Five Things We Learned 2023/24 - Gameweek 19
Wed 6th December 2023 | | By Jay Cooper
1. Tuesday night cup-sets
There was quite a lot of matches that did and didn’t happen last night, and almost all of them were in some form of cup competition, as is traditionally expected on a Tuesday night. Of 11 eleven scheduled cup matches that we hoped to see, 7 were able to take place on time, and some of those matches brough classic cup-sets with them.
Both Bacup Borough and Padiham faced off against Northern premier League opposition in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy - Atherton Collieries and Radcliffe, respectively, and both came away with memorable 2-1 away victories. Elsewhere First Division South Stockport Georgians managed to get one over on premier Division Wythenshawe Town in the Macron Cup, and FC St Helens were given a bye in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy due to Rochdale's withdrawal from the competition.
2. Macron moments
Stockport Georgians and Wythenshawe Town weren't the only sides in Macron Cup contests on Tuesday night. Two other games were able to go ahead in the cold, and it was a night of penalty prowess for Prestwich Heys. Man on fire Greg Daniels bagged 2 spot kick goals in normal time, and Heys won a shootout 7-6 after a 2-2 draw with Prem leaders Wythenshawe.
Elsewhere, Longridge Town were pushed right to the wire by fellow PR-postcode club Garstang. The First Division North side took a 1-0 away lead on 37 minutes through Harris Bailey, but a quick response from Aaron Hewitt and a late winner from Joel Stringer were enough for Lee Ashcroft's men to advance. New Mills against Route One Rovers was another victim of the weekend's weather.
3. Wembley draws nearer in the Vase
We had another draw for the Isuzu FA Vase take place between last week's list and this week's, with 6 NWCFL sides still fighting for a place in the Fourth Round proper. And we are guaranteed at least one of those teams to progress, as Ashville and South Liverpool will square off with one another for the right to face either Lincoln united or Congleton Town on January 13th.
Elsewhere, all of Ramsbottom United, Irlam, West Didsbury and Chorlton and Charnock Richard learned their fates if they are able to get past Hallam, Whickham, Emley and Carlisle City, respectively. If both West and Charnock pick up a W, then they will face one another in the last 32.
4. I spoke too soon, didn't I?
I'd like to formally apologise for bringing to the attention of the universe the fact that there were quite a large handful of matches involving NWCFL teams last weekend that were not postponed due to the weather. As a result of my crimes, it seems that action last weekend, was very very limited. I guess Tuesday's busy evening somewhat made up for that.
From the First Divisions North and South, there is quite literally nothing to tell you about from the weekend, as all of Saturday's scheduled games were postponed. The Premier Division fared slightly better, as I will now share with you...
5. Chaddy and Squires Gate gaining ground
Chadderton are one of the teams to beat in the Premier Division this season, to the point where you almost forget that they were only promoted via the play-offs in Spring. Ben Greenidge and Carl Taylor's team are on a better run than any of their compatriots in the league at the moment, and that carried on at the weekend with a 2-1 win away at Burscough, who are in desperate need of a win ASAP, having lost their last 7 in all competitions.
Elsewhere, in the day's late kick off, Squires Gate made the most of their flight across to the Isle of Man. Two James Boyd penalties and a very late James Hughes goal were enough to wipe away the worries after Michael Williams' early goal for FC Isle of Man and seal a 3-1 win. Those 3 points move Gate 4 ahead of 2nd-bottom Burscough, and, if results go their way next weekend, they could leapfrog both Glossop North End and Cheadle Town in the table.
Five Things We Learned 2023/24 - Gameweek 19
Wed 6th December 2023 |
By Jay Cooper
1. Tuesday night cup-sets
There was quite a lot of matches that did and didn’t happen last night, and almost all of them were in some form of cup competition, as is traditionally expected on a Tuesday night. Of 11 eleven scheduled cup matches that we hoped to see, 7 were able to take place on time, and some of those matches brough classic cup-sets with them.
Both Bacup Borough and Padiham faced off against Northern premier League opposition in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy - Atherton Collieries and Radcliffe, respectively, and both came away with memorable 2-1 away victories. Elsewhere First Division South Stockport Georgians managed to get one over on premier Division Wythenshawe Town in the Macron Cup, and FC St Helens were given a bye in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy due to Rochdale's withdrawal from the competition.
2. Macron moments
Stockport Georgians and Wythenshawe Town weren't the only sides in Macron Cup contests on Tuesday night. Two other games were able to go ahead in the cold, and it was a night of penalty prowess for Prestwich Heys. Man on fire Greg Daniels bagged 2 spot kick goals in normal time, and Heys won a shootout 7-6 after a 2-2 draw with Prem leaders Wythenshawe.
Elsewhere, Longridge Town were pushed right to the wire by fellow PR-postcode club Garstang. The First Division North side took a 1-0 away lead on 37 minutes through Harris Bailey, but a quick response from Aaron Hewitt and a late winner from Joel Stringer were enough for Lee Ashcroft's men to advance. New Mills against Route One Rovers was another victim of the weekend's weather.
3. Wembley draws nearer in the Vase
We had another draw for the Isuzu FA Vase take place between last week's list and this week's, with 6 NWCFL sides still fighting for a place in the Fourth Round proper. And we are guaranteed at least one of those teams to progress, as Ashville and South Liverpool will square off with one another for the right to face either Lincoln united or Congleton Town on January 13th.
Elsewhere, all of Ramsbottom United, Irlam, West Didsbury and Chorlton and Charnock Richard learned their fates if they are able to get past Hallam, Whickham, Emley and Carlisle City, respectively. If both West and Charnock pick up a W, then they will face one another in the last 32.
4. I spoke too soon, didn't I?
I'd like to formally apologise for bringing to the attention of the universe the fact that there were quite a large handful of matches involving NWCFL teams last weekend that were not postponed due to the weather. As a result of my crimes, it seems that action last weekend, was very very limited. I guess Tuesday's busy evening somewhat made up for that.
From the First Divisions North and South, there is quite literally nothing to tell you about from the weekend, as all of Saturday's scheduled games were postponed. The Premier Division fared slightly better, as I will now share with you...
5. Chaddy and Squires Gate gaining ground
Chadderton are one of the teams to beat in the Premier Division this season, to the point where you almost forget that they were only promoted via the play-offs in Spring. Ben Greenidge and Carl Taylor's team are on a better run than any of their compatriots in the league at the moment, and that carried on at the weekend with a 2-1 win away at Burscough, who are in desperate need of a win ASAP, having lost their last 7 in all competitions.
Elsewhere, in the day's late kick off, Squires Gate made the most of their flight across to the Isle of Man. Two James Boyd penalties and a very late James Hughes goal were enough to wipe away the worries after Michael Williams' early goal for FC Isle of Man and seal a 3-1 win. Those 3 points move Gate 4 ahead of 2nd-bottom Burscough, and, if results go their way next weekend, they could leapfrog both Glossop North End and Cheadle Town in the table.
