Week 1: Review
Mon 28th July 2025 | Match Reviews | By Ben Wilkinson
Pilkington are the first team to rise to the NWCFL Premier Division summit after an impressive 5-2 victory away at West Didsbury & Chorlton.
In the First Division North, Holker Old Boys hit Nelson for five to sit atop the early standings while Runcorn Town scored four without reply at home to Market Drayton Town in the First Division South to do the same.
Premier Division
Wythenshawe’s return to the League did not go as planned as they went down three-nil to Padiham; Freddie Machell getting the 'Storks' off to a dream start after just three minutes before a Joel Brownhill spot-kick and a second-half effort from Jack Price sealed all three points for the hosts at the Ruby Civil Arena.
Fellow newcomers City of Liverpool found themselves two-nil up at Glossop inside the opening half an hour but they were pegged back at Surrey Street - Oliver McKay and Jack Hopkins rescuing a point for GNE in the second half.
Irlam came from behind at the Berry Street Garage Stadium to take all three points against AFC Liverpool; a seven-minute brace from Jack Mitchell proved to be the difference after Caleb Jones put the 'Non-League Reds' in front on 13 minutes. James Boyd equalised for Irlam before the half hour and Jones grabbed a consolation to get his second of the game after Mitchell did the damage.
Newly-promoted Euxton Villa made their Step 5 debut at home to Prestwich Heys and took a point from their inauguration - Jack Wyers-Roebuck put Villa in front but Joshua Tinker levelled things shortly after the second half began in front of a crowd of 213 at the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground.
Game of the day however came at Brookburn Road. West Didsbury & Chorlton would have hoped for a good start to the season following a play-off semi-final defeat last time out but a new-look Pilkington side took them by storm on Saturday afternoon, where amazingly all seven goals were scored after the interval! Pilks raced out of the blocks and scored twice inside the first ten minutes of the second half; Kyle Robinson-Murray and Ryan Beigan grabbing a goal each to put the visitors in a commanding position. Andy Briggs halved the deficit for West before Adam Dawson got the hosts back on level terms with 15 minutes left to play. Robinson-Murray and Beigan both got their names on the scoresheet again and Liam Bott capped off a five-star performance for Pilkington as they ran riot late on.
Two late goals from Matthew Van Wyk meant that Longridge Town took all three points in their curtain raiser at home to FC St Helens after James Flight had put the 'Stripes' ahead in the first half and a first half brace from Jacob Holland-Wilkinson was enough for Ramsbottom United against newly-promoted Atherton LR, Tom Romano grabbing a consolation for LR but they left the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium empty-handed.
George Kattah scored twice on his Stockport Town debut after making a move from Droyslden this summer, his side running out 3-0 winners away at South Liverpool - Joshua Fowles grabbing the other goal in second-half stoppage time.
Elsewhere, Chadderton beat Charnock Richard 1-0 through a Benito Lowe penalty, Burscough and Abbey Hey shared the spoils with one goal apiece and Cheadle Town saw off Barnoldswick Town 2-0. FC Isle of Man and Litherland REMYCA played out a goalless draw in the late kick-off on the Island.
First Division North
None of the new clubs to the division made the impact that they would have wanted as the curtain was raised on another campaign in the First Division North. It was looking good for Squires Gate as they went two goals to the good away at Maghull but a Will Hoey long-range strike made things interesting before Nathan Peet struck deep into stoppage time to break Gate hearts and rescue a point for his side.
Colne also went in front in their first game following relegation but like Squires Gate they were made to settle for a point; Conor Ready's penalty for Ashton Town cancelling out Paul Turner's opener.
Spencer Lucas saw his first half penalty saved by Steeton's Brad Emmerson as Fulwood Amateurs were held to a goalless draw at Marley Stadium while MSB Woolton will begin their campaign next weekend.
Holker Old Boys hit Nelson for five as the 'Stags' unleashed a statement of intent on the opening day. These two sides both tasted defeat in the play-off semi-finals back in April and would have been expected to be evenly-matched but the 'Admirals' were blown away in Cumbria. Luke Davey and Charlie McGladdery put Holker in a commanding position at the break before further goals from McGladdery, Luke Mitchell and Jamie Hodgson completed the rout at the Handmark Engineering Stadium.
Two goals on the stroke of half-time were enough for Droylsden to see off AFC Blackpool in front of 624 at the Butchers Arms - the highest NWCFL crowd of the day. It was Caelan Kilheeney who got both goals as the 'Bloods' look to put last season's play-off final defeat behind them promptly.
Elsewhere, Ashton Athletic won 1-0 at Daisy Hill, Maine Road won at home to Garstang by the same scoreline and Darwen and Thornton Cleveleys played out a goalless draw at the Anchor Ground.
First Division South
Telford Town got off to a dream start to life in the NWCFL when Oliver Cooper and Josh Hesson both scored inside the opening half an hour at the Trentham Foods Stadium. It wasn't to be for the 'Ams' however as Foley Meir fought back to claim a point, Jay Finney equalising after Luke Lewis pulled one back.
Wolverhampton Casuals' Counties debut also ended all-square; Joseph Dulson put hosts Ashville in front with just five minutes on the clock but Jonathan Letford equalised for the 'Cassies' on 71 minutes to take a point back to the Black Country.
The other new club to the division, Haughmond, also got off to an ideal start when Ethan Pickford notched after eight minutes away at Barnton, but the 'Bianconeri' replied swiftly via Jack McKean before James Sigsworth struck with two minutes remaining to ensure the points remained at the Creative Hut Stadium.
Runcorn Town continued where they left off last season and sent Market Drayton Town packing after a 4-0 drubbing at the Viridor Community Stadium. Jamie Apperley bagged a brace either side of a Matthew Vickers goal and Orran Mushet put the cherry on top when he found the back of the net from 20 yards out. Will Ebbrell also saved a penalty for Town early in the second half.
Stockport Georgians came out on top in a six-goal thriller at Pride Park. Oliver McFadyen put Georgians in front from the spot but Wolverhampton Sporting Community hit back almost instantly through Matthew Vaughan. Joseph Collins restored the visitor's advantage before half time and Kyle Wych extended their lead with less than twenty minutes to go. Dan Melson grabbed a consolation goal but the two-goal cushion was restored through McDaniel Kyobe.
Alfie Carmichael put Alsager Town in front at Church Lane but Rio Wilson-Heyes goal on debut for New Mills ensured that both sides took a point from their opening encounter of the season.
Elsewhere, a late Benjamin Summers goal rescued a point for Allscott Heath at home to Cheadle Heath Nomads, a Matthew Hearsey brace was the difference between Stafford Town and Eccleshall and Shawbury United saw off Cammell Laird 1907 by two goals to one.
Week 1: Review
Mon 28th July 2025 | Match Reviews
By Ben Wilkinson
Pilkington are the first team to rise to the NWCFL Premier Division summit after an impressive 5-2 victory away at West Didsbury & Chorlton.
In the First Division North, Holker Old Boys hit Nelson for five to sit atop the early standings while Runcorn Town scored four without reply at home to Market Drayton Town in the First Division South to do the same.
Premier Division
Wythenshawe’s return to the League did not go as planned as they went down three-nil to Padiham; Freddie Machell getting the 'Storks' off to a dream start after just three minutes before a Joel Brownhill spot-kick and a second-half effort from Jack Price sealed all three points for the hosts at the Ruby Civil Arena.
Fellow newcomers City of Liverpool found themselves two-nil up at Glossop inside the opening half an hour but they were pegged back at Surrey Street - Oliver McKay and Jack Hopkins rescuing a point for GNE in the second half.
Irlam came from behind at the Berry Street Garage Stadium to take all three points against AFC Liverpool; a seven-minute brace from Jack Mitchell proved to be the difference after Caleb Jones put the 'Non-League Reds' in front on 13 minutes. James Boyd equalised for Irlam before the half hour and Jones grabbed a consolation to get his second of the game after Mitchell did the damage.
Newly-promoted Euxton Villa made their Step 5 debut at home to Prestwich Heys and took a point from their inauguration - Jack Wyers-Roebuck put Villa in front but Joshua Tinker levelled things shortly after the second half began in front of a crowd of 213 at the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground.
Game of the day however came at Brookburn Road. West Didsbury & Chorlton would have hoped for a good start to the season following a play-off semi-final defeat last time out but a new-look Pilkington side took them by storm on Saturday afternoon, where amazingly all seven goals were scored after the interval! Pilks raced out of the blocks and scored twice inside the first ten minutes of the second half; Kyle Robinson-Murray and Ryan Beigan grabbing a goal each to put the visitors in a commanding position. Andy Briggs halved the deficit for West before Adam Dawson got the hosts back on level terms with 15 minutes left to play. Robinson-Murray and Beigan both got their names on the scoresheet again and Liam Bott capped off a five-star performance for Pilkington as they ran riot late on.
Two late goals from Matthew Van Wyk meant that Longridge Town took all three points in their curtain raiser at home to FC St Helens after James Flight had put the 'Stripes' ahead in the first half and a first half brace from Jacob Holland-Wilkinson was enough for Ramsbottom United against newly-promoted Atherton LR, Tom Romano grabbing a consolation for LR but they left the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium empty-handed.
George Kattah scored twice on his Stockport Town debut after making a move from Droyslden this summer, his side running out 3-0 winners away at South Liverpool - Joshua Fowles grabbing the other goal in second-half stoppage time.
Elsewhere, Chadderton beat Charnock Richard 1-0 through a Benito Lowe penalty, Burscough and Abbey Hey shared the spoils with one goal apiece and Cheadle Town saw off Barnoldswick Town 2-0. FC Isle of Man and Litherland REMYCA played out a goalless draw in the late kick-off on the Island.
First Division North
None of the new clubs to the division made the impact that they would have wanted as the curtain was raised on another campaign in the First Division North. It was looking good for Squires Gate as they went two goals to the good away at Maghull but a Will Hoey long-range strike made things interesting before Nathan Peet struck deep into stoppage time to break Gate hearts and rescue a point for his side.
Colne also went in front in their first game following relegation but like Squires Gate they were made to settle for a point; Conor Ready's penalty for Ashton Town cancelling out Paul Turner's opener.
Spencer Lucas saw his first half penalty saved by Steeton's Brad Emmerson as Fulwood Amateurs were held to a goalless draw at Marley Stadium while MSB Woolton will begin their campaign next weekend.
Holker Old Boys hit Nelson for five as the 'Stags' unleashed a statement of intent on the opening day. These two sides both tasted defeat in the play-off semi-finals back in April and would have been expected to be evenly-matched but the 'Admirals' were blown away in Cumbria. Luke Davey and Charlie McGladdery put Holker in a commanding position at the break before further goals from McGladdery, Luke Mitchell and Jamie Hodgson completed the rout at the Handmark Engineering Stadium.
Two goals on the stroke of half-time were enough for Droylsden to see off AFC Blackpool in front of 624 at the Butchers Arms - the highest NWCFL crowd of the day. It was Caelan Kilheeney who got both goals as the 'Bloods' look to put last season's play-off final defeat behind them promptly.
Elsewhere, Ashton Athletic won 1-0 at Daisy Hill, Maine Road won at home to Garstang by the same scoreline and Darwen and Thornton Cleveleys played out a goalless draw at the Anchor Ground.
First Division South
Telford Town got off to a dream start to life in the NWCFL when Oliver Cooper and Josh Hesson both scored inside the opening half an hour at the Trentham Foods Stadium. It wasn't to be for the 'Ams' however as Foley Meir fought back to claim a point, Jay Finney equalising after Luke Lewis pulled one back.
Wolverhampton Casuals' Counties debut also ended all-square; Joseph Dulson put hosts Ashville in front with just five minutes on the clock but Jonathan Letford equalised for the 'Cassies' on 71 minutes to take a point back to the Black Country.
The other new club to the division, Haughmond, also got off to an ideal start when Ethan Pickford notched after eight minutes away at Barnton, but the 'Bianconeri' replied swiftly via Jack McKean before James Sigsworth struck with two minutes remaining to ensure the points remained at the Creative Hut Stadium.
Runcorn Town continued where they left off last season and sent Market Drayton Town packing after a 4-0 drubbing at the Viridor Community Stadium. Jamie Apperley bagged a brace either side of a Matthew Vickers goal and Orran Mushet put the cherry on top when he found the back of the net from 20 yards out. Will Ebbrell also saved a penalty for Town early in the second half.
Stockport Georgians came out on top in a six-goal thriller at Pride Park. Oliver McFadyen put Georgians in front from the spot but Wolverhampton Sporting Community hit back almost instantly through Matthew Vaughan. Joseph Collins restored the visitor's advantage before half time and Kyle Wych extended their lead with less than twenty minutes to go. Dan Melson grabbed a consolation goal but the two-goal cushion was restored through McDaniel Kyobe.
Alfie Carmichael put Alsager Town in front at Church Lane but Rio Wilson-Heyes goal on debut for New Mills ensured that both sides took a point from their opening encounter of the season.
Elsewhere, a late Benjamin Summers goal rescued a point for Allscott Heath at home to Cheadle Heath Nomads, a Matthew Hearsey brace was the difference between Stafford Town and Eccleshall and Shawbury United saw off Cammell Laird 1907 by two goals to one.
