REACTIONS: NWCFL Managers give their thoughts on their NWCFL First Division North and South results

Sun 29th December 2019 | Manager Reactions | By Craig Kendall

NWCFL First Division North

Nelson manager Andy Harrison, "I wasn't able to make the game due to my final game being banned, but I'm told it was a pretty even first half, maybe Blackpool just edging it. Half time we went in 1-1 and second half we put them to the sword scoring four. Game finishing 5-1 and ending the year on a high. 

"A special mention to my players and management team who have been unbelievable this last 12 months. Boxing Day was hard to take but today we bounced back with a vengeance. And that's what we are about. We have an unreal spirit and togetherness that is now evident with the results we are getting and considering where we were just 18 months ago we have come so so far, and that's a credit to all.

"Here's to a successful 2020."

AFC Darwen manager Kenny Langford, "Another great result for us today. We had a player sent off after 26 minutes for a 50-50 tackle. but the lads worked hard and we got the right result." 

Ashton Town manager Lee Bignell, "Today was always going to be a tough fixture against a very well organised Pilks. After last week’s performance, we needed the lads to show a good reaction and they did that. First half we played well but the second half we came out sloppy an allowed Pilks to get in the game.

"We made a few changes an then started to get a bit of joy. The late equaliser and then to go and nick it at the end shows my lads have the desire and character to keep going. Yeah, a draw would probably have been a fair result an I do feel for Pilks with both sides having a few good chances throughout and to lose right at the death is always hard to take but I’ll take that and it ends are year with a win so am happy."

Pilkington manager Ste Palfrey," unfortunately, the referee didn't get a new watch for Christmas, but I'm proud of the lads in that they put so much effort in to dominate another derby game 48 hours after the drama of Boxing Day.

"I'm more than confident we are moving in the right direction and given time this squad of players will become a force in this league."

Lower Breck manager Gary Moore, "I am disappointed not to come away from Cleator Moor with all 3 points today with us two nil up at half time. Hard to be critical of the lads with our keeper going off injured without a sub keeper available and then getting a man sent off but we have to see the game out simple. 

"We have to take the point on the chin and with our nearest challenges beaten at home we stretch our lead going into the new year."

St Helens Town manager David Platt, "Great to bounce back from Thursday's defeat with a win against a decent Chadderton side. We were able to get ahead very early and that gave us breathing space as Chadderton then played well and had the better of the rest of the half. The two goals by Obua Mugalula (Obz) were great bits of skill and the turn and shot by Christie Devlin was class.

"Chadderton would feel unlucky not to have at least one goal by the half though. Second half we stepped it up again and I think just shaded a hard-fought half. Neil weaver effectively killed the game with a top corner curling finish from outside the box so even a late mix up between our right back and keeper to gift them a goal didn't look like changing the result." 

Chadderton manager David Fish, "After a good win on boxing day today was disappointing and we've thrown away a chance to start to build some momentum. 

"I felt we were flat during the warm-up and despite focusing on the importance of a quick start in the team talk we just didn't come out of the blocks. Credit to St Helens they started quickly and took advantage of our slow start, their finishing was clinical too with the three goals in the opening 12 minutes coming from three shots. I think they only had six shots on target in the whole game. 

"Once we woke up after 15 minutes we were the better side, but couldn't find the goal before half time that I felt we needed if we were to take anything from the game. We had six or seven good chances to score in the first half and only really worked Their keeper once which has been a recurring problem this season."

Steeton manager Roy Mason, "We didn't play with the intensity that we have of late & we were second to most things and I've no complaints with the scoreline - Garstang played the pitch better than us & executed their game plan better than us. We need to realise how to win ugly at times & that pretty football isn't always going to be effective especially when the pitches are heavy. "

NWCFL First Division South

Cheadle Heath Nomads manager Andy Gray," Once again a game of two halves. We have not managed to amass any points in December and although we've had some tough fixtures, we should have got something out of the games.

"This was another example of how it's going for us. We were the better team first half and comfortable at 2-0 before they got a late penalty to get them into the break at 2-1."

"Second half and two quick goals put us on the back foot. Lack of confidence is flowing through the club at the moment and we'll have to work through it and come out the other side. We had a few chances second half and they were quite comfortable for the most part to be fair. We need to prepare for next week and a big game away at Eccleshall."

Eccleshall manager Kyle Adams, "It's a bad day at the office in all honesty. What disappointed me the most wasn't that we lost but the manner of the defeat. Probably our worst performance of the season over 90 minutes. We seemed flat right from the get-go and there were too many lads just not quite at it today.

"Credit to Cheadle though as they were very good and clinical with the chances that they created. We couldn't deal with Pat Davin upfront and he punished us with the three goals.

"Not playing Boxing Day gave us a bit of a rest but in truth, it may be hampered us in terms of killing a bit of momentum. All sides lose games though and it's how quickly we can bounce back now, so Saturday can't come soon enough."

Cheadle Town manager Liam Brownhill," From start to finish the boys were different class this team gets better and better each week! Me and Meads are getting the best out of them and to beat fifth in the table away 4-0 Just shows you how far this team has come!

"From second bottom to 12th going into the New Year let’s see where it takes us."

Maine Road manager Ray Barnet," A win today would have been a great way to end 2019 and stay unbeaten in December but it wasn't meant to be.

"It was always going to be a tough game, we played in the derby against West Didsbury on Boxing Day on such a heavy pitch which took its toll on the lads legs, a few missing with illness and being away and with New Mills on an upward spiral and fresh legs as their Boxing Day was postponed we had to dig deep to try and get a performance 

"As a spectator I guess it was quite an entertaining game but as a manager, it was difficult to watch as we struggled to compete with the lively New Mills lads and a very poor penalty decision gave the visitors an early lead.

"We levelled the game up as a good run down the wing and low cross from Ryan Smith is met by Jamie Roe although New Mills had enough good chances to go in at half time two or three ahead but denied by some excellent goalkeeping from Conrad Betton

"I thought we controlled the second half for the first 30 minutes without creating much but we looked tired and even the substitutions didn't make much difference today and New Mills sealed the points late on for a deserved victory.

"The lads gave everything they had today and I am so proud of them as I have no idea how they were still standing at the end. "

Stockport Town manager Adam Jones, "To be disappointed to drop two points against third in the league shows how far we've come.

"We controlled the game for large parts and at times played some brilliant football. Their manager said we are the best team they have played this season so we can take confidence from that leading into 2020, Happy New Year. "

Vauxhall Motors manager Mick McGraa," A game of two half’s. Go in at half time 2-0 up should have been 4/5 then come out and give are worst performance all season and get beat 4-2 and fully deserved victory for Ellesmere Range. Time to bounce back." 

Ellesmere Rangers manager Connor Courtney, "Game of two halves today. We started brightly but gave away two sloppy goals against a sharp Vauxhall Motors attack. A few stern words at the half time got us going and we were a completely different side second half.

"I started the comeback with a 25-yard strike. We kept pressing and got our rewards from Melusi setting two up for Briscoe, one being a great finish into the top corner. With 15 minutes to go, a mix up at the back allowed Price through for the fourth and we rode the storm to see out a great victory for the lads. Myself and Brownie immensely proud of all involved and the great escape continue."

Main photograph by John Chapman from Garstang's 4-1 away win at Steeton.