Five Things We Learned 2023/24 - Gameweek 17
Thu 23rd November 2023 | | By Jay Cooper
1. More draws than IKEA
I promise this is the only admin-based entry on this list this week, but I can't ignore the fact that, as Monday, we know who will be facing who in the Macron Cup 3rd round! There are still some postponed games that need to be played, but by mid-December we should know every team has made our final 16 this season.
In addition, the quarter-final draw has been made for the Edward Case Cup, which still includes the likes of holders Bacup Borough; last season's First Division North goal machines Stockport Town; and both New Mills and Winsford United, who, despite their struggles in the league, have made themselves a prominent feature of the cup competitions this year.
View the full list for the Macron Cup draw and the Edward Case Cup draw here!
2. These draws come as a result of...
...the fact that this weekend saw quite a bit of 2nd-round action in the Macron Cup. Not all, irritatingly, thanks again Mother Nature, but some. And, as the NWCFL has so often proved, there only needs to be a handful of matches taking place on a weekend for sparks to fly.
Let's start with First Division North side Atherton LR, who smashed Premier Division AFC Liverpool 6-1 at home to progress, and they were joined in 5-goal victory by Kendal Town, who defeated Burscough 5-0. Elsewhere, both Chadderton and Irlam proved that scoring 4 goals doesn't always mean you've won in a landslide, as they were both pushed close by Litherland REMYCA and Runcorn Town respectively in thrilling wins. Bury were also pushed even closer to the wire, needing a penalty shootout to overcome Ramsbottom United.
3. Exhibit A
Speaking of sparks flying in the NWCFL despite a lack of games being played due to less than favourable weather, there were one or two league games that took place over the weekend whilst the cup matches were also on. One of those came from the First Division South between 2 teams currently occupying play-off places - Stockport Town and Sandbach United.
The Stockport Sports Village was a near-impossible place to take all 3 points from in the 2022/23 season, and it looked as if that would remain true when Stockport took a 2-1 lead into the break. However, a second half flurry from Sandbach, including goals from Joshua Oultram, Kieran Alley, George Kattah and a Robbie Hatton penalty saw the visitors pick up a 5-2 victory. One of those games that helps you realise why we love football so much.
4. A baron run for FC St Helens
it was 2 weeks ago when I made mention of the fact that FC St Helen's incredible record at home so far this season had come to an end at the hands of Ashton Town. That defeat, however, was maybe not as shocking as it felt at the time. From their last 6 games in all competition, the current First Division North league leaders have been winless - a run that includes their loss to Ashton.
It says a lot that this run of form, which stretches back to early-to-mid October, has taken place and FC St Helens are still top of the table in the First Division North, but their runaway lead that they once had has certainly suffered. Euxton Villa in 2nd are breathing right down their necks with only a 3 point margin separating the 2 sides, and Villa themselves have won 3 of their last 4 league games. FC will need to knuckle down as we get closer to Christmas.
5. Port who?
We move just past the weekend to last night for this one, and a game in the Staffordshire Senior Cup. These competitions, while not always front and centre, can provide a great opportunity for teams at our level in the NWCFL to square off with some of the 92 sides from the professional English football pyramid. One of these occasions presented itself to Eccleshall last night, and they took it with both hands.
They played host to a Port Vale side consisting of regular League One benchwarmers Ben Lomax, Baylee Dipepa, Andrew Buah and Jack Shorrock, and took the lead after 5 minutes thanks to a Liam Hallam goal. Liam Kelly's men would hold on for the remainder of the game and eventually secure a famous win against a team currently higher in the EFL standings than the likes of Wigan Athletic, Reading and Bradford City.
Five Things We Learned 2023/24 - Gameweek 17
Thu 23rd November 2023 |
By Jay Cooper
1. More draws than IKEA
I promise this is the only admin-based entry on this list this week, but I can't ignore the fact that, as Monday, we know who will be facing who in the Macron Cup 3rd round! There are still some postponed games that need to be played, but by mid-December we should know every team has made our final 16 this season.
In addition, the quarter-final draw has been made for the Edward Case Cup, which still includes the likes of holders Bacup Borough; last season's First Division North goal machines Stockport Town; and both New Mills and Winsford United, who, despite their struggles in the league, have made themselves a prominent feature of the cup competitions this year.
View the full list for the Macron Cup draw and the Edward Case Cup draw here!
2. These draws come as a result of...
...the fact that this weekend saw quite a bit of 2nd-round action in the Macron Cup. Not all, irritatingly, thanks again Mother Nature, but some. And, as the NWCFL has so often proved, there only needs to be a handful of matches taking place on a weekend for sparks to fly.
Let's start with First Division North side Atherton LR, who smashed Premier Division AFC Liverpool 6-1 at home to progress, and they were joined in 5-goal victory by Kendal Town, who defeated Burscough 5-0. Elsewhere, both Chadderton and Irlam proved that scoring 4 goals doesn't always mean you've won in a landslide, as they were both pushed close by Litherland REMYCA and Runcorn Town respectively in thrilling wins. Bury were also pushed even closer to the wire, needing a penalty shootout to overcome Ramsbottom United.
3. Exhibit A
Speaking of sparks flying in the NWCFL despite a lack of games being played due to less than favourable weather, there were one or two league games that took place over the weekend whilst the cup matches were also on. One of those came from the First Division South between 2 teams currently occupying play-off places - Stockport Town and Sandbach United.
The Stockport Sports Village was a near-impossible place to take all 3 points from in the 2022/23 season, and it looked as if that would remain true when Stockport took a 2-1 lead into the break. However, a second half flurry from Sandbach, including goals from Joshua Oultram, Kieran Alley, George Kattah and a Robbie Hatton penalty saw the visitors pick up a 5-2 victory. One of those games that helps you realise why we love football so much.
4. A baron run for FC St Helens
it was 2 weeks ago when I made mention of the fact that FC St Helen's incredible record at home so far this season had come to an end at the hands of Ashton Town. That defeat, however, was maybe not as shocking as it felt at the time. From their last 6 games in all competition, the current First Division North league leaders have been winless - a run that includes their loss to Ashton.
It says a lot that this run of form, which stretches back to early-to-mid October, has taken place and FC St Helens are still top of the table in the First Division North, but their runaway lead that they once had has certainly suffered. Euxton Villa in 2nd are breathing right down their necks with only a 3 point margin separating the 2 sides, and Villa themselves have won 3 of their last 4 league games. FC will need to knuckle down as we get closer to Christmas.
5. Port who?
We move just past the weekend to last night for this one, and a game in the Staffordshire Senior Cup. These competitions, while not always front and centre, can provide a great opportunity for teams at our level in the NWCFL to square off with some of the 92 sides from the professional English football pyramid. One of these occasions presented itself to Eccleshall last night, and they took it with both hands.
They played host to a Port Vale side consisting of regular League One benchwarmers Ben Lomax, Baylee Dipepa, Andrew Buah and Jack Shorrock, and took the lead after 5 minutes thanks to a Liam Hallam goal. Liam Kelly's men would hold on for the remainder of the game and eventually secure a famous win against a team currently higher in the EFL standings than the likes of Wigan Athletic, Reading and Bradford City.
