Week 26: Summary
Mon 19th January 2026 | Match Reviews | By Martin Fallon
Weekend 26 saw action this weekend from the Fourth Round of the Isuzu FA Vase and all three divisions of the league.
Isuzu FA Vase
The NWCFL will have two representatives in the Fifth Round (Last 16) of this seasons FA Vase following Saturday's games.
We were guaranteed at least one as West Didsbury & Chorlton took on Nelson in an all-NWCFL tie. It proved to be a tight game in front of a crowd of 1,075 with Jordan Lazenbury's free kick with 20 minutes remaining separating the sides in a 1-0 win for the home side.
West will be joined in the next round by Droylsden, the First Division North side upsetting United Counties League Premier Division side Sherwood Collieries in a 2-1 win. The Bloods went ahead on 15 minutes through Caelan Kilheeney, with Liam Moran doubling the lead two minutes before half time. Sherwood, a league higher and second in the table coming into the game, pulled one back on 57 minutes through William Norcross, but Droylsden saw out the game to progress.
South Liverpool bowed out with a 5-2 home defeat to our reigning First Division South Champions Winsford United. Ollie Pope put them ahead on 15 minutes with a Kallum Boyle penalty doubling the lead on 21 minutes. Boyle added a second with 12 minutes remaining, but George Murray scored what many thought would be a consolation with five minutes to go. When Murray added a second four minutes into stoppage time, South had hope, but further goals deep into added on time from Niza Chilyufya and a Reece Davies penalty made it 5-2.
Chadderton also bowed out after a 2-0 home defeat to former FA Vase winners North Sheilds. Brandon Slater scored both goals for Sheilds, each of them coming seven minutes from the end of each half.
Lancashire Challenge Trophy
It was a rare Saturday game in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy as Daisy Hill hosted Longridge Town. Liam Atkinson put Longridge ahead on 12 minutes with Liam Sheppard levelling on 32 minutes. That's how it stayed after 90 minutes, with a penalty shootout deciding the winner. In a close shoot out, it was Longridge who progressed in sudden death as they won 7-6 from the spot.
Premier Division
Wythenshawe remain top of the Premier Division after a 3-0 away win at Euxton Villa. Aaron Dwyer put them ahead on 34 minutes with Fraser Goodwin adding a second five minutes into the second half. Dwyer scored again with five minutes remaining to secure an emphatic win.
Padiham remain second after a 2-1 home win against FC St Helens. It was 1-1 at the break with a penalty from each side, Jack Price scoring for Padiham on 20 minutes with Joe Barker doing likewise for St Helens 14 minutes later. The winner came with five minutes to go through Matthew Makinson.
Ramsbottom United are third, seven points off the leaders with two games in hand. They fell behind to an early Oliver Parker goal at Glossop North End, before Luke Sephton levelled on 18 minutes. Matthew Dudley hit the winner for Rammy seven minutes into the second half.
West Didsbury and Chorlton, who were in FA Vase action, are fourth, with Burscough occupying the final Play-Off position despite a goalless draw at Cheadle Town.
Litherland REMYCA remain at the foot of the table after not being in action. The other relegation spot is held by City of Liverpool, who went down to a heavy 8-0 home loss to Charnock Richard. Charnock, who were three goals ahead after just 11 minutes, had seven different goalscorers in that game with Jordan Darr grabbing a brace.
AFC Liverpool also recorded a big win as they won 7-0 at Barnoldswick Town. Daniel Mahaffy, Caleb Jones and Liam Paton all scored twice for the Reds in that game. John Johnston also scored twice for Irlam as they won 3-1 at Abbey Hey. The final game saw Prestwich Heys and Atherton LR play out a goalless draw.
First Division North
Thornton Cleveleys remain top of the First Division North despite being held to a 1-1 draw at home by lowly Colne. Jacob Aspinall put Thornton ahead on 39 minutes only for Benjamin Horne to level midway through the second half for Colne, that point taking them three points clear of the bottom three.
Ashton Town and MSB Woolton are both just a point behind Thornton. Ashton beat Darwen 2-0 with Noah Inneh and recent signing Deklan Hill both on target. Woolton took the lead at Holker Old Boys though Matthew Robinson only for the home side to turn things around through a Jamie Hodgson penalty and a Tom Dawson goal. Woolton snatched a point five minutes into stoppage time through Jacob Barratt.
Droylsden and Nelson occupy the final two Play-Off spots, with both in FA Vase action.
At the bottom are Ashton Athletic who led at Steeton only for the home side to turn things around in the second half and run out eventual 3-1 winners. They are level on points with Maine Road who did not play. Third bottom are Garstang, a point above the bottom two, who went down 4-2 at Bacup Borough.
Fulwood Amateurs made it two successive league victories in the only other game in the division on Saturday as they recorded a comprehensive 3-0 win over Maghull.
First Division South
Leaders Runcorn Town recorded another big victory as they moved 13 points clear at the top of the division with a 7-0 win at Market Drayton Town. A double from Jamie Apperley put them on their way before two goals in three minutes from Connor Spiers and Kieran Alley gave them a four goal cushion at the break. Charlie Harland added a fifth with a Liam Kennington penalty just before the hour making it six, with Matty Vickers rounding off the scoring in the last minute.
Telford Town are up to second after a 3-2 home win against Cammell Laird 1907. Lairds took the lead after nine minutes through Kieran Hamm with Telford levelling on 25 minutes through Andrew Nicol. Just after half time Joe Downey restored Lairds' lead and that's how it stayed until the 71st minute when Joe Fitzpatrick again levelled. With seven minutes remaining, Ryan Nesbitt put Telford ahead and they held on to record the win.
Eccleshall slipped to second after a 2-1 home loss to Stafford Town, the visitors climbing to fourth as a result of that win. Dylan Baily put Staffford ahead after 36 minutes with Matthew Hearsey adding a penalty at the end of the first half. Eccleshall scored a consolation in the stoppage time through Eric Graves.
Stockport Georgians are in the last Play-Off spot after a thrilling 4-4 draw with Wolverhampton Casuals. The visitors opened the scoring on ten minutes through Jack Grimshaw and it looked a sure fire away win with two goals from Lee Chilton either side of half time making it 3-0. However Georgians hit back with Joseph Collins and two from Harry Lynn drawing them level. Joe Cuff then put Casuals back in front, before a stoppage time leveller from Joseph Collins.
At the bottom are the other Wolverhampton team, Sporting Community, who were not in action. They are seven points adrift of Haughmond, who lost 3-2 at Ashville after twice equalising. Third from bottom are Shawbury United, but they did their survival hopes the world of good with a 2-0 win at home to New Mills.
Sandbach United and Foley Meir drew 1-1, with Sandbach levelling in stoppage time there. Alsager Town also scored a stoppage time equaliser in their 2-2 draw at home to Allscott Heath, Luke Nicholls getting both for Alsager. And Barnton drew 0-0 at home to Cheadle Heath Nomads.
Thornton Cleveleys in action in their 1-1 draw at home to Colne. Photo from Thornton on X!
Week 26: Summary
Mon 19th January 2026 | Match Reviews
By Martin Fallon
Weekend 26 saw action this weekend from the Fourth Round of the Isuzu FA Vase and all three divisions of the league.
Isuzu FA Vase
The NWCFL will have two representatives in the Fifth Round (Last 16) of this seasons FA Vase following Saturday's games.
We were guaranteed at least one as West Didsbury & Chorlton took on Nelson in an all-NWCFL tie. It proved to be a tight game in front of a crowd of 1,075 with Jordan Lazenbury's free kick with 20 minutes remaining separating the sides in a 1-0 win for the home side.
West will be joined in the next round by Droylsden, the First Division North side upsetting United Counties League Premier Division side Sherwood Collieries in a 2-1 win. The Bloods went ahead on 15 minutes through Caelan Kilheeney, with Liam Moran doubling the lead two minutes before half time. Sherwood, a league higher and second in the table coming into the game, pulled one back on 57 minutes through William Norcross, but Droylsden saw out the game to progress.
South Liverpool bowed out with a 5-2 home defeat to our reigning First Division South Champions Winsford United. Ollie Pope put them ahead on 15 minutes with a Kallum Boyle penalty doubling the lead on 21 minutes. Boyle added a second with 12 minutes remaining, but George Murray scored what many thought would be a consolation with five minutes to go. When Murray added a second four minutes into stoppage time, South had hope, but further goals deep into added on time from Niza Chilyufya and a Reece Davies penalty made it 5-2.
Chadderton also bowed out after a 2-0 home defeat to former FA Vase winners North Sheilds. Brandon Slater scored both goals for Sheilds, each of them coming seven minutes from the end of each half.
Lancashire Challenge Trophy
It was a rare Saturday game in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy as Daisy Hill hosted Longridge Town. Liam Atkinson put Longridge ahead on 12 minutes with Liam Sheppard levelling on 32 minutes. That's how it stayed after 90 minutes, with a penalty shootout deciding the winner. In a close shoot out, it was Longridge who progressed in sudden death as they won 7-6 from the spot.
Premier Division
Wythenshawe remain top of the Premier Division after a 3-0 away win at Euxton Villa. Aaron Dwyer put them ahead on 34 minutes with Fraser Goodwin adding a second five minutes into the second half. Dwyer scored again with five minutes remaining to secure an emphatic win.
Padiham remain second after a 2-1 home win against FC St Helens. It was 1-1 at the break with a penalty from each side, Jack Price scoring for Padiham on 20 minutes with Joe Barker doing likewise for St Helens 14 minutes later. The winner came with five minutes to go through Matthew Makinson.
Ramsbottom United are third, seven points off the leaders with two games in hand. They fell behind to an early Oliver Parker goal at Glossop North End, before Luke Sephton levelled on 18 minutes. Matthew Dudley hit the winner for Rammy seven minutes into the second half.
West Didsbury and Chorlton, who were in FA Vase action, are fourth, with Burscough occupying the final Play-Off position despite a goalless draw at Cheadle Town.
Litherland REMYCA remain at the foot of the table after not being in action. The other relegation spot is held by City of Liverpool, who went down to a heavy 8-0 home loss to Charnock Richard. Charnock, who were three goals ahead after just 11 minutes, had seven different goalscorers in that game with Jordan Darr grabbing a brace.
AFC Liverpool also recorded a big win as they won 7-0 at Barnoldswick Town. Daniel Mahaffy, Caleb Jones and Liam Paton all scored twice for the Reds in that game. John Johnston also scored twice for Irlam as they won 3-1 at Abbey Hey. The final game saw Prestwich Heys and Atherton LR play out a goalless draw.
First Division North
Thornton Cleveleys remain top of the First Division North despite being held to a 1-1 draw at home by lowly Colne. Jacob Aspinall put Thornton ahead on 39 minutes only for Benjamin Horne to level midway through the second half for Colne, that point taking them three points clear of the bottom three.
Ashton Town and MSB Woolton are both just a point behind Thornton. Ashton beat Darwen 2-0 with Noah Inneh and recent signing Deklan Hill both on target. Woolton took the lead at Holker Old Boys though Matthew Robinson only for the home side to turn things around through a Jamie Hodgson penalty and a Tom Dawson goal. Woolton snatched a point five minutes into stoppage time through Jacob Barratt.
Droylsden and Nelson occupy the final two Play-Off spots, with both in FA Vase action.
At the bottom are Ashton Athletic who led at Steeton only for the home side to turn things around in the second half and run out eventual 3-1 winners. They are level on points with Maine Road who did not play. Third bottom are Garstang, a point above the bottom two, who went down 4-2 at Bacup Borough.
Fulwood Amateurs made it two successive league victories in the only other game in the division on Saturday as they recorded a comprehensive 3-0 win over Maghull.
First Division South
Leaders Runcorn Town recorded another big victory as they moved 13 points clear at the top of the division with a 7-0 win at Market Drayton Town. A double from Jamie Apperley put them on their way before two goals in three minutes from Connor Spiers and Kieran Alley gave them a four goal cushion at the break. Charlie Harland added a fifth with a Liam Kennington penalty just before the hour making it six, with Matty Vickers rounding off the scoring in the last minute.
Telford Town are up to second after a 3-2 home win against Cammell Laird 1907. Lairds took the lead after nine minutes through Kieran Hamm with Telford levelling on 25 minutes through Andrew Nicol. Just after half time Joe Downey restored Lairds' lead and that's how it stayed until the 71st minute when Joe Fitzpatrick again levelled. With seven minutes remaining, Ryan Nesbitt put Telford ahead and they held on to record the win.
Eccleshall slipped to second after a 2-1 home loss to Stafford Town, the visitors climbing to fourth as a result of that win. Dylan Baily put Staffford ahead after 36 minutes with Matthew Hearsey adding a penalty at the end of the first half. Eccleshall scored a consolation in the stoppage time through Eric Graves.
Stockport Georgians are in the last Play-Off spot after a thrilling 4-4 draw with Wolverhampton Casuals. The visitors opened the scoring on ten minutes through Jack Grimshaw and it looked a sure fire away win with two goals from Lee Chilton either side of half time making it 3-0. However Georgians hit back with Joseph Collins and two from Harry Lynn drawing them level. Joe Cuff then put Casuals back in front, before a stoppage time leveller from Joseph Collins.
At the bottom are the other Wolverhampton team, Sporting Community, who were not in action. They are seven points adrift of Haughmond, who lost 3-2 at Ashville after twice equalising. Third from bottom are Shawbury United, but they did their survival hopes the world of good with a 2-0 win at home to New Mills.
Sandbach United and Foley Meir drew 1-1, with Sandbach levelling in stoppage time there. Alsager Town also scored a stoppage time equaliser in their 2-2 draw at home to Allscott Heath, Luke Nicholls getting both for Alsager. And Barnton drew 0-0 at home to Cheadle Heath Nomads.
Thornton Cleveleys in action in their 1-1 draw at home to Colne. Photo from Thornton on X!
