REACTIONS: NWCFL Managers give their thoughts on their NWCFL First Division North and South results

Sun 5th January 2020 | Manager Reactions | By Craig Kendall

NWCFL First Division North 

Bacup Borough manager Brent Peters, "What an excellent start to the New year securing three points and with this not conceding a goal against a strong Ashton Town side.

"We sat down with the boys before the game going through our team shape, roles and responsibilities, every one of them to a man took on board their instructions, with this producing a total collective excellent team performance.

"I was highly delighted with this performance, not just by the fact we won the game but the fact our defensive unit kept a strong side at bay by not conceding, this is a terrific start to the new year, but it is for nothing if they let their standards down on Tuesday at Shelly."

Ashton Town manager Lee Bignell, "Disappointing today. Our lads never got going we lacked that bit of quality in the final third and, to be honest, we could still be playing now and not scored. But Fair play to Brent his side were well organised and difficult to break down a deserved the three points."

Chadderton manager David Fish," I'm delighted with today's result. Before the game, I focused on our need to start well and with intensity and the players responded. 

"Whilst it was a young Cleator Moor team we were almost faultless in our application and it's no exaggeration to say we could have had double figures. It was also pleasing to get a rare clean sheet and that was due to our concentration and work-rate being maintained for the whole 90.

"Hopefully we take the same mentality into Wednesday v Steeton."

Nelson manager Andy Harrison, "Best team won on the day. I think today was the first game of the season where we didn't create a single chance of note bar a missed penalty. Another one we swiftly move on from."

Lower Breck manager Gary Moore," Disappointed not to get at least a point out of the game today and on the balance of play all three with the chances created we could have easily been 3/4 goals up at half time.

"A soft pen from our point of view via a keeper error and then from there it was all us with only an inspired Shelley keeper keeping us out.

"We had a clear goal ruled out for offside with everyone agreed the flag should have stayed down.

"Missed chances and that little bit of luck is eluding us at the minute and with no win in four it doesn't look good but we've done enough to earn the points in three of the games we just need to put games to bed when the chances come."

Steeton manager Roy Mason," I thought we were on the front foot from the first minute and we could and should have been further ahead at half time. We had more intensity and pace in the final third than we have of late & thoroughly deserved the win. I

"I’m pleased for the players as they put in a performance that deserved the points, but we need to build on this now over the next few games."

St Helens Town manager David Platt, "I can't say too much after a game like that - we were awful all over the park. Steeton did their job and worked hard, we were slow and didn't show the same desire. Well done to Steeton." 

NWCFL First Division South

Alsager Town manager Stuart Tulloch, "The first half Alsager didn't turn up and execute the game plan and paid the price for two moments of lack of concentration which West Didsbury and Chorlton punished us for when two one-on-ones.

"Second half, all Alsager scored a great goal and scored a second for it to be ruled out for offside. That being said we cost ourselves and gave us a too bigger mountain to climb today and will learn from that."

Eccleshall manager Kyle Adams," It's a big three points after the defeat last week. We needed to bounce back quickly and although we still weren't at our best we got the job the done in the end. Credit to the lads as we asked them to do certain things, as well as changing a couple of things at half time, and they've gone out and done it.

"It was a pretty even game and then they've gone down to 10-men which has probably tipped the balance in our favour slightly. That said, it's sometimes more difficult to break down 10-men and they were stubborn and defended very well.

"Once we went ahead we had a really good spell of about 15 minutes where we looked like scoring every time we went forward but we just couldn't put the ball in the net. They weathered that and even with the man less they started to threaten to their credit so it was a relief to get that second through Shay. It was a great little ball from Wakey and I'm chuffed for Shay to come on and make a big impact as he's having to be patient at the minute."

Cheadle Heath Nomads manager Andy Gray, "It's very difficult to play to a game plan when a strange decision puts you down to 10 men after 15 minutes but we had to do that today.

"Despite the obvious disadvantage we worked our socks off and were pretty comfortable to be fair, going in at half time 0-0 was the least we deserved. 

"First few minutes of the second half and another poor decision cost us a penalty! So we were 1-0 down, 1 man down and a mountain to climb. 

"Still I thought we were well in the game right through till their 2nd went in with about 5 mins left but with us chasing the game.

"Football can be a very tough game when things aren't going for you and that's where we're at! But we'll keep going and work hard to turn it around."

Ellesmere Rangers manager Connor Courtney, "The first half we played well and should have been out of sight. But they scored just before half time and caught us on the break.

"The second half, Wythenshawe came out the better, but again we played well. They took their chance and scored a good goal. We dust ourselves off and go again Tuesday." 

Stockport Town manager Adam Jones, "I am thrilled with the performance today. Its been coming that performance and I just wanted the boys to add ruthlessness into our final 3rd play and we did that with abundance. We still have work to do but massively encouraged with the direction we are going. Happy New Year. "

Maine Road manage Ray Barnet, "Stone is always a tough fixture even more so away from home but we have been in good form recently so we were feeling quietly confident we could get something out of the game and the squad knows it is now so important we beat the teams who are above us as everyone below the top 4 are playing catch up.

"Stone dominated the first 35 minutes, we looked sluggish and off the pace and gave them far too much time on the ball but we defended magnificently and Conrad Betton only had one save to make all half. Stone must have been frustrated they didn't have anything to show for what felt like 90% of the possession.

"The last 10 minutes we finally got into the game with some quick movement of the ball but didn't get to trouble their keeper.

"We were happy with our shape and discussed at half time where and how we needed to improve particularly in midfield, off the ball and in possession and what a reaction.

"From the whistle, we brought an intensity to our game and lifted the tempo and played superb football and deservedly took the lead when Finn Thompson made a good run in behind, chested the ball down and smashed it into the back of the net.

"Stone never really recovered and we were dominating the game just like Stone did in the first half and clinched the game as Cameron Hill forced a great save from the keeper only for Ben Davison to pounce on the rebound. Stone had a couple of good chances at the other end but denied by Conrad Betton who wasn't giving up a clean sheet easily.

"We had several good chances but the Stone keeper was excellent and kept the score at 2-0.

"A game of two halves for us, whilst the second half was scintillating to watch from a Maine Road perspective we were equally as impressed with our defensive performance in the first half as this often gets overlooked over the attractive attacking football."