Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 33
Tue 11th March 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 Longridge Town)
“I was really impressed with the lads on Saturday. Longridge are a very good young side who had taken points off some of the top side over the last few weeks, and Lee Ashcroft is a top manager.
“I thought we started the game really well and managed the game in the second half. Another clean sheet is always a positive.
“On a personal level, it was great to be able to give my son his debut for the club. We are a young side that will continue to develop, and this squad will get better the longer they stick together.”
Paul Turnbull, of Stockport Town (Stockport Town 2-1 Pilkington)
“We managed to get greater control of the game on Saturday after a bit of a frantic opening period, and we brought a good intensity without the ball, which we knew would be key against a side with considerable threats across their front line.
“I was delighted for Toby Green to pick up the NWCFL Player of the Month award recently, and he showed his quality again with a superb strike for the opening goal.
“We found a bit of fortune in front of goal for the winner, but overall, we felt we created enough chances to come away with the three points.”
First Division North:
Kevin Watkin, joint-manager of Holker Old Boys (Holker Old Boys 3-1 Atherton LR)
“We knew the game was going to be tough. Atherton LR are a very good team, well organised and compete for everything. There wasn’t a lot in the game for either side in the first half.
“Our lads were still fantastic though. They fought for every ball, played good football, created lots of chances, and eventually scored three quality goals, and we got what I think we deserved.
“Now it’s time to move on, to focus on next week, as we've got to do it all again to give ourselves a chance at some silverware come the end of the season.”
First Division South:
Glyn Norman, of Cammell Laird 1907 (Eccleshall 0-1 Cammell Laird 1907)
“After some recent tough away fixtures against top of the table sides, Eccleshall away was potentially going to be the toughest of them all, especially with them being the division’s in-form team. But slowly, we are building a team which we feel we can compete in this division.
“On Saturday, we started the game really brightly and dominated large parts of the first half. To be honest, we were unlucky not to go in at half time more than one goal up. The only goal of the half came from Joel Whalley, who showed great strength and composure to slot through the keepers’ legs after a great ball from Ben Graham.
“The second half was a little scrappy, with Eccleshall being on the front foot, and we were looking to hit them on the counter. The second half defensive display from our lads was superb.
“We now have a team of lads who all have the same mentality and will to win, which is a massive positive, and bodes well for us going into next season. My man of the match was Ben Graham – he was an absolute colossus as the back.”
Paul Beresford, assistant manager of Stockport Georgians (Ashville 1-2 Stockport Georgians)
“Saturday’s win against Ashville was a real testament to the character of our lads. We actually started the match on the back foot, and it was Ashville who created the better opportunities in the opening half hour.
“However, when Harry Lambert got sent off 30 minutes in, it seemed to galvanise us, and we began to improve. Our shape was good, and they struggled to break us down.
“We were determined to take something from the game and after conceding a goal early in the second half, it would have been easy for us to capitulate. That never happened, we stuck to our game plan and frustrated Ashville.
“As the game progressed, we began to see more of the ball and managed to put some decent attacks together. Lucas Berry scored a great goal, and we would have been delighted with a point in all honesty, having been down to 10 men for so long.
“The way we celebrated Kyle Wyche’s 96th minute winner showed just how much effort the lads had put into the game. Andy Jenkins and I were delighted with their attitude and they fully deserved to take all three points home with them in the end.”
Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 33
Tue 11th March 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 Longridge Town)
“I was really impressed with the lads on Saturday. Longridge are a very good young side who had taken points off some of the top side over the last few weeks, and Lee Ashcroft is a top manager.
“I thought we started the game really well and managed the game in the second half. Another clean sheet is always a positive.
“On a personal level, it was great to be able to give my son his debut for the club. We are a young side that will continue to develop, and this squad will get better the longer they stick together.”
Paul Turnbull, of Stockport Town (Stockport Town 2-1 Pilkington)
“We managed to get greater control of the game on Saturday after a bit of a frantic opening period, and we brought a good intensity without the ball, which we knew would be key against a side with considerable threats across their front line.
“I was delighted for Toby Green to pick up the NWCFL Player of the Month award recently, and he showed his quality again with a superb strike for the opening goal.
“We found a bit of fortune in front of goal for the winner, but overall, we felt we created enough chances to come away with the three points.”
First Division North:
Kevin Watkin, joint-manager of Holker Old Boys (Holker Old Boys 3-1 Atherton LR)
“We knew the game was going to be tough. Atherton LR are a very good team, well organised and compete for everything. There wasn’t a lot in the game for either side in the first half.
“Our lads were still fantastic though. They fought for every ball, played good football, created lots of chances, and eventually scored three quality goals, and we got what I think we deserved.
“Now it’s time to move on, to focus on next week, as we've got to do it all again to give ourselves a chance at some silverware come the end of the season.”
First Division South:
Glyn Norman, of Cammell Laird 1907 (Eccleshall 0-1 Cammell Laird 1907)
“After some recent tough away fixtures against top of the table sides, Eccleshall away was potentially going to be the toughest of them all, especially with them being the division’s in-form team. But slowly, we are building a team which we feel we can compete in this division.
“On Saturday, we started the game really brightly and dominated large parts of the first half. To be honest, we were unlucky not to go in at half time more than one goal up. The only goal of the half came from Joel Whalley, who showed great strength and composure to slot through the keepers’ legs after a great ball from Ben Graham.
“The second half was a little scrappy, with Eccleshall being on the front foot, and we were looking to hit them on the counter. The second half defensive display from our lads was superb.
“We now have a team of lads who all have the same mentality and will to win, which is a massive positive, and bodes well for us going into next season. My man of the match was Ben Graham – he was an absolute colossus as the back.”
Paul Beresford, assistant manager of Stockport Georgians (Ashville 1-2 Stockport Georgians)
“Saturday’s win against Ashville was a real testament to the character of our lads. We actually started the match on the back foot, and it was Ashville who created the better opportunities in the opening half hour.
“However, when Harry Lambert got sent off 30 minutes in, it seemed to galvanise us, and we began to improve. Our shape was good, and they struggled to break us down.
“We were determined to take something from the game and after conceding a goal early in the second half, it would have been easy for us to capitulate. That never happened, we stuck to our game plan and frustrated Ashville.
“As the game progressed, we began to see more of the ball and managed to put some decent attacks together. Lucas Berry scored a great goal, and we would have been delighted with a point in all honesty, having been down to 10 men for so long.
“The way we celebrated Kyle Wyche’s 96th minute winner showed just how much effort the lads had put into the game. Andy Jenkins and I were delighted with their attitude and they fully deserved to take all three points home with them in the end.”
