Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 36
Tue 1st April 2025 | Manager Reactions | By Jay Cooper
With a good amount of NWCFL teams in League and Macron Cup 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.
Macron Cup:
Ryan Donnellan, of Charnock Richard (Charnock Richard 1-0 Barnton)
“It was always going to be a tough game, especially with Barnton having confidence from beating Lower Breck in the last round. It was a very tight, and as the game went on it was clear that whoever scored the first goal would go on to win it - luckily that was us.
“Barnton threw everything at us in the final 10-15 minutes, but we were solid, disciplined, and we managed the game well to get to the final. As I've said before, we've not hit our targets that we set in the league this season, so it’s nice to get to the final and give ourselves the opportunity to grab some silverware.”
Adam Wall, of Stafford Town (AFC Liverpool 0-2 Stafford Town)
“What an unbelievable feeling it is to reach the Macron Cup final! Add that to the Edward Case Cup final that we are already in, and you can imagine how we currently feel in the camp.
“The lads have been unbelievable this season, with commitment levels to match their ability, and now they are reaping the rewards. Also, I can't speak without thanking the travelling fans from Saturday – as usual, they were absolutely brilliant!
Premier Division:
Dave McNabb, of Bury (Bury 3-0 Squires Gate)
“I’m really pleased with the win in what was a tough game against a well-organised Squires Gate team, who are fighting for everything they can.
“To reach 100 points in the league is brilliant, and full credit must go to the lads. Hopefully we're getting closer to that league title, step by step.”
Gary Moore, of Lower Breck (FC Isle of Man 0-4 Lower Breck)
“It was another important win as we look to keep on the bumper of Bury. In the first half we played too direct, but in the second half, we got the ball down and we were more than good value for the three points.
“We’ve played eight games in March and won all eight - you can’t ask for much more from the lads, and now the focus quickly shifts to our game against Litherland REMYCA on Friday night.
“That game is a massive one for us - if we can win and claw some goals back, then the pressure will be on Bury in this title race.”
First Division North:
Dave Jones, of Atherton LR (Nelson 0-1 Atherton LR)
“We knew we had to get something on Saturday out of a game against a very strong Nelson side. The players applied themselves fantastically, and it was a much-improved performance from us after a poor display against the same opponents in February.
“It was a moment of brilliance by Joe Bacon that turned out to be the difference, with some outstanding goalkeeping by both ‘keepers.
“We now need to reset ourselves and look ahead to another really difficult test on Tuesday night against Droylsden. We have three games left, and it’s important that our mentality and our mindset continues to be right throughout.”
Roy Mason, of Steeton (Bacup Borough 0-1 Steeton)
“I thought that we really worked hard on Saturday to gain the points we needed. It wasn’t a game for the purists, but we had to find a way to grind out the win we needed and the players really stood tall.
“We limited Bacup to very few chances. Every player put their body on the line and the performance was really pleasing from our perspective.
“In truth, it’s been a disappointing season for us, and we haven’t been consistent enough, but we have shown that on our day, we can compete with the best sides in the league. We need to bring that work rate into every game if we are to avoid being in this position next season.”
First Division South:
Jon Beaumont, of Abbey Hulton United (Abbey Hulton United 6-0 Wolves Sporting)
We started brightly, but so did Wolverhampton. Once we got to grips with the game though, my lads’ work rate and professionalism helped us to push on hard.
“Once we got the opener, we controlled the game well, and I was very happy with Kieran Brown and Aaron Bott for their performances in particular - both worked hard throughout, and didn’t stop running.
“All in all, it was a great day at the office for us, and we are looking to build on this performance moving into our last three league games of the season.”
Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 36
Tue 1st April 2025 | Manager Reactions
By Jay Cooper
With a good amount of NWCFL teams in League and Macron Cup 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.
Macron Cup:
Ryan Donnellan, of Charnock Richard (Charnock Richard 1-0 Barnton)
“It was always going to be a tough game, especially with Barnton having confidence from beating Lower Breck in the last round. It was a very tight, and as the game went on it was clear that whoever scored the first goal would go on to win it - luckily that was us.
“Barnton threw everything at us in the final 10-15 minutes, but we were solid, disciplined, and we managed the game well to get to the final. As I've said before, we've not hit our targets that we set in the league this season, so it’s nice to get to the final and give ourselves the opportunity to grab some silverware.”
Adam Wall, of Stafford Town (AFC Liverpool 0-2 Stafford Town)
“What an unbelievable feeling it is to reach the Macron Cup final! Add that to the Edward Case Cup final that we are already in, and you can imagine how we currently feel in the camp.
“The lads have been unbelievable this season, with commitment levels to match their ability, and now they are reaping the rewards. Also, I can't speak without thanking the travelling fans from Saturday – as usual, they were absolutely brilliant!
Premier Division:
Dave McNabb, of Bury (Bury 3-0 Squires Gate)
“I’m really pleased with the win in what was a tough game against a well-organised Squires Gate team, who are fighting for everything they can.
“To reach 100 points in the league is brilliant, and full credit must go to the lads. Hopefully we're getting closer to that league title, step by step.”
Gary Moore, of Lower Breck (FC Isle of Man 0-4 Lower Breck)
“It was another important win as we look to keep on the bumper of Bury. In the first half we played too direct, but in the second half, we got the ball down and we were more than good value for the three points.
“We’ve played eight games in March and won all eight - you can’t ask for much more from the lads, and now the focus quickly shifts to our game against Litherland REMYCA on Friday night.
“That game is a massive one for us - if we can win and claw some goals back, then the pressure will be on Bury in this title race.”
First Division North:
Dave Jones, of Atherton LR (Nelson 0-1 Atherton LR)
“We knew we had to get something on Saturday out of a game against a very strong Nelson side. The players applied themselves fantastically, and it was a much-improved performance from us after a poor display against the same opponents in February.
“It was a moment of brilliance by Joe Bacon that turned out to be the difference, with some outstanding goalkeeping by both ‘keepers.
“We now need to reset ourselves and look ahead to another really difficult test on Tuesday night against Droylsden. We have three games left, and it’s important that our mentality and our mindset continues to be right throughout.”
Roy Mason, of Steeton (Bacup Borough 0-1 Steeton)
“I thought that we really worked hard on Saturday to gain the points we needed. It wasn’t a game for the purists, but we had to find a way to grind out the win we needed and the players really stood tall.
“We limited Bacup to very few chances. Every player put their body on the line and the performance was really pleasing from our perspective.
“In truth, it’s been a disappointing season for us, and we haven’t been consistent enough, but we have shown that on our day, we can compete with the best sides in the league. We need to bring that work rate into every game if we are to avoid being in this position next season.”
First Division South:
Jon Beaumont, of Abbey Hulton United (Abbey Hulton United 6-0 Wolves Sporting)
We started brightly, but so did Wolverhampton. Once we got to grips with the game though, my lads’ work rate and professionalism helped us to push on hard.
“Once we got the opener, we controlled the game well, and I was very happy with Kieran Brown and Aaron Bott for their performances in particular - both worked hard throughout, and didn’t stop running.
“All in all, it was a great day at the office for us, and we are looking to build on this performance moving into our last three league games of the season.”
