Week 5: Review
Wed 27th August 2025 | Match Reviews | By Ben Wilkinson
Twenty-two NWCFL clubs successfully navigated their way into the Second Qualifying Round of the Isuzu FA Vase as the 'Road to Wembley' began for Steps 5 and 6 this weekend.
There were also league wins for Droylsden, Daisy Hill & Ramsbottom United earlier in the weekend before a full Premier Division schedule on the Bank Holiday Monday. Here's the story:
Friday 22nd August
The weekend got underway with three fixtures under the lights on Friday. Wythenshawe twice came back from two goals down at home to Cheadle Heath Nomads (including a 96th minute leveller from Fraser Goodwin) to take the tie to penalties where it would be the 'Ammies' emerging victorious 4-3 to book their place in the next round - where they will take on First Division South side New Mills away from home next month.
Elsewhere, Barnton also required a shootout in their clash against South Leeds after the NCEL Division One outfit came from two goals down to finish honours even after the regulation ninety minutes. The 'Cheshire Juve' held their nerve to seal a 4-2 win from 12 yards at The Creative Hut Stadium to set up an away tie at Cheadle Town.
Away from the Vase and to the sole First Division North fixture of the weekend as Daisy Hill welcomed Droylsden to The Ginge Power Stadium. A crowd of 363, boosted by a healthy away following, saw the 'Bloods' race into a two goal lead inside the opening ten minutes as Dave Pace's side dominated the opening exchanges, Kyle Campbell bagging a brace to put his side in control. Things went from bad to worse for Daisy as number 4 Adam Hampshire saw red for a second bookable offence with his side chasing the game. It looked a done deal before the half time whistle blew when Yasir Salim got his name on the scoresheet but the 'Cutters' fought back and set up a tense finish as Robert Newcombe and then Jake O'Brien reduced the deficit but Droylsden held on to claim a precious three points and Daisy remain looking for their first win of the campaign.
Saturday 23rd August
Ramsbottom United seized the opportunity to go top of the Premier Division with a crushing 4-1 victory over a troubled FC Isle of Man side in the only league game of the day. Corey Stacey put the 'Rams' ahead after just ten minutes before Charlie Higgins equalised for the 'Ravens' halfway through the half. Maine Walder restored the hosts' advantage with a fine finish off the post with ten minutes of the first half remaining. FC Isle of Man had a second equaliser chalked off for offside and Rammy made their dominance count, first through a Luke Barlow header and then a stoppage-time Lucas Braganca strike to put the icing on the cake and ensure Steve Wilkes' charges top the table over the long weekend.
The Isuzu FA Vase stole the show on Saturday with no fewer than 36 of our clubs from across all three divisions in action. In the early kick off, Padiham had to rely on a penalty shootout after letting a two-goal lead slip at home to Sunderland RCA in front of a healthy crowd of 282 at the Ruby Civil Arena, in a tie brought forward to 12.15pm to allow fans of both clubs the chance to catch the Burnley vs. Sunderland fixture just down the road at 3pm. Jakub Hebda and Freddie Machell put the 'Storks' in a dominant position before the visitors from the North East struck back quickly with two goals inside five minutes.
It was a story of missed chances for previously free-scoring Fulwood Amateurs as they had to survive a nerve-wracking penalty shootout to beat AFC Blackpool at Lightfoot Green Lane after a 1-1 draw. In the absence of their usual firepower up top, James Bell opened the scoring for the ‘Ams’, poking the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble on 62 minutes. Chances to extend their lead came and went before James Hughes equalised from the spot for Blackpool just before time. The visitors couldn’t build from this though as they sent two of their spot kicks over the bar and it is Fulwood that progress to take on Kendal Town at home in the next round.
Fulwood manager Phil Blackwell spoke to us after the game… “I thought we should have got the job done in ninety minutes, particularly after that second half. The first half was 50/50 but we were much better after the break. It was a scrappy goal for us but we had two or three good chances that we didn’t put away. It’s great for us all at the club to get through and I’m looking forward to the next round.”
A late Alfie Carmichael goal was the difference between Alsager Town and Redditch Borough as the 'Bullets' triumphed by two goals to one to set up a date with Coventry United on 20th September. There were also home wins for Barnoldswick Town (3-2 vs. Birtley Town), Euxton Villa (2-1 vs. Worsborough Bridge Athletic), Garstang (2-0 vs. Prudhoe Youth Club), Stafford Town (1-0 vs. Tividale) and Wolverhampton Sporting Community (1-0 vs. Westfields).
Thornton Cleveleys played their first ever FA Vase tie on Saturday and they welcomed Chester-le-Street Town to Gamble Road for the occasion. It was one to remember for the Fylde Coasters as they came from behind to beat the Northern League side by two goals to one. Thomas Howard put the visitors in front but goals for Joshua Few and Jackson Bateman turned the tie on its head and secured another home tie in the next round, this time against divisional rivals Colne after the Reds won by one goal to nil away at Seaham Red Star.
Bacup Borough got their season off to a winning start with a 'cupset' as they beat Glossop North End of the Premier Division 4-1 from the spot after a 1-2 draw. It was a 90th minute goal from Boro's Kyle Siddle that took the tie to penalties and Brent Peters' men took the momentum into the shootout to put themselves in the next round and a trip to Irlam's Silver Street awaits.
There was also a first win of the season for Haughmond who put five successive league defeats behind them with a comeback 3-1 win away at divisional rivals Market Drayton Town. It looked to be more of the same for the 'Academicals' when Daniel Holdcroft put the 'Biscuitmen' in front inside the opening minute but strikes from Ethan Pickford, Kian Garbett and Harvey Lewis ensured safe passage for the visitors.
Nelson's first game since parting company with manager Gerry Harrison was a comfortable 4-1 win over Alnwick Town at the Daisy Arena. A goal in either half from Jamie Edwards put the game beyond doubt after Luke Hepple's early opener and a late Darren Holden goal was the cherry on top after Alnwick pulled one back midway through the second period.
The result of the day in the Vase was arguably Maghull's 5-1 rout away at Frickley Athletic as they ran riot in the second half at Westfield Lane. Sam Smith got the only goal of the first half just three minutes in but the goals would rain down after the break, first through Darren Brannigan just three minutes after the restart and then a Harrison Worden penalty on the hour mark. Smith doubled his tally with the fourth goal of the afternoon and an own goal made it five with just ten minutes left to play. Frickley did grab a consolation in the dying moments of the game but that's all it was as Joe Burns' side blew the Yorkshiremen away.
The other NWCFL sides to progress were Prestwich Heys (won 2-0 away at 1874 Northwich), Burscough (4-2 vs. MSB Woolton), Charnock Richard (2-0 vs. Ashton Athletic), Holker Old Boys (2-0 vs. Ryton & Crawbrook Albion), Stockport Town (3-0 vs. Selby Town) and City of Liverpool (beat Swallownest 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw).
Among those falling at the first hurdle were Steeton, who suffered their first defeat of the season away at Park View as the NCEL outfit won 2-0 up in Durham. Abbey Hey were also left licking their wounds after a shootout defeat at home to Doncaster City whilst FC St Helens fell the same way against Penistone Church. Maine Road were beaten 2-0 away at Crowle Colts and a late goal meant Pilkington were defeated 3-2 at Brigg Town. Another Premier Division side knocked out were Litherland REMYCA in another penalty shootout, Rossington Main of the NCEL coming out on top after a 2-2 draw in normal time.
Telford Town's unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end as they let a two-goal half-time advantage slip to lose 5-3 away at UCL Premier Division side Gresley Rovers. A hat-trick from Rovers' Jenson Cooper turned the tie on it's head and Matthew Boswell's 'Ams' taste defeat for the first time since their promotion to Step 6. There was also heartbreak for Stockport Georgians as a 95th minute winner from Maltby Main's Curtis Morrison saw their Vase campaign come to an end at the first opportunity.
The unfortunate accolade of the heaviest defeat amongst the NWCFL sides goes to Shawbury United - a Tom Dixon treble for Wellington supplying most of the damage as the visitors won 5-1. There were also defeats for Cammell Laird 1907 (1-0 away at Liversedge), Squires Gate (2-1 at home to Tadcaster Albion) and Wolverhampton Casuals (2-0 at home to Dudley Town).
Monday 25th August
Rounding out the weekend was a full schedule in the Premier Division on the Summer Bank Holiday. There were a number of big wins but the greatest margin of victory was for Atherton LR as they put in a five-star performance at home to Stockport Town in a result that made it five wins to nil in a row for the newly-promoted side from Crilly Park. Tom Romano and Tom Lawless got LR off to a dream start with a pair of goals inside ten minutes before Romano made it three in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time. Dave Jones' men could taste blood and added a further two goals after the break via Kieran Alley and George Chadwick as the 'Lions' were sent packing on Monday afternoon.
Atherton LR manager Dave Jones gave us his thoughts following the win: "We are all delighted with our first month in the division, it’s been a really strong month for us across the league and progressing a few rounds in the FA Cup.
"The most pleasing thing for us has been the performance levels have been really high, even in the first two games of the season which we lost, anyone who was at the games will have seen the positive shoots in our performances so it was then just important we turned good performances and creating chances into points on the board and goals! So to do that has been good and to match that up with clean sheets has been pleasing. The challenge now is continuing to build week to week and we will work hard to keep improving.
"We now look ahead into a really big game for the football club and town on Saturday as we host Atherton Colleries in a tough game against a Step 4 side. It’s been a long, long time since LR have beat Colls so that’s our job to roll our sleeves up Saturday as underdogs and try and change that story."
There were also big wins for Wythenshawe and AFC Liverpool as they both won 4-0, at home to FC Isle of Man and away at Pilkington respectively. An Elliott Taylor hat-trick, including two penalties, did much of the damage for the 'Non-League Reds' at Pilks' PSD Stadium but Ayden Garrigan capped it off by adding a fourth on 74 minutes as the St Helens side continue to ship goals this term - their 21 conceded in six games is the worst in the division. FC Isle of Man have the second-worst defence after their thrashing at Hollyhedge Park; Darius Palma scoring twice for Wythenshawe in a comfortable victory that lifted them up into sixth place on their return to the NWCFL.
Padiham maintained their 100% start to the league season with a 3-1 home victory over another title favourite in Rambottom United. The first half of the encounter at the Ruby Civil Arena came and went without a goal before the visiting 'Rams' got their noses in front through Richard Baker on 57 minutes. The 'Storks' fought back however and two goals in 12 minutes saw them gain the lead and a Lucas Wane goal deep into stoppage time twisted the knife in to Steve Wilkes' Rams.
Euxton Villa got their first league win following promotion as they edged out Litherland REMYCA by the odd goal in five at the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground. A crowd of 161 was in attendance to see Matt Atherton's side make it two out of two over the long weekend as goals from Dan Singleton and Alex Colquhoun followed an opening own goal to seal a much-needed three points.
It was the late show at the Silentnight Stadium where Prestwich Heys left it late to salvage a point away at Barnoldswick Town. William Procter and Ethan Gough put Barlick in pole position to claim a first home league win of the season following two heavy defeats to start with but they had to settle for a point after Connor Martin and Nicholas Dre Taylor both found the net for Heys, the latter in the 95th minute!
Burscough continued their unbeaten start to the season and rose to second place with a thumping 3-0 away win at South Liverpool as first half goals from Stephen Rigby (x2) and Ethan Devine were enough to safely come out on top at Jericho Lane.
Down at the other end of the table are Burscough's tenants City of Liverpool, who remain rooted to the foot of the standings after a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of West Didsbury & Chorlton. Following a shootout win in the FA Vase on Saturday, the 'Purps' faithful may have thought that they had turned a corner when Robert Murphy put them in front against West at the Community Stadium. Lewis Billingsley and Harvey Roberts both scored just before the break to wreak havoc with half-time team talks and a Kristian Holt double within 11 minutes of the restart ensured all three points headed back to South Manchester.
Other results include a 2-0 victory for Abbey Hey at home to Glossop North End, a resounding 4-1 triumph for Chadderton against FC St Helens, a 3-1 win for Longridge Town in a 'Preston derby' against Charnock Richard and a comeback 2-1 away win for Irlam at Cheadle Town.
Week 5: Review
Wed 27th August 2025 | Match Reviews
By Ben Wilkinson
Twenty-two NWCFL clubs successfully navigated their way into the Second Qualifying Round of the Isuzu FA Vase as the 'Road to Wembley' began for Steps 5 and 6 this weekend.
There were also league wins for Droylsden, Daisy Hill & Ramsbottom United earlier in the weekend before a full Premier Division schedule on the Bank Holiday Monday. Here's the story:
Friday 22nd August
The weekend got underway with three fixtures under the lights on Friday. Wythenshawe twice came back from two goals down at home to Cheadle Heath Nomads (including a 96th minute leveller from Fraser Goodwin) to take the tie to penalties where it would be the 'Ammies' emerging victorious 4-3 to book their place in the next round - where they will take on First Division South side New Mills away from home next month.
Elsewhere, Barnton also required a shootout in their clash against South Leeds after the NCEL Division One outfit came from two goals down to finish honours even after the regulation ninety minutes. The 'Cheshire Juve' held their nerve to seal a 4-2 win from 12 yards at The Creative Hut Stadium to set up an away tie at Cheadle Town.
Away from the Vase and to the sole First Division North fixture of the weekend as Daisy Hill welcomed Droylsden to The Ginge Power Stadium. A crowd of 363, boosted by a healthy away following, saw the 'Bloods' race into a two goal lead inside the opening ten minutes as Dave Pace's side dominated the opening exchanges, Kyle Campbell bagging a brace to put his side in control. Things went from bad to worse for Daisy as number 4 Adam Hampshire saw red for a second bookable offence with his side chasing the game. It looked a done deal before the half time whistle blew when Yasir Salim got his name on the scoresheet but the 'Cutters' fought back and set up a tense finish as Robert Newcombe and then Jake O'Brien reduced the deficit but Droylsden held on to claim a precious three points and Daisy remain looking for their first win of the campaign.
Saturday 23rd August
Ramsbottom United seized the opportunity to go top of the Premier Division with a crushing 4-1 victory over a troubled FC Isle of Man side in the only league game of the day. Corey Stacey put the 'Rams' ahead after just ten minutes before Charlie Higgins equalised for the 'Ravens' halfway through the half. Maine Walder restored the hosts' advantage with a fine finish off the post with ten minutes of the first half remaining. FC Isle of Man had a second equaliser chalked off for offside and Rammy made their dominance count, first through a Luke Barlow header and then a stoppage-time Lucas Braganca strike to put the icing on the cake and ensure Steve Wilkes' charges top the table over the long weekend.
The Isuzu FA Vase stole the show on Saturday with no fewer than 36 of our clubs from across all three divisions in action. In the early kick off, Padiham had to rely on a penalty shootout after letting a two-goal lead slip at home to Sunderland RCA in front of a healthy crowd of 282 at the Ruby Civil Arena, in a tie brought forward to 12.15pm to allow fans of both clubs the chance to catch the Burnley vs. Sunderland fixture just down the road at 3pm. Jakub Hebda and Freddie Machell put the 'Storks' in a dominant position before the visitors from the North East struck back quickly with two goals inside five minutes.
It was a story of missed chances for previously free-scoring Fulwood Amateurs as they had to survive a nerve-wracking penalty shootout to beat AFC Blackpool at Lightfoot Green Lane after a 1-1 draw. In the absence of their usual firepower up top, James Bell opened the scoring for the ‘Ams’, poking the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble on 62 minutes. Chances to extend their lead came and went before James Hughes equalised from the spot for Blackpool just before time. The visitors couldn’t build from this though as they sent two of their spot kicks over the bar and it is Fulwood that progress to take on Kendal Town at home in the next round.
Fulwood manager Phil Blackwell spoke to us after the game… “I thought we should have got the job done in ninety minutes, particularly after that second half. The first half was 50/50 but we were much better after the break. It was a scrappy goal for us but we had two or three good chances that we didn’t put away. It’s great for us all at the club to get through and I’m looking forward to the next round.”
A late Alfie Carmichael goal was the difference between Alsager Town and Redditch Borough as the 'Bullets' triumphed by two goals to one to set up a date with Coventry United on 20th September. There were also home wins for Barnoldswick Town (3-2 vs. Birtley Town), Euxton Villa (2-1 vs. Worsborough Bridge Athletic), Garstang (2-0 vs. Prudhoe Youth Club), Stafford Town (1-0 vs. Tividale) and Wolverhampton Sporting Community (1-0 vs. Westfields).
Thornton Cleveleys played their first ever FA Vase tie on Saturday and they welcomed Chester-le-Street Town to Gamble Road for the occasion. It was one to remember for the Fylde Coasters as they came from behind to beat the Northern League side by two goals to one. Thomas Howard put the visitors in front but goals for Joshua Few and Jackson Bateman turned the tie on its head and secured another home tie in the next round, this time against divisional rivals Colne after the Reds won by one goal to nil away at Seaham Red Star.
Bacup Borough got their season off to a winning start with a 'cupset' as they beat Glossop North End of the Premier Division 4-1 from the spot after a 1-2 draw. It was a 90th minute goal from Boro's Kyle Siddle that took the tie to penalties and Brent Peters' men took the momentum into the shootout to put themselves in the next round and a trip to Irlam's Silver Street awaits.
There was also a first win of the season for Haughmond who put five successive league defeats behind them with a comeback 3-1 win away at divisional rivals Market Drayton Town. It looked to be more of the same for the 'Academicals' when Daniel Holdcroft put the 'Biscuitmen' in front inside the opening minute but strikes from Ethan Pickford, Kian Garbett and Harvey Lewis ensured safe passage for the visitors.
Nelson's first game since parting company with manager Gerry Harrison was a comfortable 4-1 win over Alnwick Town at the Daisy Arena. A goal in either half from Jamie Edwards put the game beyond doubt after Luke Hepple's early opener and a late Darren Holden goal was the cherry on top after Alnwick pulled one back midway through the second period.
The result of the day in the Vase was arguably Maghull's 5-1 rout away at Frickley Athletic as they ran riot in the second half at Westfield Lane. Sam Smith got the only goal of the first half just three minutes in but the goals would rain down after the break, first through Darren Brannigan just three minutes after the restart and then a Harrison Worden penalty on the hour mark. Smith doubled his tally with the fourth goal of the afternoon and an own goal made it five with just ten minutes left to play. Frickley did grab a consolation in the dying moments of the game but that's all it was as Joe Burns' side blew the Yorkshiremen away.
The other NWCFL sides to progress were Prestwich Heys (won 2-0 away at 1874 Northwich), Burscough (4-2 vs. MSB Woolton), Charnock Richard (2-0 vs. Ashton Athletic), Holker Old Boys (2-0 vs. Ryton & Crawbrook Albion), Stockport Town (3-0 vs. Selby Town) and City of Liverpool (beat Swallownest 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw).
Among those falling at the first hurdle were Steeton, who suffered their first defeat of the season away at Park View as the NCEL outfit won 2-0 up in Durham. Abbey Hey were also left licking their wounds after a shootout defeat at home to Doncaster City whilst FC St Helens fell the same way against Penistone Church. Maine Road were beaten 2-0 away at Crowle Colts and a late goal meant Pilkington were defeated 3-2 at Brigg Town. Another Premier Division side knocked out were Litherland REMYCA in another penalty shootout, Rossington Main of the NCEL coming out on top after a 2-2 draw in normal time.
Telford Town's unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end as they let a two-goal half-time advantage slip to lose 5-3 away at UCL Premier Division side Gresley Rovers. A hat-trick from Rovers' Jenson Cooper turned the tie on it's head and Matthew Boswell's 'Ams' taste defeat for the first time since their promotion to Step 6. There was also heartbreak for Stockport Georgians as a 95th minute winner from Maltby Main's Curtis Morrison saw their Vase campaign come to an end at the first opportunity.
The unfortunate accolade of the heaviest defeat amongst the NWCFL sides goes to Shawbury United - a Tom Dixon treble for Wellington supplying most of the damage as the visitors won 5-1. There were also defeats for Cammell Laird 1907 (1-0 away at Liversedge), Squires Gate (2-1 at home to Tadcaster Albion) and Wolverhampton Casuals (2-0 at home to Dudley Town).
Monday 25th August
Rounding out the weekend was a full schedule in the Premier Division on the Summer Bank Holiday. There were a number of big wins but the greatest margin of victory was for Atherton LR as they put in a five-star performance at home to Stockport Town in a result that made it five wins to nil in a row for the newly-promoted side from Crilly Park. Tom Romano and Tom Lawless got LR off to a dream start with a pair of goals inside ten minutes before Romano made it three in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time. Dave Jones' men could taste blood and added a further two goals after the break via Kieran Alley and George Chadwick as the 'Lions' were sent packing on Monday afternoon.
Atherton LR manager Dave Jones gave us his thoughts following the win: "We are all delighted with our first month in the division, it’s been a really strong month for us across the league and progressing a few rounds in the FA Cup.
"The most pleasing thing for us has been the performance levels have been really high, even in the first two games of the season which we lost, anyone who was at the games will have seen the positive shoots in our performances so it was then just important we turned good performances and creating chances into points on the board and goals! So to do that has been good and to match that up with clean sheets has been pleasing. The challenge now is continuing to build week to week and we will work hard to keep improving.
"We now look ahead into a really big game for the football club and town on Saturday as we host Atherton Colleries in a tough game against a Step 4 side. It’s been a long, long time since LR have beat Colls so that’s our job to roll our sleeves up Saturday as underdogs and try and change that story."
There were also big wins for Wythenshawe and AFC Liverpool as they both won 4-0, at home to FC Isle of Man and away at Pilkington respectively. An Elliott Taylor hat-trick, including two penalties, did much of the damage for the 'Non-League Reds' at Pilks' PSD Stadium but Ayden Garrigan capped it off by adding a fourth on 74 minutes as the St Helens side continue to ship goals this term - their 21 conceded in six games is the worst in the division. FC Isle of Man have the second-worst defence after their thrashing at Hollyhedge Park; Darius Palma scoring twice for Wythenshawe in a comfortable victory that lifted them up into sixth place on their return to the NWCFL.
Padiham maintained their 100% start to the league season with a 3-1 home victory over another title favourite in Rambottom United. The first half of the encounter at the Ruby Civil Arena came and went without a goal before the visiting 'Rams' got their noses in front through Richard Baker on 57 minutes. The 'Storks' fought back however and two goals in 12 minutes saw them gain the lead and a Lucas Wane goal deep into stoppage time twisted the knife in to Steve Wilkes' Rams.
Euxton Villa got their first league win following promotion as they edged out Litherland REMYCA by the odd goal in five at the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground. A crowd of 161 was in attendance to see Matt Atherton's side make it two out of two over the long weekend as goals from Dan Singleton and Alex Colquhoun followed an opening own goal to seal a much-needed three points.
It was the late show at the Silentnight Stadium where Prestwich Heys left it late to salvage a point away at Barnoldswick Town. William Procter and Ethan Gough put Barlick in pole position to claim a first home league win of the season following two heavy defeats to start with but they had to settle for a point after Connor Martin and Nicholas Dre Taylor both found the net for Heys, the latter in the 95th minute!
Burscough continued their unbeaten start to the season and rose to second place with a thumping 3-0 away win at South Liverpool as first half goals from Stephen Rigby (x2) and Ethan Devine were enough to safely come out on top at Jericho Lane.
Down at the other end of the table are Burscough's tenants City of Liverpool, who remain rooted to the foot of the standings after a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of West Didsbury & Chorlton. Following a shootout win in the FA Vase on Saturday, the 'Purps' faithful may have thought that they had turned a corner when Robert Murphy put them in front against West at the Community Stadium. Lewis Billingsley and Harvey Roberts both scored just before the break to wreak havoc with half-time team talks and a Kristian Holt double within 11 minutes of the restart ensured all three points headed back to South Manchester.
Other results include a 2-0 victory for Abbey Hey at home to Glossop North End, a resounding 4-1 triumph for Chadderton against FC St Helens, a 3-1 win for Longridge Town in a 'Preston derby' against Charnock Richard and a comeback 2-1 away win for Irlam at Cheadle Town.
