Review of the opening weekend's Division One North games
Mon 31st July 2023 | Match Reviews | By Steven Oldham
World Sport Focus's Owner and Journalist, Steven Oldham (@spoldham) has taken a look at the weekends Division One North games and the various permutations that happened across the opening weekend. Steve has analysed all of the weekends games, highlights and early eye catching results as the opening weekend of the NWCFL produced goals and gates galore!
North West Counties new boys Route One Rovers will have raised a few eyebrows with a stonking 5-2 victory over Ashton Town in their first game in the First Division North. The up to now little-known Bradford side – who are groundsharing at Steeton’s Marley Stadium – are making their bow in the division after winning the Yorkshire Amateur League. Ashton Town – who narrowly avoided relegation to the County feeder leagues last season – had taken a 2-0 lead through Carl Peers and Jordan Southworth. Kevin Towey’s side went into the break with a 2-1 advantage. However, Zak Khan eventually hit a hat trick with Musa Jallow also taking a couple of goals to give the home side a stunning win.
There was also a shedload of goals as Darwen were 5-3 victors at Garstang. Leon Creech scored an opening day hat-trick for the visitors, with Brayden Shaw hitting an early brace. Garstang were briefly 3-2 ahead, but went in to the break trailing 4-2 and Creech’s third sealed the deal 20 minutes from time.
Runcorn Town picked up a strong 3-0 result over Nelson thanks to Matt Ball’s brace and one from Gary Robinson.
Last season’s playoff contenders all kicked off with three points, with FC St Helens wrapping up a 1-0 away at Holker Old Boys thanks to Tom Scarborough’s first half goal. Ilkley Town were also victorious, beating AFC Blackpool 2-1 at the MPM Stadium. Euxton Villa brushed Shelley Community 3-0 in front of a crowd of 129.
Elsewhere, ten-man Atherton Laburnum Rovers thrashed Steeton 4-0 at Crilly Park with all four goals coming in the first 45, including two for Lewis Rawsthorn. Bacup Borough began their season with a 2-0 win over South Liverpool, while recently relegated Ashton Athletic played out the division’s only draw in a 1-1 result against Daisy Hill.
A big thank you to Steve for taking a look at the games for us and you can catch Steve at worldsportfocus.wordpress.com or on twitter @spoldham
Review of the opening weekend's Division One North games
Mon 31st July 2023 | Match Reviews
By Steven Oldham
World Sport Focus's Owner and Journalist, Steven Oldham (@spoldham) has taken a look at the weekends Division One North games and the various permutations that happened across the opening weekend. Steve has analysed all of the weekends games, highlights and early eye catching results as the opening weekend of the NWCFL produced goals and gates galore!
North West Counties new boys Route One Rovers will have raised a few eyebrows with a stonking 5-2 victory over Ashton Town in their first game in the First Division North. The up to now little-known Bradford side – who are groundsharing at Steeton’s Marley Stadium – are making their bow in the division after winning the Yorkshire Amateur League. Ashton Town – who narrowly avoided relegation to the County feeder leagues last season – had taken a 2-0 lead through Carl Peers and Jordan Southworth. Kevin Towey’s side went into the break with a 2-1 advantage. However, Zak Khan eventually hit a hat trick with Musa Jallow also taking a couple of goals to give the home side a stunning win.
There was also a shedload of goals as Darwen were 5-3 victors at Garstang. Leon Creech scored an opening day hat-trick for the visitors, with Brayden Shaw hitting an early brace. Garstang were briefly 3-2 ahead, but went in to the break trailing 4-2 and Creech’s third sealed the deal 20 minutes from time.
Runcorn Town picked up a strong 3-0 result over Nelson thanks to Matt Ball’s brace and one from Gary Robinson.
Last season’s playoff contenders all kicked off with three points, with FC St Helens wrapping up a 1-0 away at Holker Old Boys thanks to Tom Scarborough’s first half goal. Ilkley Town were also victorious, beating AFC Blackpool 2-1 at the MPM Stadium. Euxton Villa brushed Shelley Community 3-0 in front of a crowd of 129.
Elsewhere, ten-man Atherton Laburnum Rovers thrashed Steeton 4-0 at Crilly Park with all four goals coming in the first 45, including two for Lewis Rawsthorn. Bacup Borough began their season with a 2-0 win over South Liverpool, while recently relegated Ashton Athletic played out the division’s only draw in a 1-1 result against Daisy Hill.
A big thank you to Steve for taking a look at the games for us and you can catch Steve at worldsportfocus.wordpress.com or on twitter @spoldham
