NWCFL Matchday Review 2019/20 #39
Sun 29th December 2019 | Match Reviews | By Craig Kendall
As the decade came to a close for the NWCFL on Saturday, there was a whole host of exciting fixtures up and down the region - and what an end it was!
In the NWCFL top flight, the league leaders 1874 Northwich looked like their game was heading for a draw with Rylands, but up popped James Ormrod with a 94th minute winning header to end the end 2-1 to the Cheshire side.
Whilst, Burscough had to come from a goal down against Hanley Town - eventually winning 2-1, Congleton Town held off a strong Skelmersdale United side 3-1 and Litherland REMYCA won for the first time in six weeks in the league with a slender 1-0 win over Barnoldswick Town.
Elsewhere, Bootle ended the year in joint third in the standings after a 2-1 away win at Northwich Victoria, whilst, Padiham picked up a superb win against Longridge Town - Ben Ashton and Luke Noble the scorers.
At Runcorn Town, it was a late Ashton Athletic goal that sealed a slender win for Dougie Pitts and Jay Foulds' side. Squires Gate finished the decade with all three points, having beaten Avro 2-1 - all three goals coming in the first half.
Lastly, Charnock Richard rallied in the second half to run out 3-0 winners at Whitchurch Alport, a result which sees Ryan Donnellan's Chorley based side end the year in second position in the standings.
In the NWCFL First Division North, it wasn't the best day for the top few sides. Lower Breck was held to a 3-3 draw away at Cleator Moor Celtic, AFC Liverpool lost 2-1 at home to Shelley. Emley AFC and Daisy Hill didn't play.
It was, however, now fifth-placed Ashton Town who took full advantage. They were heading for defeat with three minutes to go against Pilkington but a Tom Molyneux 87th minute equaliser, and then a Chad Whyte injury-time winner sparked jubilant scenes - final score 3-2.
Over at Steeton, the bottom two sides met with Garstang being the visitors, and it looked like Roy Mason's side were heading off the bottom of the table. They led after a Tobias Jeffrey first minute goal, but Richard Cookney's side rallied and fought back well - eventually winning 4-1 in front of 106 fans.
AFC Blackpool fell to a 5-1 defeat to Nelson who are closing in on the promotion places, whilst AFC Darwen came from behind to defeat Prestwich Heys 2-1 with the best attendance of the Division - 226!
Lastly, a six-goal thriller at St Helens Town saw the home side defeat Chadderton 4-2 in a thriller for the 96 paying spectators.
Whilst in the NWCFL First Division South, there were a few surprises at the top. Leaders Vauxhall Motors ended the year with a defeat. They were leading 2-0 at the break, but a rousing Ellesmere Rangers rocketed four-second half goals to run out 4-2 winners.
Second-place FC Oswestry Town was heading for a defeat, but three second-half goals spun the game - winnings 4-2 at Cheadle Heath Nomads.
Meanwhile, Cheadle Town moved up for 12th in the table with a 4-0 win at Eccleshall, New Mills gained all three points away at Maine Road - winning 2-1, and a 49th minute Lucas Baker goal saw Sandbach United collect all three points against Abbey Hulton United - the game ending 1-0.
St Martins pulled off a superb 2-2 draw against West Didsbury & Chorlton - narrowing the gap at the bottom of the table, whilst Stockport Town and Stone Old Alleynians could only manage a 1-1 draw.
Abbey Hey fans were just collecting their belongings and heading for the exit with all three points, but a 96th minute Steven Yarwood finish spoilt their day as Wythenshawe Town snatched a late 1-1 draw.
The action returns next Saturday when all 60 NWCFL sides are playing.
The main photograph is by Ashton Town Chairman Mark Hayes, moments before their game against Pilkington.
NWCFL Matchday Review 2019/20 #39
Sun 29th December 2019 | Match Reviews
By Craig Kendall
As the decade came to a close for the NWCFL on Saturday, there was a whole host of exciting fixtures up and down the region - and what an end it was!
In the NWCFL top flight, the league leaders 1874 Northwich looked like their game was heading for a draw with Rylands, but up popped James Ormrod with a 94th minute winning header to end the end 2-1 to the Cheshire side.
Whilst, Burscough had to come from a goal down against Hanley Town - eventually winning 2-1, Congleton Town held off a strong Skelmersdale United side 3-1 and Litherland REMYCA won for the first time in six weeks in the league with a slender 1-0 win over Barnoldswick Town.
Elsewhere, Bootle ended the year in joint third in the standings after a 2-1 away win at Northwich Victoria, whilst, Padiham picked up a superb win against Longridge Town - Ben Ashton and Luke Noble the scorers.
At Runcorn Town, it was a late Ashton Athletic goal that sealed a slender win for Dougie Pitts and Jay Foulds' side. Squires Gate finished the decade with all three points, having beaten Avro 2-1 - all three goals coming in the first half.
Lastly, Charnock Richard rallied in the second half to run out 3-0 winners at Whitchurch Alport, a result which sees Ryan Donnellan's Chorley based side end the year in second position in the standings.
In the NWCFL First Division North, it wasn't the best day for the top few sides. Lower Breck was held to a 3-3 draw away at Cleator Moor Celtic, AFC Liverpool lost 2-1 at home to Shelley. Emley AFC and Daisy Hill didn't play.
It was, however, now fifth-placed Ashton Town who took full advantage. They were heading for defeat with three minutes to go against Pilkington but a Tom Molyneux 87th minute equaliser, and then a Chad Whyte injury-time winner sparked jubilant scenes - final score 3-2.
Over at Steeton, the bottom two sides met with Garstang being the visitors, and it looked like Roy Mason's side were heading off the bottom of the table. They led after a Tobias Jeffrey first minute goal, but Richard Cookney's side rallied and fought back well - eventually winning 4-1 in front of 106 fans.
AFC Blackpool fell to a 5-1 defeat to Nelson who are closing in on the promotion places, whilst AFC Darwen came from behind to defeat Prestwich Heys 2-1 with the best attendance of the Division - 226!
Lastly, a six-goal thriller at St Helens Town saw the home side defeat Chadderton 4-2 in a thriller for the 96 paying spectators.
Whilst in the NWCFL First Division South, there were a few surprises at the top. Leaders Vauxhall Motors ended the year with a defeat. They were leading 2-0 at the break, but a rousing Ellesmere Rangers rocketed four-second half goals to run out 4-2 winners.
Second-place FC Oswestry Town was heading for a defeat, but three second-half goals spun the game - winnings 4-2 at Cheadle Heath Nomads.
Meanwhile, Cheadle Town moved up for 12th in the table with a 4-0 win at Eccleshall, New Mills gained all three points away at Maine Road - winning 2-1, and a 49th minute Lucas Baker goal saw Sandbach United collect all three points against Abbey Hulton United - the game ending 1-0.
St Martins pulled off a superb 2-2 draw against West Didsbury & Chorlton - narrowing the gap at the bottom of the table, whilst Stockport Town and Stone Old Alleynians could only manage a 1-1 draw.
Abbey Hey fans were just collecting their belongings and heading for the exit with all three points, but a 96th minute Steven Yarwood finish spoilt their day as Wythenshawe Town snatched a late 1-1 draw.
The action returns next Saturday when all 60 NWCFL sides are playing.
The main photograph is by Ashton Town Chairman Mark Hayes, moments before their game against Pilkington.
