Five Things We Learned - Gameweek 38
Wed 19th April 2023 | Five Things | By Jay Cooper
1. The final weekend for the NWCFL Prem
The end of the season is upon us in the NWCFL Premier Division, having already been and gone in the South and all but finished in the North. Here's what you need to look forward to this weekend.
Champs Vauxhall Motors will travel to West Didsbury and Chorlton in their final NWCFL game for the foreseeable. Avro will host Barnoldswick Town and Wythenshawe Town will fly to FC Isle of Man in each sides' push for the play-off spot. Down at the bottom, in their bid to fight for a reprieve from relegation, Burscough, who have already put up a serious fight in recent weeks, will clash with Northwich Victoria.
2. Regional cup competitions are still going on
We saw two sides in regional County Cup action over the last 7 days, and I was fortunate enough to attend one of those games. Wythenshawe Town fell short in their quest for silverware as they were downed 3-0 by NPL side Radcliffe in the Manchester Premier Cup Final.
Slightly further south, Congleton Town had slightly better fortunes against higher league opposition. The bears won 2-0 against EFL League Two side Crewe Alexandra to advance to the Cheshire Senior Cup final, where they will face National League outfit Altrincham.
3. The moment of truth for Pilkington
Tonight will be a tense night indeed in the NWCFL First Division North. About a week ago, Pilkington had the opportunity to confirm themselves as Champions after a season of looking the likeliest to do so, but fell short away at FC St. Helens.
However, with Bacup Borough having had more games than most in the league rearranged, they find themselves in a position where Chadderton, who have done all they can to take the crown away from them, are top as it stands after having completed their league schedule. Tonight, Pilks will travel to Bacup in their final game of the season, with one objective - win, and win the title in doing so.
4. In fact, nothing is decided in the North
Just as we are still unsure at the point who walks away from this season as league champions in the North, we are also unsure who, alongside Runcorn Town and Cleator Moor Celtic, will finish in the relegation places. As it stands, it's Garstang.
On Friday, Ashton Town have a glorious opportunity to confirm their safety with a win over Bacup Borough, but, should they fail to manage that, Garstang can leapfrog them into 15th with a win next Monday against, you guessed it, Bacup Borough.
5. Congratulations to Wythenshawe Amateurs!
I know there was an article that went live this morning about this particular thing that we learned last week, but it bears repeating - Wythenshawe Amateurs are champions of the NWCFL First Division South!
Stockport Town pushed them right to the final day, and their chance on Easter Monday to seal the crown against Maine Road slipped through their fingers, but at the weekend, when it mattered most, Shane Goldrick's men held their nerve and smashed Foley Meir 4-0 to confirm their status as champions. Congrats, Ammies!
Five Things We Learned - Gameweek 38
Wed 19th April 2023 | Five Things
By Jay Cooper
1. The final weekend for the NWCFL Prem
The end of the season is upon us in the NWCFL Premier Division, having already been and gone in the South and all but finished in the North. Here's what you need to look forward to this weekend.
Champs Vauxhall Motors will travel to West Didsbury and Chorlton in their final NWCFL game for the foreseeable. Avro will host Barnoldswick Town and Wythenshawe Town will fly to FC Isle of Man in each sides' push for the play-off spot. Down at the bottom, in their bid to fight for a reprieve from relegation, Burscough, who have already put up a serious fight in recent weeks, will clash with Northwich Victoria.
2. Regional cup competitions are still going on
We saw two sides in regional County Cup action over the last 7 days, and I was fortunate enough to attend one of those games. Wythenshawe Town fell short in their quest for silverware as they were downed 3-0 by NPL side Radcliffe in the Manchester Premier Cup Final.
Slightly further south, Congleton Town had slightly better fortunes against higher league opposition. The bears won 2-0 against EFL League Two side Crewe Alexandra to advance to the Cheshire Senior Cup final, where they will face National League outfit Altrincham.
3. The moment of truth for Pilkington
Tonight will be a tense night indeed in the NWCFL First Division North. About a week ago, Pilkington had the opportunity to confirm themselves as Champions after a season of looking the likeliest to do so, but fell short away at FC St. Helens.
However, with Bacup Borough having had more games than most in the league rearranged, they find themselves in a position where Chadderton, who have done all they can to take the crown away from them, are top as it stands after having completed their league schedule. Tonight, Pilks will travel to Bacup in their final game of the season, with one objective - win, and win the title in doing so.
4. In fact, nothing is decided in the North
Just as we are still unsure at the point who walks away from this season as league champions in the North, we are also unsure who, alongside Runcorn Town and Cleator Moor Celtic, will finish in the relegation places. As it stands, it's Garstang.
On Friday, Ashton Town have a glorious opportunity to confirm their safety with a win over Bacup Borough, but, should they fail to manage that, Garstang can leapfrog them into 15th with a win next Monday against, you guessed it, Bacup Borough.
5. Congratulations to Wythenshawe Amateurs!
I know there was an article that went live this morning about this particular thing that we learned last week, but it bears repeating - Wythenshawe Amateurs are champions of the NWCFL First Division South!
Stockport Town pushed them right to the final day, and their chance on Easter Monday to seal the crown against Maine Road slipped through their fingers, but at the weekend, when it mattered most, Shane Goldrick's men held their nerve and smashed Foley Meir 4-0 to confirm their status as champions. Congrats, Ammies!
