February 2025 Player of the Month announced
Fri 7th March 2025 | League Awards | By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for February 2025 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for February 2025 has gone to Tobias Green of Stockport Town. He is the first Stockport player to win this award since Scott McGowan who won it in August 2022.
Josh came through the ranks as a youngster at Stockport County, and made his NWCFL debut at 17-years old for Stockport Town. He played 17 times that season, including his first senior goal in a fantastic performance in Douglas against FC Isle of Man. The following season he made 31 appearances before moving on at the start of last season, firstly for Droylsden and then Abbey Hey. He returned to Stockport Sports Village at the start of this season, where he has made 19 appearances this season.
In February Josh played in all five games that Stockport Town played. His first game of the month saw his team 2-0 down at home in front of a record crowd against Bury. In a tough game, Josh set up teammate Jack Atkinson to pull a goal back on 88 minutes but he was powerless to stop them going down to a 2-1 defeat.
Next up was a home game against Squires Gate. Town trailled at the break before Green ran at the defence in the 54th minute, his shot finding its way into the net. Eight minutes later he had his second of the game, firing in from close range as Gate were unable to clear their lines. Gate eventually equalised and drew 2-2, with Green picking up Man of the Match for his performance.
The third game was probably his quietest of the month, that being a 2-0 win at Colne where he worked hard on the right throughout the game. His fourth game though saw him pick up another Man of the Match in a 1-1 draw at home to Barnoldswick Town. It was Green who put Stockport ahead with his third goal of the month, firing in a beautiful free kick just after half time to give his side the lead. Barlick got a point thanks to their leveller midway through the half.
The final game of the month came in the 2-2 draw at Longridge Town. Josh picked up his third Man of the Match in four games with a commanding performance. He set up the opening goal with a superb cross that Marcus Kouam headed home. He also set up Harry Lomakin-Rogers for the second, although Longridge hit back with two late goals to claim the points.
A superb month for Josh, who scored in picked up three Man of the Match awards, scored three and assisted three.
Congratulations to Josh!
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for February 2025 goes to Ashton Athletic, however this time it is striker Deklan Hill who picks up the award.
Dek has plenty of experience in the North West Counties Football League, first playing for AFC Liverpool back in 2017. Spells followed at Charnock Richard, Burscough, Pilkington and Runcorn Town over the next two seasons, He moved to Barnton in the ill-fated Covid season of 2020/21, before returning to Pilkington and then Ashton Town the following season. In 2022/23 he began at Ashton before returning to Runcorn Town and eventually moving to Ashton Athletic. It seems like he has found his home at Brocstedes Park, with this now his third season in yellow and blue.
February got off to the best start for Dek in Ashton's first game at home to Garstang. He slotted home the opening goal just before half time, and after Garstang had levelled, added his second goal of the game with 20 minutes remaining, using his strength to hold off the defenders before an instinctive finish. Garstang again levelled only for Dek to complete his second hat-trick in five games with ten minutes remaining, finishing off a fine counter attack. Unfortunately for Dek, Garstang levelled deep into stoppage time, but he picked up Man of the Match for his efforts.
Next up was a another home game against league leaders Nelson. After the visitors took the lead, Dek equalised for Ashton after 14 minutes, however he was unable to stop the Admirals from securing a 3-1 win to improve their promotion hopes. The final game of the month saw Ashton host Holker Old Boys. It was a tight game that finished 1-0, with Dek getting the only goal of the game in the 39th minute, his 20th goal of the season.
A superb month for Dek, who scored all of Ashton Athletic's goals in the month.
We are also reliably informed that Dek has had a fine month off the field also with his partner Nicola giving birth to their son. Here's to him picking up a Player of the Month in about 20 years time!
Congratulations to Dek (and Nicola!) on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for February 2025 goes to striker Matty Birchall of Winsford United.
Matty came through the Bradford City academy before switching to Crewe Alexandra. He switched to Northwich Victoria in 2020 where he became a prolific goalscorer over the next three seasons, his best being 21 goals in 2021/22, before stepping up to Runcorn Linnets in the Northern Premier League. Last season saw him move between Whitchurch Alport, 1874 Northwich and Ramsbottom United before moving to Winsford United in the summer.
He took a little time to get going this season, with just five goals in 13 games up until the start of November. However since them he has been phenomenal, with his last 16 games bringing 17 goals and four Man of the Match wins. In fact there have been just four games in that time that Matthew has not scored in.
In February he was excellent. In the opening game at Runcorn Town, Winsford went ahead from the spot early on before Matty danced past two defenders and found the net to double the lead. Winsford went on to win 3-1.
The second game was at home to Wolverhampton Sporting Community, with Winsford winning 7-0. With Winsford two goals up, Matty added the third with a blistering shot past the keeper, and he headed home the sixth goal of the game which was his 20th goal of the season. He then set up Ollie Pope for the final goal, his performance seeing him named Man of the Match in that game.
The third game of the month saw Birchall set up Kallum Boyle for the opening goal before getting on the scoresheet again, hitting the Blues' second goal in a 2-2 draw at home to Abbey Hulton United. And the final game at home to Cammell Laird 1907 saw him set up Kallum Boyle for the second goal before scoring the third in a 4-1 win.
Four games for Winsford in the month with Matty scoring in all of them, powering past the 20 goal mark for the season in doing so.
Congratulations Matty!
February 2025 Player of the Month announced
Fri 7th March 2025 | League Awards
By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for February 2025 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for February 2025 has gone to Tobias Green of Stockport Town. He is the first Stockport player to win this award since Scott McGowan who won it in August 2022.
Josh came through the ranks as a youngster at Stockport County, and made his NWCFL debut at 17-years old for Stockport Town. He played 17 times that season, including his first senior goal in a fantastic performance in Douglas against FC Isle of Man. The following season he made 31 appearances before moving on at the start of last season, firstly for Droylsden and then Abbey Hey. He returned to Stockport Sports Village at the start of this season, where he has made 19 appearances this season.
In February Josh played in all five games that Stockport Town played. His first game of the month saw his team 2-0 down at home in front of a record crowd against Bury. In a tough game, Josh set up teammate Jack Atkinson to pull a goal back on 88 minutes but he was powerless to stop them going down to a 2-1 defeat.
Next up was a home game against Squires Gate. Town trailled at the break before Green ran at the defence in the 54th minute, his shot finding its way into the net. Eight minutes later he had his second of the game, firing in from close range as Gate were unable to clear their lines. Gate eventually equalised and drew 2-2, with Green picking up Man of the Match for his performance.
The third game was probably his quietest of the month, that being a 2-0 win at Colne where he worked hard on the right throughout the game. His fourth game though saw him pick up another Man of the Match in a 1-1 draw at home to Barnoldswick Town. It was Green who put Stockport ahead with his third goal of the month, firing in a beautiful free kick just after half time to give his side the lead. Barlick got a point thanks to their leveller midway through the half.
The final game of the month came in the 2-2 draw at Longridge Town. Josh picked up his third Man of the Match in four games with a commanding performance. He set up the opening goal with a superb cross that Marcus Kouam headed home. He also set up Harry Lomakin-Rogers for the second, although Longridge hit back with two late goals to claim the points.
A superb month for Josh, who scored in picked up three Man of the Match awards, scored three and assisted three.
Congratulations to Josh!
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for February 2025 goes to Ashton Athletic, however this time it is striker Deklan Hill who picks up the award.
Dek has plenty of experience in the North West Counties Football League, first playing for AFC Liverpool back in 2017. Spells followed at Charnock Richard, Burscough, Pilkington and Runcorn Town over the next two seasons, He moved to Barnton in the ill-fated Covid season of 2020/21, before returning to Pilkington and then Ashton Town the following season. In 2022/23 he began at Ashton before returning to Runcorn Town and eventually moving to Ashton Athletic. It seems like he has found his home at Brocstedes Park, with this now his third season in yellow and blue.
February got off to the best start for Dek in Ashton's first game at home to Garstang. He slotted home the opening goal just before half time, and after Garstang had levelled, added his second goal of the game with 20 minutes remaining, using his strength to hold off the defenders before an instinctive finish. Garstang again levelled only for Dek to complete his second hat-trick in five games with ten minutes remaining, finishing off a fine counter attack. Unfortunately for Dek, Garstang levelled deep into stoppage time, but he picked up Man of the Match for his efforts.
Next up was a another home game against league leaders Nelson. After the visitors took the lead, Dek equalised for Ashton after 14 minutes, however he was unable to stop the Admirals from securing a 3-1 win to improve their promotion hopes. The final game of the month saw Ashton host Holker Old Boys. It was a tight game that finished 1-0, with Dek getting the only goal of the game in the 39th minute, his 20th goal of the season.
A superb month for Dek, who scored all of Ashton Athletic's goals in the month.
We are also reliably informed that Dek has had a fine month off the field also with his partner Nicola giving birth to their son. Here's to him picking up a Player of the Month in about 20 years time!
Congratulations to Dek (and Nicola!) on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for February 2025 goes to striker Matty Birchall of Winsford United.
Matty came through the Bradford City academy before switching to Crewe Alexandra. He switched to Northwich Victoria in 2020 where he became a prolific goalscorer over the next three seasons, his best being 21 goals in 2021/22, before stepping up to Runcorn Linnets in the Northern Premier League. Last season saw him move between Whitchurch Alport, 1874 Northwich and Ramsbottom United before moving to Winsford United in the summer.
He took a little time to get going this season, with just five goals in 13 games up until the start of November. However since them he has been phenomenal, with his last 16 games bringing 17 goals and four Man of the Match wins. In fact there have been just four games in that time that Matthew has not scored in.
In February he was excellent. In the opening game at Runcorn Town, Winsford went ahead from the spot early on before Matty danced past two defenders and found the net to double the lead. Winsford went on to win 3-1.
The second game was at home to Wolverhampton Sporting Community, with Winsford winning 7-0. With Winsford two goals up, Matty added the third with a blistering shot past the keeper, and he headed home the sixth goal of the game which was his 20th goal of the season. He then set up Ollie Pope for the final goal, his performance seeing him named Man of the Match in that game.
The third game of the month saw Birchall set up Kallum Boyle for the opening goal before getting on the scoresheet again, hitting the Blues' second goal in a 2-2 draw at home to Abbey Hulton United. And the final game at home to Cammell Laird 1907 saw him set up Kallum Boyle for the second goal before scoring the third in a 4-1 win.
Four games for Winsford in the month with Matty scoring in all of them, powering past the 20 goal mark for the season in doing so.
Congratulations Matty!
