Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 35
Tue 25th 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 (Glossop North End 2-5 AFC Liverpool):
“We put in a really good performance on Saturday against Glossop. I thought it was a big positive that we showed we can come back from a goal down.
“It was a fairly even first half, but in the second half, we took the game to Glossop and dominated things. I thought we were really good value for the three points.
“We scored some really good team goals, and there was a brilliant free kick from Caleb Jones in there that was unstoppable. It puts us in a really strong position to finish the season well.”
Mike Smith, of FC St Helens (Longridge Town 0-4 FC St Helens):
“I felt our game on Saturday showed a very good, controlled performance. I asked the lads to show the same effort and endeavour as they did the week before against Bury, but to show more confidence when in possession of the ball, to enjoy having spells with it and move Longridge about.
“We got off to a flying start, going a goal up inside of four minutes. We didn't look troubled at all, but at 1-0 it was still very much in the balance. We had to stay patient and keep concentrated in the second half, and we knew another goal would come from that.
“We got the second and then looked as though we could score every time we went forward. It was a performance to be pleased with, and our biggest away win of the season. We'll now aim to carry that over and finish the season strongly.”
Ryan Hutchinson, of Prestwich Heys (Colne 1-3 Prestwich Heys):
“Saturday’s game was massive for us! The three points was a must. I thought we started the game as the better team for sure, but against the run of play, Colne got themselves in front from a well taken free kick.
“It looked like really poor defending from our point of view, but the lads showed unbelievable character to stay on top of the game and we got what we deserved when we made it 1-1. From there, we went from strength to strength, with a really good team performance, and we went into half time 3-1 up, but it could and should have been four or five.
“The second half was a bit different going up that hill, but again, we showed good game management, and we were solid throughout. I didn’t think we looked like conceding.
“It was a win that we enjoyed of course, but we aren’t getting carried away. There’s still so much more to do if we are to avoid the drop!”
First Division North
Lee Hill, of Daisy Hill (AFC Blackpool 1-3 Daisy Hill):
“I thought we were unfortunate the first time round not to get the three points against AFC Blackpool. We know they're a good side and very capable of beating anyone, so we had to be on our game.
“We had a game plan from our first meeting last week and trained well during the week to implement it, and knew if we managed their dangerous front three and we attacked with purpose, then we'd be able to cause them problems.
“In the first 25 minutes we didn't do that, but then we settled into it, and the lads were brilliant, and I thought we were in control the majority of the game. We definitely deserved the three points this time.”
First Division South
Steven Scott, of Ashville (Sandbach United 0-3 Ashville):
“We’ve been improving quite a lot despite mixed results in the past couple of months, and that showed on Saturday.
“The team showed huge desire and scored three excellent goals after a tough loss in the Edward Case semi semi-final last week, and were, in my view, good value for the win.
“The result keeps us in the play-off mix, but we know we’ve got to be consistently better than we’ve shown recently to have any chance.”
Liam Kelly, of Eccleshall (Foley Meir 3-4 Eccleshall):
“Where to start? An unbelievable game for the neutral but a nerve wrecker for the Eccleshall fans. The 4-3 scoreline perhaps doesn't tell the full story though, as at times we were unstoppable in the final third, and we should have been out of sight at half time.
“Credit to Foley Meir in the second half, who put it on us and caused us problems, and although we only limited them to a couple of chances, they were clinical and made it a nervy ending.
“It was great to see my lads stand tall and grind it out, something we've began to make a habit of doing. We've quickly realised that we never do things the easy way. That's 14 games unbeaten away from home in the league, which anyone who follows the NWCFL will tell you is an unbelievable stat. We now have four huge games remaining as we aim to sneak into that last play-off place.”
Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 35
Tue 25th 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 (Glossop North End 2-5 AFC Liverpool):
“We put in a really good performance on Saturday against Glossop. I thought it was a big positive that we showed we can come back from a goal down.
“It was a fairly even first half, but in the second half, we took the game to Glossop and dominated things. I thought we were really good value for the three points.
“We scored some really good team goals, and there was a brilliant free kick from Caleb Jones in there that was unstoppable. It puts us in a really strong position to finish the season well.”
Mike Smith, of FC St Helens (Longridge Town 0-4 FC St Helens):
“I felt our game on Saturday showed a very good, controlled performance. I asked the lads to show the same effort and endeavour as they did the week before against Bury, but to show more confidence when in possession of the ball, to enjoy having spells with it and move Longridge about.
“We got off to a flying start, going a goal up inside of four minutes. We didn't look troubled at all, but at 1-0 it was still very much in the balance. We had to stay patient and keep concentrated in the second half, and we knew another goal would come from that.
“We got the second and then looked as though we could score every time we went forward. It was a performance to be pleased with, and our biggest away win of the season. We'll now aim to carry that over and finish the season strongly.”
Ryan Hutchinson, of Prestwich Heys (Colne 1-3 Prestwich Heys):
“Saturday’s game was massive for us! The three points was a must. I thought we started the game as the better team for sure, but against the run of play, Colne got themselves in front from a well taken free kick.
“It looked like really poor defending from our point of view, but the lads showed unbelievable character to stay on top of the game and we got what we deserved when we made it 1-1. From there, we went from strength to strength, with a really good team performance, and we went into half time 3-1 up, but it could and should have been four or five.
“The second half was a bit different going up that hill, but again, we showed good game management, and we were solid throughout. I didn’t think we looked like conceding.
“It was a win that we enjoyed of course, but we aren’t getting carried away. There’s still so much more to do if we are to avoid the drop!”
First Division North
Lee Hill, of Daisy Hill (AFC Blackpool 1-3 Daisy Hill):
“I thought we were unfortunate the first time round not to get the three points against AFC Blackpool. We know they're a good side and very capable of beating anyone, so we had to be on our game.
“We had a game plan from our first meeting last week and trained well during the week to implement it, and knew if we managed their dangerous front three and we attacked with purpose, then we'd be able to cause them problems.
“In the first 25 minutes we didn't do that, but then we settled into it, and the lads were brilliant, and I thought we were in control the majority of the game. We definitely deserved the three points this time.”
First Division South
Steven Scott, of Ashville (Sandbach United 0-3 Ashville):
“We’ve been improving quite a lot despite mixed results in the past couple of months, and that showed on Saturday.
“The team showed huge desire and scored three excellent goals after a tough loss in the Edward Case semi semi-final last week, and were, in my view, good value for the win.
“The result keeps us in the play-off mix, but we know we’ve got to be consistently better than we’ve shown recently to have any chance.”
Liam Kelly, of Eccleshall (Foley Meir 3-4 Eccleshall):
“Where to start? An unbelievable game for the neutral but a nerve wrecker for the Eccleshall fans. The 4-3 scoreline perhaps doesn't tell the full story though, as at times we were unstoppable in the final third, and we should have been out of sight at half time.
“Credit to Foley Meir in the second half, who put it on us and caused us problems, and although we only limited them to a couple of chances, they were clinical and made it a nervy ending.
“It was great to see my lads stand tall and grind it out, something we've began to make a habit of doing. We've quickly realised that we never do things the easy way. That's 14 games unbeaten away from home in the league, which anyone who follows the NWCFL will tell you is an unbelievable stat. We now have four huge games remaining as we aim to sneak into that last play-off place.”
