Week 26: Preview
Fri 16th January 2026 | Match Reviews | By Jay Cooper
It’s FA Vase time, for the first time in 2026! Let’s see who is facing whom this weekend…
Saturday:
Isuzu FA Vase, 4th Round:
Five flag-flyers remain from the NWCFL in this season’s Isuzu FA Vase – the final is still a long way away, but there is a 100% guarantee that at least one of our sides will be in the hat for Round Five. Premier Division West Didsbury & Chorlton and Nelson, from the First Division North, will battle at the Step Places Stadium to take one step closer to Wembley.
Elsewhere, there’s three more NWCFL ready to fight for their right to advance in this season’s competition, and all of them have home games to come this weekend. Chadderton, from the Prem, will welcome North Shields; Droylsden, fifth in the First Division North right now, will host Sherwood Collery; and South Liverpool, also from the top table, will entertain last season’s First Division South winner, and current Midlands League side Winsford United.
Lancashire Challenge Trophy, 2nd Round:
Just like the West/Nelson clash from the Vase, there’s a meeting between two NWCFL sides in a non-NWCFL competition also taking place in the Lancs Challenge Trophy. And again, it’s a First Division North side hoping to upset the odds over a Prem outfit, with Daisy Hill hosting Longridge Town.
Premier Division:
Once again, former league leaders Padiham were stopped from attempting to regain their spot at the top of the table due to Mother Nature. Maybe third time is the charm this weekend as they are scheduled to meet FC St Helens at home, with the visitors having dropped out of the play-off places due to their own lack of games.
The team that swept up top spot in their absence was Wythenshawe, who also didn’t play last weekend due to a frozen pitch. With any luck, there will be no such roadblocks to contend with as they go on the road to Euxton Villa, who are coming into this one having played only their second game in a month and a half in midweek, with a run of four wins under their belt.
With West playing in the Vase, fifth-placed Burscough have the chance to further cement their newly acquired play-off position when they go on the road to meet Cheadle Town on Saturday; should they lose, FC St Helens will have the chance to catch right up to them in the table, as will sixth-placed Irlam, who will be away at third-bottom Abbey Hey this weekend.
Finally, from inside the play-off places, there’s Ramsbottom United, immovable from within the top three, it would seem. Their test this weekend come in the form of a journey to the Asgard Engineering Stadium to face competitive mid-table outfit Glossop North End – should all results this weekend go the hosts’ way, Glossop have the potential to jump from 13th to ninth in one bound.
Just one point separates Prestwich Heys and Atherton LR ahead of a meeting between these two sides on Saturday, with the hosts looking to outdo and leapfrog the visitors – if there is a winner of this game, they would also sneak past Stockport Town, who aren’t playing this weekend, and into ninth place.
From the lower mid-table, there’s also two games to bring to your attention. There’s another game between two sides within touching distance of one another, as 29-point Barnoldswick Town welcome 27-point AFC Liverpool to the Silentnight Stadium; and second bottom City of Liverpool are scheduled to face 15th placed Charnock Richard.
First Division North:
Despite defeat amidst a very crowded title picture in the North, Thornton Cleveleys held onto top spot last weekend after defeat to MSB Woolton. They will be hoping to right the ship this time around with a home fixture against Colne. Woolton, meanwhile, will be attempting to build on their victory by further solidifying their place in the play-offs with a Saturday visit to Holker Old Boys.
Both Droylsden and Nelson are otherwise occupied in the Vase this Saturday, and both Blackpool-based sides, Squires Gate and AFC Blackpool, aren’t scheduled to perform. With that in mind, the door is open for both Ashton Town and Darwen FC, who will meet in a six-pointer, to make abeeline for the play-offs.
Two more sides currently with one eye on the top five are eighth-placed Maghull, who will travel to Fulwood Amateurs; and 10th placed Bacup Borough, who will play hosts to Garstang on Saturday.
Away from the ever-expanding title picture, there is one game to bring your way this weekend. Bottom side Ashton Athletic have a golden opportunity to change that distinction and draw level with the safety spots, provided they can take maximum points away from Steeton on the road.
First Division South:
Just four points separate the four teams within the play-off places in the South right now, and two of the sides within those places will go toe to toe this weekend, barring anything unforeseen, Second-placed Eccleshall will welcome fifth-placed Stafford Town to the Stoke Signage Stadium.
The sides around them are also in action on Saturday, with third-placed Telford Town scheduled to play host to Cammell Laird 1907; and fourth-placed Stockport Georgians also pencilled in for a home fixture against Wolves Casuals.
Sitting above all of those listed teams, refusing to give an inch atop the table, are Runcorn Town, who’s 12-point lead already looks unassailable, but could become even more so if they can record a victory on the road against Market Drayton Town this Saturday.
Both Sandbach United and Barnton remain within touching distance of the top five, despite neither side getting on the pitch last weekend. With any luck, both teams’ fortunes will change this time around, with United scheduled to welcome Foley Meir; and Barnton readying up to battle Cheadle Heath Nomads.
The battle within the play-off places is a hotly contested one, but even finer is the gap between ninth and 11th, with all three sides pencilled in for action this coming Saturday. The best placed of those sides right now are New Mills, whose goal difference keeps them above Ashville – the former will travel to Shawbury United, whilst the latter will welcome Haughmond.
Hoping both sides directly above them fail to maximise their points total this weekend will be Allscott Heath, who have the potential to jump all the way up to eighth from 11th if all results go their way – they would need claim a victory at Wood Park against Alsager Town to have any chance at such a feat.
Week 26: Preview
Fri 16th January 2026 | Match Reviews
By Jay Cooper
It’s FA Vase time, for the first time in 2026! Let’s see who is facing whom this weekend…
Saturday:
Isuzu FA Vase, 4th Round:
Five flag-flyers remain from the NWCFL in this season’s Isuzu FA Vase – the final is still a long way away, but there is a 100% guarantee that at least one of our sides will be in the hat for Round Five. Premier Division West Didsbury & Chorlton and Nelson, from the First Division North, will battle at the Step Places Stadium to take one step closer to Wembley.
Elsewhere, there’s three more NWCFL ready to fight for their right to advance in this season’s competition, and all of them have home games to come this weekend. Chadderton, from the Prem, will welcome North Shields; Droylsden, fifth in the First Division North right now, will host Sherwood Collery; and South Liverpool, also from the top table, will entertain last season’s First Division South winner, and current Midlands League side Winsford United.
Lancashire Challenge Trophy, 2nd Round:
Just like the West/Nelson clash from the Vase, there’s a meeting between two NWCFL sides in a non-NWCFL competition also taking place in the Lancs Challenge Trophy. And again, it’s a First Division North side hoping to upset the odds over a Prem outfit, with Daisy Hill hosting Longridge Town.
Premier Division:
Once again, former league leaders Padiham were stopped from attempting to regain their spot at the top of the table due to Mother Nature. Maybe third time is the charm this weekend as they are scheduled to meet FC St Helens at home, with the visitors having dropped out of the play-off places due to their own lack of games.
The team that swept up top spot in their absence was Wythenshawe, who also didn’t play last weekend due to a frozen pitch. With any luck, there will be no such roadblocks to contend with as they go on the road to Euxton Villa, who are coming into this one having played only their second game in a month and a half in midweek, with a run of four wins under their belt.
With West playing in the Vase, fifth-placed Burscough have the chance to further cement their newly acquired play-off position when they go on the road to meet Cheadle Town on Saturday; should they lose, FC St Helens will have the chance to catch right up to them in the table, as will sixth-placed Irlam, who will be away at third-bottom Abbey Hey this weekend.
Finally, from inside the play-off places, there’s Ramsbottom United, immovable from within the top three, it would seem. Their test this weekend come in the form of a journey to the Asgard Engineering Stadium to face competitive mid-table outfit Glossop North End – should all results this weekend go the hosts’ way, Glossop have the potential to jump from 13th to ninth in one bound.
Just one point separates Prestwich Heys and Atherton LR ahead of a meeting between these two sides on Saturday, with the hosts looking to outdo and leapfrog the visitors – if there is a winner of this game, they would also sneak past Stockport Town, who aren’t playing this weekend, and into ninth place.
From the lower mid-table, there’s also two games to bring to your attention. There’s another game between two sides within touching distance of one another, as 29-point Barnoldswick Town welcome 27-point AFC Liverpool to the Silentnight Stadium; and second bottom City of Liverpool are scheduled to face 15th placed Charnock Richard.
First Division North:
Despite defeat amidst a very crowded title picture in the North, Thornton Cleveleys held onto top spot last weekend after defeat to MSB Woolton. They will be hoping to right the ship this time around with a home fixture against Colne. Woolton, meanwhile, will be attempting to build on their victory by further solidifying their place in the play-offs with a Saturday visit to Holker Old Boys.
Both Droylsden and Nelson are otherwise occupied in the Vase this Saturday, and both Blackpool-based sides, Squires Gate and AFC Blackpool, aren’t scheduled to perform. With that in mind, the door is open for both Ashton Town and Darwen FC, who will meet in a six-pointer, to make abeeline for the play-offs.
Two more sides currently with one eye on the top five are eighth-placed Maghull, who will travel to Fulwood Amateurs; and 10th placed Bacup Borough, who will play hosts to Garstang on Saturday.
Away from the ever-expanding title picture, there is one game to bring your way this weekend. Bottom side Ashton Athletic have a golden opportunity to change that distinction and draw level with the safety spots, provided they can take maximum points away from Steeton on the road.
First Division South:
Just four points separate the four teams within the play-off places in the South right now, and two of the sides within those places will go toe to toe this weekend, barring anything unforeseen, Second-placed Eccleshall will welcome fifth-placed Stafford Town to the Stoke Signage Stadium.
The sides around them are also in action on Saturday, with third-placed Telford Town scheduled to play host to Cammell Laird 1907; and fourth-placed Stockport Georgians also pencilled in for a home fixture against Wolves Casuals.
Sitting above all of those listed teams, refusing to give an inch atop the table, are Runcorn Town, who’s 12-point lead already looks unassailable, but could become even more so if they can record a victory on the road against Market Drayton Town this Saturday.
Both Sandbach United and Barnton remain within touching distance of the top five, despite neither side getting on the pitch last weekend. With any luck, both teams’ fortunes will change this time around, with United scheduled to welcome Foley Meir; and Barnton readying up to battle Cheadle Heath Nomads.
The battle within the play-off places is a hotly contested one, but even finer is the gap between ninth and 11th, with all three sides pencilled in for action this coming Saturday. The best placed of those sides right now are New Mills, whose goal difference keeps them above Ashville – the former will travel to Shawbury United, whilst the latter will welcome Haughmond.
Hoping both sides directly above them fail to maximise their points total this weekend will be Allscott Heath, who have the potential to jump all the way up to eighth from 11th if all results go their way – they would need claim a victory at Wood Park against Alsager Town to have any chance at such a feat.
