2025-26 Macron Challenge Cup First Round Draw

Sun 22nd June 2025 | Macron Cup | By Ben Wilkinson

The Draw for the First Round of the Macron Cup was carried out at the League AGM held on Saturday 21st June 2025.  The draw was carried out by League Vice-Chairman Geoff Wilkinson, ably assisted by League Director, Mr Martin Fallon.

The draw is regionalised at this stage, with four groups in the First and Second Rounds. In Group 1 (covering the southern area of the League), last seasons' finalists Stafford Town play host to divisional rivals Cammell Laird 1907 whilst three of the seven new clubs feature in this quarter. Wolverhampton Casuals open their Macron Cup journey with a 66-mile round trip to Shawbury United's Community Sports and Recreation Centre; Haughmond travel to Sandbach United and Telford Town welcome Wolverhampton Sporting Community to the DRM Aggregate Arena.

In a Lancashire-oriented Group 2, newly-promoted Fulwood Amateurs have a home fixture for their Macron Cup debut - Nelson the visitors to Lightfoot Green. The two relegated Premier Division clubs in Squires Gate and Colne have been drawn together with that clash to be played at the Brian Addison Stadium. Holker Old Boys, as you'd possibly expect, have the longest trip of the round with their 148-mile return trek to familiar faces in Euxton Villa. Padiham have been allocated to this group but received a bye through the opening round by virtue of their league performance last term.

Maghull drew the golden ticket in the Merseyside-based Group 3 as they were drawn to face FC Isle of Man, who have again elected to withdraw from the competition this season. MSB Woolton begin their first Macron Cup campaign with a visit to Litherland Sports Park to take on Litherland REMYCA and City of Liverpool, winners of the competition back in 2017, play their first NWCFL cup fixture in seven years away at Ashton Town. Charnock Richard are also in this section but have received a bye into the Second Round following their 6-2 triumph in last season's Final to secure the trophy for the second time. 

Last but by no means least, Group 4 features clubs to the south/south-west of Manchester. Wythenshawe, returning to the NWCFL after a one-year stint in the NPL, have a home tie against New Mills to look forward to whilst Ramsbottom United receive free passage into the next stage following a third-placed finish in the 2024/25 Premier Division.

The full draw is as follows:

MACRON CHALLENGE CUP FIRST ROUND

GROUP 1

1. Ashville vs. Foley Meir
2. Allscott Heath vs. Alsager Town
3. Shawbury United vs. Wolverhampton Casuals
4. Stafford Town vs. Cammell Laird 1907
5. Sandbach United vs. Haughmond
6. Runcorn Town vs. Barnton
7. Eccleshall vs. Market Drayton Town
8. Telford Town vs. Wolverhampton Sporting Community

GROUP 2

1. Darwen vs. Garstang
2. Thornton Cleveleys vs. Steeton
3. Bacup Borough vs. AFC Blackpool
4. Euxton Villa vs. Holker Old Boys
5. Squires Gate vs. Colne
6. Fulwood Amateurs vs. Nelson
7. Longridge Town vs. Barnoldswick Town

Padiham receive a bye.

GROUP 3

1. Daisy Hill vs. Burscough
2. Litherland REMYCA vs. MSB Woolton
3. AFC Liverpool vs. South Liverpool
4. Pilkington vs. Atherton LR
5. Ashton Athletic vs. FC St Helens
6. Ashton Town vs. City of Liverpool

Maghull and Charnock Richard receive a bye.

GROUP 4

1. West Didsbury & Chorlton vs. Cheadle Heath Nomads
2. Cheadle Town vs. Glossop North End
3. Droylsden vs. Maine Road
4. Stockport Town vs. Prestwich Heys
5. Irlam vs. Chadderton
6. Abbey Hey vs. Stockport Georgians
7. Wythenshawe vs. New Mills

Ramsbottom United receive a bye.

Further information on when ties will be played will be communicated in due course.