April 2026 Player of the Month announced
Tue 19th May 2026 | League Awards | By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for April 2026 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for April 2026 has gone to Aaron Dwyer of Wythenshawe. This is Aaron's first Player of the Month win and the first time since Bryan Ly won it in February 2023 that a Wythenshawe player has won it.
Aaron started in the NWCFL at Stockport Town in 2016/17 before moving to NPL side Curzon Ashton two years later. He then spent time at New Mills before joining Wythenshawe Town before a second spell at Stockport Town. A short spell at Bury was followed by a move to Macclesfield where he was key part of Macclesfields 2021/22 NWCFL Premier Division winning side. He then spent the 2022/23 season at Wythenshawe Town before moving to Stalybridge Celtic. Spells at Atherton Collieries and Ossett United followed before a third stint at Stockport, before moving to Wythenshawe at the start of this season.
The opening game of the month for Aaron came at Barnoldswick Town on Easter Saturday. Winning 2-0 just before the break, Aaron received the ball on the left and advanced towards the touchline where he pulled it back for Samuel Adewusi to score. Then two minutes into the second half, a nice move led to Aaron finding the corner of the net from the edge of the area to make it four. His performance in this game led to him winning the Man of the Match award.
Two days later and West Didsbury & Chorlton came to Wythenshawe. It was a tight game that was settled by just one goal and it was Aaron who got it. Ten minutes into the second half, a free kick from Steven Hewitt was met by Dwyer and flicked over the keeper into the net. A crucial win for the Ammies in the title race.
Aaron put in a devastating display at Pilkington in the next game, scoring a hat-trick and winning Man of the Match as the Ammies won 8-1. His first after 11 minutes was a stunning strike from 20-yards out that flew just inside the post, and ten minutes later he displayed his predatory instincts with as he turned Jack Banister's shot into the net. His third came on the half hour when he picked up the ball 30 yards out and ran at the defence before finding the top corner.
Wythenshawe wrapped up the title in their penultimate game at home to Irlam. It was Aaron who settled any early nerves with the opener after just four minutes, scoring at the second attempt from Darius Palmer's shot after his initial effort was saved.
The final game of the season saw Ammies lift the title in style as they beat Longridge Town 7-1. For the second time in three games, Aaron scored a hat-trick and won Man of the Match. That took him to 44 goals for the season in the same number of games. His first after 15 minutes saw him tap home from Darius Palma's square ball, and he doubled the lead seven minutes later with another close range finish. He completed his hat-trick with the fifth goal of the game, a free kick bent round the wall that found the net. He still had time to set up Wythenshawe's final league goal of the season on 77 minutes, getting away down the right before squaring it for Joel Ankers.
Aaron scored in all five games in the month with nine goals scored in total and three Man of the Match wins.
Congratulations Aaron!
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division North Player of the Month for April 2026 goes to Sam Oko of Ashton Athletic. This is the first time that Sam has won this award with the last time an Ashton player picked it up was in February 2025 when Deklan Hill won it.
Sam broke through into the Abbey Hey side in 2018/19 where he quickly established himself as a regular, before moving to Chadderton. A short spell at Stockport Georgians followed before signing for Alsager Town where he was named Players Player of the Year last season. He moved to Ashton Athletic at the start of this season and has become one of the first names on the teamsheet at Brocstedes Park.
It wasn't the best month really for Ashton as they ended what they will consider a disappointing campaign with three losses. However the performances of Oko in these games was the standout with two Man of the Match wins in the three games and a strong month overall.
The first game was against Daisy Hill at home on Easter Saturday. Oko put in a strong performance in midfield, but was unable to prevent his side going down to a 2-0 defeat in a game that they were largely in control of.
Two days later and it was the Ashton Derby at home to Ashton Town. Ashton trailed early on but came back to lead this match 2-1 and were in front midway through the second half. However as has been the case a number of times this season, they were unable to see out the game with Town coming back to win 3-2. Oko's performance in midfield saw him named Man of the Match.
The final game of the month and season for Ashton came at Nelson which the home team won. Again Ashton were on top for large periods of the game, particularly in the first half where they were denied an opener thanks to an offside flag. Oko was the standout again for Ashton, his Man of the Match being his 13th of the season, highlighting the great month and season that he has had personally.
Congratulations to Sam on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for March 2026 goes to Nicky Parker of Eccleshall. This is the second time that Nicky has won this award having previously won it for Market Drayton Town in August 2023. The last Eccleshall player to win it was Ryan Malbon in October 2022.
Nicky is a prolific goalscorer who scored 33 goals in 59 games for Market Drayton Town in the last two seasons before switching to Eccleshall last summer. He has previously played for former NWCFL side Whitchurch Alport in the Midland League, as well as Prees United in the Shropshire County League.
He played six games in April, scoring four goals and picking up two Man of the Match wins in the three league games he played. That took him to 20 goals for the season and an impressive 12 Man of the Match wins in total.
His month started with a Man of the Match performance in the 3-2 loss at home to Cammell Laird 1907. Nicky led the line superbly, setting up Morgan Russell for the opening goal and tormenting the visiting defence throughout the afternoon. This was followed by a frustrating afternoon at Market Drayton Town in the second game in a game that ended goalless.
The third game saw Eccleshall secure runners-up spot in the league as they won 3-2 at Foley Meir. He ran Foley ragged, particularly in the first half, and scored the second and third goals of the game. Nicky again won Man of the Match in this game.
The next game for Nicky was the Staffordshire Senior Cup Final as Eccleshall took on Rushall Athletic at Stoke City's Bet365 Stadium. Trailing by two goals, Nicky assisted Eccleshall's first goal when his shot from the edge of the box was blocked which Danny Glover tapped home. Eccleshall levelled n the second half only for a late goal to give Rushall the win. Nicky's performance in the game saw him named as the Official Man of the Match by the County FA officials, receiving a trophy for his contribution.
His final game in April was the PlayOff Semi Final against Stafford Town which Eccleshall won 5-1. Eccleshall were quick out of the blocks with Nicky scoring the second goal of the game after just ten minutes. He then rounded off a superb performance with the final goal of the game to put his side through to the PlayOff Final.
Congratulations Nicky!
April 2026 Player of the Month announced
Tue 19th May 2026 | League Awards
By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for April 2026 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for April 2026 has gone to Aaron Dwyer of Wythenshawe. This is Aaron's first Player of the Month win and the first time since Bryan Ly won it in February 2023 that a Wythenshawe player has won it.
Aaron started in the NWCFL at Stockport Town in 2016/17 before moving to NPL side Curzon Ashton two years later. He then spent time at New Mills before joining Wythenshawe Town before a second spell at Stockport Town. A short spell at Bury was followed by a move to Macclesfield where he was key part of Macclesfields 2021/22 NWCFL Premier Division winning side. He then spent the 2022/23 season at Wythenshawe Town before moving to Stalybridge Celtic. Spells at Atherton Collieries and Ossett United followed before a third stint at Stockport, before moving to Wythenshawe at the start of this season.
The opening game of the month for Aaron came at Barnoldswick Town on Easter Saturday. Winning 2-0 just before the break, Aaron received the ball on the left and advanced towards the touchline where he pulled it back for Samuel Adewusi to score. Then two minutes into the second half, a nice move led to Aaron finding the corner of the net from the edge of the area to make it four. His performance in this game led to him winning the Man of the Match award.
Two days later and West Didsbury & Chorlton came to Wythenshawe. It was a tight game that was settled by just one goal and it was Aaron who got it. Ten minutes into the second half, a free kick from Steven Hewitt was met by Dwyer and flicked over the keeper into the net. A crucial win for the Ammies in the title race.
Aaron put in a devastating display at Pilkington in the next game, scoring a hat-trick and winning Man of the Match as the Ammies won 8-1. His first after 11 minutes was a stunning strike from 20-yards out that flew just inside the post, and ten minutes later he displayed his predatory instincts with as he turned Jack Banister's shot into the net. His third came on the half hour when he picked up the ball 30 yards out and ran at the defence before finding the top corner.
Wythenshawe wrapped up the title in their penultimate game at home to Irlam. It was Aaron who settled any early nerves with the opener after just four minutes, scoring at the second attempt from Darius Palmer's shot after his initial effort was saved.
The final game of the season saw Ammies lift the title in style as they beat Longridge Town 7-1. For the second time in three games, Aaron scored a hat-trick and won Man of the Match. That took him to 44 goals for the season in the same number of games. His first after 15 minutes saw him tap home from Darius Palma's square ball, and he doubled the lead seven minutes later with another close range finish. He completed his hat-trick with the fifth goal of the game, a free kick bent round the wall that found the net. He still had time to set up Wythenshawe's final league goal of the season on 77 minutes, getting away down the right before squaring it for Joel Ankers.
Aaron scored in all five games in the month with nine goals scored in total and three Man of the Match wins.
Congratulations Aaron!
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division North Player of the Month for April 2026 goes to Sam Oko of Ashton Athletic. This is the first time that Sam has won this award with the last time an Ashton player picked it up was in February 2025 when Deklan Hill won it.
Sam broke through into the Abbey Hey side in 2018/19 where he quickly established himself as a regular, before moving to Chadderton. A short spell at Stockport Georgians followed before signing for Alsager Town where he was named Players Player of the Year last season. He moved to Ashton Athletic at the start of this season and has become one of the first names on the teamsheet at Brocstedes Park.
It wasn't the best month really for Ashton as they ended what they will consider a disappointing campaign with three losses. However the performances of Oko in these games was the standout with two Man of the Match wins in the three games and a strong month overall.
The first game was against Daisy Hill at home on Easter Saturday. Oko put in a strong performance in midfield, but was unable to prevent his side going down to a 2-0 defeat in a game that they were largely in control of.
Two days later and it was the Ashton Derby at home to Ashton Town. Ashton trailed early on but came back to lead this match 2-1 and were in front midway through the second half. However as has been the case a number of times this season, they were unable to see out the game with Town coming back to win 3-2. Oko's performance in midfield saw him named Man of the Match.
The final game of the month and season for Ashton came at Nelson which the home team won. Again Ashton were on top for large periods of the game, particularly in the first half where they were denied an opener thanks to an offside flag. Oko was the standout again for Ashton, his Man of the Match being his 13th of the season, highlighting the great month and season that he has had personally.
Congratulations to Sam on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for March 2026 goes to Nicky Parker of Eccleshall. This is the second time that Nicky has won this award having previously won it for Market Drayton Town in August 2023. The last Eccleshall player to win it was Ryan Malbon in October 2022.
Nicky is a prolific goalscorer who scored 33 goals in 59 games for Market Drayton Town in the last two seasons before switching to Eccleshall last summer. He has previously played for former NWCFL side Whitchurch Alport in the Midland League, as well as Prees United in the Shropshire County League.
He played six games in April, scoring four goals and picking up two Man of the Match wins in the three league games he played. That took him to 20 goals for the season and an impressive 12 Man of the Match wins in total.
His month started with a Man of the Match performance in the 3-2 loss at home to Cammell Laird 1907. Nicky led the line superbly, setting up Morgan Russell for the opening goal and tormenting the visiting defence throughout the afternoon. This was followed by a frustrating afternoon at Market Drayton Town in the second game in a game that ended goalless.
The third game saw Eccleshall secure runners-up spot in the league as they won 3-2 at Foley Meir. He ran Foley ragged, particularly in the first half, and scored the second and third goals of the game. Nicky again won Man of the Match in this game.
The next game for Nicky was the Staffordshire Senior Cup Final as Eccleshall took on Rushall Athletic at Stoke City's Bet365 Stadium. Trailing by two goals, Nicky assisted Eccleshall's first goal when his shot from the edge of the box was blocked which Danny Glover tapped home. Eccleshall levelled n the second half only for a late goal to give Rushall the win. Nicky's performance in the game saw him named as the Official Man of the Match by the County FA officials, receiving a trophy for his contribution.
His final game in April was the PlayOff Semi Final against Stafford Town which Eccleshall won 5-1. Eccleshall were quick out of the blocks with Nicky scoring the second goal of the game after just ten minutes. He then rounded off a superb performance with the final goal of the game to put his side through to the PlayOff Final.
Congratulations Nicky!
