Five Things We Learned 2023/24 - Gameweek 34
Thu 21st March 2024 | Five Things | By Jay Cooper
1. Ellesmere Rangers?
It was quite the administrative headache all the way back in late summer 2023 when Ellesmere Rangers, who finished runners-up in the Edward Case Cup last season, resigned from the NWCFL for very understandable cost-based reasons. As a gap fill, Droylsden were shifted from the First Division North to the South to keep both league tables balanced at 18 teams a piece. But, if you've looked at the table as of yesterday, you'll notice that Ellesmere Rangers are on it - albeit, at the bottom, with 0 games played, 0 points and a "(R)" next to their name.
This has been done because the club's resignation from the league was passed after the 2023/24 season officially commenced, but, with their resignation, they have been automatically cosigned to a relegation place. What this does do is open the door for Winsford United, New Mills and the other clubs circling the drain in the South, as one compulsory relegation spot has now been officially occupied. This goes double for the Millers, who have lifted themselves out of 18th place with 2 wins on the spin at the time of writing, including a win over relegation rivals Winsford.
2. Player of the Month awards announced!
It's rare, when I do these lists, that some, but not all, of our NWCFL monthly awards have been made public, but last week was one such occasion. With the Clubs and GKs being covered last time, let's run through who's made themselves the first names on their respective team sheets throughout February. Beginning with the Premier Division, Kendal Town's Matthew Dudley took the plaudits by netting 7 goals, including a hat-trick, for Jimmy Marshall's side.
In the First Division North, title-charging FC St Helens had another player scoop the award, with key man Nathan Dutton-Kay being rewarded for his pivotal work in FC's admittedly few February matches. And in the South, Alsager Town's Jack Wolley has been honoured for his performances under Dean Jones and Dom Johnson, which included a vital hat-trick in Town's 4-3 win over Market Drayton Town during the year's shortest month. Congratulations to all our winners!
3. Topsy-turvy title race continues in the Prem
WHAT a weekend for the battle at the top of the table in the NWCFL Premier Division! Going into proceedings, Bury FC were sat atop the tree on 80 points, but the Shakers were held to a 2-2 draw with Charnock Richard. That detail mattered greatly to Wythenshawe's FC and Town, both of whom picked up important wins in the face of Bury's stumble, against Colne and Prestwich Heys, respectively.
2nd-placed Town became the new league leaders, and FC overtook Bury on goal difference to claim 2nd, but they wouldn't stay there for very long. On Tuesday night - a day where Bury had a match postponed and Wythenshawe Town did not play - the Ammies cooked Kendal Town 4-0 to ascend to the top of the table. If you're struggling to keep up, what that means is that all 3 major title contenders have occupied top spot over the last 7 days - so watch it, drink it in.
4. 7th heaven for Padiham
With a weekend consisting of one 5-goal game and two 6-goal games in the NWCFL Prem, it took a 7-goal thriller to take the headlines on the goals front. What makes that headline even more compelling is the fact that, in this particular game, the goalscoring was all done by one team. Padiham played host to bottom side Skelmersdale United at the weekend, and it was a buffet for the play-off chasers.
Bobby Carter was especially in the mood, evidenced by his 4-goal haul being split 2 goals per half. Ben Hoskin, Joel Melia and Freddie Machell all also made their contributions to a 7-0 final scoreline that sees the perpetrators move within a point of the play-off places, and the unfortunate victims slip ever closer to the drop.
5. And then there were 2...
Saturday also brought us some great football action away from the NWCFL Prem, with one of the Edward Case Cup semi-finals seeing our firsts finalists confirmed. Thanks to an early Joshua Briggs penalty and an own goal on the half hour mark, Matty Atherton's Euxton Villa of the First Division North have booked their place in the ECC Final, in only the club's second ever season as an NWCFL team.
They have quite the task on their hands in the final. Last night, reigning ECC Champions Bacup Borough defeated fellow First Division North side South Liverpool to cement themselves as Euxton Villa's opponents, making for an all First Division North final. Brent Peters' side also made the final of the Macron Cup last season, narrowly losing to then Premier Division side Congleton Town. May 6th - put it in your diaries.
Five Things We Learned 2023/24 - Gameweek 34
Thu 21st March 2024 | Five Things
By Jay Cooper
1. Ellesmere Rangers?
It was quite the administrative headache all the way back in late summer 2023 when Ellesmere Rangers, who finished runners-up in the Edward Case Cup last season, resigned from the NWCFL for very understandable cost-based reasons. As a gap fill, Droylsden were shifted from the First Division North to the South to keep both league tables balanced at 18 teams a piece. But, if you've looked at the table as of yesterday, you'll notice that Ellesmere Rangers are on it - albeit, at the bottom, with 0 games played, 0 points and a "(R)" next to their name.
This has been done because the club's resignation from the league was passed after the 2023/24 season officially commenced, but, with their resignation, they have been automatically cosigned to a relegation place. What this does do is open the door for Winsford United, New Mills and the other clubs circling the drain in the South, as one compulsory relegation spot has now been officially occupied. This goes double for the Millers, who have lifted themselves out of 18th place with 2 wins on the spin at the time of writing, including a win over relegation rivals Winsford.
2. Player of the Month awards announced!
It's rare, when I do these lists, that some, but not all, of our NWCFL monthly awards have been made public, but last week was one such occasion. With the Clubs and GKs being covered last time, let's run through who's made themselves the first names on their respective team sheets throughout February. Beginning with the Premier Division, Kendal Town's Matthew Dudley took the plaudits by netting 7 goals, including a hat-trick, for Jimmy Marshall's side.
In the First Division North, title-charging FC St Helens had another player scoop the award, with key man Nathan Dutton-Kay being rewarded for his pivotal work in FC's admittedly few February matches. And in the South, Alsager Town's Jack Wolley has been honoured for his performances under Dean Jones and Dom Johnson, which included a vital hat-trick in Town's 4-3 win over Market Drayton Town during the year's shortest month. Congratulations to all our winners!
3. Topsy-turvy title race continues in the Prem
WHAT a weekend for the battle at the top of the table in the NWCFL Premier Division! Going into proceedings, Bury FC were sat atop the tree on 80 points, but the Shakers were held to a 2-2 draw with Charnock Richard. That detail mattered greatly to Wythenshawe's FC and Town, both of whom picked up important wins in the face of Bury's stumble, against Colne and Prestwich Heys, respectively.
2nd-placed Town became the new league leaders, and FC overtook Bury on goal difference to claim 2nd, but they wouldn't stay there for very long. On Tuesday night - a day where Bury had a match postponed and Wythenshawe Town did not play - the Ammies cooked Kendal Town 4-0 to ascend to the top of the table. If you're struggling to keep up, what that means is that all 3 major title contenders have occupied top spot over the last 7 days - so watch it, drink it in.
4. 7th heaven for Padiham
With a weekend consisting of one 5-goal game and two 6-goal games in the NWCFL Prem, it took a 7-goal thriller to take the headlines on the goals front. What makes that headline even more compelling is the fact that, in this particular game, the goalscoring was all done by one team. Padiham played host to bottom side Skelmersdale United at the weekend, and it was a buffet for the play-off chasers.
Bobby Carter was especially in the mood, evidenced by his 4-goal haul being split 2 goals per half. Ben Hoskin, Joel Melia and Freddie Machell all also made their contributions to a 7-0 final scoreline that sees the perpetrators move within a point of the play-off places, and the unfortunate victims slip ever closer to the drop.
5. And then there were 2...
Saturday also brought us some great football action away from the NWCFL Prem, with one of the Edward Case Cup semi-finals seeing our firsts finalists confirmed. Thanks to an early Joshua Briggs penalty and an own goal on the half hour mark, Matty Atherton's Euxton Villa of the First Division North have booked their place in the ECC Final, in only the club's second ever season as an NWCFL team.
They have quite the task on their hands in the final. Last night, reigning ECC Champions Bacup Borough defeated fellow First Division North side South Liverpool to cement themselves as Euxton Villa's opponents, making for an all First Division North final. Brent Peters' side also made the final of the Macron Cup last season, narrowly losing to then Premier Division side Congleton Town. May 6th - put it in your diaries.
