Week 6: Preview
Fri 4th September 2026 | Match Previews | By Ben Wilkinson
PREMIER DIVISION
Charnock Richard vs Barnoldswick Town
Charnock Richard come into the weekend in 9th position and are now unbeaten in their last three, while Barnoldswick sit in 13th with as many as five draws to their name already this term. Charnock seem to have Barlick's number, winning 14 of the 18 games between the pair! The visitors from East Lancashire will aim to buck the trend and secure a first win at Mossie Park since February 2018.
Droylsden vs Abbey Hey
It's a local derby at the Butchers' Arms where Droylsden welcome rivals Abbey Hey. The Bloods started the season off well but have lost two of their last three in all competitions, whilst Abbey Hey have yet to taste victory this season and have shipped six goals in a game on no fewer than three occasions already.
FC St Helens vs Chadderton
FC St Helens have had a middling start to the campaign and lie in 12th position, whilst the visitors Chadderton are in 2nd place in their mission to push on after positive seasons since their own promotion. The Stripes had kept four clean sheets in a row before defeat against Charnock Richard midweek and they will need that defensive stability on home soil against an attacking Chady outfit.
Irlam vs Ramsbottom United
Ramsbottom make the journey round the M60 to Silver Street to take on Irlam on Saturday afternoon. Rammy have had an inconsistent start to life under Rob Henry's premiership but two wins on the bounce suggests that a corner may have been turned as they look to go one better than last time and secure a return to the NPL.
Nelson vs AFC Liverpool
AFC Liverpool have suffered a torrid start to their 2026/27 season, having lost every game to date and as a result they remain rooted to the foot of the table. It's a tall ask for them to turn it around this weekend as they visit The Daisy Arena to face a very impressive Nelson side, who sit 4th in the table with four wins from their opening six. The Admirals, under the stewardship of Arron Ripley, have made a storming start to life in the Premier Division and will see this as a great opportunity to return to winning ways following a narrow reverse against Trafford last time out.
FC Isle of Man vs Burscough
It's been a positive start to the season for FC Isle of Man after their struggles last time out and they are currently in 7th position, whilst this weekend's visitors to The Bowl, Burscough, sit pretty at the top of the tree and have hit the back of the net 22 times already this term! This is arguably the standout fixture in the Premier Division this weekend with two attacking sides going tooth and nail on Saturday evening.
Other fixtures:
- Litherland REMYCA vs Euxton Villa
- Longridge Town vs Glossop North End
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
AFC Knowsley vs Ashville
It's a long awaited first NWCFL home game for AFC Knowsley and they come into this momentous occasion with 7 points from their opening 8 games (all away from home). The first visitors to the Lord Derby Pavilion are Ashville, who with a record of 3-3-3 from their 9 games to date are the definition of consistently inconsistent! Ashville's last game was their first of the season where they kept a clean sheet, whilst they have scored in every match-up so far - expect more goals here!
Ashton Town vs Uppermill
Uppermill have struggled following promotion and currently bring up the rear of the pack with just three points and no wins. Their hosts on Saturday started in similar fashion, losing their opening six, before three wins on the bounce propelled them up the table. With another home game here, Town will be aiming to make it four and further compound Uppermill's miserable opening to life on the pitch in the NWCFL.
Darwen FC vs Garstang
Two Lancastrian sides with opposing starts to the season do battle at the Anchor Ground. Hosts Darwen have taken 14 points from their 7 games and lie just outside the playoff spots whilst Garstang look set for another season of struggle after picking up just four points so far. The Salmoners have notched 11 times in their last four and will seek to keep that firepower up front active.
Flixton vs Steeton
It's a first ever competitive meeting between these two as Steeton make the journey over to Manchester to take on Flixton at Valley Road. The league table would make the hosts firm favourites but the visiting Chevvies are more than capable of turning on the style and upsetting the applecart on their day.
Fulwood Amateurs vs Woolton
Fulwood, despite scoring 11 in their last four, haven't taken the win in any of them as a leaky defence has proved their undoing thus far whilst their opponents on Saturday boast one of the meanest back lines in the division with 10 goals conceded and just one defeat. Fulwood's home advantage may prove to be the difference in a finely-poised encounter.
Ashton Athletic vs Halewood Apollo
Halewood Apollo attempt to return to winning ways away at an Ashton Athletic side who are reeling from five successive defeats. Athletic started the season strongly with two wins to nil but are now on a run of seven without success. There's been 29 goals in the 8 league games involving Apollo so form would say this is unlikely to be a dull affair.
Holker Old Boys vs Maine Road
Holker Old Boys lead the chasing pack and thrice came back from two goals down to snatch a draw away at Fulwood Amateurs during the week, next up for them is Maine Road, who make the long trip up to Barrow this weekend. The Brantingham Road side have struggled of late and haven't tasted victory since 11th August; three defeats and a draw since see them in 19th place at this stage.
Thornton Cleveleys vs Maghull
Maghull are already an incredible seven points clear after a thunderous start featuring eight wins out of a possible nine. Next in their path is a Thornton Cleveleys side who harbour promotion aspirations of their own and will look to keep a place in the top five throughout the season. These two can't be separated on head-to-head record, with two wins apiece joined by a draw in the two seasons these two have locked horns - including 5-2 victories for both!
Other fixtures:
- Bacup Borough vs AFC Blackpool
- Cammell Laird 1907 vs Daisy Hill
- Squires Gate vs Colne
Week 6: Preview
Fri 4th September 2026 | Match Previews
By Ben Wilkinson
PREMIER DIVISION
Charnock Richard vs Barnoldswick Town
Charnock Richard come into the weekend in 9th position and are now unbeaten in their last three, while Barnoldswick sit in 13th with as many as five draws to their name already this term. Charnock seem to have Barlick's number, winning 14 of the 18 games between the pair! The visitors from East Lancashire will aim to buck the trend and secure a first win at Mossie Park since February 2018.
Droylsden vs Abbey Hey
It's a local derby at the Butchers' Arms where Droylsden welcome rivals Abbey Hey. The Bloods started the season off well but have lost two of their last three in all competitions, whilst Abbey Hey have yet to taste victory this season and have shipped six goals in a game on no fewer than three occasions already.
FC St Helens vs Chadderton
FC St Helens have had a middling start to the campaign and lie in 12th position, whilst the visitors Chadderton are in 2nd place in their mission to push on after positive seasons since their own promotion. The Stripes had kept four clean sheets in a row before defeat against Charnock Richard midweek and they will need that defensive stability on home soil against an attacking Chady outfit.
Irlam vs Ramsbottom United
Ramsbottom make the journey round the M60 to Silver Street to take on Irlam on Saturday afternoon. Rammy have had an inconsistent start to life under Rob Henry's premiership but two wins on the bounce suggests that a corner may have been turned as they look to go one better than last time and secure a return to the NPL.
Nelson vs AFC Liverpool
AFC Liverpool have suffered a torrid start to their 2026/27 season, having lost every game to date and as a result they remain rooted to the foot of the table. It's a tall ask for them to turn it around this weekend as they visit The Daisy Arena to face a very impressive Nelson side, who sit 4th in the table with four wins from their opening six. The Admirals, under the stewardship of Arron Ripley, have made a storming start to life in the Premier Division and will see this as a great opportunity to return to winning ways following a narrow reverse against Trafford last time out.
FC Isle of Man vs Burscough
It's been a positive start to the season for FC Isle of Man after their struggles last time out and they are currently in 7th position, whilst this weekend's visitors to The Bowl, Burscough, sit pretty at the top of the tree and have hit the back of the net 22 times already this term! This is arguably the standout fixture in the Premier Division this weekend with two attacking sides going tooth and nail on Saturday evening.
Other fixtures:
- Litherland REMYCA vs Euxton Villa
- Longridge Town vs Glossop North End
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
AFC Knowsley vs Ashville
It's a long awaited first NWCFL home game for AFC Knowsley and they come into this momentous occasion with 7 points from their opening 8 games (all away from home). The first visitors to the Lord Derby Pavilion are Ashville, who with a record of 3-3-3 from their 9 games to date are the definition of consistently inconsistent! Ashville's last game was their first of the season where they kept a clean sheet, whilst they have scored in every match-up so far - expect more goals here!
Ashton Town vs Uppermill
Uppermill have struggled following promotion and currently bring up the rear of the pack with just three points and no wins. Their hosts on Saturday started in similar fashion, losing their opening six, before three wins on the bounce propelled them up the table. With another home game here, Town will be aiming to make it four and further compound Uppermill's miserable opening to life on the pitch in the NWCFL.
Darwen FC vs Garstang
Two Lancastrian sides with opposing starts to the season do battle at the Anchor Ground. Hosts Darwen have taken 14 points from their 7 games and lie just outside the playoff spots whilst Garstang look set for another season of struggle after picking up just four points so far. The Salmoners have notched 11 times in their last four and will seek to keep that firepower up front active.
Flixton vs Steeton
It's a first ever competitive meeting between these two as Steeton make the journey over to Manchester to take on Flixton at Valley Road. The league table would make the hosts firm favourites but the visiting Chevvies are more than capable of turning on the style and upsetting the applecart on their day.
Fulwood Amateurs vs Woolton
Fulwood, despite scoring 11 in their last four, haven't taken the win in any of them as a leaky defence has proved their undoing thus far whilst their opponents on Saturday boast one of the meanest back lines in the division with 10 goals conceded and just one defeat. Fulwood's home advantage may prove to be the difference in a finely-poised encounter.
Ashton Athletic vs Halewood Apollo
Halewood Apollo attempt to return to winning ways away at an Ashton Athletic side who are reeling from five successive defeats. Athletic started the season strongly with two wins to nil but are now on a run of seven without success. There's been 29 goals in the 8 league games involving Apollo so form would say this is unlikely to be a dull affair.
Holker Old Boys vs Maine Road
Holker Old Boys lead the chasing pack and thrice came back from two goals down to snatch a draw away at Fulwood Amateurs during the week, next up for them is Maine Road, who make the long trip up to Barrow this weekend. The Brantingham Road side have struggled of late and haven't tasted victory since 11th August; three defeats and a draw since see them in 19th place at this stage.
Thornton Cleveleys vs Maghull
Maghull are already an incredible seven points clear after a thunderous start featuring eight wins out of a possible nine. Next in their path is a Thornton Cleveleys side who harbour promotion aspirations of their own and will look to keep a place in the top five throughout the season. These two can't be separated on head-to-head record, with two wins apiece joined by a draw in the two seasons these two have locked horns - including 5-2 victories for both!
Other fixtures:
- Bacup Borough vs AFC Blackpool
- Cammell Laird 1907 vs Daisy Hill
- Squires Gate vs Colne
