Midweek game round up w/c 7/8/23
Thu 10th August 2023 | Match Reviews | By Steven Oldham
Premier Division:
Bury sit atop the North West Counties Premier Division after the midweek fixtures played out - but they were made to work for it by last season's promotion rivals Wythenshawe Town. The Shakers eventually won 3-2, but found themselves two down at the break thanks to a Luke Nock penalty and one from Danny Byrnes. In a classic game of two halves, Bury almost immediately pulled one back through Andy Briggs, who added a second on 56 minutes. Sajjad Elhassan completed the turnaround on 77 minutes, with a coolly taken penalty after a foul on Lewis Gilboy. Always a keenly-contested fixture, the referee was busy with no less than twelve players receiving a yellow card - but surprisingly both teams finished the game without a red card.
Kendal Town are keeping Bury honest and can match their 100% record with a third successive win. The Mintcakes were too strong for Padiham, and eventually won 3-0 - although they left it late to seal the deal. James Bailey put Kendal ahead after six minutes, and there was no more additions to the scoresheet until six minutes from time. Ryan Winder converted a penalty, with Bailey his second and the side's third in injury time. The Cumbrian side are yet to concede a league goal this season.
Litherland REMYCA made it back-to-back wins after overcoming Squires Gate 4-1. Oliver Nugent got REMY off to a good start, giving them the lead after five minutes. The visitors were level ten minutes later through Kevin Spinelli's second of the season, but that's as good as it got for a side who have now leaked 14 goals in 4 games in all competitions. Elliot Taylor found the net in both halves, either side of one for Jack Richards. Colin McDonald's side have taken advantage of a midweek fixture list heavily disrupted by FA Cup replays to jump up to third place.
Colne picked up a first league win of the season with a carbon copy result from their FA Cup victory over Glossop North End three days earlier. The visitors again won the game 2-1, a result that leaves Glossop without a point and with the division's worst defence. Harry Freedman had put The Hillmen ahead after a goalless first half, but Ellis Wallbank equalised ten minutes later. Lucas Weaver snatched a win for his side nine minutes from time, and to add more symmetry, both Freedman and Weaver were also on the scoresheet on Saturday.
Cheadle Town fought back from 2-0 down to pick up their first point of the campaign against fellow promoted side Pilkington. Chris Lomax's first half brace had given Pilkington the advantage, but they threw away their lead in the closing stages. Pat Davin gave Cheadle hope nine minutes from time, and Kyle McGonigle levelled the game in injury time to steal a point for Paul Marshall's side.
Elsewhere, Prestwich Heys and Charnock Richard played out a goalless draw in front a crowd of 176.
First Division North:
On Monday night, third-placed Ilkley Town produced a memorable fightback to beat Route One Rovers 4-3 and remain unbeaten. Nathan Hunt scored twice in added time to give Ilkley all three points, with Rovers 3-1 up until the game's final five minutes.
Euxton Villa and FC St Helens continued their strong starts in the North West Counties First Division North, with both sides picking up a fourth straight win on Tuesday night. Villa thrashed Nelson 7-1 at home, despite the visitors taking the lead through Jak McKinlay after 20 minutes. Goals from Dan Singleton (2) and Josh Briggs gave Villa the half-time lead, with Aidan Tait putting the game to bed ten minutes into the second.
Matt Atherton's side weren't finished there, however. Raj Uppal netted a 15-minute hat-trick to seal a miserable night for Nelson on the short trip back to Little Wembley. Villa already have a goal difference of +12 and, unsurprisingly are the division's top scorers so far.
Not to be outdone, FC St Helens were also victorious, albeit by a more pedestrian scoreline. Mike Smith's side were 2-0 winners at AFC Blackpool, who prop up the table at this early stage with no points from four games. Goals from Joe Barker and Brad Green gave the Merseyside team all three points at The Mechanics Ground, with Barker netting his third of the season.
South Liverpool played the role of party-poopers by ending Atherton Laburnum Rovers' 100% record with Elliot Owen's injury-time winner. Owen's 96th minute goal ensured all three points went to the visitors, who came from behind to take victory. Lewis Rawsthorn's fourth of the season gave Rovers the half-time lead, but Christopher Bramell brought his side back into it 20 minutes into the second, before Owen's killer goal via a back post header, six minutes into added on time.
Ashton Athletic made it back-to-back wins with a 2-1 victory over Darwen at Brocstedes Park. After a goalless first half, Dale Korie-Butler and Kyle King were on target to give the home side the advantage. Gary Basterfield's penalty six minutes from time threatened to bring Darwen back into it, but Athletic held on.
Steeton proved too strong for Holker Old Boys, picking up a 3-0 win in Cumbria thanks to Jake Townsend and a Joshua Coe brace. It's a third straight win for Roy Mason's side, who have bounced back from a heavy opening day defeat against Atherton LR.
Daisy Hill picked up their first win of the season with a 3-0 victory at Shelley. The Cutters endured a goalless first half, but prevailed later on with Ryan Talbot, Jake O'Brien and Jamie Ramwell all finding the back of the net. The crowd of just 55 in attendance to watch this game is the division's lowest to date this season.
Runcorn Town and Ashton Town shared the spoils in 2-2 draw at The Viridor Community Stadium. Leon Wright's quickfire double had given Ashton control within 20 minutes, but Runcorn fought back with a goal in each half from Zac Byrne and Neil Weaver.
Garstang got off the mark with a 2-2 draw with Bacup Borough. The game was goalless at half-time, with Bacup taking the lead twice before being pegged back. Connor Morris and Lewis Simon-Byrne were on target for the visitors, but Garstang fought back to claim their first point through substitute Danny Squires and Josh Hall.
First Division South:
Cammell Laird 1907 picked up their first win of the campaign with a 4-2 victory over Winsford United, who are now the only team without a point in the North West Counties First Division South. The home side raced into a 4-0 lead - and were 3-0 up within 25 minutes - before the visitors mounted something of a comeback, but by then it was too little, too late. James Eaton opened the scoring after 11 minutes, and Ben Summers opened his account for the evening eight minutes later. Summers was on target again shortly after, before completing his hat-trick on 57 minutes. David Short and Adam Barlow got themselves on the scoresheet for Winsford, but it's a fourth straight loss for Lee Duckworth's side.
Another side taking their first win was Abbey Hulton United, who triumphed 3-1 over Barnton in Wednesday night's only game. Two goals from Jamie Turner - including an injury time penalty - and one from Matthew Ward was enough for the Staffordshire to take all three points. Barnton briefly pulled the game back to 2-1 through Tyler Rufus.
At the other end, Abbey Hey recorded a comprehensive win New Mills 5-0 on Tuesday night to remain unbeaten and are top of the table. Danny Warburton netted his second in as many games to open the scoring, with Rhys Clooney taking a brace. Will Shawcross was also on target and a late own goal was the icing on the cake for the Gorton side. New Mills are one of four sides without a win to their name to date.
Stockport Town proved too strong for Maine Road and made it three wins from three on Monday night. The visitors took the lead at Stockport Sports Village through Yaser Salim before Jamie Walsh equalised to take the sides in level at the break. Mike Elstone added a second for Town before the hour mark, with Callum Gardner and Sam Hare adding injury time goals of their own. This was Maine Road's first defeat of the season.
Eccleshall continued their strong start to the season with a 2-0 victory at Brocton. Mitchell Glover and Callum Feeney were on target for the away side, who at this rate look a good bet to better their 10th place finish last season.
Market Drayton Town boast the best defence in the league at this early stage, having only conceded once. They were unbreached again on Tuesday night while picking up a 4-0 victory over Ashville. Two goals in either half from Cameron Dourish, Nicky Parker (2) and Daniel Churm gave the relegated side another win and they remain unbeaten.
Elsewhere, Alsager Town picked up a 3-1 win at Cheadle Heath Nomads, with Jordan Cobley scoring twice for the visitors. Sandbach United and Stockport Georgians couldn't be separated in a 2-2 draw.
Thank you to Steven Oldham (@SPOldham) for casting an eye across this weeks results.
Image courtesey of Ian Parker-Moore.
Midweek game round up w/c 7/8/23
Thu 10th August 2023 | Match Reviews
By Steven Oldham
Premier Division:
Bury sit atop the North West Counties Premier Division after the midweek fixtures played out - but they were made to work for it by last season's promotion rivals Wythenshawe Town. The Shakers eventually won 3-2, but found themselves two down at the break thanks to a Luke Nock penalty and one from Danny Byrnes. In a classic game of two halves, Bury almost immediately pulled one back through Andy Briggs, who added a second on 56 minutes. Sajjad Elhassan completed the turnaround on 77 minutes, with a coolly taken penalty after a foul on Lewis Gilboy. Always a keenly-contested fixture, the referee was busy with no less than twelve players receiving a yellow card - but surprisingly both teams finished the game without a red card.
Kendal Town are keeping Bury honest and can match their 100% record with a third successive win. The Mintcakes were too strong for Padiham, and eventually won 3-0 - although they left it late to seal the deal. James Bailey put Kendal ahead after six minutes, and there was no more additions to the scoresheet until six minutes from time. Ryan Winder converted a penalty, with Bailey his second and the side's third in injury time. The Cumbrian side are yet to concede a league goal this season.
Litherland REMYCA made it back-to-back wins after overcoming Squires Gate 4-1. Oliver Nugent got REMY off to a good start, giving them the lead after five minutes. The visitors were level ten minutes later through Kevin Spinelli's second of the season, but that's as good as it got for a side who have now leaked 14 goals in 4 games in all competitions. Elliot Taylor found the net in both halves, either side of one for Jack Richards. Colin McDonald's side have taken advantage of a midweek fixture list heavily disrupted by FA Cup replays to jump up to third place.
Colne picked up a first league win of the season with a carbon copy result from their FA Cup victory over Glossop North End three days earlier. The visitors again won the game 2-1, a result that leaves Glossop without a point and with the division's worst defence. Harry Freedman had put The Hillmen ahead after a goalless first half, but Ellis Wallbank equalised ten minutes later. Lucas Weaver snatched a win for his side nine minutes from time, and to add more symmetry, both Freedman and Weaver were also on the scoresheet on Saturday.
Cheadle Town fought back from 2-0 down to pick up their first point of the campaign against fellow promoted side Pilkington. Chris Lomax's first half brace had given Pilkington the advantage, but they threw away their lead in the closing stages. Pat Davin gave Cheadle hope nine minutes from time, and Kyle McGonigle levelled the game in injury time to steal a point for Paul Marshall's side.
Elsewhere, Prestwich Heys and Charnock Richard played out a goalless draw in front a crowd of 176.
First Division North:
On Monday night, third-placed Ilkley Town produced a memorable fightback to beat Route One Rovers 4-3 and remain unbeaten. Nathan Hunt scored twice in added time to give Ilkley all three points, with Rovers 3-1 up until the game's final five minutes.
Euxton Villa and FC St Helens continued their strong starts in the North West Counties First Division North, with both sides picking up a fourth straight win on Tuesday night. Villa thrashed Nelson 7-1 at home, despite the visitors taking the lead through Jak McKinlay after 20 minutes. Goals from Dan Singleton (2) and Josh Briggs gave Villa the half-time lead, with Aidan Tait putting the game to bed ten minutes into the second.
Matt Atherton's side weren't finished there, however. Raj Uppal netted a 15-minute hat-trick to seal a miserable night for Nelson on the short trip back to Little Wembley. Villa already have a goal difference of +12 and, unsurprisingly are the division's top scorers so far.
Not to be outdone, FC St Helens were also victorious, albeit by a more pedestrian scoreline. Mike Smith's side were 2-0 winners at AFC Blackpool, who prop up the table at this early stage with no points from four games. Goals from Joe Barker and Brad Green gave the Merseyside team all three points at The Mechanics Ground, with Barker netting his third of the season.
South Liverpool played the role of party-poopers by ending Atherton Laburnum Rovers' 100% record with Elliot Owen's injury-time winner. Owen's 96th minute goal ensured all three points went to the visitors, who came from behind to take victory. Lewis Rawsthorn's fourth of the season gave Rovers the half-time lead, but Christopher Bramell brought his side back into it 20 minutes into the second, before Owen's killer goal via a back post header, six minutes into added on time.
Ashton Athletic made it back-to-back wins with a 2-1 victory over Darwen at Brocstedes Park. After a goalless first half, Dale Korie-Butler and Kyle King were on target to give the home side the advantage. Gary Basterfield's penalty six minutes from time threatened to bring Darwen back into it, but Athletic held on.
Steeton proved too strong for Holker Old Boys, picking up a 3-0 win in Cumbria thanks to Jake Townsend and a Joshua Coe brace. It's a third straight win for Roy Mason's side, who have bounced back from a heavy opening day defeat against Atherton LR.
Daisy Hill picked up their first win of the season with a 3-0 victory at Shelley. The Cutters endured a goalless first half, but prevailed later on with Ryan Talbot, Jake O'Brien and Jamie Ramwell all finding the back of the net. The crowd of just 55 in attendance to watch this game is the division's lowest to date this season.
Runcorn Town and Ashton Town shared the spoils in 2-2 draw at The Viridor Community Stadium. Leon Wright's quickfire double had given Ashton control within 20 minutes, but Runcorn fought back with a goal in each half from Zac Byrne and Neil Weaver.
Garstang got off the mark with a 2-2 draw with Bacup Borough. The game was goalless at half-time, with Bacup taking the lead twice before being pegged back. Connor Morris and Lewis Simon-Byrne were on target for the visitors, but Garstang fought back to claim their first point through substitute Danny Squires and Josh Hall.
First Division South:
Cammell Laird 1907 picked up their first win of the campaign with a 4-2 victory over Winsford United, who are now the only team without a point in the North West Counties First Division South. The home side raced into a 4-0 lead - and were 3-0 up within 25 minutes - before the visitors mounted something of a comeback, but by then it was too little, too late. James Eaton opened the scoring after 11 minutes, and Ben Summers opened his account for the evening eight minutes later. Summers was on target again shortly after, before completing his hat-trick on 57 minutes. David Short and Adam Barlow got themselves on the scoresheet for Winsford, but it's a fourth straight loss for Lee Duckworth's side.
Another side taking their first win was Abbey Hulton United, who triumphed 3-1 over Barnton in Wednesday night's only game. Two goals from Jamie Turner - including an injury time penalty - and one from Matthew Ward was enough for the Staffordshire to take all three points. Barnton briefly pulled the game back to 2-1 through Tyler Rufus.
At the other end, Abbey Hey recorded a comprehensive win New Mills 5-0 on Tuesday night to remain unbeaten and are top of the table. Danny Warburton netted his second in as many games to open the scoring, with Rhys Clooney taking a brace. Will Shawcross was also on target and a late own goal was the icing on the cake for the Gorton side. New Mills are one of four sides without a win to their name to date.
Stockport Town proved too strong for Maine Road and made it three wins from three on Monday night. The visitors took the lead at Stockport Sports Village through Yaser Salim before Jamie Walsh equalised to take the sides in level at the break. Mike Elstone added a second for Town before the hour mark, with Callum Gardner and Sam Hare adding injury time goals of their own. This was Maine Road's first defeat of the season.
Eccleshall continued their strong start to the season with a 2-0 victory at Brocton. Mitchell Glover and Callum Feeney were on target for the away side, who at this rate look a good bet to better their 10th place finish last season.
Market Drayton Town boast the best defence in the league at this early stage, having only conceded once. They were unbreached again on Tuesday night while picking up a 4-0 victory over Ashville. Two goals in either half from Cameron Dourish, Nicky Parker (2) and Daniel Churm gave the relegated side another win and they remain unbeaten.
Elsewhere, Alsager Town picked up a 3-1 win at Cheadle Heath Nomads, with Jordan Cobley scoring twice for the visitors. Sandbach United and Stockport Georgians couldn't be separated in a 2-2 draw.
Thank you to Steven Oldham (@SPOldham) for casting an eye across this weeks results.
Image courtesey of Ian Parker-Moore.
