With a near-full house of NWCFL fixtures having been and gone this past weekend, let's run through the best and worst of what the last couple of days have had to offer.
Saturday:
Premier Division:
It was a day to forget for the teams in the title picture in the Premier Division. League leaders Wythenshawe were only able to avoid a shock defeat to mid-table Glossop North End thanks to an 81st minute equaliser from Jack Banister.
This seemingly underwhelming draw, however, ultimately saw them extend their lead at the top of the table by a point, as second-placed Ramsbottom United fell to a 1-0 defeat to play-off dark horses Burscough at the Community Ground.
Not even five-straight-wins Chadderton, in third, could avoid a disappointing result, coming from behind to draw 2-2 with third-bottom Abbey Hey away from home.
Irlam, in fourth, were the highest-placed team in the division to record a win on Saturday, overcoming struggling Pilkington 2-1 away from home via a 100+ minute goal from John Johnston. Padiham, right below them in fifth, also recorded a one-goal margin of victory last weekend, defeating South Liverpool 1-0.
Two sides in the Prem both scored five en route to victory this past weekend. Atherton LR, the team to beat in the division right now, kept their impressive run of form going with a dominant 5-1 away victory over FC Isle of Man, thanks in part to a Thomas Romano hat-trick. Elsewhere, Longridge Town defeated second-bottom City of Liverpool 5-0 at home, with five different players getting on the scoresheet.
Stockport Town were unfortunate not to become the third team of the weekend to manage five goals. Instead, they had to settle for one less as they swept Euxton Villa to one side on their travels, winning 4-1.
Elliot Taylor was the man of the hour for AFC Liverpool as they battled Barnoldswick Town. He grabbed a hat-trick for the hosts as they overpowered their opponents by a 3-1 scoreline.
FC St Helens were convinced that they were going to take all three points away from the Step Places Stadium on Saturday after a 90th minute Tom Lawless goal, but West Didsbury & Chorlton weren’t to be slain, as Benjamin Elliott bagged a 97th minute penalty to secure a 1-1 draw.
Other Scores:
Cheadle Town 1-0 Charnock Richard
Prestwich Heys 2-1 Litherland REMYCA
First Division North:
Table-topping Droylsden retained their place at the peak of the division by hook and crook this weekend, with a 91st minute Luis Cantello goal securing a 2-1 victory over Bacup Borough.
Nelson remain the closest challengers to the Bloods after this weekend. They came out on top in a six-goal thriller against Daisy Hill, coming from 2-0 down to win 4-2 thanks in part to a late Max Cane brace.
MSB Woolton were major beneficiaries of this weekend’s results, ascending to third and remaining just two points behind the top two after an early onslaught led to a 3-1 home win against fellow promotion hunters Squires Gate.
Darwen FC began the weekend within spitting distance of the top of the table in the North, but results this weekend went against them, including their own: a 2-1 defeat to Garstang via an 89th minute Ben Turton goal that lifts the club to within two points of safety.
The only reason Garstang weren’t able to escape the drop zone this weekend was because fourth-bottom Colne also won when it counted. They faced Ashton Athletic in a relegation battle six-pointer and came out conclusively victorious, winning 2-0.
Maghull’s reignited title push took an arrow to the knee this weekend on home soil, as they welcomed, and were beaten by, Fulwood Amateurs. Spencer Lucas scored twice the visitors won 3-0.
Maine Road will continue to bear the cross of being the bottom side in the league table after this weekend. A late Jamie Schofield goal looked to save a point for the division’s propper-uppers, but an even later goal from Luke Davey for visiting Holker Old Boys secured a 2-1 victory for the away side.
Other scores:
Ashton Town 1-0 AFC Blackpool
Steeton 1-2 Thornton Cleveleys
First Division South:
No 12-0 or 8-0 victories this weekend from the First Division South, but there were one or two one-sided affairs. Second placed Eccleshall were the biggest winners of the weekend, with both Nicky Parker and Daniel Glover scoring braces as they defeated Wolves Casuals 5-0.
Another side to score five were fourth-bottom Market Drayton Town, who did a number on wooden spoon holders-elect Haughmond. Five different players bagged in a 5-1 victory for MDT.
League leaders Runcorn Town extended their winning streak to 14 games with maximum points against play-off hopefuls Stafford Town, winning 3-1. Stafford have now dropped to seventh in the table, behind New Mills, who took a step in the right direction in their own play-off charge by seeing off Alsager Town 2-1 away from home.
Ashville began the weekend in fifth purely based on goals scored. They ran out 2-0 winners at home on Saturday against Foley Meir, and, as a result, they have now risen to fourth in the league. They have overtaken Sandbach United, who could only secure a 1-0 win on home turf against Cammell Laird 1907.
Other scores:
Barnton 1-1 Allscott Heath
Telford Town 0-2 Stockport Georgians
| Week 33: Review |
| Week 32: Review |
 | Week 30: Summary |
 | Week 27: Summary |
