Week 2: Preview

Sat 2nd August 2025 | Match Previews | By Media Team

Twenty-three NWCFL Premier Division clubs begin their Emirates FA Cup campaign on Saturday with hopes and dreams of getting as far as they can on the 'road to Wembley'.

There's also a near-full schedule in both First Divisions as our Step 6 clubs continue their league campaign. Here's what being served up this week:

Emirates FA Cup

From the 23 clubs that start their cup journey today, there will be a minimum of six in the next round as there are half a dozen all-Premier Division clashes.

Euxton Villa will make their FA Cup debut away at City of Liverpool, themselves fresh from relegation from Step 4, at the 'Purps' current home of The Community Stadium in Burscough. Villa have started their league campaign with a couple of 1-1 draws whilst City of Liverpool drew 2-2 at Glossop before a defeat away at Litherland REMYCA. In another all-NWCFL tie, Burscough make the short trip to Mossie Park to take on Charnock Richard, who will be on a high after their 5-0 drubbing of Barnoldswick Town during the week. 

Early Premier Division table-toppers Stockport Town travel across Manchester to take on divisional rivals Chadderton at the Emplas Commercial North Stadium. The last time these two played at this ground was back in the 2017/18 First Division, Town winning 4-2 on the day. There's a Manchester vs Liverpool cup clash at the Abbey Stadium where Abbey Hey welcome AFC Liverpool with both sides still hunting for their first win of the season.

Also winless in the league so far are Glossop North End and they will play FC St Helens for a place in the next round of the Cup, where the winners will face whoever progresses out of Atherton LR and Ossett United, the Crilly Park side welcoming Step 4 opposition in their first FA Cup fixture since 2012.

The last all-NWCFL tie comes from the PSD Stadium where Pilkington and Longridge Town go head-to-head for the right to host Emley in the next round. The two sides have played each other four times previously, all League games, and have two wins each.

Curiously, just two of our sides host clubs from other Leagues; the aforementioned Atherton LR v Ossett United match and Irlam v Thackley. The 'Dennyboys' finished 5th in the NCEL Premier Division last term and will be stern opposition at Silver Street.

Numerous Counties sides are playing 'out of area' this weekend, one of which being Prestwich Heys, who will see some familiar faces when they visit Wythenshawe Town, NWCFL members between 2018 and 2024 and now playing in the NPL Division One West. South Liverpool will also travel to a former League side as they go to Gigg Lane to take on newly-promoted Bury. West Didsbury & Chorlton go to recently-promoted Winsford United - the now Midland League club stormed to the First Division South title last season at the second time of asking following voluntary demotion in 2023.

Litherland REMYCA meet some old foes in Whitchurch Alport for the first time since January 2020. The REMY hold the upper hand in the H2H record having won five of the 10 encounters (3 draws), but Alport's pair of victories came in the last 3 outings.

There's no completely fresh opposition to the League this time round but there are some new grounds to tick off for clubs and their supporters - Ramsbottom United go to Golcar United for the first time ever; Barnoldswick Town visit Trafford; Padiham head over the Pennines to Penistone Church and Wythenshawe face Liversedge. Cheadle Town also travel to Wincham Park to take on Witton Albion in the very first meeting between the two sides.

First Division North

Fulwood Amateurs make their home NWCFL debut with a tough test against Holker Old Boys, who fired fresh out of the blocks last weekend with a stunning 5-0 win over last season's runners-up Nelson. Further west, there's a Fylde coast derby at the Skiddle Community Stadium as Thornton Cleveleys are the visitors to take on Squires Gate for the first ever meeting between the pair; both sides are looking for a win to kickstart their campaigns after being held to draws last weekend.

MSB Woolton make their Counties bow at Darwen's Anchor Ground, having had a blank weekend last time out. 'The Woo' are welcomed into the League following a successful season in the Liverpool County Premier League and their first clash will prove to be a good test of where the club are at, up against a side who finished 6th last season and narrowly missed out on a play-off spot, something the 'Salmoners' will want to put right come the spring.

Both Colne and Maine Road scored one goal on the opening day of the season last weekend, but only the latter managed the victory. Ryan Eiselt and Reece Lyndon's side will look to make it two from two at the Haffners Eats Stadium on Saturday. Similarly, both Daisy Hill and Garstang were the victims of 1-0 home defeats last weekend, to Ashton Athletic and Road respectively. There's an opportunity for redemption for both sides this weekend when they face one another.

Last season's play-off runners-up Droylsden got their league campaign off to the perfect start with last week's win over AFC Blackpool, but will have to contend with a battle-ready Maghull on Saturday to keep up their perfect start. The visitors come into this one having fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against newly relegated Squires Gate on day one.

Nelson had perhaps the worst first match imaginable in the new league season, as the division's runners-up last year were thumped 5-0 away from home by Holker Old Boys. AFC Blackpool, also currently with zero points to their name, will visit Little Wembley as the hosts seek to correct their false start.

Steeton welcome Ashton Town to Marley Stadium on Tuesday night in the sole midweek fixture of the week.

First Division South

Runcorn Town will look to continue their 100% record away at new club Haughmond. Paul Lewis’ men are still waiting for their first NWCFL point and went down 3-0 away at rivals Telford Town in midweek while Saturday’s visitors to Shrewsbury Sports Village are yet to concede this season under the tutelage of Darren Moore and Liam Page.

Another side yet to drop points are Shawbury United, having won by the odd goal in both encounters last week, and they embark on their first away trip of the campaign with Sandbach United awaiting them. 'The Ramblers' got their season underway on Tuesday night but a goal right on the cusp of half time was enough for New Mills to take the points, leaving 'Bach as one of the four sides yet to get off the mark (albeit they have played a game fewer than the rest).

Market Drayton Town hold the unfortunate tag of being bottom of the standings at this very early stage, a 4-0 defeat at high-flying Runcorn Town on the opening day being followed by a narrow 3-2 reverse at Shawbury United. They're back at their Greenfields Sports Ground home this weekend though but they will need to be at their best to get the better of another side with a 100% record in Stockport Georgians. 'The Gingerbreadmen' of Market Drayton won both H2Hs last season by a combined score of 11-3, including a thumping 6-2 victory at home back in February, a match where all eight goals were scored in the second half!

Allscott Heath were division new boys this time last season, but from two league games this time around, they're unbeaten thus far. They will hope to capitalise on that by beating Barnton at the weekend, who have had one less rest day following their 2-2 draw with Cammell Laird on Wednesday.

This season's division new boys, Telford Town, are also unbeaten, having most recently battered fellow new arrivals Haughmond on Friday. They will be away at Alsager Town on Saturday, whose only league outing so far has been a 1-1 draw with New Mills.

Stafford Town are two for two in 2-0 league wins thus far, most recently seeing off Wolves Sporting on Tuesday. They will be eager to make it three from three away at Cammell Laird 1907 at the weekend.

Cheadle Heath Nomads' first midweek clash of the campaign was one they'd rather forget, but they'll have a chance at undoing the damage of a 4-1 Stockport Georgians defeat when they meet Foley Meir on Saturday. Foley are also without a win so far this campaign - both teams with everything to gain.

Both Wolverhampton teams will be in action on Saturday, with Wolves Casuals travelling for the second weekend running, this time to Church Lane, with earning their first NWCFL looking to be a tough task against unbeaten New Mills. Elsewhere, last seasons' bottom side Wolves Sporting are also seeking their first win of the season after back-to-back defeats against Stockport Georgians and Stafford Town. Ashville will make the trip to Pride Park for matchday three, currently having earned just one more point in the league than their hosts.