Town have dropped points in three of their last six outings. With both teams having seven games remaining, the 'Blues' have a five point cushion over the 'Reds' at the top of the table, and they welcome Eccleshall to the Barton Stadium on Saturday. The visitors are in with a very real shout of a play-off place, being just two points off 5th place with a game in hand and the 'Eagles' currently top the form table with 15 points from their last six outings and they haven't dropped points on the road since September!
Runcorn Town continue their charge towards safety with a tough trip to Stafford Town's Evans Park. A disastrous start to the season feels like an age away; Town have only lost one league game since mid-October and now sit three points above the bottom three. Bagsman Tom Ruffer has been central to this run of form, finding the net no fewer than ELEVEN times in his previous eight league appearances, including a hat-trick in the recent 6-3 win at Foley Meir. Stafford Town have some firepower of their own of course, the front two of Matthew Hearsay and Patryk Mazurkiewicz scoring a whopping 56 between them this season as Adam Wall's men continue to battle for promotion to Step 5.
Shawbury United host Barnton in a relegation six-pointer down in Shropshire. The newcomers to the NWCFL have found it tough this season and they currently sit bottom of the table, however all is not lost as they are only eight points adrift of this weekend's opposition in 15th position, having played a game fewer. Shawbury's games have been low scoring of late, with all of their last five producing three goals or less. Meanwhile, the 'Bianconeri' of Cheshire have arrested their slide down the table recently with wins over fellow relegation rivals Allscott Heath and Wolverhampton SC, and produced a shock win over Premier Division high-flying Lower Breck to reach the semi-finals of the Macron Cup.
THE WEEK AHEAD...
Just three games across the divisions during the week as clubs catch up after previous postponements, and all three feature big battles for either promotion or relegation. Ramsbottom United host Padiham in the Premier Division on Tuesday evening in what could prove to be a pivotal clash in the promotion picture before Lower Breck welcome West Didsbury & Chorlton to the Anfield Sports Community Centre on Thursday. Sandwiched between the two is a single game in the First Division South; Barnton and Allscott Heath going head-to-head at the formers' Creative Hut Stadium on Wednesday.
