Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 39
Tue 22nd April 2025 | Manager Reactions | By Jay Cooper
There were a good amount of NWCFL teams in League action across this past weekend, including in the final round of fixtures in the Premier Division, and the play-off semi-finals from the First Divisions North and South. With that, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Premier Division:
Dave McNabb, of Bury (Bury 4-0 Burscough)
"I'm absolutely delighted to pick up the three points that have seen us get over the line and be confirmed as league champions.
"It's been such a tough season this year, with the standards being absolutely through the roof. To have to amassed 109 points and to win the league on the last day is incredible.
"A Massive well done must also go to Lower Breck, who pushed us all the way. With 106 points, they absolutely deserve promotion."
Lee Ashcroft, of Longridge Town (Longridge Town 1-0 Prestwich Heys)
“We were playing in difficult conditions with the wind. I've got to give a big hand to my goalkeeper – I thought he was outstanding today. He made five or six very, very good saves, if not more.
“Prestwich are a decent side; Ryan Hutchinson has got them playing since the turn of the year. Their form is that of a top six side. So, to be able to keep a clean sheet against them is good.
And credit to Liam Atkinson, who I thought was brilliant today. I thought he led the line really well. He's been outstanding this season and I'm chuffed for him to have gotten his goal. Another one that is, who has notched in his first season at this level.
“Every year, it's difficult to stay in the division. We started the season ever so well, I think we were in the top six early on, then we've had so many injuries throughout the season. I've never been able to name the same eleven more than once at a time, so that's been difficult.
“But it’s a success that we've stayed in the division. We've finished the highest points tally that we ever have done. So that's another positive, and we've had some really good moments this season, and ones that are going to last a long time.”
First Division Champions Cup // Edward Case Cup:
Dave Jones, of Atherton LR (Winsford United 2-3 Atherton LR // Atherton LR 3-0 Stafford Town):
“We are delighted of course, with how things have ended. We knew this weekend would be a stretch physically for the group with two finals in 72 hours, but they stood up to the challenge, just like they have all season.
“We couldn’t have dreamt of the season going as well as it has when we set out in pre-season, but I couldn’t be any prouder of the players and staff for delivering as a group. I’m so proud of what we have achieved together.
“The football, attitude, atmosphere and commitment has been first class by everyone all the way through, and I’m so lucky to have a group of players who are not just great footballers but great people too.”
First Division North play-offs:
Matty Atherton, of Euxton Villa (Nelson 1-1 Euxton Villa (Euxton Villa won 10-9 on penalties))
“No one ever said the play-off semi-finals are going to be straight forward! It was an excellent day for the club, which was settled by the finest of margins, through penalties. Having been in the exact same situation just two years ago, there was certainly a sense of ‘de ja vu’ for the management team as our keeper stepped up to take one.
“However, this time around, I think experience from the last two play-off campaigns kicked in and we not only looked confident throughout the 90 minutes, but we also took that into the shootout too. The levels from all 11 players were excellent throughout the game, more than matching our opponents and then again in the quality of penalties taken.
“Fair play to Nelson, who were more than a match for us and gracious in the result. I have no doubt they will be challenging again next season. But for us it’s one more game to go, with the biggest reward potentially at the end of it.
“We know how difficult it will be to travel to Droylsden and get a win, but to come this far, we will go and give it everything we’ve got and hopefully that will be enough to see us into the NWCFL Premier Division next season. But for the good of my health, no more penalties, hopefully!”
First Division South play-offs:
Jon Beaumont, of Abbey Hulton United (Abbey Hulton United 5-0 Eccleshall)
“We started the game brightly and grabbed an early goal, which gave us the momentum. The lads put in a huge shift both with and without the ball, and that work rate was great to see. Like in any play-off game, you need a bit of luck, and we had that on Saturday too.
“It’s a good day for the club, but we know the job isn’t done yet. We’ll be back in training this week, fully focused and preparing for what we know will be a tough challenge against a strong Stafford Town side in the final.”
Adam Wall, of Stafford Town (Stafford Town 5-4 Sandbach United)
"What an unbelievable day. We were weren't at our best by any stretch of the imagination. However our fight, determination and our will to win was evident.
"Winning is all that matters but we know we have defend better next week against Abbey Hulton if we wish to get promoted."
Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 39
Tue 22nd April 2025 | Manager Reactions
By Jay Cooper
There were a good amount of NWCFL teams in League action across this past weekend, including in the final round of fixtures in the Premier Division, and the play-off semi-finals from the First Divisions North and South. With that, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Premier Division:
Dave McNabb, of Bury (Bury 4-0 Burscough)
"I'm absolutely delighted to pick up the three points that have seen us get over the line and be confirmed as league champions.
"It's been such a tough season this year, with the standards being absolutely through the roof. To have to amassed 109 points and to win the league on the last day is incredible.
"A Massive well done must also go to Lower Breck, who pushed us all the way. With 106 points, they absolutely deserve promotion."
Lee Ashcroft, of Longridge Town (Longridge Town 1-0 Prestwich Heys)
“We were playing in difficult conditions with the wind. I've got to give a big hand to my goalkeeper – I thought he was outstanding today. He made five or six very, very good saves, if not more.
“Prestwich are a decent side; Ryan Hutchinson has got them playing since the turn of the year. Their form is that of a top six side. So, to be able to keep a clean sheet against them is good.
And credit to Liam Atkinson, who I thought was brilliant today. I thought he led the line really well. He's been outstanding this season and I'm chuffed for him to have gotten his goal. Another one that is, who has notched in his first season at this level.
“Every year, it's difficult to stay in the division. We started the season ever so well, I think we were in the top six early on, then we've had so many injuries throughout the season. I've never been able to name the same eleven more than once at a time, so that's been difficult.
“But it’s a success that we've stayed in the division. We've finished the highest points tally that we ever have done. So that's another positive, and we've had some really good moments this season, and ones that are going to last a long time.”
First Division Champions Cup // Edward Case Cup:
Dave Jones, of Atherton LR (Winsford United 2-3 Atherton LR // Atherton LR 3-0 Stafford Town):
“We are delighted of course, with how things have ended. We knew this weekend would be a stretch physically for the group with two finals in 72 hours, but they stood up to the challenge, just like they have all season.
“We couldn’t have dreamt of the season going as well as it has when we set out in pre-season, but I couldn’t be any prouder of the players and staff for delivering as a group. I’m so proud of what we have achieved together.
“The football, attitude, atmosphere and commitment has been first class by everyone all the way through, and I’m so lucky to have a group of players who are not just great footballers but great people too.”
First Division North play-offs:
Matty Atherton, of Euxton Villa (Nelson 1-1 Euxton Villa (Euxton Villa won 10-9 on penalties))
“No one ever said the play-off semi-finals are going to be straight forward! It was an excellent day for the club, which was settled by the finest of margins, through penalties. Having been in the exact same situation just two years ago, there was certainly a sense of ‘de ja vu’ for the management team as our keeper stepped up to take one.
“However, this time around, I think experience from the last two play-off campaigns kicked in and we not only looked confident throughout the 90 minutes, but we also took that into the shootout too. The levels from all 11 players were excellent throughout the game, more than matching our opponents and then again in the quality of penalties taken.
“Fair play to Nelson, who were more than a match for us and gracious in the result. I have no doubt they will be challenging again next season. But for us it’s one more game to go, with the biggest reward potentially at the end of it.
“We know how difficult it will be to travel to Droylsden and get a win, but to come this far, we will go and give it everything we’ve got and hopefully that will be enough to see us into the NWCFL Premier Division next season. But for the good of my health, no more penalties, hopefully!”
First Division South play-offs:
Jon Beaumont, of Abbey Hulton United (Abbey Hulton United 5-0 Eccleshall)
“We started the game brightly and grabbed an early goal, which gave us the momentum. The lads put in a huge shift both with and without the ball, and that work rate was great to see. Like in any play-off game, you need a bit of luck, and we had that on Saturday too.
“It’s a good day for the club, but we know the job isn’t done yet. We’ll be back in training this week, fully focused and preparing for what we know will be a tough challenge against a strong Stafford Town side in the final.”
Adam Wall, of Stafford Town (Stafford Town 5-4 Sandbach United)
"What an unbelievable day. We were weren't at our best by any stretch of the imagination. However our fight, determination and our will to win was evident.
"Winning is all that matters but we know we have defend better next week against Abbey Hulton if we wish to get promoted."
