Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 38
Tue 15th April 2025 | Manager Reactions | By Jay Cooper
There were a good amount of NWCFL teams in League action across this past weekend, including in the final round of fixtures in both the First Divisions North and South. With that, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Premier Division:
Jack Edwards, of Pilkington (Pilkington 3-1 Squires Gate)
“A great win to round off our home campaign. With our safety being confirmed on Friday night, the pressure was off and that told at times, as we looked sluggish without the ball.
“However, we stayed in the game and once it opened up, we took our chances well and got through the final stages quite comfortably.
“I’m delighted for the club and the players after a really challenging season. This now gives us a platform to build on for next season.”
Ryan Hutchinson, of Prestwich Heys (Prestwich Heys 2-1 Irlam)
“Irlam are a great team. They’re powerful, they've got quick players. They had quality on the pitch and on the bench on Saturday.
“We knew it was going to be tough. We came into this game knowing it was going to be difficult, but with the calibre of this group of lads we've got, we knew we had a good chance of winning.
“We’ve proven that we can compete with the top teams in this division. When you look at the games we've won and the stats for us, since we've come in, we're probably a mid-table team.
“We don't want to get carried away, but we were confident, momentum was with us, and the lads have not let us down.”
First Division North:
John Salanki, of AFC Blackpool (AFC Blackpool 2-1 Atherton LR)
"We have suffered a lot with injuries and suspensions over the last eight weeks. But we dug deep on Saturday, and we were back to our best against Atherton.
"We just wanted to finish the season strongly and we know we can beat anyone on our day.
"To get a top 10 finish and a Macron Cup semi-final appearance has been a decent season for us, especially after barely escaping relegation last season."
Paul Gregory, of Thornton Cleveleys (Route One Rovers 1-3 Thornton Cleveleys)
“We enjoyed our day out to Route One Rovers. The game didn't have many chances either way. I think, for the first time all season, we have been really clinical with the chances we had.
“Our goalkeeper, Mark Smith is now retiring after 700+ games for the club. He has set a benchmark for some of the young kids to aspire to - a big target, though!
“We’re now looking forward to a few weeks’ break before we regroup and get set up to go again next season.”
First Division South:
Jon Beaumont, of Abbey Hulton United (Abbey Hulton United 1-0 Ashville)
“It was a typical end of the season game on Saturday - the pitch was very hard and bobbly!
“We played some good stuff for the first 15-20 minutes, and we managed to get a goal up with a good bit of play.
“We didn’t maintain those levels though, which we demand as a group, but we did have our chances.
“Ashville are a very good team, and they made us work very hard to get all three points and finish second in the table!“
Steve Rogers, of Allscott Heath (Eccleshall 1-2 Allscott Heath)
“It was a very good feeling to have finally confirmed our status at Step 6 ahead of next season.
“The lads have been brilliant in the last five games of our season, to go unbeaten and turn it around from a dangerous position that we were in.
“This is a great league to be involved with. Despite our struggles, all in all we have enjoyed ourselves this season.”
Darren Moore, of Runcorn Town (Wolves Sporting 2-5 Runcorn Town)
“I thought the lads were excellent on Saturday. It was a fantastic day all around for us, and for the travelling supporters to finish the season on a high.
“We scored some great goals and, to be honest, there could have been a few more in our favour.
“We tried a few different things on the pitch during the game which worked well for us, so massive credit must go to the players, with the way they applied themselves throughout the game.
“It was so pleasing to see how far the group has come, and we showed again how good we can be.
“Our best wishes go to Wolves Sporting with whatever the future holds for them. For myself, Liam Page and the coaching team, we are really excited for next season.”
Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 38
Tue 15th April 2025 | Manager Reactions
By Jay Cooper
There were a good amount of NWCFL teams in League action across this past weekend, including in the final round of fixtures in both the First Divisions North and South. With that, there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Premier Division:
Jack Edwards, of Pilkington (Pilkington 3-1 Squires Gate)
“A great win to round off our home campaign. With our safety being confirmed on Friday night, the pressure was off and that told at times, as we looked sluggish without the ball.
“However, we stayed in the game and once it opened up, we took our chances well and got through the final stages quite comfortably.
“I’m delighted for the club and the players after a really challenging season. This now gives us a platform to build on for next season.”
Ryan Hutchinson, of Prestwich Heys (Prestwich Heys 2-1 Irlam)
“Irlam are a great team. They’re powerful, they've got quick players. They had quality on the pitch and on the bench on Saturday.
“We knew it was going to be tough. We came into this game knowing it was going to be difficult, but with the calibre of this group of lads we've got, we knew we had a good chance of winning.
“We’ve proven that we can compete with the top teams in this division. When you look at the games we've won and the stats for us, since we've come in, we're probably a mid-table team.
“We don't want to get carried away, but we were confident, momentum was with us, and the lads have not let us down.”
First Division North:
John Salanki, of AFC Blackpool (AFC Blackpool 2-1 Atherton LR)
"We have suffered a lot with injuries and suspensions over the last eight weeks. But we dug deep on Saturday, and we were back to our best against Atherton.
"We just wanted to finish the season strongly and we know we can beat anyone on our day.
"To get a top 10 finish and a Macron Cup semi-final appearance has been a decent season for us, especially after barely escaping relegation last season."
Paul Gregory, of Thornton Cleveleys (Route One Rovers 1-3 Thornton Cleveleys)
“We enjoyed our day out to Route One Rovers. The game didn't have many chances either way. I think, for the first time all season, we have been really clinical with the chances we had.
“Our goalkeeper, Mark Smith is now retiring after 700+ games for the club. He has set a benchmark for some of the young kids to aspire to - a big target, though!
“We’re now looking forward to a few weeks’ break before we regroup and get set up to go again next season.”
First Division South:
Jon Beaumont, of Abbey Hulton United (Abbey Hulton United 1-0 Ashville)
“It was a typical end of the season game on Saturday - the pitch was very hard and bobbly!
“We played some good stuff for the first 15-20 minutes, and we managed to get a goal up with a good bit of play.
“We didn’t maintain those levels though, which we demand as a group, but we did have our chances.
“Ashville are a very good team, and they made us work very hard to get all three points and finish second in the table!“
Steve Rogers, of Allscott Heath (Eccleshall 1-2 Allscott Heath)
“It was a very good feeling to have finally confirmed our status at Step 6 ahead of next season.
“The lads have been brilliant in the last five games of our season, to go unbeaten and turn it around from a dangerous position that we were in.
“This is a great league to be involved with. Despite our struggles, all in all we have enjoyed ourselves this season.”
Darren Moore, of Runcorn Town (Wolves Sporting 2-5 Runcorn Town)
“I thought the lads were excellent on Saturday. It was a fantastic day all around for us, and for the travelling supporters to finish the season on a high.
“We scored some great goals and, to be honest, there could have been a few more in our favour.
“We tried a few different things on the pitch during the game which worked well for us, so massive credit must go to the players, with the way they applied themselves throughout the game.
“It was so pleasing to see how far the group has come, and we showed again how good we can be.
“Our best wishes go to Wolves Sporting with whatever the future holds for them. For myself, Liam Page and the coaching team, we are really excited for next season.”
