Week 12: Preview
Fri 10th October 2025 | Match Previews | By Jay Cooper
The Macron Cup will be the focus of the weekend, and there's a sampling of league action to bring to your attention, too! Let's see who is facing whom this weekend...
Friday:
Macron Cup, 2nd Round:
There’s an inter-divisional Merseyside derby to kick off this weekend’s action in the Macron Cup under the lights on Friday night. Premier Division strugglers AFC Liverpool will take on First Division North promotion hunters Maghull at the former’s Berry Street Garage Stadium. Just four places separate these two sides in the English Football Pyramid right now.
Saturday:
Macron Cup, 2nd Round:
That’s not the only inter-divisional clash that will take place this weekend as the Macron Cup returns. First Division North mid-table outfit AFC Blackpool will welcome Prem side Barnoldswick Town; there’s a battle between two sides who swapped divisions in the summer when Colne host Euxton Villa; new-ish NWCFL side MSB Woolton, from the First Division North, will be on the road in another Merseyside derby of sorts as they travel to Prem side FC St Helens.
On top of those, First Division North play-off hopefuls Maine Road will test their mettle against Premier Division Cheadle Town; New Mills, from the First Division South, will meet domestic cup specialists Chadderton of the Premier Division; and finally, top of the NWCFL tree Padiham will host Nelson, who are third in the First Division North right now – a pseudo top of the table meeting!
There’s also a good collection of games between sides who will know each other very well by now, being from the same division.
From the Premier Division, newly-promoted Atherton LR will meet Burscough in a game between two sides only separated by two points in the league; fellow new arrivals City of Liverpool will host Charnock Richard in a reverse fixture of a 1-0 Charnock victory three weeks ago; second-placed Ramsbottom United will attempt to host white-hot Prestwich Heys for the second weekend in a row, provided Mother Nature doesn’t intervene like she did last weekend; and third-placed West Didsbury & Chorlton will square off with fourth-bottom Abbey Hey for a place in Round Three.
There’s just one all-First Division North clash from this weekend’s Macron Cup fixture list to look forward to, as low-lying Garstang will host Thornton Cleveleys for the first time in two successive weekends.
From the First Division South, high-flying new boys Telford Town will have the chance to make amends for last weekend’s defeat to Eccleshall when the two sides meet again in cup action; Sandbach United and Foley Meir, who battled to a 1-1 draw in early September, will meet again at the Sandbach Community Football Centre; and league leaders Runcorn Town will aim for a sixth successive win in all competitions with the visit of mid-table Allscott Heath.
Premier Division:
There’s a six-pointer to whet your appetite this weekend coming from Litherland Sports Park, where bottom side Litherland REMYCA will host FC Isle of Man, who are perched right above the bottom two by a single point whilst sporting the worst goal difference in the division.
Winless-in-four Longridge Town are in league action this weekend as they welcome South Liverpool, who can jump three places in the table unopposed due to cup action this weekend, to Inglewhite Road.
Glossop North End have a five-point gap on the next team below them right now, but have lost their last four in all competitions and will hope to course correct and increase their gap on City of Liverpool as they travel to Pilkington on Saturday.
With none of the teams above them in league action this weekend, sixth placed Wythenshawe will have the chance to leap to third in the table with a weekend victory over 10th placed Stockport Town – however, an away win by a sizeable margin could see Town leapfrog Wythy all the way to sixth.
First Division North:
A week ago, this would have looked like a relegation six-pointer, but after Bacup Borough’s recent uptick in form, that looks less like the case. Still, they have a battle on their hands this weekend as they travel to Brocstedes Park to square off with bottom side Ashton Athletic.
Towards the top end of the table, with a handful of First Division North teams in Macron Cup action, both Ashton Town, in sixth, and Steeton, in eighth, have the chance to sneak into the play-off places if they can beat the other in a match at the Bartons Group Stadium this weekend.
One team that will want to strengthen their grip on their play-off position with out interference from the teams around them this weekend will be Darwen FC, who are at home this weekend for the visit of the only winless side in the First Division North so far, Daisy Hill.
Saturday will be a day for league leaders Droylsden to savour, as four of the five teams directly below them will not be playing in the league this weekend. The Bloods have an excellent chance to stretch their lead at the top to seven points for now and really pile the pressure on the chasing pack as they welcome 10th placed Holker Old Boys.
Last season, Squires Gate were playing Premier Division football, and Fulwood Amateurs were an established part of the feeder leagues for the English Football Pyramid. This Saturday, these two sides will meet on a level playing field, with Gate just two points above the drop zone, and Fulwood just one below the play-off positions.
First Division South:
Cheadle Heath Nomads have a golden chance to escape the bottom three this weekend, as they have a game in hand on two of the three teams above them in the safety places. Their obstacle at the Ideal Building Systems Stadium this weekend will be mid-table Shawbury United.
Haughmond are still waiting for their first win as a part of the NWCFL, but the spotlight will be off them this weekend with all the Macron Cup action going on. Maybe this is finally their day as they host play-off hopefuls Barnton at Sundorne Sports Village, who’ve lost two of their last three.
Hoping to potentially stop an early great escape from the drop zone for Cheadle Heath Nomads are fourth-bottom Market Drayton Town, sitting precariously outside of the relegation places by a mere point. They could put some daylight between themselves and the danger zone with maximum points this weekend against Alsager Town, who are only two points better off themselves.
Stafford Town have snuck back into the play-off picture over the course of the last week, and they can gain a firmer grip on their spot within them this weekend as they welcome mid-table Ashville to Evans Park. The visitors have lost three of their last four in all competitions, but they won in midweek against Cheadle Heath Nomads.
With Runcorn and Telford both playing in the Macron Cup this weekend, Stockport Georgians have the opportunity to go second this weekend with a win, and they would go level on points with top if they beat bottom side Wolves Sporting. They would need an almighty goal swing to knock Runcorn off top spot, and the visitors will be hungry to lift themselves off the foot of the division.
Week 12: Preview
Fri 10th October 2025 | Match Previews
By Jay Cooper
The Macron Cup will be the focus of the weekend, and there's a sampling of league action to bring to your attention, too! Let's see who is facing whom this weekend...
Friday:
Macron Cup, 2nd Round:
There’s an inter-divisional Merseyside derby to kick off this weekend’s action in the Macron Cup under the lights on Friday night. Premier Division strugglers AFC Liverpool will take on First Division North promotion hunters Maghull at the former’s Berry Street Garage Stadium. Just four places separate these two sides in the English Football Pyramid right now.
Saturday:
Macron Cup, 2nd Round:
That’s not the only inter-divisional clash that will take place this weekend as the Macron Cup returns. First Division North mid-table outfit AFC Blackpool will welcome Prem side Barnoldswick Town; there’s a battle between two sides who swapped divisions in the summer when Colne host Euxton Villa; new-ish NWCFL side MSB Woolton, from the First Division North, will be on the road in another Merseyside derby of sorts as they travel to Prem side FC St Helens.
On top of those, First Division North play-off hopefuls Maine Road will test their mettle against Premier Division Cheadle Town; New Mills, from the First Division South, will meet domestic cup specialists Chadderton of the Premier Division; and finally, top of the NWCFL tree Padiham will host Nelson, who are third in the First Division North right now – a pseudo top of the table meeting!
There’s also a good collection of games between sides who will know each other very well by now, being from the same division.
From the Premier Division, newly-promoted Atherton LR will meet Burscough in a game between two sides only separated by two points in the league; fellow new arrivals City of Liverpool will host Charnock Richard in a reverse fixture of a 1-0 Charnock victory three weeks ago; second-placed Ramsbottom United will attempt to host white-hot Prestwich Heys for the second weekend in a row, provided Mother Nature doesn’t intervene like she did last weekend; and third-placed West Didsbury & Chorlton will square off with fourth-bottom Abbey Hey for a place in Round Three.
There’s just one all-First Division North clash from this weekend’s Macron Cup fixture list to look forward to, as low-lying Garstang will host Thornton Cleveleys for the first time in two successive weekends.
From the First Division South, high-flying new boys Telford Town will have the chance to make amends for last weekend’s defeat to Eccleshall when the two sides meet again in cup action; Sandbach United and Foley Meir, who battled to a 1-1 draw in early September, will meet again at the Sandbach Community Football Centre; and league leaders Runcorn Town will aim for a sixth successive win in all competitions with the visit of mid-table Allscott Heath.
Premier Division:
There’s a six-pointer to whet your appetite this weekend coming from Litherland Sports Park, where bottom side Litherland REMYCA will host FC Isle of Man, who are perched right above the bottom two by a single point whilst sporting the worst goal difference in the division.
Winless-in-four Longridge Town are in league action this weekend as they welcome South Liverpool, who can jump three places in the table unopposed due to cup action this weekend, to Inglewhite Road.
Glossop North End have a five-point gap on the next team below them right now, but have lost their last four in all competitions and will hope to course correct and increase their gap on City of Liverpool as they travel to Pilkington on Saturday.
With none of the teams above them in league action this weekend, sixth placed Wythenshawe will have the chance to leap to third in the table with a weekend victory over 10th placed Stockport Town – however, an away win by a sizeable margin could see Town leapfrog Wythy all the way to sixth.
First Division North:
A week ago, this would have looked like a relegation six-pointer, but after Bacup Borough’s recent uptick in form, that looks less like the case. Still, they have a battle on their hands this weekend as they travel to Brocstedes Park to square off with bottom side Ashton Athletic.
Towards the top end of the table, with a handful of First Division North teams in Macron Cup action, both Ashton Town, in sixth, and Steeton, in eighth, have the chance to sneak into the play-off places if they can beat the other in a match at the Bartons Group Stadium this weekend.
One team that will want to strengthen their grip on their play-off position with out interference from the teams around them this weekend will be Darwen FC, who are at home this weekend for the visit of the only winless side in the First Division North so far, Daisy Hill.
Saturday will be a day for league leaders Droylsden to savour, as four of the five teams directly below them will not be playing in the league this weekend. The Bloods have an excellent chance to stretch their lead at the top to seven points for now and really pile the pressure on the chasing pack as they welcome 10th placed Holker Old Boys.
Last season, Squires Gate were playing Premier Division football, and Fulwood Amateurs were an established part of the feeder leagues for the English Football Pyramid. This Saturday, these two sides will meet on a level playing field, with Gate just two points above the drop zone, and Fulwood just one below the play-off positions.
First Division South:
Cheadle Heath Nomads have a golden chance to escape the bottom three this weekend, as they have a game in hand on two of the three teams above them in the safety places. Their obstacle at the Ideal Building Systems Stadium this weekend will be mid-table Shawbury United.
Haughmond are still waiting for their first win as a part of the NWCFL, but the spotlight will be off them this weekend with all the Macron Cup action going on. Maybe this is finally their day as they host play-off hopefuls Barnton at Sundorne Sports Village, who’ve lost two of their last three.
Hoping to potentially stop an early great escape from the drop zone for Cheadle Heath Nomads are fourth-bottom Market Drayton Town, sitting precariously outside of the relegation places by a mere point. They could put some daylight between themselves and the danger zone with maximum points this weekend against Alsager Town, who are only two points better off themselves.
Stafford Town have snuck back into the play-off picture over the course of the last week, and they can gain a firmer grip on their spot within them this weekend as they welcome mid-table Ashville to Evans Park. The visitors have lost three of their last four in all competitions, but they won in midweek against Cheadle Heath Nomads.
With Runcorn and Telford both playing in the Macron Cup this weekend, Stockport Georgians have the opportunity to go second this weekend with a win, and they would go level on points with top if they beat bottom side Wolves Sporting. They would need an almighty goal swing to knock Runcorn off top spot, and the visitors will be hungry to lift themselves off the foot of the division.
