NWCFL First Division North
| AFC Darwen | 3-1 | Bacup Borough |
Bacup Borough Manager Brent Peters, "When one uses the terminology it was men versus boys, there are several different reasons this terminology can be used, I am going to use it because in terms of Darwen's overhaul players stature, physicality, they were strong young men. This compared to our young team who's stature and physicality was just that, Men v Boys.
"Darwen were just physically stronger than us, we were getting outmuscled in various areas which prevented us being able to get on the ball to feed our strikers, obviously I give credit to Darwen, no way were they going to give us any chance of getting a grip of the game, they pressed, they were stronger and also brighter in mind.
"This all said, their opening goal had an element of luck when it deflected off Oliver Crew past his keeper who most certainly would have had the ball coming in covered, we had opportunities to have made it 1-1 at the break, but it wasn't to be.
"The second half just before Darwen getting their second, they managed to clear our effort off the line, but credit to the scorer of their second goal, it was very much a quality finish. Their third goal just typified my point of a vast contrast in physicality, young Alex Mellor had tracked their striker but a basic handoff pushed Alex aside before getting into an area fronting up our goalkeeper who had no chance
"These two second-half goals apart, in the second-half following a tweak on our shape and the introduction of Alex Chu and Alex Mellor, we did on several occasions work ourselves into some great positions to do some damage, this was epitomised when we pulled a goal back.
"It was an excellent move down our right, Joel drilled the ball across the box, Chu laid off to Anthony Hall who scored with an excellent finish, we were constantly knocking on the door, but the vast differences between the two teams was physicality, going to the gym and working on their upper bodies would be a good start."
| Chadderton | 2-3 | AFC Blackpool |
Chadderton manager David Fish, "Another game we should have taken something from but failed to as a result of easily avoidable mistakes.
"AFC Blackpool came to is in good form and you could see why as they started the game very well and it took us 15 minutes to work out their system. From that point, we more than matched them and 1-1 was a fair half time scoreline.
"Their two goals in the second half were gifts and came within seconds of us ceding possession needlessly. We'll not win games whilst we continue to make basic errors.
"Our poor run of form means we are now firmly in the relegation battle and need to pick up points over the festive period."
| Holker Old Boys | 1-3 | Steeton |
Holker Old Boys manager Kevin Watkins, "Very frustrating performance, we didn't do enough in the first half to take advantage of the conditions. Both our ball and runs in the final third lacked the quality needed and then after the break, credit to Steeton they played them very well, but plenty of good deliveries into the box and made it difficult for us.
"We didn't adapt second half and ended up with big gaps between attack and defence and the ball just kept coming back so we got what we deserve from the game and have to improve over a tough set of fixtures over Christmas period."
Steeton manager Roy Mason, "I thought that we thoroughly deserved the win - we created a chance in the first half and with a bit more composure we'd have been ahead at half-time.
"With a depleted squad, it was even more pleasing. Credit to Holker for an immaculate pitch given the weather we have had, the surface was a credit to their groundstaff. That's four games unbeaten now for us and the confidence in the squad is good & we've now a good platform to build on in the second half of the season."
| Lower Breck | 3-0 | Pilkington |
| Shelley | 5-3 | Nelson |
| St Helens Town | 0-2 | Golcar United |
St Helens Town manager David Platt, "Frustrating game for us today- through injury we spent most of the first 20 minutes down to 10 men and Golcar made us pay. We were disjointed and they made us pay. From there the first half was a scrappy affair but by the end, we'd gained a measure of control.
"Second half we came out well and were on top but couldn't break Golcar down. Three great chances were put wide, one clipping the post. With 20 minutes to go Golcar went down to 10 men with the goalkeeper receiving a second yellow and from that point it was attack versus defence- but credit to Golcar, it was a good defence. They put everything in the way.
"Ultimately we didn't do enough when we had the man advantage and Golcar did."
Golcar United manager Ash Connor, "It was a great team performance yesterday. We set off well and found ourselves 2-0 up after 11 minutes with goals from Mike Fish and Ben Burnett.
"We went on to control the first half and could’ve gone further in front had it not been for a disallowed goal and a couple of decent saves from the St Helens keeper.
"Second half wasn’t to be as comfortable though especially after having our keeper Harry Stead sent off for 2 yellow cards on 60 minutes. Mike Fish went in goal and didn’t put a foot wrong.
"I was pleased with how we defended with 10 men in the second half, we made it hard for them to break us down and we also managed to create chances of our own as well.
"Everyone put a shift in yesterday and we showed great character in the second half to not only win the game but to not concede. I was especially pleased for Ryan John-Mackay yesterday, I thought he was outstanding. he never stopped working and played his part in both of our goals.
"We now prepare for a tough game against Pilkington next Saturday."
NWCFL First Division South
| Eccleshall | 8-1 | Alsager Town |
Eccleshall manager Kyle Adams, "It's a brilliant result. You don't score eight goals in this league very often so when it happens you've got to enjoy it.
"In the first half, we looked like we could score every time we went forward. We were making good decisions as well as being clinical and they couldn't cope with us.
"We probably stepped off the gas a bit in the second half which, although it's disappointing, is a little understandable. Credit to Alsager though as they tried to be a bit more solid defensively.
"Before today we've tended to drop our quality against sides at the lower end of the table so was pleasing to see us buck that trend.
"It's always sad to see managers leave clubs and I hope Lee and Dan are back involved somewhere soon.
"We've got a tough game against Vauxhall now on Tuesday and we certainly know that will be a different kettle of fish up there compared to today!"
| Ellesmere Rangers | 0-2 | Stockport Town |
Ellesmere Rangers manager Connor Courtney, "Poor performance today, you can get away with 1-2 being off if, but the whole team wasn't on it today. Fair play to Stockport, first to every second ball and worked harder than us. That's our wake up call and now need to work hard in the week to put things right in a must-win game Saturday away at Barnton."
Stockport Town manager Adam Jones," Great win in tough conditions, we knew it would be tough Ellesmere are in a false position in the league and coming into the game were 2nd in the form table.
"We showed another side to our game and we fought and won our 1 v 1 battles across the park. Proud of the boys and we look forward to playing Wythenshawe Town on Monday night."
| Maine Road | 3-0 | Cammell Laird 1907 |
Maine Road manager Ray Barnet, "Given the weather throughout the week the pitch was in perfect condition and the stage set for an entertaining game.
"We wanted to make amends for the reverse fixture where numerous missed chances in the 2nd half cost us the opportunity to take anything out of the game so we needed to be at our best as Cammell Laird are in a good position in the table and a decent run of form.
"The lads didn't disappoint and put in a solid performance. The scoreline doesn't do the game justice as it was end to end entertainment and we rode our luck a little in the 1st half as Cammell Laird created chances but were denied by some excellent goalkeeping from Conrad Betton and great defending, but we were more than happy to go in 2-0 up at half time with goals from Ben Mooney & Jack Coop.
"Second half was very even both defences breaking down any attacking play but we got the 3rd on 90 mins after a good run from Cameron Hill on his debut finds Jack Coop and out of nothing made the goal himself
"This was as good a performance as we have had all year and showed how we are maturing as a group. "
| St Martins | 1-6 | Cheadle Town |
Thoughts after today’s game from Manager Danny Meadowcroft pic.twitter.com/P0Yg5yXVJH
— Cheadle Town FC (@CheadleTownFC) December 14, 2019
| Vauxhall Motors | 2-1 | Cheadle Heath Nomads |
Cheadle Heath Nomads manager Andy Gray, "It was always going to be a tough game facing Vauxhall at their place. They're a good team who don't give up many points so to say it was disappointing to concede in the first minute is an understatement.
"But to be fair to the lads they battled hard and we got back in the match with a good goal and it was pretty even.
"They scored again from a set-piece to go in with a lead at half time which they probably just about deserved.
"Second half I thought we worked a lot harder and were better than them all over the pitch. Unfortunately, most of the work was in the middle and neither side created much in front of goal.
"Disappointed not to get a point but it happens when you are on the run we are on. Very pleased with the commitment from the lads though and we go again next week."
Main photograph from Lower Breck's 3-0 win against Pilkington, as taken by Gary Langley.
