Five Things We Learned - Week 4
Tue 23rd August 2022 | Five Things | By Jay Cooper
With another round of NWCFL football passing by, here are 5 things we learned from Week 4.
1. The Manchester sides are not to be overlooked in the FA Cup
There was notable successes coming from Manchester in the FA Cup last weekend, as West Didsbury and Chorlton made the first qualifying round for the first time in the club's history. Chris Rowley's men overcame Northwich Victoria in an away game that saw a last-minute rocket from Curtis Miller seal West's progress. Joining them in the next round will be Bury AFC, who outdid NPL side Widnes with a 2-0 victory.
Cross-county rivals Prestwich Heys also fought their way to a replay after going 2-0 behind to Jamie Vardy's old side Stocksbridge Park Steels. The game finished 2-2, and the replay will be played tonight. Same applies to Avro, who's encounter with Albion Sports finished goalless
2. The pacesetters have emerged in the Prem
From 5 games played so far in the NWCFL Premier Division, there are only 2 teams remaining who've played as many and won them all - Manchester-based Avro and Mersyside-based Vauxhall Motors. Man United/Liverpool might've been the game with 2 teams from those areas catching all the attention this week, but sparks are going to fly by the time Alex Frost's and Mick McGraa's men come face to face.
It's also worth keeping an eye on the fact that Wythenshawe Town currently hold a 100% winning record - they're just 2 games behind. They're certainly not for discounting after last season's play-off reaching campaign.
3. Relegation may be more damaging than it first seems
Kendal Town are the only team in the NWCFL Prem who were not a part of the league system last season. It seems that their early season has been something of a reality check, as the team from Parkside Street Stadium are the only one in their division who are yet to pick up any points at all. They remain propping up the rest of the league after defeats to Vauxhall Motors, Barnoldswick Town and Wythenshawe Town. That said, they've picked up 2 wins from 2 in Cup competitions, which is something to hang their hats on.
As for D1N, Runcorn Town were the only side to drop into this league from a higher one last time out. They've recently come off a remarkable loss to FC St Helens, in which they conceded 4 goals with 4 different players in goal. 1 point from 5 has seen Matt Barnes' side drop into the relegation zone alongside Ashton Town and Cleator Moor Celtic. A reprieve couldn't save them last year, and hopefully that won't be required again this time around.
4. It may be a rough ride for Rocester
The bottom side in D1S is Hillsfield's Rocester, and it has been a fairly disastrous start to the season for them. 5 defeats from 5, 1 of those coming in the Edward Chase Cup, and having only scored 2 goals in that time whilst conceding 20. They've conceded 6 to Sandbach and 5 to New Mills in games so far this season.
What's perhaps even more worrying is that 4 of those 5 games have been home affairs. Having not scored in their last 3 outings, they face high-flying Brocton in the coming weeks, with a visit to Barnton between now and then. Failure to pick up anything from those games might not bode well for Keiren Gudgen's outfit.
5. Well done to Matt Potter
Matt Potter is the now-permanent manager at AFC Liverpool after a terrific term in temporary charge of the club. AFC have begun the season like a house on fire, with 4 wins from 5 league games, one of which was a 6-1 drubbing of neighbouring Burscough.
Potter has been in charge of the club since the mid-July parting of ways between the club and Chris Anderson. AFC Liverpool might not thank me for this, but getting the contract out, putting it on the table and letting him write whatever numbers he wants on there may well prove to be a fruitful decision. Potter's at at wheel, and AFC Liverpool are back!
Five Things We Learned - Week 4
Tue 23rd August 2022 | Five Things
By Jay Cooper
With another round of NWCFL football passing by, here are 5 things we learned from Week 4.
1. The Manchester sides are not to be overlooked in the FA Cup
There was notable successes coming from Manchester in the FA Cup last weekend, as West Didsbury and Chorlton made the first qualifying round for the first time in the club's history. Chris Rowley's men overcame Northwich Victoria in an away game that saw a last-minute rocket from Curtis Miller seal West's progress. Joining them in the next round will be Bury AFC, who outdid NPL side Widnes with a 2-0 victory.
Cross-county rivals Prestwich Heys also fought their way to a replay after going 2-0 behind to Jamie Vardy's old side Stocksbridge Park Steels. The game finished 2-2, and the replay will be played tonight. Same applies to Avro, who's encounter with Albion Sports finished goalless
2. The pacesetters have emerged in the Prem
From 5 games played so far in the NWCFL Premier Division, there are only 2 teams remaining who've played as many and won them all - Manchester-based Avro and Mersyside-based Vauxhall Motors. Man United/Liverpool might've been the game with 2 teams from those areas catching all the attention this week, but sparks are going to fly by the time Alex Frost's and Mick McGraa's men come face to face.
It's also worth keeping an eye on the fact that Wythenshawe Town currently hold a 100% winning record - they're just 2 games behind. They're certainly not for discounting after last season's play-off reaching campaign.
3. Relegation may be more damaging than it first seems
Kendal Town are the only team in the NWCFL Prem who were not a part of the league system last season. It seems that their early season has been something of a reality check, as the team from Parkside Street Stadium are the only one in their division who are yet to pick up any points at all. They remain propping up the rest of the league after defeats to Vauxhall Motors, Barnoldswick Town and Wythenshawe Town. That said, they've picked up 2 wins from 2 in Cup competitions, which is something to hang their hats on.
As for D1N, Runcorn Town were the only side to drop into this league from a higher one last time out. They've recently come off a remarkable loss to FC St Helens, in which they conceded 4 goals with 4 different players in goal. 1 point from 5 has seen Matt Barnes' side drop into the relegation zone alongside Ashton Town and Cleator Moor Celtic. A reprieve couldn't save them last year, and hopefully that won't be required again this time around.
4. It may be a rough ride for Rocester
The bottom side in D1S is Hillsfield's Rocester, and it has been a fairly disastrous start to the season for them. 5 defeats from 5, 1 of those coming in the Edward Chase Cup, and having only scored 2 goals in that time whilst conceding 20. They've conceded 6 to Sandbach and 5 to New Mills in games so far this season.
What's perhaps even more worrying is that 4 of those 5 games have been home affairs. Having not scored in their last 3 outings, they face high-flying Brocton in the coming weeks, with a visit to Barnton between now and then. Failure to pick up anything from those games might not bode well for Keiren Gudgen's outfit.
5. Well done to Matt Potter
Matt Potter is the now-permanent manager at AFC Liverpool after a terrific term in temporary charge of the club. AFC have begun the season like a house on fire, with 4 wins from 5 league games, one of which was a 6-1 drubbing of neighbouring Burscough.
Potter has been in charge of the club since the mid-July parting of ways between the club and Chris Anderson. AFC Liverpool might not thank me for this, but getting the contract out, putting it on the table and letting him write whatever numbers he wants on there may well prove to be a fruitful decision. Potter's at at wheel, and AFC Liverpool are back!