Five things we learned - Week 5
Wed 31st August 2022 | Five Things | By Jay Cooper
With another round of NWCFL football passing by, here are 5 things we learned from Week 5.
1. It's never over until it's over in the NWCFL
I spoke about Prestwich Heys in depth in a recent article, and wasn't sure I'd need to say much more about them for a while as a result - but then they absolutely roared back from seemingly certain defeat in their weekend clash with Barnoldswick away from home.
After going 3-0 down by half time, despite being comparatively fresh compared to their opponents who themselves had faced Blyth Town in a 1-0 win 2 days earlier, it was looking bleak for Lee O'Brien's side. Hills Andrew and Gareth and Alex Ralph saw Barlick comfortable at half time, but a remarkable turnaround in the second half totally changed the outlook of the game - goals from Berry, O'Connor, Barlow, James and a debuting Campbell ensure a memorable 5-3 victory for the M45 side.
2. You'll be sorry to miss the games when the weekend comes
Much like I am after the weekend just gone. I've already made note of Heys' heroics away at Barnoldswick, but they were one of 3 teams who managed a 5-goal haul on Monday in the Premier Division alone. Padiham were also amongst the goals as they rolled over Litherland with a dominant second half display, winning 5-1, and AFC Liverpool marched to a comfortable victory, putting Isle of Man to the sword by 5 goals to 2. In addition, Avro continued their 100% start to the season with a 4-0 drubbing of Longridge Town.
Further down the divisions, Euxton Villa and Chadderton played out a 6-goal thriller which finished 4-2 in favour of the latter, there were 8 goals in the game between Cheadle Heath Nomads and Stockport Town, with Town winning 5-3, and Foley Meir conceded 7 goals for the second time this season, this time to league leaders Wythenshawe Amateurs, whilst mustering 2 in response. Basically, if there's a NWCFL game happening near you, it'll likely be worth going to.
3. Patience is a virtue for Runcorn
Matt Barnes's Runcorn Town picked up their first win of the new campaign this weekend, in what looks on paper to have been a routine victory over Ashton Town. Goals at both ends of the 90 minutes from Harry Hatton and Jack Coop respectively ensured all 3 points remained at the Viridor Community Stadium.
What makes this game a little more note-worthy was that not only was it Town's first win of the season, and it did the job of moving the side above the relegation zone in D1N, but it was also the club's first victory in front of a home crowd for the best part of 2 years. October 2020 was Runcorn's most recent home victory before last weekend. Maybe a streak of the opposite kind (ie. Home wins) going forwards will help steady the ship after relegation last season.
4. One thing then the opposite for South Liverpool
South Liverpool have had a fairly rotten start to the season in D1N. Of their first 3 games, they were unable to pick up any points and their results table read like this: South 2-4 Daisy Hill; South 2-3 Chadderton; South 1-3 Euxton Villa. Granted, those 3 teams that defeated the Jericho Lane side all currently occupy play-off places, but that doesn't make the situation any more desirable for Martin Ryman's side, who sit one place below the dreaded dotted line.
However, a reprieve was certainly granted on an away trip to fellow early-season strugglers Cleator Moor Celtic. South had their cake and ate it too in this match, putting 8 past a sorry Celtic, who could only reply with 1 goal of their own. Despite that ludicrous high, next up on the agenda was a trip to league leaders Pilkington, who've been scoring for fun, on Monday of this week. A 3-1 defeat brought South back down to earth. Next is Steeton at home, who've lost their last 3 league games. Maybe don't expect another 8-goal haul, South fans, but for now it acts a break from coming up against those teams at the top.
5. The FA Vase is back
Wythenshawe Town and Abbey Hey were amongst the flag-flyers for the NWCFL in last season's FA Vase, and the qualifying rounds for 2022/23 kicked off this weekend, with a whopping 31 NWCFL teams competing, some of whom came up against each other. D1S side Cheadle Town upset Premier Division Northwich Vics, New Mills overcame Atherton LR, and West Didsbury & Chorlton defeated Ashton Town. Cammel Laird put Wythy Amateurs out on penalties, as did Lower Breck to Daisy Hill and Bacup to Burscough.
Other notable games include Longridge pumping Yorkshire Amateurs away from home 6-1, and Charnock Richard going 2 better and putting 8 past Bottesford Town without reply. With 17 still remaining after this weekend, and more still to enter, it remains to be seen who will hold the torch for the NWCFL in the Vase this campaign.
Five things we learned - Week 5
Wed 31st August 2022 | Five Things
By Jay Cooper
With another round of NWCFL football passing by, here are 5 things we learned from Week 5.
1. It's never over until it's over in the NWCFL
I spoke about Prestwich Heys in depth in a recent article, and wasn't sure I'd need to say much more about them for a while as a result - but then they absolutely roared back from seemingly certain defeat in their weekend clash with Barnoldswick away from home.
After going 3-0 down by half time, despite being comparatively fresh compared to their opponents who themselves had faced Blyth Town in a 1-0 win 2 days earlier, it was looking bleak for Lee O'Brien's side. Hills Andrew and Gareth and Alex Ralph saw Barlick comfortable at half time, but a remarkable turnaround in the second half totally changed the outlook of the game - goals from Berry, O'Connor, Barlow, James and a debuting Campbell ensure a memorable 5-3 victory for the M45 side.
2. You'll be sorry to miss the games when the weekend comes
Much like I am after the weekend just gone. I've already made note of Heys' heroics away at Barnoldswick, but they were one of 3 teams who managed a 5-goal haul on Monday in the Premier Division alone. Padiham were also amongst the goals as they rolled over Litherland with a dominant second half display, winning 5-1, and AFC Liverpool marched to a comfortable victory, putting Isle of Man to the sword by 5 goals to 2. In addition, Avro continued their 100% start to the season with a 4-0 drubbing of Longridge Town.
Further down the divisions, Euxton Villa and Chadderton played out a 6-goal thriller which finished 4-2 in favour of the latter, there were 8 goals in the game between Cheadle Heath Nomads and Stockport Town, with Town winning 5-3, and Foley Meir conceded 7 goals for the second time this season, this time to league leaders Wythenshawe Amateurs, whilst mustering 2 in response. Basically, if there's a NWCFL game happening near you, it'll likely be worth going to.
3. Patience is a virtue for Runcorn
Matt Barnes's Runcorn Town picked up their first win of the new campaign this weekend, in what looks on paper to have been a routine victory over Ashton Town. Goals at both ends of the 90 minutes from Harry Hatton and Jack Coop respectively ensured all 3 points remained at the Viridor Community Stadium.
What makes this game a little more note-worthy was that not only was it Town's first win of the season, and it did the job of moving the side above the relegation zone in D1N, but it was also the club's first victory in front of a home crowd for the best part of 2 years. October 2020 was Runcorn's most recent home victory before last weekend. Maybe a streak of the opposite kind (ie. Home wins) going forwards will help steady the ship after relegation last season.
4. One thing then the opposite for South Liverpool
South Liverpool have had a fairly rotten start to the season in D1N. Of their first 3 games, they were unable to pick up any points and their results table read like this: South 2-4 Daisy Hill; South 2-3 Chadderton; South 1-3 Euxton Villa. Granted, those 3 teams that defeated the Jericho Lane side all currently occupy play-off places, but that doesn't make the situation any more desirable for Martin Ryman's side, who sit one place below the dreaded dotted line.
However, a reprieve was certainly granted on an away trip to fellow early-season strugglers Cleator Moor Celtic. South had their cake and ate it too in this match, putting 8 past a sorry Celtic, who could only reply with 1 goal of their own. Despite that ludicrous high, next up on the agenda was a trip to league leaders Pilkington, who've been scoring for fun, on Monday of this week. A 3-1 defeat brought South back down to earth. Next is Steeton at home, who've lost their last 3 league games. Maybe don't expect another 8-goal haul, South fans, but for now it acts a break from coming up against those teams at the top.
5. The FA Vase is back
Wythenshawe Town and Abbey Hey were amongst the flag-flyers for the NWCFL in last season's FA Vase, and the qualifying rounds for 2022/23 kicked off this weekend, with a whopping 31 NWCFL teams competing, some of whom came up against each other. D1S side Cheadle Town upset Premier Division Northwich Vics, New Mills overcame Atherton LR, and West Didsbury & Chorlton defeated Ashton Town. Cammel Laird put Wythy Amateurs out on penalties, as did Lower Breck to Daisy Hill and Bacup to Burscough.
Other notable games include Longridge pumping Yorkshire Amateurs away from home 6-1, and Charnock Richard going 2 better and putting 8 past Bottesford Town without reply. With 17 still remaining after this weekend, and more still to enter, it remains to be seen who will hold the torch for the NWCFL in the Vase this campaign.
