There was goals galore in the NWCFL sphere this weekend as another season of the Emirates FA Cup got underway:
Emirates FA Cup
- Abbey Hey and AFC Liverpool went toe-to-toe in the world's oldest cup competition on Saturday and shared the honours. Due to a 1-1 draw, there will be a replay this week to see which team advances.
- Atherton LR kept their promotion momentum going with a win in this year's Extra Preliminary Round. They beat Ossett United 1-0 at home thanks to a second-half Cal Hunter penalty.
- Chadderton came from behind in an all-NWCFL Prem clash with Stockport Town on Saturday. Matty Crothers and Lewis-Simon Byrne both bagged in a 2-1 win for the hosts.
- Charnock Richard and Burscough guaranteed that there would be at least one more NWCFL Prem side in the Preliminary Round, with Ryan Donnellan's side eeking out a 1-0 victory on home soil.
- City of Liverpool and Euxton Villa were two divisions apart last season, but this was their first of at least three meetings in 2025/26, with the former winning 2-1 in a chess match at the Community Ground.
- Glossop North End and FC St Helens also had their first meeting of at least three for this coming season on Saturday, with this one ending in a 1-1 draw and setting up a replay - I suppose that means there will be at least four games between these two sides this season.
- Ramsbottom United must've been convinced of a win this Saturday when they took a 2-0 lead in the 88th minute of their clash with Golcar United thanks to Luke Sephton, but Golcar set up a photo finish with a consolation goal in added time of a game that eventually ended 2-1 to Rammy.
- Next, we've got three examples of NWCFL sides battering non-NWCFL counterparts - firstly, Irlam, who pumped Thackley 4-0 on home soil to seal their place in the Preliminary Round.
- Secondly, we have newly relegated Wythenshawe, who took Liversedge to school in their own back yard, winning 3-0 and advancing with ease.
- Finally, there were Padiham, who travelled away to Penistone Church and left their mark on their opponents, winning 4-1 and getting their names in the hat for the next round with a plumb.
- Pilkington and Longridge Town also contested a match between two sides in the NWCFL Prem, but little would separate Jack Edwards' and Lee Ashcroft's men after 90 minutes. The game ended 2-2, and a replay will be imminent.
- Prestwich Heys were beneficiaries of a comeback victory, and this one came against higher-level opposition. They came back from being 1-0 down at half-time against Wythenshawe Town to win 4-2 in a goal-laden second half.
Other scores:
- Bury 6-0 South Liverpool
- Trafford 2-1 Barnoldswick Town
- Whitchurch Alport 3-0 Litherland REMYCA
- Winsford United 1-1 West Didsbury and Chorlton
- Witton Albion 4-1 Cheadle Town
First Division North
- Colne left it as late as they could to win a thriller against Maine Road on Saturday. With the score at 2-2 in added time, Jack Holt popped up with a winner in the 98th minute to seal a 3-2 home victory.
- Neither Daisy Hill nor Garstang were able to register their first league win of the season on Saturday as they faced one another, with the game ending 2-2.
- Fulwood Amateurs' NWCFL home debut could've gone better as they welcomed Holker Old Boys. The visitors were riding the high of a punishing 5-0 win over Nelson on the opening day, and added a further four to their goal tally for the season, beating their hosts 4-1.
- In what was almost definitely the game of the weekend, Maghull looked home and dry by the hour mark against Droylsden, being 4-0 up. Still, the Bloods slowly crept back into the game and set up a tight finish with three goals of their own. The hosts held on, just, to win 4-3.
Other scores:
- Darwen 2-1 MSB Woolton
- Nelson 2-1 AFC Blackpool
- Squires Gate 0-2 Thornton Cleveleys
First Division South
- Allscott Heath's unbeaten run came to a dramatic end on Saturday as they welcomed Barnton. The away side were behind for 20 of the final 25 minutes of this one, but roared back in the 86th and 88th minutes to snatch two goals and three points in a 2-1 victory.
- Stafford Town continued on their mission to put right last season's pattern of coming second with a thumping victory away at Cammell Laird 1907. Adam Wall's men ran out 4-1 winners to keep them within touching distance of table-topping Runcorn Town.
- Cheadle Heath Nomads made good on having shipped four in their last game against Stockport Georgians by scoring three in this one against Foley Meir without reply. McHugh, Ryan and May all contributed to their 3-0 win.
- Runcorn are keen to establish themselves as this year's pacesetters, and scored four away from home on Saturday against newly promoted Haughmond. The Academicals put up a fight, but we're unable to overpower Darren Moore's side, who won 4-2.
- Bottom side Market Drayton Town are bottom side no more. They stunted the momentum of Stockport Georgians on Saturday, putting three past their visitors by the hour mark to ultimately win 3-1.
- Wolves Casuals fought to the final whistle on Saturday as they went on the road to New Mills. There was a Harreson Clarke goal in the 94th minute for them, but it wasn't enough to escape a 3-2 defeat.
- Everything changed in a two minute stretch of the game as Sandbach United hosted Shawbury Untied. The visitors looked poised to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign, right up until the 76th minute, when Robbie Hatton and, two minutes later, Kyle Foley turned the game on its head and helped Sandbach to a 2-1 win.
Other scores:
- Alsager Town 0-1 Telford Town
- Wolves Sporting 0-1 Ashville
