Week 39: Preview
Fri 17th April 2026 | Match Previews | By Jay Cooper
This is it. It’s the final day of the league season in the NWCFL. Champions have been crowned and relegations have been confirmed, but there’s still a few things to fight for at the last hurdle. Let’s see who is facing whom this weekend…
Premier Division:
For the last time in 2025/26, it’s a full schedule of Prem action coming your way on Saturday, all at 3pm. It’s a lap of honour at Avensure Community Stadium, where newly crowned Wythenshawe will lift the trophy following an inconsequential clash with mid-table Longridge Town, who might be able to crack the 60-point margin with victory over the Ammies.
Second-placed Ramsbottom United will want to gather some momentum ahead of their upcoming play-off campaign, and they can break the 100-point barrier this weekend with maximum points against fellow promotion hopefuls Atherton LR, immovable in third place, away from home.
Fourth placed Padiham confirmed their own play-off place after results in midweek, and can secure the best finish possible with a final-day victory over fifth-bottom FC Isle of Man, who, despite being close to the drop in the standings throughout the season, have been in very little genuine relegation trouble in 2025/26.
It was Irlam who lost in midweek to see the Storks secure their spot, but the door is still ajar for the Silver Street side to sneak into the top five. They’ll need a victory on Saturday against 13th placed Charnock Richard, and they’ll need a favour from elsewhere.
For Chadderton, currently fifth, their play-off destiny is in their own hands. They will host 10th placed Stockport Town on the final day knowing that avoiding defeat would be enough on goal difference to confirm their place in the play-offs.
Seventh placed Prestwich Heys had their feint play-off hopes all but extinguished last weekend with their first defeat after a 10-game winning streak, but they righted the ship in midweek and can finish an altogether excellent season strongly on Saturday as they go on the road to meet 18th placed Cheadle Town.
At the bottom of the table, it’s still undecided who will join City of Liverpool in relegation to Step Six. The Purps are at home on the final day against 19th placed Barnoldswick Town, but it will be the action immediately above them in the standings that will make some headlines.
Litherland REMYCA, second bottom ahead of the weekend, know that it’s win or bust as they welcome 11th placed Burscough to Litherland Sports Park. They need maximum points to have any chance at guaranteed survival, and they will also need to rely on the result from the Berry Street Garage Stadium.
Over there, it will be AFC Liverpool, who have just seen their nine-game winning spell curtailed in midweek, playing host to third-bottom Pilkington. Pilks merely need a point to confirm their safety, but they come into this game having failed to earn a point in any of their last 15 league matches.
The best finish possible for FC St Helens is their current position of eight place. They are under threat in that regard on the final day, however, as they welcome fourth bottom Abbey Hey to the SMS Pro Soccer Park. West Didsbury & Chorlton, in ninth, can usurp them in the standings, but only by better their result against 17th placed Euxton Villa on the road.
In mid-table and with little but pride to fight for, Glossop North End will turn their attention to their upcoming Derbyshire Senior Cup Final, that will be played at Derby County’s Pride Park. Before that, they have one more NWCFL league game to play, against 16th placed South Liverpool, at Jericho Lane on Saturday.
First Division North:
There’s another victory lap to be held in the First Division North, as champions Nelson play their final league game of the season. They will be lifting the cup after a battle with third placed MSB Woolton, whose play-off spot is secured in their maiden NWCFL season – so, celebrations all around at Little Wembley this weekend.
Not everyone in the play-off places is guaranteed to make it, however. Fourth placed Maghull are not technically secure in the top five ahead of this weekend, but a mere point away from home against 11th placed Daisy Hill would get the job done.
Similarly, fifth placed Squires Gate have their top five fate in their own hands. Win, and they’ve made it, but lose, and they could be in serious danger of missing out. Their opponents tomorrow will be Bacup Borough, who can catch them on points with a win, and overtake them on goals scored if they were to secure a three-goal margin of victory.
Even if that result were to materialise, there’s a third player in this play-off battle that needs mentioning - sixth placed Darwen FC. They will need Gate to drop points in some form against Bacup, and to win outright against second placed, already play-off bound Droylsden away from home to give themselves the best chance at making the top five. Still plenty to play for!
The rest of the matches from the North are going to be contested for little more than pride. After securing survival in midweek, fourth-bottom Colne can breathe easy away from home against 12th placed Fulwood Amateurs.
Garstang, who were officially relegated in midweek, can give themselves their best chance at earning a reprieve from the drop as they go on the road to eighth placed Thornton Cleveleys.
Holker Old Boys, in 10th, have the chance to break the 50-point barrier on Saturday with a visit to Marley Stadium to take on 13th placed Steeton.
Like Holker, ninth placed Ashton Town would also eclipse the 50-point margin should they record maximum points. They will play host to bottom side Maine Road this Saturday.
First Division South:
Just the four games to come from the First Division South, with the majority of sides in the division having already played their last games ahead of this weekend.
Sixth placed Ashville would need a miracle to sneak into the top five on the final day. They need a win and a nine-goal swing away from home against seventh placed Sandbach United to overtake Stafford Town and make the play-offs. Stranger things have happened?
Inside of the top five, there are games this weekend for third and fourth in the table, with a bronze medal finish in the standings AND a home seeding in the play-offs still up for grabs. It’s in the hands of Stockport Georgians right now, who will be away from home this weekend against 10th placed Barnton.
Should Georgians drop points, New Mills, in fourth, would overtake them on goal difference if they win their own game on Saturday. Potentially standing in their way, however, would be eighth placed Telford Town, who have enjoyed a mostly very successful debut season in the NWCFL.
Eccleshall, more than secure in second place in the table, have one more game to consider before truly prioritising the play-offs. They will be aiming to finish the league season on a high on home soil against ninth placed Cheadle Heath Nomads.
Week 39: Preview
Fri 17th April 2026 | Match Previews
By Jay Cooper
This is it. It’s the final day of the league season in the NWCFL. Champions have been crowned and relegations have been confirmed, but there’s still a few things to fight for at the last hurdle. Let’s see who is facing whom this weekend…
Premier Division:
For the last time in 2025/26, it’s a full schedule of Prem action coming your way on Saturday, all at 3pm. It’s a lap of honour at Avensure Community Stadium, where newly crowned Wythenshawe will lift the trophy following an inconsequential clash with mid-table Longridge Town, who might be able to crack the 60-point margin with victory over the Ammies.
Second-placed Ramsbottom United will want to gather some momentum ahead of their upcoming play-off campaign, and they can break the 100-point barrier this weekend with maximum points against fellow promotion hopefuls Atherton LR, immovable in third place, away from home.
Fourth placed Padiham confirmed their own play-off place after results in midweek, and can secure the best finish possible with a final-day victory over fifth-bottom FC Isle of Man, who, despite being close to the drop in the standings throughout the season, have been in very little genuine relegation trouble in 2025/26.
It was Irlam who lost in midweek to see the Storks secure their spot, but the door is still ajar for the Silver Street side to sneak into the top five. They’ll need a victory on Saturday against 13th placed Charnock Richard, and they’ll need a favour from elsewhere.
For Chadderton, currently fifth, their play-off destiny is in their own hands. They will host 10th placed Stockport Town on the final day knowing that avoiding defeat would be enough on goal difference to confirm their place in the play-offs.
Seventh placed Prestwich Heys had their feint play-off hopes all but extinguished last weekend with their first defeat after a 10-game winning streak, but they righted the ship in midweek and can finish an altogether excellent season strongly on Saturday as they go on the road to meet 18th placed Cheadle Town.
At the bottom of the table, it’s still undecided who will join City of Liverpool in relegation to Step Six. The Purps are at home on the final day against 19th placed Barnoldswick Town, but it will be the action immediately above them in the standings that will make some headlines.
Litherland REMYCA, second bottom ahead of the weekend, know that it’s win or bust as they welcome 11th placed Burscough to Litherland Sports Park. They need maximum points to have any chance at guaranteed survival, and they will also need to rely on the result from the Berry Street Garage Stadium.
Over there, it will be AFC Liverpool, who have just seen their nine-game winning spell curtailed in midweek, playing host to third-bottom Pilkington. Pilks merely need a point to confirm their safety, but they come into this game having failed to earn a point in any of their last 15 league matches.
The best finish possible for FC St Helens is their current position of eight place. They are under threat in that regard on the final day, however, as they welcome fourth bottom Abbey Hey to the SMS Pro Soccer Park. West Didsbury & Chorlton, in ninth, can usurp them in the standings, but only by better their result against 17th placed Euxton Villa on the road.
In mid-table and with little but pride to fight for, Glossop North End will turn their attention to their upcoming Derbyshire Senior Cup Final, that will be played at Derby County’s Pride Park. Before that, they have one more NWCFL league game to play, against 16th placed South Liverpool, at Jericho Lane on Saturday.
First Division North:
There’s another victory lap to be held in the First Division North, as champions Nelson play their final league game of the season. They will be lifting the cup after a battle with third placed MSB Woolton, whose play-off spot is secured in their maiden NWCFL season – so, celebrations all around at Little Wembley this weekend.
Not everyone in the play-off places is guaranteed to make it, however. Fourth placed Maghull are not technically secure in the top five ahead of this weekend, but a mere point away from home against 11th placed Daisy Hill would get the job done.
Similarly, fifth placed Squires Gate have their top five fate in their own hands. Win, and they’ve made it, but lose, and they could be in serious danger of missing out. Their opponents tomorrow will be Bacup Borough, who can catch them on points with a win, and overtake them on goals scored if they were to secure a three-goal margin of victory.
Even if that result were to materialise, there’s a third player in this play-off battle that needs mentioning - sixth placed Darwen FC. They will need Gate to drop points in some form against Bacup, and to win outright against second placed, already play-off bound Droylsden away from home to give themselves the best chance at making the top five. Still plenty to play for!
The rest of the matches from the North are going to be contested for little more than pride. After securing survival in midweek, fourth-bottom Colne can breathe easy away from home against 12th placed Fulwood Amateurs.
Garstang, who were officially relegated in midweek, can give themselves their best chance at earning a reprieve from the drop as they go on the road to eighth placed Thornton Cleveleys.
Holker Old Boys, in 10th, have the chance to break the 50-point barrier on Saturday with a visit to Marley Stadium to take on 13th placed Steeton.
Like Holker, ninth placed Ashton Town would also eclipse the 50-point margin should they record maximum points. They will play host to bottom side Maine Road this Saturday.
First Division South:
Just the four games to come from the First Division South, with the majority of sides in the division having already played their last games ahead of this weekend.
Sixth placed Ashville would need a miracle to sneak into the top five on the final day. They need a win and a nine-goal swing away from home against seventh placed Sandbach United to overtake Stafford Town and make the play-offs. Stranger things have happened?
Inside of the top five, there are games this weekend for third and fourth in the table, with a bronze medal finish in the standings AND a home seeding in the play-offs still up for grabs. It’s in the hands of Stockport Georgians right now, who will be away from home this weekend against 10th placed Barnton.
Should Georgians drop points, New Mills, in fourth, would overtake them on goal difference if they win their own game on Saturday. Potentially standing in their way, however, would be eighth placed Telford Town, who have enjoyed a mostly very successful debut season in the NWCFL.
Eccleshall, more than secure in second place in the table, have one more game to consider before truly prioritising the play-offs. They will be aiming to finish the league season on a high on home soil against ninth placed Cheadle Heath Nomads.
