Five Things We Learned 2026/27: Week 3
Thu 20th August 2026 | Five Things | By Jay Cooper
Another week, another series of matches from the NWCFL. Let's run through the best and worst of what the last week has had to offer.
1. The Isuzu FA Vase is back!
Like the week prior, this past Saturday was dominated by a nationwide domestic cup competition. The FA Vase returned for 2026/27, and 31 NWCFL made their bows in the first qualifying round.
Of those 31, 11 won their matches outright with choice cuts including Eccleshall hammering Allscott Heath 4-0 at home; First Division South side Barnton upsetting the odds in a 3-1 away win against Premier Division Irlam; and Charnock Richard, Atherton LR, Foley Meir and Telford Town all winning in a dreaded penalty shootout.
2. Gate open for the second qualifier
One team that did’nt feature in the weekend’s FA Vase fixture list, despite initially being scheduled to do so, were First Division North outfit Squires Gate. The seaside club were due to welcome Northern Football League side Boro Rangers, but instead, were given a bye into the next round.
The reason for this goes back to early July, when Boro Rangers folded its senior men’s team after, in their own words, “financial and operational challenges made the team unsustainable.” It’s real a shame that this sort of thing continues to happen up and down the football pyramid, especially given how much money there is in football currently. There’s a slim positive in all this for Gate, however, who were automatically granted a place in the second Vase qualifier.
3. Barnoldswick Town know the draw
Barlick are three league games into the new season, and are currently undefeated, which sounds great. Then you look deeper, and you’ll see that they are also winless, and 13th in the table.
Every NWCFL game that Gerry Harrison and Lewis Craig’s men have played thus far has ended honours even. Away at Abbey Hey on the opening day, it finished 2-2; away at Prestwich Heys in their first midweek game of the season, it finished 1-1; and at home to Ramsbottom United on Tuesday, it also finished 1-1. They even drew their FA Cup EP round tie with Atherton Collieries 12 days ago, only to be beaten in the replay.
4. Hard times for Ashton Town
The season so far has been nothing short of a struggle for Ashton Town. Last season, they were one of many contenders for the title around the festive period, but from their opening six league games this time around, they are yet to get on the board.
They have played the joint-most league games of any side in the First Division North in 2026/27 at the time of writing, alongside Maghull and Holker Old Boys, but haven’t been able to record a win or draw in any of them. Their next fixture sees them travel to face Maine Road - seventh time’s the charm?
5. AFC Bridgnorth too bold to beat
Currently second in the First Division South table, and with a game in hand on early leaders Wolverhampton Casuals, AFC Bridgnorth are thriving in their maiden NWCFL campaign. The WV16 side have recorded three wins and a draw in their first four matches, taking 10 points from an available 12.
It doesn’t take a mathematician to work out that they are yet to suffer a league defeat this season, which is impressive on its own, but they are also the only remaining side in the First Division South not to have given up all the points in a league game this season. It will interesting to see who can slay the dragon.
Five Things We Learned 2026/27: Week 3
Thu 20th August 2026 | Five Things
By Jay Cooper
Another week, another series of matches from the NWCFL. Let's run through the best and worst of what the last week has had to offer.
1. The Isuzu FA Vase is back!
Like the week prior, this past Saturday was dominated by a nationwide domestic cup competition. The FA Vase returned for 2026/27, and 31 NWCFL made their bows in the first qualifying round.
Of those 31, 11 won their matches outright with choice cuts including Eccleshall hammering Allscott Heath 4-0 at home; First Division South side Barnton upsetting the odds in a 3-1 away win against Premier Division Irlam; and Charnock Richard, Atherton LR, Foley Meir and Telford Town all winning in a dreaded penalty shootout.
2. Gate open for the second qualifier
One team that did’nt feature in the weekend’s FA Vase fixture list, despite initially being scheduled to do so, were First Division North outfit Squires Gate. The seaside club were due to welcome Northern Football League side Boro Rangers, but instead, were given a bye into the next round.
The reason for this goes back to early July, when Boro Rangers folded its senior men’s team after, in their own words, “financial and operational challenges made the team unsustainable.” It’s real a shame that this sort of thing continues to happen up and down the football pyramid, especially given how much money there is in football currently. There’s a slim positive in all this for Gate, however, who were automatically granted a place in the second Vase qualifier.
3. Barnoldswick Town know the draw
Barlick are three league games into the new season, and are currently undefeated, which sounds great. Then you look deeper, and you’ll see that they are also winless, and 13th in the table.
Every NWCFL game that Gerry Harrison and Lewis Craig’s men have played thus far has ended honours even. Away at Abbey Hey on the opening day, it finished 2-2; away at Prestwich Heys in their first midweek game of the season, it finished 1-1; and at home to Ramsbottom United on Tuesday, it also finished 1-1. They even drew their FA Cup EP round tie with Atherton Collieries 12 days ago, only to be beaten in the replay.
4. Hard times for Ashton Town
The season so far has been nothing short of a struggle for Ashton Town. Last season, they were one of many contenders for the title around the festive period, but from their opening six league games this time around, they are yet to get on the board.
They have played the joint-most league games of any side in the First Division North in 2026/27 at the time of writing, alongside Maghull and Holker Old Boys, but haven’t been able to record a win or draw in any of them. Their next fixture sees them travel to face Maine Road - seventh time’s the charm?
5. AFC Bridgnorth too bold to beat
Currently second in the First Division South table, and with a game in hand on early leaders Wolverhampton Casuals, AFC Bridgnorth are thriving in their maiden NWCFL campaign. The WV16 side have recorded three wins and a draw in their first four matches, taking 10 points from an available 12.
It doesn’t take a mathematician to work out that they are yet to suffer a league defeat this season, which is impressive on its own, but they are also the only remaining side in the First Division South not to have given up all the points in a league game this season. It will interesting to see who can slay the dragon.
