Week 30: Summary
Mon 16th February 2026 | Match Reviews | By Martin Fallon
Weekend 30 saw more bad weather, but there was action this weekend across all three divisions of the league as well as the Isuzu FA Vase and Macron Cup.
Isuzu FA Vase
West Didsbury & Chorlton reached the Quarter Final of the Isuzu FA Vase for the second time in four seasons after a 4-1 home win against reigning First Division South Champions Winsford United.
Winsford, who were laterally moved to the Midlands League Premier Division after their league win last season, got off to the perfect start after just two minutes through Olly Pope. It wasn't long though before Brandon Dawson levelled matters as he swept home from close range on nine minutes.
Six minutes before the break, Dawson cuts in from the left, beat a couple of defenders and then drilled a shot into the far corner to put West ahead. The majority of the 1,151 crowd were happy over their half time cuppa, and they were in better mood on 57 minutes as Sean Moscrop was hauled down following a great run into the box. Ben Elliott converted the penalty to make it 3-1.
Winsford's hopes of a comeback suffered a dent on 74 minutes when Daniel Kerr was dismissed, the centre back ruled to be the last man as he stopped Elliott going one-on-one with the keeper. Two minutes later, Victor Abadaki headed a cross onto the bar with Elliott slotting in the rebound in to give West a fourth.
They comfortably saw out the game, and will travel to Bristol in the last eight to face Hallen after their 3-0 win over Gornal Athletic. That result also means that Droylsden, our other Quarter Finalist, are now the only Step 6 side left in the competition.
Congratulations to all at West!
Macron Cup
Burscough are the first side through to the Semi Finals of the Macron Cup after a comfortable 4-0 win over Cheadle Town.
It was a goalless first half, before Tom Croughan opened the scoring on 53 minutes after Callum Laird was put clean through and unselfishly squared it for him. Two minutes later, and a case of de-ja-vu as Laird was again put clear, and once again he set up Croughan to make it two.
On 77 minutes, Laird was rewarded as a shot came back off the crossbar for him to tap in the third. And Laird made sure of the result in the last minute as he netted his second and the Linnets' fourth.
The other two scheduled Quarter Finals - AFC Liverpool v Euxton Villa and Nelson v Telford Town - were both postponed due to the weather and will be played on Tuesday evening. The fourth Quarter Final is between West Didsbury & Chorlton and Thornton Cleveleys, but that has yet to be allocated a date due to West's Vase heroics.
Premier Division
Only three of the six scheduled fixtures went ahead, with games at leaders Wythenshawe and third placed Irlam suffering waterlogged pitch. FC Isle of Man couldn't get off the island to make their visit to Barnoldswick Town, with flights and ferry crossings cancelled or heavily delayed.
Chadderton took advantage of others not in action, with a 2-0 win against bottom side Litherland REMYCA lifting them to within a point of the play-off's, with games in hand on the three sides immediately above them.
Lewis-Simon Byrne scored both for Chaddy, opening the scoring just after the half hour and adding a second eight minutes later. That took him to a whopping 43 goals for the season in all competitions, that in just 39 games.
Jordan Darr scored twice for Charnock Richard as they won 3-0 at Pilkington. The first goal of the game came after just 57 seconds of the kick off from Nathan Nickeas, before Darr added the second on headed in on 23 minutes. He then added another from the penalty spot with ten minutes to go after he was fouled in the box.
The other Premier Division game saw Longridge Town and Prestwich Heys play out a 1-1 draw. Luke Smith put the hosts ahead on 19 minutes, with Louis Holt levelling from the spot on 32 minutes.
First Division North
It was a better story in the First Division North with just two games lost due to the weather, with MSB Woolton ending the weekend on top spot in the table.
The Merseysiders beat Fulwood Amateurs 3-1, with Daniel Ventre putting Woolton ahead after ten minutes. Charlie Cox levelled matters for Fulwood four minutes before the break, and that's how it stayed until 21 minutes into the second half when Jonathan Liddle restored the lead. Two minutes later, Liddle scored his second of the game, with Woolton seeing out the game.
They remain a point ahead of Droylsden who romped to a 6-1 win at Steeton. Harry Shipton put the Bloods ahead after just six minutes before Cody Artwell doubled the lead on 25 minutes. Jacob Holgate then pulled one back for Steeton ten minutes into the second half, with Artwell quickly restoring the two goal lead. Artwell then completed his hat-trick on 64 minutes before grabbing his fourth goal of the game with 20 minutes to go. Kyle Campbell rounded off the scoring on 79 minutes.
Squires Gate are third, with the Blackpool side beating Ashton Town 1-0 courtesey of Dean Ing's goal two minutes from time. And Darwen are fifth after surviving a late fightback from Daisy Hill to win 3-2. Nick Hepple put Darwen ahead after just three minutes before Nathan Bond doubled the lead just after the half hour. The game seemed over when Joshua Abbott added a third on 53 minutes, however Liam Sheppard pulled one back on 71 minutes. The Cutters ultimately left it too late though, with Sheppard's second of the game five minutes into stoppage time proving just a consolation.
The Play-Off spots are rounded off by Bacup Borough, who were one of the four teams seeing their ganes postponed. Brent Peters' men are just ahead of former league leaders Maghull, who won 2-1 against Holker Old Boys. Harrison Worden put Maghull ahead from the penalty spot on seven minutes, with Connor Rankin doubling the lead on 20 minutes. Sam Hayes got Holker's goal on 56 minutes.
Another two of the postponed teams were Garstang and Ashton Athletic, who occupy the bottom two places in the table. Just above them in the third relegation spot are Maine Road, who picked up a valuable point in a 3-3 draw at home to Colne who are just a place above them. James Horan put Maine Road ahead in the first minute with Barney Wiggin levelling on ten minutes. On 33 minutes, Sam Wrigley put Maine Road back ahead only for Alex-Ray Harvey to level within a minute. Colne then took the lead on the stroke of half time, Wiggin with his second. That's the way it stayed until the 89th minute when Jack Coop levelled for Maine Road.
First Division South
There were four postponed games in the South division, including that of leaders Runcorn Town and second placed Eccleshall.
The big winners on the day were Stockpot Georgians, who are up to third after a stunning 6-4 win away at Stafford Town. The goal feast didn't seem likely at half time, with Callum Parker putting Stafford ahead on six minutes only Oliver McFadyen to turn things around with a double. The first was from the spot on 36 minutes with the second coming on 43 minutes.
The second half saw an Own Goal on 47 minutes restore parity, with Kyle Wych then putting Georgians ahead on 54 minutes only for Jayden Bailey-Hunter to level again just before the hour mark. McFadyen completed his hat-trick to again put Georgians ahead on 74 minutes, only for Dimitri Dunkley to score Stafford's third equaliser of the game on 77 minutes. McFadyen's fourth made it 5-4 to Georgians with just four minutes left, with Wych getting his second two minutes into stoppage time to secure the win.
Telford Town remain in fourth place, with Sandbach United remaining fifth after losing 2-0 at Cheadle Heath Nomads. It was the perfect day for Cheadle who were celebrating "Steven Jenkins Day", the game coming a year to the day after the popular Club Secretary's passing. Daniel Lewis grabbed both goals for Cheadle, both coming in the first half after 12 and 38 minutes.
Ashville twice led Barnton but had to ultimately settle for a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Ben Greenop put them ahead after just two minutes with Matthew Coughlan levelling from the spot on 33 minutes. Joel Kelly then restored the lead six minutes into the second half, with James Flight levelling eight minutes from time.
The only other game came at Alsager Town, with Joe Care's 44th minute goal giving Wolverhampton Casuals a rare 1-0 away win to move them up a whopping four places to 13th.
Cheadle Heath in action in their 2-0 win over Sandbach United. Photo from Mark Torbitt on X!
Week 30: Summary
Mon 16th February 2026 | Match Reviews
By Martin Fallon
Weekend 30 saw more bad weather, but there was action this weekend across all three divisions of the league as well as the Isuzu FA Vase and Macron Cup.
Isuzu FA Vase
West Didsbury & Chorlton reached the Quarter Final of the Isuzu FA Vase for the second time in four seasons after a 4-1 home win against reigning First Division South Champions Winsford United.
Winsford, who were laterally moved to the Midlands League Premier Division after their league win last season, got off to the perfect start after just two minutes through Olly Pope. It wasn't long though before Brandon Dawson levelled matters as he swept home from close range on nine minutes.
Six minutes before the break, Dawson cuts in from the left, beat a couple of defenders and then drilled a shot into the far corner to put West ahead. The majority of the 1,151 crowd were happy over their half time cuppa, and they were in better mood on 57 minutes as Sean Moscrop was hauled down following a great run into the box. Ben Elliott converted the penalty to make it 3-1.
Winsford's hopes of a comeback suffered a dent on 74 minutes when Daniel Kerr was dismissed, the centre back ruled to be the last man as he stopped Elliott going one-on-one with the keeper. Two minutes later, Victor Abadaki headed a cross onto the bar with Elliott slotting in the rebound in to give West a fourth.
They comfortably saw out the game, and will travel to Bristol in the last eight to face Hallen after their 3-0 win over Gornal Athletic. That result also means that Droylsden, our other Quarter Finalist, are now the only Step 6 side left in the competition.
Congratulations to all at West!
Macron Cup
Burscough are the first side through to the Semi Finals of the Macron Cup after a comfortable 4-0 win over Cheadle Town.
It was a goalless first half, before Tom Croughan opened the scoring on 53 minutes after Callum Laird was put clean through and unselfishly squared it for him. Two minutes later, and a case of de-ja-vu as Laird was again put clear, and once again he set up Croughan to make it two.
On 77 minutes, Laird was rewarded as a shot came back off the crossbar for him to tap in the third. And Laird made sure of the result in the last minute as he netted his second and the Linnets' fourth.
The other two scheduled Quarter Finals - AFC Liverpool v Euxton Villa and Nelson v Telford Town - were both postponed due to the weather and will be played on Tuesday evening. The fourth Quarter Final is between West Didsbury & Chorlton and Thornton Cleveleys, but that has yet to be allocated a date due to West's Vase heroics.
Premier Division
Only three of the six scheduled fixtures went ahead, with games at leaders Wythenshawe and third placed Irlam suffering waterlogged pitch. FC Isle of Man couldn't get off the island to make their visit to Barnoldswick Town, with flights and ferry crossings cancelled or heavily delayed.
Chadderton took advantage of others not in action, with a 2-0 win against bottom side Litherland REMYCA lifting them to within a point of the play-off's, with games in hand on the three sides immediately above them.
Lewis-Simon Byrne scored both for Chaddy, opening the scoring just after the half hour and adding a second eight minutes later. That took him to a whopping 43 goals for the season in all competitions, that in just 39 games.
Jordan Darr scored twice for Charnock Richard as they won 3-0 at Pilkington. The first goal of the game came after just 57 seconds of the kick off from Nathan Nickeas, before Darr added the second on headed in on 23 minutes. He then added another from the penalty spot with ten minutes to go after he was fouled in the box.
The other Premier Division game saw Longridge Town and Prestwich Heys play out a 1-1 draw. Luke Smith put the hosts ahead on 19 minutes, with Louis Holt levelling from the spot on 32 minutes.
First Division North
It was a better story in the First Division North with just two games lost due to the weather, with MSB Woolton ending the weekend on top spot in the table.
The Merseysiders beat Fulwood Amateurs 3-1, with Daniel Ventre putting Woolton ahead after ten minutes. Charlie Cox levelled matters for Fulwood four minutes before the break, and that's how it stayed until 21 minutes into the second half when Jonathan Liddle restored the lead. Two minutes later, Liddle scored his second of the game, with Woolton seeing out the game.
They remain a point ahead of Droylsden who romped to a 6-1 win at Steeton. Harry Shipton put the Bloods ahead after just six minutes before Cody Artwell doubled the lead on 25 minutes. Jacob Holgate then pulled one back for Steeton ten minutes into the second half, with Artwell quickly restoring the two goal lead. Artwell then completed his hat-trick on 64 minutes before grabbing his fourth goal of the game with 20 minutes to go. Kyle Campbell rounded off the scoring on 79 minutes.
Squires Gate are third, with the Blackpool side beating Ashton Town 1-0 courtesey of Dean Ing's goal two minutes from time. And Darwen are fifth after surviving a late fightback from Daisy Hill to win 3-2. Nick Hepple put Darwen ahead after just three minutes before Nathan Bond doubled the lead just after the half hour. The game seemed over when Joshua Abbott added a third on 53 minutes, however Liam Sheppard pulled one back on 71 minutes. The Cutters ultimately left it too late though, with Sheppard's second of the game five minutes into stoppage time proving just a consolation.
The Play-Off spots are rounded off by Bacup Borough, who were one of the four teams seeing their ganes postponed. Brent Peters' men are just ahead of former league leaders Maghull, who won 2-1 against Holker Old Boys. Harrison Worden put Maghull ahead from the penalty spot on seven minutes, with Connor Rankin doubling the lead on 20 minutes. Sam Hayes got Holker's goal on 56 minutes.
Another two of the postponed teams were Garstang and Ashton Athletic, who occupy the bottom two places in the table. Just above them in the third relegation spot are Maine Road, who picked up a valuable point in a 3-3 draw at home to Colne who are just a place above them. James Horan put Maine Road ahead in the first minute with Barney Wiggin levelling on ten minutes. On 33 minutes, Sam Wrigley put Maine Road back ahead only for Alex-Ray Harvey to level within a minute. Colne then took the lead on the stroke of half time, Wiggin with his second. That's the way it stayed until the 89th minute when Jack Coop levelled for Maine Road.
First Division South
There were four postponed games in the South division, including that of leaders Runcorn Town and second placed Eccleshall.
The big winners on the day were Stockpot Georgians, who are up to third after a stunning 6-4 win away at Stafford Town. The goal feast didn't seem likely at half time, with Callum Parker putting Stafford ahead on six minutes only Oliver McFadyen to turn things around with a double. The first was from the spot on 36 minutes with the second coming on 43 minutes.
The second half saw an Own Goal on 47 minutes restore parity, with Kyle Wych then putting Georgians ahead on 54 minutes only for Jayden Bailey-Hunter to level again just before the hour mark. McFadyen completed his hat-trick to again put Georgians ahead on 74 minutes, only for Dimitri Dunkley to score Stafford's third equaliser of the game on 77 minutes. McFadyen's fourth made it 5-4 to Georgians with just four minutes left, with Wych getting his second two minutes into stoppage time to secure the win.
Telford Town remain in fourth place, with Sandbach United remaining fifth after losing 2-0 at Cheadle Heath Nomads. It was the perfect day for Cheadle who were celebrating "Steven Jenkins Day", the game coming a year to the day after the popular Club Secretary's passing. Daniel Lewis grabbed both goals for Cheadle, both coming in the first half after 12 and 38 minutes.
Ashville twice led Barnton but had to ultimately settle for a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Ben Greenop put them ahead after just two minutes with Matthew Coughlan levelling from the spot on 33 minutes. Joel Kelly then restored the lead six minutes into the second half, with James Flight levelling eight minutes from time.
The only other game came at Alsager Town, with Joe Care's 44th minute goal giving Wolverhampton Casuals a rare 1-0 away win to move them up a whopping four places to 13th.
Cheadle Heath in action in their 2-0 win over Sandbach United. Photo from Mark Torbitt on X!
