Week 11: Preview
Fri 3rd October 2025 | Match Previews | By Jay Cooper
There's a focus on league action this weekend, and we have a full fixture list to bring you this Saturday! Let's see who is facing whom...
Premier Division:
It’s all about Saturday, and it’s all about league football this weekend in the NWCFL. We begin alphabetically with Abbey Hey’s hosting of Euxton Villa, with both teams only sporting two league wins thus far.
AFC Liverpool, currently in the relegation zone, will have the opportunity to get out when they face Atherton LR on Saturday, who themselves could jump into the play-off places if results go their way.
There’s yet another Liverpool derby of sorts this weekend which will take place at the Community Ground. Burscough, who can also sneak into the top six with a victory, will welcome tenants City of Liverpool, who are unbeaten in their last two in all competitions.
FC St Helens, currently holding onto the final play-off place after victory last weekend over City of Liverpool, will travel to one-win-in-four Charnock Richard knowing that the chance to keep their place in the top six is in their hands.
Chadderton’s FA Cup exploits have seen them play less league games than any other side in the Prem this season, but they will hit double figures this weekend as they go on the road against Glossop North End, who have won three and lost three of their last six.
Litherland REMYCA are in desperate need of a break – penalty shootouts included, REMY have lost their last 14 games in all competitions! Regrettably, that record looks unlikely to change this weekend, as table-topping Padiham, who’ve lost just once in the league so far, will be the guests at the Litherland Sports Park.
Pilkington’s four-game unbeaten run was ended last weekend by Atherton LR, but Jack Edwards’ side will hope to course correct on Saturday as they host Cheadle Town, who have won four of their last five in all competitions, scoring 12 in that time.
Second-placed Ramsbottom United will host the Prem’s form team in Prestwich Heys in league action this weekend. Curiously, this is the first of two weekends in a row where these two sides will face off at Ground Up Solutions Stadium, with next weekend seeing the exact same fixture take place in the Macron Cup.
Both Stockport Town and Irlam will have the play-off places on their minds going into their clash against one another this weekend. The away side slightly ahead in the table as of right now, but the hosts are on a slightly better run of form when looking at their last six – Town have lost three in that time; Irlam have lost four.
Another side who will be keen to keep hold of their position in the top six this weekend, like FC St Helens, will be West Didsbury & Chorlton. Paul Marshall’s side have won six of their last eight on all competitions as they prepare to play host to mid-table Longridge Town on Saturday.
Completing the play-off picture right now are third-placed Wythenshawe, who will also play at home this weekend. South Liverpool will be the visitors to the Avensure Community Stadium this weekend, having had their two-game winning run ended last time out by struggling AFC Liverpool.
Finally, in the day’s late kick-off, FC Isle of Man have the opportunity to close the gap on visitors Barnoldswick Town to one point with a second win in eight games. Barlick are unbeaten in four games ahead of this one, having scored 18 goals in that time.
First Division North:
The league’s bottom side, Ashton Athletic, winless since the opening day, have a good chance to right the ship as they host AFC Blackpool this weekend. The Mechanics won 3-0 in midweek against Ashton Town, but have only had a few days to recover from that match.
Winless Daisy Hill, who are only being kept off the bottom of the table by their three draws thus far, will hope to finally take maximum points for the first time this weekend as they welcome newly relegated Colne, who are currently 13th in the table - three places above the drop zone.
Second-placed Maghull have a game in hand on the league leaders as of right now, and they will travel to seventh placed Darwen FC on Saturday knowing a win and a Droylsden loss would see them top the table.
In contrast, right above the relegation places at this moment are Garstang, who will fancy themselves against mid-table Ashton Town on Saturday. The hosts won on penalties last time out against Darwen in the Macron Cup, and the visitors are in recovery after a midweek defeat to AFC Blackpool.
Maine Road will be feeling themselves after defeating table-topping Droylsden last time out, and they can tighten their grip on a play-off place with a third win in four in all competitions as they play host to relegation zone occupiers Bacup Borough at Brantingham Road this Saturday.
MSB Woolton are beginning to climb the table after a slow start to life in the NWCFL, having won their last three in all competitions, including penalty shootouts. This will welcome Steeton this weekend, who are winless in seven, but remain sixth in the league table.
Newly promoted Fulwood Amateurs are holding onto their place in the play-offs by three goals at the time of writing, and they will want redemption for last weekend when they visit high-flying Nelson. The hosts are third, have won their last eight, and beat Fulwood in their own back yard last time out in the Macron Cup on penalties.
Four points separates Squires Gate and the relegation places right now, but Luke Evans’ men will still be feeling good about themselves after knocking off National League North side Radcliffe two games ago on penalties in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy. Their visitors this weekend will be mid-table Holker Old Boys.
There’s a perfect symmetry to Thornton Cleveleys record in the league so far – three wins, three losses; 11 goals scored, 11 goals conceded. Hoping to upset that delicate balance will be league leaders Droylsden on Saturday, as they visit Gamble Road in search of a seventh win in eight to extend their lead at the pinnacle of the division.
First Division South:
Newly promoted Haughmond are the only side in the South who are yet to win in the league this season, but they might be able to change that unfortunate stat when they travel to the Giant Stadium to face one-win-in-three Allscott Heath.
Just three points separate 12th placed Ashville and 15th placed Cheadle Heath Nomads right now, and just goal difference separates Nomads from the relegation places. These two sides will do battle at the Ray Parker Stadium on Saturday.
Eccleshall are just two points behind the play-off places, but they have an almighty challenge on their hands this weekend if they want to close that gap. Second-placed Telford Town, coming into this weekend off a 7-1 victory last time out, will be Eccleshall’s visitors this Saturday.
Market Drayton Town are currently inside the play-off places by goal difference alone, but they can change that this weekend when they host play-off hungry Stafford Town. The visitors have failed to win four of their last six, and they have dropped out of the top five as a result.
Despite being three places below the play-off spots, New Mills could technically jump all the way up to the top five places in the league with a win this weekend against Cammell Laird 1907. Laird won on penalties last time out in the Macron Cup, but their league record so far has left something to be desired – they have just eight points to their name thus far.
Runcorn Town are top of the league right now by a single goal. It’s a precarious position to be in for Darren Moore’s men, but a match on home soil at the weekend against mid-table Foley Meir could be the perfect way for them to put some daylight between themselves and chasing Telford.
Shawbury United look comfortable in mid-table after 10 games this season, and will look to cause an upset on paper this Saturday as they welcome fourth-placed Barnton. Despite their presence in the play-offs, Lewis Wood and Craig Humphries’ side have lost their last two in all competitions, conceding six without reply in that time.
There is a play-off six-pointer to come on Saturday as third-placed Stockport Georgians welcome fifth-placed Sandbach United to Cromley Road. The hosts’ form has been somewhat inconsistent recently, whereas the away side have lost just once in seven games coming into this one.
In another six-pointer of sorts – this one coming from the bottom of the table – Wolves Sporting will host Alsager Town. Town are outside of the relegation zone on goal difference and by just one place in the table, whereas Wolves are bottom of the league and have won just once in the First Division South all season.
Week 11: Preview
Fri 3rd October 2025 | Match Previews
By Jay Cooper
There's a focus on league action this weekend, and we have a full fixture list to bring you this Saturday! Let's see who is facing whom...
Premier Division:
It’s all about Saturday, and it’s all about league football this weekend in the NWCFL. We begin alphabetically with Abbey Hey’s hosting of Euxton Villa, with both teams only sporting two league wins thus far.
AFC Liverpool, currently in the relegation zone, will have the opportunity to get out when they face Atherton LR on Saturday, who themselves could jump into the play-off places if results go their way.
There’s yet another Liverpool derby of sorts this weekend which will take place at the Community Ground. Burscough, who can also sneak into the top six with a victory, will welcome tenants City of Liverpool, who are unbeaten in their last two in all competitions.
FC St Helens, currently holding onto the final play-off place after victory last weekend over City of Liverpool, will travel to one-win-in-four Charnock Richard knowing that the chance to keep their place in the top six is in their hands.
Chadderton’s FA Cup exploits have seen them play less league games than any other side in the Prem this season, but they will hit double figures this weekend as they go on the road against Glossop North End, who have won three and lost three of their last six.
Litherland REMYCA are in desperate need of a break – penalty shootouts included, REMY have lost their last 14 games in all competitions! Regrettably, that record looks unlikely to change this weekend, as table-topping Padiham, who’ve lost just once in the league so far, will be the guests at the Litherland Sports Park.
Pilkington’s four-game unbeaten run was ended last weekend by Atherton LR, but Jack Edwards’ side will hope to course correct on Saturday as they host Cheadle Town, who have won four of their last five in all competitions, scoring 12 in that time.
Second-placed Ramsbottom United will host the Prem’s form team in Prestwich Heys in league action this weekend. Curiously, this is the first of two weekends in a row where these two sides will face off at Ground Up Solutions Stadium, with next weekend seeing the exact same fixture take place in the Macron Cup.
Both Stockport Town and Irlam will have the play-off places on their minds going into their clash against one another this weekend. The away side slightly ahead in the table as of right now, but the hosts are on a slightly better run of form when looking at their last six – Town have lost three in that time; Irlam have lost four.
Another side who will be keen to keep hold of their position in the top six this weekend, like FC St Helens, will be West Didsbury & Chorlton. Paul Marshall’s side have won six of their last eight on all competitions as they prepare to play host to mid-table Longridge Town on Saturday.
Completing the play-off picture right now are third-placed Wythenshawe, who will also play at home this weekend. South Liverpool will be the visitors to the Avensure Community Stadium this weekend, having had their two-game winning run ended last time out by struggling AFC Liverpool.
Finally, in the day’s late kick-off, FC Isle of Man have the opportunity to close the gap on visitors Barnoldswick Town to one point with a second win in eight games. Barlick are unbeaten in four games ahead of this one, having scored 18 goals in that time.
First Division North:
The league’s bottom side, Ashton Athletic, winless since the opening day, have a good chance to right the ship as they host AFC Blackpool this weekend. The Mechanics won 3-0 in midweek against Ashton Town, but have only had a few days to recover from that match.
Winless Daisy Hill, who are only being kept off the bottom of the table by their three draws thus far, will hope to finally take maximum points for the first time this weekend as they welcome newly relegated Colne, who are currently 13th in the table - three places above the drop zone.
Second-placed Maghull have a game in hand on the league leaders as of right now, and they will travel to seventh placed Darwen FC on Saturday knowing a win and a Droylsden loss would see them top the table.
In contrast, right above the relegation places at this moment are Garstang, who will fancy themselves against mid-table Ashton Town on Saturday. The hosts won on penalties last time out against Darwen in the Macron Cup, and the visitors are in recovery after a midweek defeat to AFC Blackpool.
Maine Road will be feeling themselves after defeating table-topping Droylsden last time out, and they can tighten their grip on a play-off place with a third win in four in all competitions as they play host to relegation zone occupiers Bacup Borough at Brantingham Road this Saturday.
MSB Woolton are beginning to climb the table after a slow start to life in the NWCFL, having won their last three in all competitions, including penalty shootouts. This will welcome Steeton this weekend, who are winless in seven, but remain sixth in the league table.
Newly promoted Fulwood Amateurs are holding onto their place in the play-offs by three goals at the time of writing, and they will want redemption for last weekend when they visit high-flying Nelson. The hosts are third, have won their last eight, and beat Fulwood in their own back yard last time out in the Macron Cup on penalties.
Four points separates Squires Gate and the relegation places right now, but Luke Evans’ men will still be feeling good about themselves after knocking off National League North side Radcliffe two games ago on penalties in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy. Their visitors this weekend will be mid-table Holker Old Boys.
There’s a perfect symmetry to Thornton Cleveleys record in the league so far – three wins, three losses; 11 goals scored, 11 goals conceded. Hoping to upset that delicate balance will be league leaders Droylsden on Saturday, as they visit Gamble Road in search of a seventh win in eight to extend their lead at the pinnacle of the division.
First Division South:
Newly promoted Haughmond are the only side in the South who are yet to win in the league this season, but they might be able to change that unfortunate stat when they travel to the Giant Stadium to face one-win-in-three Allscott Heath.
Just three points separate 12th placed Ashville and 15th placed Cheadle Heath Nomads right now, and just goal difference separates Nomads from the relegation places. These two sides will do battle at the Ray Parker Stadium on Saturday.
Eccleshall are just two points behind the play-off places, but they have an almighty challenge on their hands this weekend if they want to close that gap. Second-placed Telford Town, coming into this weekend off a 7-1 victory last time out, will be Eccleshall’s visitors this Saturday.
Market Drayton Town are currently inside the play-off places by goal difference alone, but they can change that this weekend when they host play-off hungry Stafford Town. The visitors have failed to win four of their last six, and they have dropped out of the top five as a result.
Despite being three places below the play-off spots, New Mills could technically jump all the way up to the top five places in the league with a win this weekend against Cammell Laird 1907. Laird won on penalties last time out in the Macron Cup, but their league record so far has left something to be desired – they have just eight points to their name thus far.
Runcorn Town are top of the league right now by a single goal. It’s a precarious position to be in for Darren Moore’s men, but a match on home soil at the weekend against mid-table Foley Meir could be the perfect way for them to put some daylight between themselves and chasing Telford.
Shawbury United look comfortable in mid-table after 10 games this season, and will look to cause an upset on paper this Saturday as they welcome fourth-placed Barnton. Despite their presence in the play-offs, Lewis Wood and Craig Humphries’ side have lost their last two in all competitions, conceding six without reply in that time.
There is a play-off six-pointer to come on Saturday as third-placed Stockport Georgians welcome fifth-placed Sandbach United to Cromley Road. The hosts’ form has been somewhat inconsistent recently, whereas the away side have lost just once in seven games coming into this one.
In another six-pointer of sorts – this one coming from the bottom of the table – Wolves Sporting will host Alsager Town. Town are outside of the relegation zone on goal difference and by just one place in the table, whereas Wolves are bottom of the league and have won just once in the First Division South all season.
