Sun 4th August 2019 | Match Reviews | By Craig Kendall
The opening day of the 2019/20 season went off without a hitch on Saturday afternoon with over 3,500 fans up and down the NWCFL turning out.
Arguably one of the biggest games in the NWCFL top flight was at the Vestacare Stadium as last seasons First Division North two promoted sides Avro and Longridge Town went head-to-head. Michael Shenton had given the home side the lead just after the break, but two goals in ten minutes for Longridge from Paul Turner and Samuel Maddox turned the tie on its head to gift Lee Ashcroft’s side the win.
Fellow promoted side Rylands (winners of the NWCFL First Division South last season), also managed to claim all three points as they mounted a 3-2 victory over last season’s 6th placed Charnock Richard. Rylands led after fifteen minutes, only for Carl Grisham to equalise on twenty-eight minutes. Then two quick goals for Rylands looked set to have clinched the points but a late goal set-up a grandstand finish, however, Rylands held on for the three points.
Elsewhere, 1874 Northwich ran out comfortable 4-1 winners over Padiham to claim the top spot on goal difference. Four different scorers on the day will please managers, Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison, as they look to better their mid-table finish last season.
Runcorn Town and Whitchurch Alport were the other winners of the day, with wins over Squires Gate (2-1), and Northwich Victoria (1-0) respectively. Runcorn raced into a two-goal lead with a Joe Holt and Craig Cairns finish mid-way through the second-half; Squires scored with eight minutes to go but Runcorn held out for the maximum points. Over in Wincham Park, fans of both sides were fumbling for their car keys seconds before the end, when Sean Griffiths netted a 93rd-minute winner much to the delight of visiting manager Luke Goddard.
Winsford United ran out 3-1 winners away at Burscough, after initially falling behind in the first minute as Sam Turnbull netted the first NWCFL goal of the season. An Own Goal, and a Daniel Thomas and Kyle McGongie strike turned the game around for Lee Duckworth's side.
There were four score draws which rounded off an entertaining afternoon. Skelmersdale United came from behind twice away at Ashton Athletic as John Kearney netted the 92nd-minute equaliser as the game ended two a-piece. At the Silent Night Stadium, the 141 spectators were treated to a superbly entertaining matchup as Barnoldswick Town and Congleton Town shared a 6-goal thriller. Initially, Barnoldswick led through Joseph Noblet, but a brace from Emini Abegbengo turned the tie on its head. However, Barnoldswick came back to level mid-way through the second half, only for Congleton to take the lead once more with a Jordan Lorde finish. The scoring was complete seven minutes from time when Ashley Brierley slotted home.
Last season’s runners up Bootle looked like they were heading for a single-goal victory through a Carl Peers first-half goal but Hanley Town huffed and puffed and eventually got a late, late 93rd-minute equaliser as they ended the day thirteenth and fourteenth in the standings respectively. And lastly, Irlam and Litherland Remyca battled out a 2-2 draw, with two penalties, one for either side within seconds of each other rounding off an enthralling game.
In the First Division North section, three new sides were all in action as Golcar United, Pilkington and Emley AFC were all raring and ready to go at 3:00 pm. However, only one of the three new sides in Golcar managed to claim all three points with a narrow 2-1 victory over last seasons fifth-placed Prestwich Heys. Ben Burnett put Golcar in front, only for Heys to equalise when Will Shawcross netted. Alex Hallam, did, however, net moments before the break which sealed the win for one of the new boys on the block.
Pilkington and Emley did not have the same luck as Golcar as the former went down 3-0 to long travellers Cleator Moor Celtic, James Bell, Callum Birdsall and Josh Charlton with the goals for Craig Routledge’s side. Emley certainly did not have the rub of any green on Saturday away at Lower Breck after as in the first half The Pewitt's saw themselves two goals down within twelve minutes, and two men down due to injuries. Emley did cause Breck some concern on forty-eight minutes when John Lududu netted, but just as the official signalled for injury-time, Conor Roberts settled the tie for Gary Moore’s Liverpool side.
The best result of the day fell for AFC Darwen who ran out 6-1 winners away at Holker Old Boys. The victory, which included braces for Jack Iley, Aaron Fleming and single goals for Luke Holden and Corey Harrison, saw Luke Evan’s side travel back down the M6 with three points and the top spot for at least a few days.
Ashton Town has certainly made a name for themselves off the field recently after tying up with Darts Professional Stephen Bunting and they certainly hit the big fish, defeating AFC Liverpool 5-1 to secure the second spot on opening day.
Meanwhile, Daisy Hill pulled off a superb 3-1 win over Bacup Borough. Hill finished second-bottom last season whilst Bacup will be hoping to push on from their eighth-placed finish last term, and with goals from Joseph Mullarkey, an own goal and a Jordan Hussey finish, secured all three points.
120 fans packed into Chadderton’s ARK Fleetech Stadium and saw David Fish’s side come from behind twice against St Helens Town and eventually seal all three points thanks to a Leon Lluobe strike on sixty-nine minutes.
Whilst Steeton and Shelley rounded up Saturday’s First Division North winners with 2-1 wins over AFC Blackpool and Garstang respectively. All three goals at the Mechanics Ground came in the first half with Steeton racing to a two-goal lead through Ben Clarkson and Jack Richmond. Seconds later, Blackpool had one back when Joe Robinson scored but they couldn’t muster another goal in the second half. Whilst in Lancashire, Craig Billington netted a brace for Shelley, their first-ever league win over Garstang.
The only draw of the weekend in the NWCFL First Division North came at Nelson as they came from behind against last season’s bottom side Atherton LR. William Higginson put Atherton ahead on fifty-three minutes, but just 90 seconds later the score was level as Jack Coop scored as the game ended 1-1.
And in the First Division South, fans were treated to a feast to super value-for-money games up and down the region. Just two new teams entered the league this term as West Didsbury & Chorlton and Abbey Hey were both relegated from the NWCFL top flight last season. There were mixed fortunes for both sides as West ran out 4-0 winners away at Eccleshall, whilst Abbey suffered a 4-2 defeat at home against last season’s runners-up Vauxhall Motors.
James Cottee, Jamie Forbes, Matthew Eckersley and Joshua Tinker all netted for West as they look to return straight away to the NWCFL Premier Division. However, Abbey fell to a defeat at the hands of one of the favourites Vauxhall, as Abbey initially took the lead through Deane Smalley, but the visitors rallied with four goals, two in either half as they took control at M18. A further consolation goal was scored by Abbey’s Smalley, his second of the afternoon but that was it in front of 124 spectators.
Two big winners in the division were FC Oswestry and Barnton who ran our 4-0, and 3-0 winners as both sides kept clean sheets. Oswestry saw goals for Michael O’Reilly, a brace for Kevin Renshaw and a single goal from David Howard secured the opening day victory away at Abbey Hulton United. Whilst, Barnton sprinted to a good afternoon’s victory away at Ellesmere Rangers, Samuel Houghton, Luke Wilson-Jones and Connor Anderson all were on the scoresheet.
Two other teams had two-goal margin wins with St Martins running out 3-1 victors at New Mills and Cammell Laird 1907 wining 2-0 at home against Cheadle Town. St Martins initially fell behind from the penalty spot but a brace from David Easthope, and a single goal from Jamie Hands secured the win Paul Moore’s team. Whilst, Ollie Nugent and Michael Furlong scored at polar opposite ends of the game as Cheadle Town were eventually put to the sword.
Maine Road, Sandbach United and Wythenshawe Amateurs all won by a single goal to secure three points on a warm afternoon in the North West (South). Maine defeated Alsager Town 2-1, Ben Davidson with a decisive brace, whilst Sandbach had to wait until the eighty-eighth minute as Ryan Allcock netted his second of the afternoon securing the win over Wythenshawe Town, and Amateurs defeated Stockport Town 2-1, Alan Dolan and Terry Mupariwa finding the net.
Lastly, completing the thirty fixture and the 111 goals scored on Saturday afternoon was Cheadle Heath Nomads one-one draw with Stone Old Alleynians, both goals coming in the first half, Richard Tindall for Cheadle and Luke Askey for Alleynians.
Sun 4th August 2019 | Match Reviews By Craig Kendall
The opening day of the 2019/20 season went off without a hitch on Saturday afternoon with over 3,500 fans up and down the NWCFL turning out.
Arguably one of the biggest games in the NWCFL top flight was at the Vestacare Stadium as last seasons First Division North two promoted sides Avro and Longridge Town went head-to-head. Michael Shenton had given the home side the lead just after the break, but two goals in ten minutes for Longridge from Paul Turner and Samuel Maddox turned the tie on its head to gift Lee Ashcroft’s side the win.
Fellow promoted side Rylands (winners of the NWCFL First Division South last season), also managed to claim all three points as they mounted a 3-2 victory over last season’s 6th placed Charnock Richard. Rylands led after fifteen minutes, only for Carl Grisham to equalise on twenty-eight minutes. Then two quick goals for Rylands looked set to have clinched the points but a late goal set-up a grandstand finish, however, Rylands held on for the three points.
Elsewhere, 1874 Northwich ran out comfortable 4-1 winners over Padiham to claim the top spot on goal difference. Four different scorers on the day will please managers, Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison, as they look to better their mid-table finish last season.
Runcorn Town and Whitchurch Alport were the other winners of the day, with wins over Squires Gate (2-1), and Northwich Victoria (1-0) respectively. Runcorn raced into a two-goal lead with a Joe Holt and Craig Cairns finish mid-way through the second-half; Squires scored with eight minutes to go but Runcorn held out for the maximum points. Over in Wincham Park, fans of both sides were fumbling for their car keys seconds before the end, when Sean Griffiths netted a 93rd-minute winner much to the delight of visiting manager Luke Goddard.
Winsford United ran out 3-1 winners away at Burscough, after initially falling behind in the first minute as Sam Turnbull netted the first NWCFL goal of the season. An Own Goal, and a Daniel Thomas and Kyle McGongie strike turned the game around for Lee Duckworth's side.
There were four score draws which rounded off an entertaining afternoon. Skelmersdale United came from behind twice away at Ashton Athletic as John Kearney netted the 92nd-minute equaliser as the game ended two a-piece. At the Silent Night Stadium, the 141 spectators were treated to a superbly entertaining matchup as Barnoldswick Town and Congleton Town shared a 6-goal thriller. Initially, Barnoldswick led through Joseph Noblet, but a brace from Emini Abegbengo turned the tie on its head. However, Barnoldswick came back to level mid-way through the second half, only for Congleton to take the lead once more with a Jordan Lorde finish. The scoring was complete seven minutes from time when Ashley Brierley slotted home.
Last season’s runners up Bootle looked like they were heading for a single-goal victory through a Carl Peers first-half goal but Hanley Town huffed and puffed and eventually got a late, late 93rd-minute equaliser as they ended the day thirteenth and fourteenth in the standings respectively. And lastly, Irlam and Litherland Remyca battled out a 2-2 draw, with two penalties, one for either side within seconds of each other rounding off an enthralling game.
In the First Division North section, three new sides were all in action as Golcar United, Pilkington and Emley AFC were all raring and ready to go at 3:00 pm. However, only one of the three new sides in Golcar managed to claim all three points with a narrow 2-1 victory over last seasons fifth-placed Prestwich Heys. Ben Burnett put Golcar in front, only for Heys to equalise when Will Shawcross netted. Alex Hallam, did, however, net moments before the break which sealed the win for one of the new boys on the block.
Pilkington and Emley did not have the same luck as Golcar as the former went down 3-0 to long travellers Cleator Moor Celtic, James Bell, Callum Birdsall and Josh Charlton with the goals for Craig Routledge’s side. Emley certainly did not have the rub of any green on Saturday away at Lower Breck after as in the first half The Pewitt's saw themselves two goals down within twelve minutes, and two men down due to injuries. Emley did cause Breck some concern on forty-eight minutes when John Lududu netted, but just as the official signalled for injury-time, Conor Roberts settled the tie for Gary Moore’s Liverpool side.
The best result of the day fell for AFC Darwen who ran out 6-1 winners away at Holker Old Boys. The victory, which included braces for Jack Iley, Aaron Fleming and single goals for Luke Holden and Corey Harrison, saw Luke Evan’s side travel back down the M6 with three points and the top spot for at least a few days.
Ashton Town has certainly made a name for themselves off the field recently after tying up with Darts Professional Stephen Bunting and they certainly hit the big fish, defeating AFC Liverpool 5-1 to secure the second spot on opening day.
Meanwhile, Daisy Hill pulled off a superb 3-1 win over Bacup Borough. Hill finished second-bottom last season whilst Bacup will be hoping to push on from their eighth-placed finish last term, and with goals from Joseph Mullarkey, an own goal and a Jordan Hussey finish, secured all three points.
120 fans packed into Chadderton’s ARK Fleetech Stadium and saw David Fish’s side come from behind twice against St Helens Town and eventually seal all three points thanks to a Leon Lluobe strike on sixty-nine minutes.
Whilst Steeton and Shelley rounded up Saturday’s First Division North winners with 2-1 wins over AFC Blackpool and Garstang respectively. All three goals at the Mechanics Ground came in the first half with Steeton racing to a two-goal lead through Ben Clarkson and Jack Richmond. Seconds later, Blackpool had one back when Joe Robinson scored but they couldn’t muster another goal in the second half. Whilst in Lancashire, Craig Billington netted a brace for Shelley, their first-ever league win over Garstang.
The only draw of the weekend in the NWCFL First Division North came at Nelson as they came from behind against last season’s bottom side Atherton LR. William Higginson put Atherton ahead on fifty-three minutes, but just 90 seconds later the score was level as Jack Coop scored as the game ended 1-1.
And in the First Division South, fans were treated to a feast to super value-for-money games up and down the region. Just two new teams entered the league this term as West Didsbury & Chorlton and Abbey Hey were both relegated from the NWCFL top flight last season. There were mixed fortunes for both sides as West ran out 4-0 winners away at Eccleshall, whilst Abbey suffered a 4-2 defeat at home against last season’s runners-up Vauxhall Motors.
James Cottee, Jamie Forbes, Matthew Eckersley and Joshua Tinker all netted for West as they look to return straight away to the NWCFL Premier Division. However, Abbey fell to a defeat at the hands of one of the favourites Vauxhall, as Abbey initially took the lead through Deane Smalley, but the visitors rallied with four goals, two in either half as they took control at M18. A further consolation goal was scored by Abbey’s Smalley, his second of the afternoon but that was it in front of 124 spectators.
Two big winners in the division were FC Oswestry and Barnton who ran our 4-0, and 3-0 winners as both sides kept clean sheets. Oswestry saw goals for Michael O’Reilly, a brace for Kevin Renshaw and a single goal from David Howard secured the opening day victory away at Abbey Hulton United. Whilst, Barnton sprinted to a good afternoon’s victory away at Ellesmere Rangers, Samuel Houghton, Luke Wilson-Jones and Connor Anderson all were on the scoresheet.
Two other teams had two-goal margin wins with St Martins running out 3-1 victors at New Mills and Cammell Laird 1907 wining 2-0 at home against Cheadle Town. St Martins initially fell behind from the penalty spot but a brace from David Easthope, and a single goal from Jamie Hands secured the win Paul Moore’s team. Whilst, Ollie Nugent and Michael Furlong scored at polar opposite ends of the game as Cheadle Town were eventually put to the sword.
Maine Road, Sandbach United and Wythenshawe Amateurs all won by a single goal to secure three points on a warm afternoon in the North West (South). Maine defeated Alsager Town 2-1, Ben Davidson with a decisive brace, whilst Sandbach had to wait until the eighty-eighth minute as Ryan Allcock netted his second of the afternoon securing the win over Wythenshawe Town, and Amateurs defeated Stockport Town 2-1, Alan Dolan and Terry Mupariwa finding the net.
Lastly, completing the thirty fixture and the 111 goals scored on Saturday afternoon was Cheadle Heath Nomads one-one draw with Stone Old Alleynians, both goals coming in the first half, Richard Tindall for Cheadle and Luke Askey for Alleynians.
