Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 29
Tue 11th February 2025 | Manager Reactions | By Jay Cooper
With a good amount of NWCFL teams in League action across this past weekend, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Premier Division
Paul Jones, of FC Isle of Man (Glossop North End 1-2 FC Isle of Man):
“It’s always going to be tough having back-to-back away games in the space of 4 days at this time of the season – especially with the first one being Bury, with all that playing at Gigg Lane entails.
“For that reason, I was worried we might be a bit flat on Saturday, but despite us not being at our best, we were able to more than match a hard-working Glossop side.
“After feeling like the decisions and results didn’t go our way on Tuesday, it was nice to be on the right side of both on Saturday.
“It was a hard-fought win that really helps us to stay on track and I am really proud of the players for backing up a strong performance against Bury with such a gritty performance and result on Saturday.”
Gary Moore, of Lower Breck (Lower Breck 1-0 Colne):
“We were certainly not at our best on Saturday, and I’ve got to give credit to Colne, who really prevented us from playing how we’d have liked, but from our point of view, we had way too many lads below par on the day.
“We made it hard for ourselves with the ball, yet I’ve still got give my lads credit for digging in and finding a way to win late on, which is all that matters at this stage of the season.”
First Division North
Guy Heffernan, of Garstang (Garstang 3-0 Steeton):
“Our overall performance – I know the scoreline shows it – but that’s our best performance of the season. From the first to the last minute, overall, we were excellent. We have been playing like this for 75% of the season, but only in spells and not consistently.
“We will have 10-minute spells here and 20-minute spells there, but we were yet to have an all-round performance like we did on Saturday. Steeton played well, too – it wasn’t the case that they were poor or anything, and at 0-0 they had two good chances within 30 seconds of each other and could have changed the game.
“Overall, right through from minute one to 95, all 16 players we fielded were excellent, but we know it’s only one result, and we’ve still got mountain to claim up until the end of the season if we want to get out of this unfortunate position we’ve found ourselves in.”
“Saturday was what I’d call classic NWCFL game. This league is all about consistency, and we’ll have to see if this group of lads are consistent in what they are doing. We can’t be 9/10 one week, then 2/10 the next. If I’m honest, all the pressure is on us.”
First Division South
Darren Moore, of Runcorn Town (Foley Meir 3-6 Runcorn Town)
“It was a bit of a crazy game on Saturday! We had a few key players unavailable through illness, causing us to shuffle the pack, so seeing our lads come out of the blocks so fas and grabbing three early goals was really pleasing. To be honest, it could have been more, but for two great saves from the Foley keeper.
“Massive credit has got to go to Foley Meir as well, for the way they dug deep and found a way back into the game. They brought it back level, which they thoroughly deserved too. That equaliser was a massive wake up call for us, and it got the lads playing again. We made a couple of substitutions and the last 35 minutes was all about us.
“Thomas Ruffer scored three well-worked goals, giving us that eventual 6-3 win and another valuable three points. Overall, myself and Liam (Page) are very happy.
“Also, a massive thank you to our supporters for making the trip in decent numbers. They were great on Saturday, and we’re happy that we could give them an entertaining game. Good luck to Foley Meir for their remaining games.”
Dean Jones, of Winsford United (Winsford United 7-0 Wolves Sporting):
“Saturday saw a ruthless performance from us, from the first to the last minute. Credit to Wolves Sporting, who never gave in and, to be honest, they caught us on a day where we were just firing on all cylinders!
“Our lads all understand that each three points won is just as important as the next three, if we want to be champions come April. The level of support from our fans is just extra motivation to get the job done!”
Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 29
Tue 11th February 2025 | Manager Reactions
By Jay Cooper
With a good amount of NWCFL teams in League action across this past weekend, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Premier Division
Paul Jones, of FC Isle of Man (Glossop North End 1-2 FC Isle of Man):
“It’s always going to be tough having back-to-back away games in the space of 4 days at this time of the season – especially with the first one being Bury, with all that playing at Gigg Lane entails.
“For that reason, I was worried we might be a bit flat on Saturday, but despite us not being at our best, we were able to more than match a hard-working Glossop side.
“After feeling like the decisions and results didn’t go our way on Tuesday, it was nice to be on the right side of both on Saturday.
“It was a hard-fought win that really helps us to stay on track and I am really proud of the players for backing up a strong performance against Bury with such a gritty performance and result on Saturday.”
Gary Moore, of Lower Breck (Lower Breck 1-0 Colne):
“We were certainly not at our best on Saturday, and I’ve got to give credit to Colne, who really prevented us from playing how we’d have liked, but from our point of view, we had way too many lads below par on the day.
“We made it hard for ourselves with the ball, yet I’ve still got give my lads credit for digging in and finding a way to win late on, which is all that matters at this stage of the season.”
First Division North
Guy Heffernan, of Garstang (Garstang 3-0 Steeton):
“Our overall performance – I know the scoreline shows it – but that’s our best performance of the season. From the first to the last minute, overall, we were excellent. We have been playing like this for 75% of the season, but only in spells and not consistently.
“We will have 10-minute spells here and 20-minute spells there, but we were yet to have an all-round performance like we did on Saturday. Steeton played well, too – it wasn’t the case that they were poor or anything, and at 0-0 they had two good chances within 30 seconds of each other and could have changed the game.
“Overall, right through from minute one to 95, all 16 players we fielded were excellent, but we know it’s only one result, and we’ve still got mountain to claim up until the end of the season if we want to get out of this unfortunate position we’ve found ourselves in.”
“Saturday was what I’d call classic NWCFL game. This league is all about consistency, and we’ll have to see if this group of lads are consistent in what they are doing. We can’t be 9/10 one week, then 2/10 the next. If I’m honest, all the pressure is on us.”
First Division South
Darren Moore, of Runcorn Town (Foley Meir 3-6 Runcorn Town)
“It was a bit of a crazy game on Saturday! We had a few key players unavailable through illness, causing us to shuffle the pack, so seeing our lads come out of the blocks so fas and grabbing three early goals was really pleasing. To be honest, it could have been more, but for two great saves from the Foley keeper.
“Massive credit has got to go to Foley Meir as well, for the way they dug deep and found a way back into the game. They brought it back level, which they thoroughly deserved too. That equaliser was a massive wake up call for us, and it got the lads playing again. We made a couple of substitutions and the last 35 minutes was all about us.
“Thomas Ruffer scored three well-worked goals, giving us that eventual 6-3 win and another valuable three points. Overall, myself and Liam (Page) are very happy.
“Also, a massive thank you to our supporters for making the trip in decent numbers. They were great on Saturday, and we’re happy that we could give them an entertaining game. Good luck to Foley Meir for their remaining games.”
Dean Jones, of Winsford United (Winsford United 7-0 Wolves Sporting):
“Saturday saw a ruthless performance from us, from the first to the last minute. Credit to Wolves Sporting, who never gave in and, to be honest, they caught us on a day where we were just firing on all cylinders!
“Our lads all understand that each three points won is just as important as the next three, if we want to be champions come April. The level of support from our fans is just extra motivation to get the job done!”
