One champion was crowned on Tuesday night and another could be crowned tomorrow - here's the lowdown on what's happening in the NWCFL this weekend:
As the season approaches its end, these are the following permutations for Saturday:
West Didsbury & Chorlton will secure a play-off position under the following conditions:
Wolverhampton Sporting Community will be relegated under the following conditions:
- Fail to win vs. Stafford Town; or
- Foley Meir avoid defeat vs. Abbey Hulton United
PREMIER DIVISION
Lower Breck have the opportunity to move level on points at the top of the table this evening, at least temporarily, as they host Litherland REMYCA in an all-Liverpool derby at the Anfield Sports Community Centre. The Breck continued their long winning run with a 4-0 demolition of FC Isle of Man last weekend, increasing their points tally to a whopping 97 and keeping the pressure on league leaders Bury going into the final three games of the season. It is ex-Bury man Sam Burns that has been in fine form of late for Gary Moore's side, the Blackburn Rovers academy graduate has scored in eight of his last ten outings, most recently scoring the fourth goal at The Bowl last weekend. Visitors Litherland REMYCA are on a six-game streak without tasting victory and are 19th in the table heading into this weekend's action.
Still three points in front of Lower Breck are Bury, who became the first NWCFL side since Runcorn Linnets in 2017/18 to reach 100 points in a season when they won 3-0 at home to Squires Gate last Saturday. The 'Shakers' are back at Gigg Lane this weekend with Padiham forming the opposition for fixture number 44 of the league campaign. The 'Storks' have booked their place in the end-of-season play-offs and will want to build up some good form before the promotion lottery, particularly given that they still have an outside chance of finishing 3rd and receiving the reward of a home semi-final.
The final play-off spot is still up for grabs with both Irlam and Chadderton looking to leapfrog West Didsbury & Chorlton. Chadderton are extreme outsiders and will be out of the running later this evening if they fail to beat Pilkington - that one taking place at Chaddy's 'home from home' of Avro's Whitebank Stadium. Irlam have a more realistic chance but are stll six points behind West and have a significantly worse goal difference; all West need to do to get it sewn up with two games to spare is better Irlam's result; West travel to AFC Liverpool whilst Irlam are at home to Abbey Hey.
At the other end of the table, Squires Gate's relegation to Step 6 could be confirmed this weekend. Gate have struggled for long portions of this season and welcome Glossop North End to the Brian Addison Stadium, still looking for their first home win since October. Luke Evans' side will be consigned to the drop if they fail to beat Glossop and 3rd-bottom Colne pick up all three points at home to Cheadle Town. It has been at the back where Gate have struggled, with 112 league goals conceded to date proving to be their undoing - the 66 goals that they have scored at the other end being the highest out of everyone in the bottom six!
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
Atherton LR will be crowned champions of the First Division North if they beat Bacup Borough at Crilly Park on Saturday afternoon. Two huge wins against Nelson and Droylsden over the past week have put LR within touching distance of promotion back to Step 5, less than twelve months after coming up short in the play-off semi-finals last season after finishing second. Dave Jones' men have won their last five in all competitions, including a Edward Case Cup semi-final victory, with the goals of Joe Bacon and Harvey Sample firing them to success on multiple fronts. Bacup, led by Brent Peters, are never a side to comply with the footballing playbook though and will be ready to spoil the potential promotion party if they are given any opportunity.
Droyslden's title hopes came to an end with the 2-0 defeat away at Atherton LR during the week but they will dust themselves down and aim to overhaul Nelson into second place and guarantee home advantage through the play-offs - next up for them is the short trip across town to Maine Road's Brantingham Road home. 'The Road' look to be finishing the season strongly and are now on a five-match unbeaten streak, most recently running out 2-0 winners away at Bacup. They are just playing for pride at this stage though as although they are 7th in the standings, that final play-off spot is out of reach for the Chorlton-based outfit.
The fight for that final play-off spot looks to be in full flow - a couple of negative results for Euxton Villa have opened the door for Darwen to mount a late, late bid to extend their campaign. The Villa travel to Maghull this weekend having drawn two and lost one of their last three, but putting that run to an end with a victory would seal their spot in the top five regardless of other results. Waiting in the wings are Leighton Mills' men, who have won three in a row to leave them four points behind Euxton. They travel to Steeton's Marley Stadium on Saturday, likely needing a win to give themselves a chance of taking it to the final day. Roy Mason's men made sure of survival last time out with a 1-0 win at Bacup but won't be 'on the beach' seeing the season out.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
Recently-crowned champions Winsford United are back at home this weekend and 6th-placed Ashville visit the Barton Stadium aiming to take the scalp of the 'Blues' and slip into the top five right at the end of the season. Steven Scott's side sit four points off the pace with just two games to go, with maximum points likely required in order to stand any chance of extending their season. The Wirral outfit have picked up seven points from their last three outings, most recently a hard-fought 0-0 draw away at in-form Runcorn Town during the week. Winsford have reduced admission prices for this fixture and are offering a free glass of prosecco on entry for everyone to join in with the celebrations!
Eccleshall are the side currently in fifth and they will rubber-stamp that position should they emerge victorious away at Cheadle Heath Nomads. Nomads, sat in 7th, can still overtake the 'Eagles' should they pick up any points from the clash but an away win would put the Staffordshireites out of reach of both of the chasing clubs and earn them a trip to the side that finishes second in the play-off semi final.
The three sides in the relegation zone could all have their spot in the bottom three confirmed this weekend. Shawbury United and Wolverhampton Sporting Community are both perilously close; the pair sit six points adrift with two games remaining and will be relegated if they fail to win, regardless of results elsewhere. Wolverhampton host Stafford Town, who can no longer win the title but will be looking to arrest their poor run of form before embarking on the play-offs. The home side have struggled in front of goal of late, having notched just three times in their last eight outings - losing four of those games to nil. Shawbury, above Wolves on goal difference, are also on home soil, with Stockport Georgians visiting SY4 for the first time. Georgians won this match-up 1-0 at Cromley Road and the same result this time round would consign Shawbury to a bottom-two finish.
All fixtures can be found on the fixtures page here:
NWCFL Fixtures, with any recent changes to fixtures recorded here:
Fixture Changes
