Matchday 4: Preview

Fri 9th August 2024 | Match Previews | By Ben Wilkinson

After a thrilling FA Cup weekend, the Premier Division returns with a bang this weekend as all 24 clubs are in action tomorrow. Early leaders FC St Helens host Ramsbottom United and have hopes of continuing their perfect start to their debut season at this level. The only other club in the division with a 100% record, AFC Liverpool, travel to an Abbey Hey side still looking for their first point of the season. Bury play their first game on the new plastic pitch at Gigg Lane as Irlam visit BL9 while Pilkington go to Charnock Richard full of confidence after knocking out Step 4 opposition in Wythenshawe in an FA Cup replay during the week.

Other picks of the round include Barnoldswick Town hosting Chadderton and new-boys South Liverpool making the trip to Derbyshire to face off against a struggling Glossop North End. Burscough go to West Didsbury & Chorlton for the second week running and it’s Longridge Town’s turn to travel to FC Isle of Man. Rounding out Saturday’s Prem action is Litherland REMYCA v Stockport Town, Lower Breck v Padiham, Prestwich Heys v Colne and Squires Gate v Cheadle Town. All fixtures on the mainland kick off at 3pm; IOM v Longridge is a 6pm start.

Bacup Borough have got off to a flying start in this seasons First Division North and they hope to make it five wins from as many games away at a Maghull side that put five past Skelmersdale United without reply on Tuesday night. Skem dust themselves off and travel to Little Wembley aiming to be the first team that Nelson fail to beat this term. Thornton Cleveleys won a seven-goal thriller by the odd goal at Darwen during the week and they host Counties stalwarts Daisy Hill. Thornton are looking to make it three wins in a row after losing their first two. Elsewhere, it’s a big milestone for Steeton manager Roy Mason as he takes his side to the Butchers Arms to take on Droylsden in his 600th game in charge of the club - an amazing feat! It’s the ‘Tower Derby’ at Darwen’s Multevo Anchor Ground as AFC Blackpool are the visitors to East Lancashire. Currently unbeaten Atherton LR travel to Euxton Villa in a battle of last season’s losing playoff semi-finalists. Completing Saturday’s schedule in this division are Ashton Town v Holker Old Boys, Garstang v Maine Road and Route One Rovers v Ashton Athletic.

The First Division South’s last remaining 100% team, Alsager Town, are at home to 3rd-placed Stafford Town in an early top of the table clash. At the other end of the table, managerless Runcorn Town are at home to Eccleshall and will be looking to get that important first point on the board. Another pointless side in Wolverhampton SC make the trip to Birkenhead to face Ashville. Shawbury United and Stockport Georgians are the other two clubs still searching for a win and they both have the chance to put that right on home soil, against Cammell Laird 1907 and Market Drayton Town respectively. There’s a Stoke derby at Drayton Beaumont Park as Abbey Hulton host a newly-promoted Foley Meir side who are looking to build on a solid start back in the NLS. The final three fixtures of a full NWCFL calendar are Allscott Heath v Cheadle Heath Nomads, New Mills v Barnton and Winsford United v Sandbach United.