Nelson receive Club of the Month Awards
Wed 3rd December 2025 | League Awards | By Martin Fallon
We were delighted to catch up this week with Nelson, who were winners of the First Division North PST Sport Club of the Month award for both September and October 2025.
Postponements and cancellations have meant a little delay to this award, which was carried out at Nelson's last home game by League Management Committee member Craig Buxton. He carried out the presentation on behalf of the League Committee to Jordan Scott (Coach), Liam Lishman (Assistant Manager) and Arron Ripley (Manager).
Nelson had a superb month in September, playing three games on the road and winning all of them. This saw them move up to third in the league, level with the league leaders but with a game in hand. They also progressed through to the next round of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy, Isuzu FA Vase and Macron Cup, with all of those wins also coming on the road.
The first game was a 1-0 win at Daisy Hill, with Max Cane scoring the only goal with nine minutes remaining. Next came a 2-0 win at Bacup Borough with second half goals from Luke Hepple and Finley Devenney securing all three points. And a third win inside a week then came at Ashton Athletic, with Luke Hepple opening the scoring on 39 minutes before Billy Priestley added a second ten minutes into the second half.
The Lancashire Challenge Trophy was next with Nelson travelling to Colne. The home side led 1-0 at the break with Ryan Bolton levelling for Nelson, before Colne raced into a 3-1 lead by the hour mark. Ryan Cattermole reduced the arrears with six minutes to go before Jack Doherty equalised with two minutes remaining. With penalties looming, Luke Hepple won it with a goal nine minutes into stoppage time.
Nelson then travelled to Northern League Division One side Boro Rangers in the Izuzu FA Vase. Boro took the lead on the half hour with Luke Hepple levelling from the penalty spot on the hour mark. Ryan Bolton won the game for Nelson in the 76th minute, Nelson winning 2-1.
The final game came in the Macron Cup at home to Nelson. Fulwood took an early lead before Nelson levelled midway through Billy Priestley. Chris Thompson was the hero for Nelson, saving twice in the shootout Nelson was 4-3 from the penalty spot.
That gave them a whopping 24 points from their 6 games for a 4.00 average.
Fulwood Amateurs and Darwen both had a good month with two wins and two draws, with MSB Woolton also starting well in their first NWCFL season with two wins, two draws and a loss.
Total Games played in the Month: 6
Total Points won in the Month: 24
Average: 4.00
In October they played four games in the month, two at home and two away. They picked up six points in the league which moved them up to third place in the league table, and also progressed through to the next round of both the Isuzu FA Vase and Macron Cup.
The first game in October was actually postponed, the weather scuppering a trip to Fulwood Amateurs. The following Saturday they travelled the short distance to Premier Division high flyers Padiham in the Second Round of the Macron Cup, and stunned their higher ranked opponents with a 6-0 victory. A quickfire double midway through the first half from Luke Hepple and Ryan Bolton put them in control with Hepple adding another just before the break. It remained that way until 20 minutes from time when Billy Priestley added another with Max Cane quickly adding the fifth. The final goal came in the last minute through Ryan Cattermole.
Another cup game followed the week after with a home game against NCEL side Harrogate Railway Athletic in the Isuzu FA Vase. Again Nelson were quick off the blocks with all the goals in a 3-0 win coming inside the first half. Jack Doherty opened the scoring on eight minutes with Ryan Bolton adding a second on 21 minutes. Luke Hepple was again on target with the third of the game, that coming on 34 minutes.
A midweek trip to Steeton saw Nelson return to league action, and this time the game saw no goals in the first half. The opener came on 67 minutes through Luke Hepple, who then added a second from the penalty spot with six minutes of normal time remaining. Arley Barnes pulled one back for the home side but Nelson hung on for the win.
The final game of the month was a home tie against Ashton Town, and once again there were no goals in the first half in what was a tight affair. Max Cane opened the scoring just two minutes into the second half, and it was that man Luke Hepple who secured the win with his sixth goal of the month, that coming on 67 minutes.
Nelson's month ended like it started with a postponement, this time against MSB Woolton in the First Round of the Edward Case Cup.
That gave them a 16 points from their 4 games for a 4.00 average.
AFC Blackpool ran them close with four wins from four, including a 3-0 home win against Premier Division side Barnoldswick Town. Holker Old Boys also did well with three wins from five games played, two of which were on the road.
Total Games played in the Month: 4
Total Points won in the Month: 16
Average: 4.00
Nelson receive Club of the Month Awards
Wed 3rd December 2025 | League Awards
By Martin Fallon
We were delighted to catch up this week with Nelson, who were winners of the First Division North PST Sport Club of the Month award for both September and October 2025.
Postponements and cancellations have meant a little delay to this award, which was carried out at Nelson's last home game by League Management Committee member Craig Buxton. He carried out the presentation on behalf of the League Committee to Jordan Scott (Coach), Liam Lishman (Assistant Manager) and Arron Ripley (Manager).
Nelson had a superb month in September, playing three games on the road and winning all of them. This saw them move up to third in the league, level with the league leaders but with a game in hand. They also progressed through to the next round of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy, Isuzu FA Vase and Macron Cup, with all of those wins also coming on the road.
The first game was a 1-0 win at Daisy Hill, with Max Cane scoring the only goal with nine minutes remaining. Next came a 2-0 win at Bacup Borough with second half goals from Luke Hepple and Finley Devenney securing all three points. And a third win inside a week then came at Ashton Athletic, with Luke Hepple opening the scoring on 39 minutes before Billy Priestley added a second ten minutes into the second half.
The Lancashire Challenge Trophy was next with Nelson travelling to Colne. The home side led 1-0 at the break with Ryan Bolton levelling for Nelson, before Colne raced into a 3-1 lead by the hour mark. Ryan Cattermole reduced the arrears with six minutes to go before Jack Doherty equalised with two minutes remaining. With penalties looming, Luke Hepple won it with a goal nine minutes into stoppage time.
Nelson then travelled to Northern League Division One side Boro Rangers in the Izuzu FA Vase. Boro took the lead on the half hour with Luke Hepple levelling from the penalty spot on the hour mark. Ryan Bolton won the game for Nelson in the 76th minute, Nelson winning 2-1.
The final game came in the Macron Cup at home to Nelson. Fulwood took an early lead before Nelson levelled midway through Billy Priestley. Chris Thompson was the hero for Nelson, saving twice in the shootout Nelson was 4-3 from the penalty spot.
That gave them a whopping 24 points from their 6 games for a 4.00 average.
Fulwood Amateurs and Darwen both had a good month with two wins and two draws, with MSB Woolton also starting well in their first NWCFL season with two wins, two draws and a loss.
Total Games played in the Month: 6
Total Points won in the Month: 24
Average: 4.00
In October they played four games in the month, two at home and two away. They picked up six points in the league which moved them up to third place in the league table, and also progressed through to the next round of both the Isuzu FA Vase and Macron Cup.
The first game in October was actually postponed, the weather scuppering a trip to Fulwood Amateurs. The following Saturday they travelled the short distance to Premier Division high flyers Padiham in the Second Round of the Macron Cup, and stunned their higher ranked opponents with a 6-0 victory. A quickfire double midway through the first half from Luke Hepple and Ryan Bolton put them in control with Hepple adding another just before the break. It remained that way until 20 minutes from time when Billy Priestley added another with Max Cane quickly adding the fifth. The final goal came in the last minute through Ryan Cattermole.
Another cup game followed the week after with a home game against NCEL side Harrogate Railway Athletic in the Isuzu FA Vase. Again Nelson were quick off the blocks with all the goals in a 3-0 win coming inside the first half. Jack Doherty opened the scoring on eight minutes with Ryan Bolton adding a second on 21 minutes. Luke Hepple was again on target with the third of the game, that coming on 34 minutes.
A midweek trip to Steeton saw Nelson return to league action, and this time the game saw no goals in the first half. The opener came on 67 minutes through Luke Hepple, who then added a second from the penalty spot with six minutes of normal time remaining. Arley Barnes pulled one back for the home side but Nelson hung on for the win.
The final game of the month was a home tie against Ashton Town, and once again there were no goals in the first half in what was a tight affair. Max Cane opened the scoring just two minutes into the second half, and it was that man Luke Hepple who secured the win with his sixth goal of the month, that coming on 67 minutes.
Nelson's month ended like it started with a postponement, this time against MSB Woolton in the First Round of the Edward Case Cup.
That gave them a 16 points from their 4 games for a 4.00 average.
AFC Blackpool ran them close with four wins from four, including a 3-0 home win against Premier Division side Barnoldswick Town. Holker Old Boys also did well with three wins from five games played, two of which were on the road.
Total Games played in the Month: 4
Total Points won in the Month: 16
Average: 4.00
