Week 20: Summary
Mon 8th December 2025 | Match Reviews | By Martin Fallon
Weekend 16 saw action this weekend from the Third Round of the Isuzu FA Vase and all three divisions of the league.
Isuzu FA Vase
Nelson and Droylsden rewrote the history books on Saturday as they advanced into the Fourth Round of the Isuzu FA Vase for the very first time.
It was something of an East Lancashire derby as Ramsbottom United hosted Nelson, with both sides doing well in their respective divisions this season. The first half was a tight affair with Ryan Bolton opening the scoring for Nelson ten minutes into the second half. Eight minutes later, Nelson were awarded a penalty that Finley Devenney despatched, with James Kemp making it three with 19 minutes remaining. Nelson saw out the game to record a 3-0 win.
Droylsden hosted Fulwood Amateurs in an all-First Division North affair, and this was also a tight affair for most of the match. It wasn't until ten minutes from time that Liam Moran put the Bloods ahead, with Caelan Kilheeney securing a 2-0 win from the penalty spot with just two minutes of normal time remaining.
South Liverpool will join them in the Fourth Round after a 3-0 win at NCEL side Albion Sports. A Neil Weaver double inside the first 17 minutes put them in control, with Sullivan Barker adding a third nine minutes into the second half. South comfortably saw out the rest of the game to make the Fourth Round for the the second time in three seasons.
Chadderton also reached the Fourth Round for only the second time as they beat Burscough, the last time coming back in 2014/15 season. They hosted Burscough, and with both sides doing well, it was no surprise that this was a tight game. There was nothing to seperate them over the 90 minutes, which meant a penalty shoot out. Again it was close with just one miss, with Chadderton winning 5-4 from the spot.
West Didsbury & Chorlton have done superb in the Vase in recent seasons, reaching the Quarter Finals in 2022/23 and at least the Third Round in every season since. They are once again in the Fourth Round after a 3-0 win at Rossington Main, with Lewis Billingsley settling any early nerves by putting them ahead after just 11 minutes. West had to wait until just before the hour for the second, with Billy Matthews on target, and with Rossington pushing on, Victor Abadaki made it three with a goal ten minutes from time.
Five ties played with five sides through is the best that we could hope for as a league. It could be six as Prestwich Heys' clash at Winsford United was postponed due to the weather. They will try again next Saturday afternoon.
Premier Division
Padiham remain top of the Premier Division, but saw their lead cut as they went down 4-1 at home to Cheadle Town. It looked good for the Storks when Jack Price put them ahead just before the half hour mark, but by half time they found themselves trailing. First Liam Delaney equalised from the penalty spot on 37 minutes, with Danny Byrnes putting Cheadle ahead two minutes later. Isaac Noble then made it three just nine minutes into the second half, with Darren McKnight adding a fourth on 65 minutes.
Wythenshawe are now second, a point behind Padiham with a game in hand after a 2-1 win at City of Liverpool. Sandro Da Costa put them ahead after just four minutes, with Princewill Anuniru doubling the lead on 29 minutes. With the Purps shipping goals lately, their heads could have dropped but to their credit they battled on and made it a tense finish when Alex Priestley pulled one back with nine minutes to go.
Ramsbottom United and West Didsbury & Chorlton are next with both in FA Vase action, with FC St Helens now occupying the final play off spot after a superb win at Stockport Town. Liam Cuthbert put them ahead just before half time, with Harry Hagan making it two on 71 minutes. The scoreline was doubled in stoppage time, with Joe Barker hitting a brace.
Litherland REMYCA and Abbey Hey occupy the relegation spots at the moment and both went down to heavy away defeats. REMY lost 4-1 at Glossop North End, with Jacques Etia scoring twice for them. Abbey lost 3-0 at AFC Liverpool with Elliot Taylor scoring twice for them.
City of Liverpool are third bottom with FC Isle of Man increasing the gap on them after a 2-2 draw at home to Irlam. The Ravens twice led in that game with Charlie Higgins getting both of their goals, and they were denied victory five minutes in stoppage time when Mason Everton levelled for Irlam.
Atherton LR scored a goal in each half as they beat Barnoldswick Town 2-0. The final game saw Euxton Villa leading at Pilkington, with this game abandoned on 35 minutes due to a serious injury to a Pilkington player.
First Division North
Ashton Town are the new leaders of the First Division North after a 1-1 draw at Thornton Cleveleys. It looked like they would take all three points after leading through Michael Howard's goal on 18 minutes, however the home side levelled four minutes into stoppage time through Kyle Higham.
They are now a point clear of Maghull who slip to second after a 2-1 defeat at Squires Gate. Wil Hoey put Maghull ahead on 69 minutes, but two goals in three minutes from Ivanilson Da Silva and Dean Ing turned things around with Gate grabbing the win.
MSB Woolton jumped out of the drop zone after a 3-1 win over bottom placed Garstang. The visitors actually took the lead there before Woolton turned it around.
The final game saw Nick Hepple score twice for Darwen at Ashton Athletic, his side denied a win with Ashton levelling in the last minute to draw 2-2.
First Division South
Runcorn Town remain top of the First Division South in what was a heavily affected schedule, with just two games beating the bad weather that affected the south side of our area.
Stafford Town took advantage of their 3G surface to beat Shawbury United 5-0. Matthew Hearsey grabbed a hat-trick in that game, with Stafford climbing up to third in the league table.
There was also a hat-trick in the other game, with Armando Wood scoring three times for Allscott Heath in their 4-1 away win at Cheadle Heath Nomads.
Thornton Cleveleys score in stoppage time to rescue a point against Ashton Town in difficult conditions. Photo from Thornton on X!
Week 20: Summary
Mon 8th December 2025 | Match Reviews
By Martin Fallon
Weekend 16 saw action this weekend from the Third Round of the Isuzu FA Vase and all three divisions of the league.
Isuzu FA Vase
Nelson and Droylsden rewrote the history books on Saturday as they advanced into the Fourth Round of the Isuzu FA Vase for the very first time.
It was something of an East Lancashire derby as Ramsbottom United hosted Nelson, with both sides doing well in their respective divisions this season. The first half was a tight affair with Ryan Bolton opening the scoring for Nelson ten minutes into the second half. Eight minutes later, Nelson were awarded a penalty that Finley Devenney despatched, with James Kemp making it three with 19 minutes remaining. Nelson saw out the game to record a 3-0 win.
Droylsden hosted Fulwood Amateurs in an all-First Division North affair, and this was also a tight affair for most of the match. It wasn't until ten minutes from time that Liam Moran put the Bloods ahead, with Caelan Kilheeney securing a 2-0 win from the penalty spot with just two minutes of normal time remaining.
South Liverpool will join them in the Fourth Round after a 3-0 win at NCEL side Albion Sports. A Neil Weaver double inside the first 17 minutes put them in control, with Sullivan Barker adding a third nine minutes into the second half. South comfortably saw out the rest of the game to make the Fourth Round for the the second time in three seasons.
Chadderton also reached the Fourth Round for only the second time as they beat Burscough, the last time coming back in 2014/15 season. They hosted Burscough, and with both sides doing well, it was no surprise that this was a tight game. There was nothing to seperate them over the 90 minutes, which meant a penalty shoot out. Again it was close with just one miss, with Chadderton winning 5-4 from the spot.
West Didsbury & Chorlton have done superb in the Vase in recent seasons, reaching the Quarter Finals in 2022/23 and at least the Third Round in every season since. They are once again in the Fourth Round after a 3-0 win at Rossington Main, with Lewis Billingsley settling any early nerves by putting them ahead after just 11 minutes. West had to wait until just before the hour for the second, with Billy Matthews on target, and with Rossington pushing on, Victor Abadaki made it three with a goal ten minutes from time.
Five ties played with five sides through is the best that we could hope for as a league. It could be six as Prestwich Heys' clash at Winsford United was postponed due to the weather. They will try again next Saturday afternoon.
Premier Division
Padiham remain top of the Premier Division, but saw their lead cut as they went down 4-1 at home to Cheadle Town. It looked good for the Storks when Jack Price put them ahead just before the half hour mark, but by half time they found themselves trailing. First Liam Delaney equalised from the penalty spot on 37 minutes, with Danny Byrnes putting Cheadle ahead two minutes later. Isaac Noble then made it three just nine minutes into the second half, with Darren McKnight adding a fourth on 65 minutes.
Wythenshawe are now second, a point behind Padiham with a game in hand after a 2-1 win at City of Liverpool. Sandro Da Costa put them ahead after just four minutes, with Princewill Anuniru doubling the lead on 29 minutes. With the Purps shipping goals lately, their heads could have dropped but to their credit they battled on and made it a tense finish when Alex Priestley pulled one back with nine minutes to go.
Ramsbottom United and West Didsbury & Chorlton are next with both in FA Vase action, with FC St Helens now occupying the final play off spot after a superb win at Stockport Town. Liam Cuthbert put them ahead just before half time, with Harry Hagan making it two on 71 minutes. The scoreline was doubled in stoppage time, with Joe Barker hitting a brace.
Litherland REMYCA and Abbey Hey occupy the relegation spots at the moment and both went down to heavy away defeats. REMY lost 4-1 at Glossop North End, with Jacques Etia scoring twice for them. Abbey lost 3-0 at AFC Liverpool with Elliot Taylor scoring twice for them.
City of Liverpool are third bottom with FC Isle of Man increasing the gap on them after a 2-2 draw at home to Irlam. The Ravens twice led in that game with Charlie Higgins getting both of their goals, and they were denied victory five minutes in stoppage time when Mason Everton levelled for Irlam.
Atherton LR scored a goal in each half as they beat Barnoldswick Town 2-0. The final game saw Euxton Villa leading at Pilkington, with this game abandoned on 35 minutes due to a serious injury to a Pilkington player.
First Division North
Ashton Town are the new leaders of the First Division North after a 1-1 draw at Thornton Cleveleys. It looked like they would take all three points after leading through Michael Howard's goal on 18 minutes, however the home side levelled four minutes into stoppage time through Kyle Higham.
They are now a point clear of Maghull who slip to second after a 2-1 defeat at Squires Gate. Wil Hoey put Maghull ahead on 69 minutes, but two goals in three minutes from Ivanilson Da Silva and Dean Ing turned things around with Gate grabbing the win.
MSB Woolton jumped out of the drop zone after a 3-1 win over bottom placed Garstang. The visitors actually took the lead there before Woolton turned it around.
The final game saw Nick Hepple score twice for Darwen at Ashton Athletic, his side denied a win with Ashton levelling in the last minute to draw 2-2.
First Division South
Runcorn Town remain top of the First Division South in what was a heavily affected schedule, with just two games beating the bad weather that affected the south side of our area.
Stafford Town took advantage of their 3G surface to beat Shawbury United 5-0. Matthew Hearsey grabbed a hat-trick in that game, with Stafford climbing up to third in the league table.
There was also a hat-trick in the other game, with Armando Wood scoring three times for Allscott Heath in their 4-1 away win at Cheadle Heath Nomads.
Thornton Cleveleys score in stoppage time to rescue a point against Ashton Town in difficult conditions. Photo from Thornton on X!
