Weekend Game Reviews First Division 19th August 2023
Mon 21st August 2023 | Match Reviews | By Steven Oldham
In what was a busy weekend of Fixtures across First Division North and First Division South, Steve Oldham has taken a look at the weekends results.
FC St Helens preserved their perfect start to the season with a seventh straight win in the First Division North, this time overcoming bottom club Shelley 2-0 at The Stafflex Arena. Mike Smith's side had the game wrapped up in the first half, with Thomas Scarborough netting twice in quick succession after opening the scoring on 27 minutes. It's been a tough start for Shelley, who have shipped 24 goals while scoring only three.
Atherton Laburnum Rovers are up to second after beating Bacup Borough 3-0 at Crilly Park. It's a sixth win for Rovers, with Brandon Dawson opening the scoring on 25 minutes. Lewis Rawsthorn added another two goals in the second half, and he is already up to eight goals for the season. It's a second game without a goal for Bacup who currently occupy 11th place.
Darwen picked up a 3-0 win at struggling AFC Blackpool, with The Salmoners picking up a first win since the opening day. Kenny Langford's side started brightly and scored all three goals in the first quarter-hour.
Leon Creech opened the scoring after just three minutes, with Brayden Shaw adding another nine minutes later. Creech hit his second of the day - and sixth of the season - shortly after.
Route One Rovers outclassed South Liverpool at The Marley Stadium and ran out 4-0 winners. Mohammed Hasnain opened the scoring on six minutes, a lead his side took into the break. Zak Khan netted a second hat-trick of the season - and eighth altogether - in a 23 minute blast from the midway point of the second half. It's a third straight win for Rovers, who are no doubt raising a few eyebrows with their strong start.
Holker Old Boys came back from a goal down to take a second win of the season, overcoming Nelson 2-1. Jay Nolan opened the scoring for the visitors, but Jamie Hodgson's added time penalty ensured the teams went in level. Hodgson popped up again with a minute on the clock to seal an important win for his side, who had lost four on the bounce prior.
Ashton Town inflicted a second defeat in as many games on Euxton Villa, with the visitors picking up a 2-1 win in Lancashire. Emini Adegbenro was Town's hero, scoring both goals in either half. Josh Briggs netted a late, late consolation for Villa.
Garstang were 2-1 winners over Daisy Hill, with Josh Hall netting both for the home side. Steeton picked up a 1-0 win over Runcorn Town thanks to Joshua Coe's early goal.
Finally, Ashton Athletic and Ilkley Town shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Brocstedes Park.
First Division South:
Droylsden picked up a 3-0 win over Cammell Laird 1907 to secure a first victory since the season's opening day in the North West Counties First Division South.
Rhys Webb opened the scoring on 34 minutes, with Nellson Van adding a second in the closing stages. George West added gloss to the win with his third of the season in injury time. Dave Pace's side had shipped ten goals in two games before Saturday's clean sheet. This loss ended a run of three wins on the bounce for Lairds.
Unbeaten league leaders Stockport Town survived an early scare to beat winless Winsford United 4-1 at the Barton Stadium. The division's bottom side were in front at the break thanks to Tom Stanton's first of the season.
However, Town are top of the table for a reason and this showed in the second half by scoring four goals in the space of 11 minutes. An own goal levelled the game, before Harley Monaghan put Town ahead three minutes later. Dan McLaughlin added his fourth of the season before Monaghan's second wrapped up the points for the visitors. Winsford remain rooted to the bottom of the table without a point, with the fewest goals scored and the most conceded.
Abbey Hey bounced back from their first defeat of the season in midweek to beat Sandbach United 4-1. Jake Parker put Abbey ahead on 12 minutes, with Stanley Tatters replying for Sandbach ten minutes later. That was as good as it got for last season's playoff finalists, with Cleo Fraser, Leighton Egan and Ben McNamara adding a goal each in the second half.
Market Drayton Town ensured New Mills' winless start to the season continued with a 3-0 victory at Greenfields. Adam Shillcock's side picked up a fourth win in five thanks to goals from Cameron Dourish, Nicky Parker and Daniel Churm.
Stafford Town left it late to triumph by the odd goal in a seven-goal thriller over Abbey Hulton United at Evans Park. Hulton were 2-0 up at the break thanks to Daniel Allen and Bradley Wilson, but Ben Herrington scored twice to level the game before the hour mark. Hulton captain Matthew Ward put his side back in front on the hour, but Herrington sealed his hat-trick ten minutes later. Matthew Hearsey was on target to take his third goal of the week to give Stafford all three points.
Maine Road and Eccleshall played out a 3-3 draw in front of a crowd of 50, the lowest across all three divisions so far this season. Those in attendance were treated to early and late drama, with both team scoring in the first five minutes. Mitchell Glover put the visitors ahead, before a quick equaliser from Daniel Lewis. Eccleshall headed into the break ahead thanks to Jordan Benton's penalty. The visitors went further ahead with Mark Groom finding the target on 65 minute, but Maine Road were not down and out. Declan Hacking pulled one back with ten minutes to play, before Louis Edwards sensationally equalised eight minutes into injury time.
Deco Zanco and Kyle Wych were on target as Stockport Georgians beat Alsager Town 2-0, and Barnton won by the same scoreline at Ashville. Goals from Harvey Woodhouse and Sam Smith gave The Villagers a first win since the opening day.
Finally, Brocton were 1-0 winners over Cheadle Heath Nomads, with Morgan Payne scoring the game's only goal.
Thank you to Steven Oldham (@SPOldham) for casting an eye across this weeks results.
Weekend Game Reviews First Division 19th August 2023
Mon 21st August 2023 | Match Reviews
By Steven Oldham
In what was a busy weekend of Fixtures across First Division North and First Division South, Steve Oldham has taken a look at the weekends results.
FC St Helens preserved their perfect start to the season with a seventh straight win in the First Division North, this time overcoming bottom club Shelley 2-0 at The Stafflex Arena. Mike Smith's side had the game wrapped up in the first half, with Thomas Scarborough netting twice in quick succession after opening the scoring on 27 minutes. It's been a tough start for Shelley, who have shipped 24 goals while scoring only three.
Atherton Laburnum Rovers are up to second after beating Bacup Borough 3-0 at Crilly Park. It's a sixth win for Rovers, with Brandon Dawson opening the scoring on 25 minutes. Lewis Rawsthorn added another two goals in the second half, and he is already up to eight goals for the season. It's a second game without a goal for Bacup who currently occupy 11th place.
Darwen picked up a 3-0 win at struggling AFC Blackpool, with The Salmoners picking up a first win since the opening day. Kenny Langford's side started brightly and scored all three goals in the first quarter-hour.
Leon Creech opened the scoring after just three minutes, with Brayden Shaw adding another nine minutes later. Creech hit his second of the day - and sixth of the season - shortly after.
Route One Rovers outclassed South Liverpool at The Marley Stadium and ran out 4-0 winners. Mohammed Hasnain opened the scoring on six minutes, a lead his side took into the break. Zak Khan netted a second hat-trick of the season - and eighth altogether - in a 23 minute blast from the midway point of the second half. It's a third straight win for Rovers, who are no doubt raising a few eyebrows with their strong start.
Holker Old Boys came back from a goal down to take a second win of the season, overcoming Nelson 2-1. Jay Nolan opened the scoring for the visitors, but Jamie Hodgson's added time penalty ensured the teams went in level. Hodgson popped up again with a minute on the clock to seal an important win for his side, who had lost four on the bounce prior.
Ashton Town inflicted a second defeat in as many games on Euxton Villa, with the visitors picking up a 2-1 win in Lancashire. Emini Adegbenro was Town's hero, scoring both goals in either half. Josh Briggs netted a late, late consolation for Villa.
Garstang were 2-1 winners over Daisy Hill, with Josh Hall netting both for the home side. Steeton picked up a 1-0 win over Runcorn Town thanks to Joshua Coe's early goal.
Finally, Ashton Athletic and Ilkley Town shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Brocstedes Park.
First Division South:
Droylsden picked up a 3-0 win over Cammell Laird 1907 to secure a first victory since the season's opening day in the North West Counties First Division South.
Rhys Webb opened the scoring on 34 minutes, with Nellson Van adding a second in the closing stages. George West added gloss to the win with his third of the season in injury time. Dave Pace's side had shipped ten goals in two games before Saturday's clean sheet. This loss ended a run of three wins on the bounce for Lairds.
Unbeaten league leaders Stockport Town survived an early scare to beat winless Winsford United 4-1 at the Barton Stadium. The division's bottom side were in front at the break thanks to Tom Stanton's first of the season.
However, Town are top of the table for a reason and this showed in the second half by scoring four goals in the space of 11 minutes. An own goal levelled the game, before Harley Monaghan put Town ahead three minutes later. Dan McLaughlin added his fourth of the season before Monaghan's second wrapped up the points for the visitors. Winsford remain rooted to the bottom of the table without a point, with the fewest goals scored and the most conceded.
Abbey Hey bounced back from their first defeat of the season in midweek to beat Sandbach United 4-1. Jake Parker put Abbey ahead on 12 minutes, with Stanley Tatters replying for Sandbach ten minutes later. That was as good as it got for last season's playoff finalists, with Cleo Fraser, Leighton Egan and Ben McNamara adding a goal each in the second half.
Market Drayton Town ensured New Mills' winless start to the season continued with a 3-0 victory at Greenfields. Adam Shillcock's side picked up a fourth win in five thanks to goals from Cameron Dourish, Nicky Parker and Daniel Churm.
Stafford Town left it late to triumph by the odd goal in a seven-goal thriller over Abbey Hulton United at Evans Park. Hulton were 2-0 up at the break thanks to Daniel Allen and Bradley Wilson, but Ben Herrington scored twice to level the game before the hour mark. Hulton captain Matthew Ward put his side back in front on the hour, but Herrington sealed his hat-trick ten minutes later. Matthew Hearsey was on target to take his third goal of the week to give Stafford all three points.
Maine Road and Eccleshall played out a 3-3 draw in front of a crowd of 50, the lowest across all three divisions so far this season. Those in attendance were treated to early and late drama, with both team scoring in the first five minutes. Mitchell Glover put the visitors ahead, before a quick equaliser from Daniel Lewis. Eccleshall headed into the break ahead thanks to Jordan Benton's penalty. The visitors went further ahead with Mark Groom finding the target on 65 minute, but Maine Road were not down and out. Declan Hacking pulled one back with ten minutes to play, before Louis Edwards sensationally equalised eight minutes into injury time.
Deco Zanco and Kyle Wych were on target as Stockport Georgians beat Alsager Town 2-0, and Barnton won by the same scoreline at Ashville. Goals from Harvey Woodhouse and Sam Smith gave The Villagers a first win since the opening day.
Finally, Brocton were 1-0 winners over Cheadle Heath Nomads, with Morgan Payne scoring the game's only goal.
Thank you to Steven Oldham (@SPOldham) for casting an eye across this weeks results.
