Week 1: Manager Quotes
Tue 4th August 2026 | Manager Reactions | By Martin Fallon
We’re back! With almost every NWCFL team in League action across this past weekend, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced on the pitch.
PREMIER DIVISION
Table-toppers Burscough couldn't have asked for a much better start to the new season, after blowing away last season's play-off hopefuls Prestwich Heys 4-1 on home soil. After the full time whistle, new gaffer Phil Stafford said:
Prestwich are a very good side; we knew that going in. They've recruited well and came very close to the play-offs last season. I don't think today was a 4-1 game - I think they gambled, and we've run away with it late on, but I thought our substitutions were outstanding, and our squad was brilliant today.
Another side that arguably upset the odds by taking maximum points from a 2025/26 promotion contender were last season's First Division North winners Nelson. Arron Ripley's side began this new campaign by beating Atherton LR 2-1 away from home, with the gaffer saying afterwards:
We managed a huge three points away from home on Saturday. To do so at the start of the new Prem season against a top opposition in Atherton LR is testament to the lads – they were unbelievable out there and executed the game plan brilliantly.
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
NWCFL new boys Halewood Apollo have wasted no time stamping their presence into the First Division North. They emerged victorious from a 3-1 affair away at Garstang, following which their 3-in-1 owner, chairman and manager Joseph Stocks said:
It was fantastic to start our first ever game in NWCFL away to Garstang. The lads put in a brilliant performance, and we were buzzing to come away with our first win. Hopefully there are many more to come!
Perhaps the game of the weekend came from the Hamdmark Engineering Stadium, where hosts Holker Old Boys edged maximum points away from another new arrival to the division, AFC Knowsley. After a 4-3 goal-fest, joint manager Kevin Watkin called the game:
A fantastic season opener for the fans, packed with goals! The game was very bitty in the first half – there was not a lot of football played, if I'm honest - it was much more of a battle. In the second half, I think we played the better football and got what we deserved in the end, after making mistakes that led to two of the goals that we conceded.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
After topping the opening table following their 6-0 win over Telford Town, the New Mills manager Nathan Neequaye had this to say...
"It’s always good to get the first game for a new squad out of the way and we hit the ground running. We were aggressive and on the front foot all through the game. We were defensively solid and every time we went forward, we looked threatening.
"What pleased us the most was how ruthless we was and the work rate of all the players. We told the lads before the game to go out and show the fans and everyone what your capable of, and they certainly did that.
"This team will always give 100% and now focus moves onto Tuesday at Stafford Town which will be a tough test against a decent team."
AFC Bridgnorth are one of the new clubs after a lateral movement in the summer from the Midland League. They ran out 3-1 winners at home to Foley Meir with Manager Jack Griffiths on a high after the win...
"It was a real tough test today in our first NWCL match. I thought my lads were brilliant the first half and had a real good go at Foley Meir. We had three good chances before scoring on the stroke of half time to give us a deserved lead.
"The second half we started slow and Foley got back into it with a 25 yard strike. I changed a few things brought on Charlie Clarke who changed the game for us, and two quick fire goals from Suar eventually killed the game off.
"I thought we controlled large parts of the game, and am really pleased with the three points to start the new season".
Also with a good start was Wolverhampton Casuals who travelled to newcomers Crewe. They returned south with three points after a 3-0 win, with Manager Dean Gill a relieved man after the game saying...
"I had travelled to Crewe to watch them in one of their preseason games and believe we had the hardest fixture of the day yesterday in our division. A lot of credit to Crewe who have great facilities, a friendly and helpful staff/committee and a side who I believe will have a great season.
"I’m glad to get out of there with all three points. We have lots of work still to do but I won’t complain when the mentality that the lads showed was so positive.”
It was also another good day for another newcomer in Brereton Social, who won 2-0 on the road at Market Drayton Town. Manager Matthew Ainger said afterwards...
"It was great to get off the mark with our first win, especially with it being away from home. It could possibly have been by a bigger margin if we’d been a little more ruthless, but overall it was a fantastic performance from the lads.
"It was a great day for the football club, our volunteers, sponsors, supporters and, most importantly, the players, who have all earned the right to be at this level and proved that with the performance against Market Drayton. Our togetherness will be our strength this season, but it’s important we enjoy the win and then move our focus onto Tuesday away at Alsager Town.
"Every game is a test in this league, and we’ll be ready again for the next one."
And finally newcomers Dawley Town staged a late, late comeback to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw at Alsager Town. Manager Tom White said...
"It was fantastic day for Dawley Town, playing our first game at step 6 at Alsager. Both teams gave everything throughout and it was an entertaining game that had everything.
"Both teams had chances throughout the first half but no one could break the deadlock. Alsager scored early in the second half and we decided to go for the game and stick our centre back up top, however this led to us being 2-0 down in the 84th minute.
"But in true typical Dawley style we never give up and ended up grabbing two goals in the space of seven minutes and could have nicked it at the end.
"A great turnaround and our first points in the board, let’s enjoy the journey and give it our all every week. Thank you to Alsager and all the best for the season."
Week 1: Manager Quotes
Tue 4th August 2026 | Manager Reactions
By Martin Fallon
We’re back! With almost every NWCFL team in League action across this past weekend, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced on the pitch.
PREMIER DIVISION
Table-toppers Burscough couldn't have asked for a much better start to the new season, after blowing away last season's play-off hopefuls Prestwich Heys 4-1 on home soil. After the full time whistle, new gaffer Phil Stafford said:
Prestwich are a very good side; we knew that going in. They've recruited well and came very close to the play-offs last season. I don't think today was a 4-1 game - I think they gambled, and we've run away with it late on, but I thought our substitutions were outstanding, and our squad was brilliant today.
Another side that arguably upset the odds by taking maximum points from a 2025/26 promotion contender were last season's First Division North winners Nelson. Arron Ripley's side began this new campaign by beating Atherton LR 2-1 away from home, with the gaffer saying afterwards:
We managed a huge three points away from home on Saturday. To do so at the start of the new Prem season against a top opposition in Atherton LR is testament to the lads – they were unbelievable out there and executed the game plan brilliantly.
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
NWCFL new boys Halewood Apollo have wasted no time stamping their presence into the First Division North. They emerged victorious from a 3-1 affair away at Garstang, following which their 3-in-1 owner, chairman and manager Joseph Stocks said:
It was fantastic to start our first ever game in NWCFL away to Garstang. The lads put in a brilliant performance, and we were buzzing to come away with our first win. Hopefully there are many more to come!
Perhaps the game of the weekend came from the Hamdmark Engineering Stadium, where hosts Holker Old Boys edged maximum points away from another new arrival to the division, AFC Knowsley. After a 4-3 goal-fest, joint manager Kevin Watkin called the game:
A fantastic season opener for the fans, packed with goals! The game was very bitty in the first half – there was not a lot of football played, if I'm honest - it was much more of a battle. In the second half, I think we played the better football and got what we deserved in the end, after making mistakes that led to two of the goals that we conceded.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
After topping the opening table following their 6-0 win over Telford Town, the New Mills manager Nathan Neequaye had this to say...
"It’s always good to get the first game for a new squad out of the way and we hit the ground running. We were aggressive and on the front foot all through the game. We were defensively solid and every time we went forward, we looked threatening.
"What pleased us the most was how ruthless we was and the work rate of all the players. We told the lads before the game to go out and show the fans and everyone what your capable of, and they certainly did that.
"This team will always give 100% and now focus moves onto Tuesday at Stafford Town which will be a tough test against a decent team."
AFC Bridgnorth are one of the new clubs after a lateral movement in the summer from the Midland League. They ran out 3-1 winners at home to Foley Meir with Manager Jack Griffiths on a high after the win...
"It was a real tough test today in our first NWCL match. I thought my lads were brilliant the first half and had a real good go at Foley Meir. We had three good chances before scoring on the stroke of half time to give us a deserved lead.
"The second half we started slow and Foley got back into it with a 25 yard strike. I changed a few things brought on Charlie Clarke who changed the game for us, and two quick fire goals from Suar eventually killed the game off.
"I thought we controlled large parts of the game, and am really pleased with the three points to start the new season".
Also with a good start was Wolverhampton Casuals who travelled to newcomers Crewe. They returned south with three points after a 3-0 win, with Manager Dean Gill a relieved man after the game saying...
"I had travelled to Crewe to watch them in one of their preseason games and believe we had the hardest fixture of the day yesterday in our division. A lot of credit to Crewe who have great facilities, a friendly and helpful staff/committee and a side who I believe will have a great season.
"I’m glad to get out of there with all three points. We have lots of work still to do but I won’t complain when the mentality that the lads showed was so positive.”
It was also another good day for another newcomer in Brereton Social, who won 2-0 on the road at Market Drayton Town. Manager Matthew Ainger said afterwards...
"It was great to get off the mark with our first win, especially with it being away from home. It could possibly have been by a bigger margin if we’d been a little more ruthless, but overall it was a fantastic performance from the lads.
"It was a great day for the football club, our volunteers, sponsors, supporters and, most importantly, the players, who have all earned the right to be at this level and proved that with the performance against Market Drayton. Our togetherness will be our strength this season, but it’s important we enjoy the win and then move our focus onto Tuesday away at Alsager Town.
"Every game is a test in this league, and we’ll be ready again for the next one."
And finally newcomers Dawley Town staged a late, late comeback to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw at Alsager Town. Manager Tom White said...
"It was fantastic day for Dawley Town, playing our first game at step 6 at Alsager. Both teams gave everything throughout and it was an entertaining game that had everything.
"Both teams had chances throughout the first half but no one could break the deadlock. Alsager scored early in the second half and we decided to go for the game and stick our centre back up top, however this led to us being 2-0 down in the 84th minute.
"But in true typical Dawley style we never give up and ended up grabbing two goals in the space of seven minutes and could have nicked it at the end.
"A great turnaround and our first points in the board, let’s enjoy the journey and give it our all every week. Thank you to Alsager and all the best for the season."
