Another weekend, another round of games from all 3 divisions of the NWCFL, includong the final round of league fixtures in the First Divisions North and South. Let's run through the best and worst of what the last week has had to offer.
Premier Division
Friday:
Ramsbottom United’s chance to be the third team in the Premier Division this season to reach a 100-point total went down the drain on Friday night as they travelled to Chadderton’s temporary home of the Vestacare Stadium. Tyler Berry and James Purfield got the goals for Chaddy as they overcame Rammy 2-1.
Saturday:
The day’s late kick-off brought some fireworks, and almost the comeback of the weekend, as Litherland REMYCA travelled over to the Isle of Man for a penultimate-matchday showdown with the Ravens. REMY took a 3-0 lead after 56 mins and held on despite the best efforts of Paul Jones’ men, eventually winning 3-2.
Two teams with little to fight for at this stage faced off on Saturday, as Glossop North End took on Burscough. Glossop took an early lead through Abdul Djalo, but Burscough had the beating of their hosts as the match progressed, with Matt Hamilton and Harry Cannon-Noren scoring to see a final score of 2-1 to the away side in the end.
Lower Breck’s title challenge is refusing to wither as the clock ticks away on the season. In their penultimate game of the season, they hosted Barnoldswick Town and showed their opponent no mercy. Sam Burns scored twice in a 6-0 rout to cut down the goal difference between themselves and table-topping Bury going into the final day.
After Colne’s defeat on Friday, South Liverpool were officially safe in the Prem, but that didn’t stop them doing their part on Saturday. They left it late to snatch an unlikely 2-1 victory away at play-off guarantees Padiham, with Stephen Milne getting the 92nd minute winner.
Pilkington were also officially safe in the Prem after the Friday night result, but that didn’t stop them doing their part on Saturday. They hosted Squires Gate, who needed a win and nothing less to avoid being officially relegated, and they took a 23rd minute lead via Dean Ing, but ultimately came up short. Pilks won 3-1 to condemn Gate to the drop, subject to a reprieve.
Prestwich Heys knew that they’d be all but officially safe in the Prem with a win, and they did just that on Saturday. Lee Grimshaw got the ball rolling in the second half, but their opponents, Irlam, fought back immediately to 1-1. In the end, a Max Beardsley-Rowe penalty on 80 minutes sealed a 2-1 victory for the hosts.
Other scores
Friday:
AFC Liverpool 2-0 Colne
Saturday:
Abbey Hey 0-0 FC St Helens
Cheadle Town 0-2 Bury
Stockport Town 1-1 Charnock Richard
West Didsbury and Chorlton 1-0 Longridge Town
THE FINAL DAY of the First Division North
Atherton LR were confirmed as league champions with last weekend’s win, so winning away at AFC Blackpool on Saturday wasn’t paramount. That said, take nothing from AFC, who pulled off a great showing, featuring a Luke Hepple brace, to upset the champs and win 2-1.
There was nought but pride on the line as Daisy Hill played host to Ashton Town on Saturday, but that didn’t stop well over 800 people coming to watch the action unfold. Daisy Hill took the lead via a 26th minute Jake O’Brien penalty, but Ashton turned the game on its head with goals by Will Hamilton and Leon Wright to win 2-1.
Similarly, neither Darwen FC nor Maine Road had anything to play for on the final day, but a win still feels good, doesn’t it? Darwen certainly thought so, overturning a 1-0 deficit at half time against Road via two penalties, scored by two different players, in the second half. They won 2-1 in the end.
Maghull have made a home for themselves in mid-table after their promotion to the NWCFL last season, and they came up against Steeton on the final day hoping to finish with a flourish. They didn’t make it easy, conceding a 2-0 lead to the Chevrons going into the final 10 minutes, but Sam Smith bagged an 85th minute winner to secure a 3-2 victory for Joe Burns’ side.
Nelson’s title challenge was officially ended last weekend by Atherton LR’s victory, and they’ve got the play-offs to focus on now. One team they may well meet in those is Holker Old Boys, and those two sides squared off on the final day, with Holker getting the upper hand. Max Cane gave Nelson a 1-0 lead within 60 seconds, but Holker turned the game around to win 2-1 thanks to a Nathan Reid double.
Thornton Cleveleys have had a great go of their first taste of NWCFL football. They’ve been nearer the bottom than they might’ve hoped throughout, but they’ve been mathematically safe for well over a fortnight now, and they put the gloss on a good first campaign with a 3-1 away win on the final day against already-relegated Route One Rovers.
Skelmersdale United can finally put this torrid year behind them after their final day defeat to Bacup Borough. In what will be their final game at Burscough’s Community Ground before their move to the Marine Travel Arena in 2025/26, they held on for half an hour against Bacup, but eventually fell to a 3-1 defeat, finishing the campaign bottom and with a goal difference of -101.
Other scores
Ashton Athletic 0-1 Euxton Villa
Droylsden 1-0 Garstang
THE FINAL DAY of First Division South
First Division South champions Winsford United looked to end their glittering campaign with maximum points, and they travelled to mid-table Alsager Town on the final day. They were given a good run for their money at Wood Park, requiring an 87th minute goal from Ollie Pope to eventually win a back-and-forth contest 3-2.
There was a similarly topsy-turvy game taking place at Barnton’s Creative Hut Stadium on Saturday. Stockport Georgians were the visitors, and they took the lead against Barnton on three separate occasions. But each and every time, the hosts fought back. In the end, the points were shared at 3-3.
It was in Allscott Heath’s own hands to survive their first season in the NWCFL going into the final day. Win, and they were safe. They faced off with Eccleshall, who confirmed their own play-off spot last week, and thus had little to fight for, and it showed. Heath got the better of their hosts in the end, winning 2-1 and condemning Foley Meir to the drop zone.
The game of the weekend was almost definitely the one that took place at Pride Park on Saturday. Already-relegated Wolves Sporting looked to lift themselves off the bottom on the final day, with Runcorn Town travelling to the West Midlands hoping to send their fans home happy for the season. The latter side managed their goal, with Jamie Apperley and Shaquille Lewys bagging braces as Town won in convincing fashion to the tune of a 5-2 scoreline.
Other scores
Abbey Hulton United 1-0 Ashville
Cammell Laird 1907 1-0 Foley Meir
New Mills 0-1 Market Drayton Town
Shawbury United 2-0 Cheadle Heath Nomads
Stafford Town 1-1 Sandbach United
| Gameweek 38: Review |
| Gameweek 37: Review |
| Gameweek 36: Review |
| Gameweek 35: Review |
