By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Bloods Pics Droylsden vs Holker Old Boys
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Penalties needed for Droylsden and Euxton Villa
Droylsden and Euxton Villa will contest next weekend’s North West Counties First Division North play-off final – after both clubs needed penalty shootout wins to navigate their semi-finals.
Third-placed Droylsden will host the fixture after seeing off Holker Old Boys on spot-kicks, while Villa upset league runners up Nelson at Little Wembley.
Both games ended 1-1 at full time.
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Droylsden reach play-off final
843 were in attendance at The Butcher’s Arms to see Droylsden progress, but it was their opponents who struck first – with Joe Amison giving the Cumbrian side the half-time lead with his 36th minute goal.
This was Amison’s second goal against The Bloods this season, with the same player on target back in August’s 4-0 rout on home soil. The reverse fixture ended as a 2-2 draw – but ultimately it was Droylsden who would have the last laugh here, after Harry Shipton levelled the game just after the hour.
Dave Pace’s side were 3-1 winners in the shootout, meaning whatever happens in the final that they have improved from last year – where they lost in the First Division South semi finals against Stockport Town.
Holker haven’t finished outside the top seven in the past four years, and will hope to build on this strong record once again next season.
Epic penalty shootout sees Euxton through to final
A good old Lancashire derby in the other semi final had an extraordinary result, with Villa eventually progressing 10-9 on spot kicks.
Both goals came before the break – with Alex Colquhoun putting Villa ahead on 31 minutes, before the in-form Max Cane equalised on 44 minutes with his 25th of the campaign.
A shootout for the ages followed, which saw both sides convert nine of their first ten penalties – though it would be the unfortunate Cane who missed the all-important penalty after Villa ‘keeper Oli Lombard put his effort past opposite number Chris Thompson.
The two sides traded 2-0 victories in the regular season and despite the eight point gap in the final table, are clearly well-matched opponents.
It’s third time lucky for Villa, who have made the playoffs in each of their three seasons to date as an NWCFL club – but this is the first time they’ve made the final.
Despite playoff heartbreak here, Nelson have come a long way in a year – needing a reprieve from relegation after finishing plum last in the table.
Droylsden hold the upper hand in head-to-head clashes, winning both games against Villa this season 2-1 – although the Chorley side managed to beat The Bloods in the Edward Case Cup.
Sandbach United lose by the odd goal in 9
In the First Division South, a nine-goal thriller saw Sandbach United eliminated by Stafford Town.
In sharp contrast to the two tight league games between the two this season – both ending 1-1 – the goals flowed here as the game ebbed and flowed in each team’s favour.
Sandbach twice took the lead early on through Taylor Kennerley and an own goal, but Stafford fought back through Patryk Mazurkiewicz and Michael Williams to send the sides in level at half time.
A Ryan Goodwin red card just before the hour left Sandbach vulnerable, and Stafford were able to take the lead for the first time through Matthew Hearsey. Visiting manager Declan Swan was also dismissed.
Max van der Laan’s goal for the home side looked to have wrapped it up on 83 minutes, but a late flurry of goals followed. Kieran Nolan’s penalty gave the ten men hope, before Jayden Hunter’s added time goal won it for Stafford. Joe Bevan got the final say for Sandbach, but his goal proved to be a consolation only.
A third straight playoff campaign for The Ramblers ends in disappointment, following an exit at the same stage to Abbey Hey last year, and a defeat in the final to Cheadle Town in the 2022-23 season.
Dec reflects on todays play off semi final 5 4 defeat to Stafford Town and extends his thanks to his wider team and supporters. pic.twitter.com/Tl8ePdW0dL
— Sandbach United – 1st Team ⚽️ (@SandbachFC_1st) April 19, 2025
In the other semi-final, league runners up Abbey Hulton United breezed past Eccleshall 5-0. Matthew Ward, Jack Gubley, Lewis Holdham and Matthew Bell were all on target before Eccleshall’s Liam Armstrong was sent off on 57 minutes.
A Daniel Cocks penalty wrapped it up in the closing stages for the home side, who will host Stafford on Saturday to decide who joins champions Winsford United at Step 5 next season.
Honours are even between the two Staffordshire sides, with both picking up a 1-0 win this season. Momentum lies with Abbey Hulton, who have won six on the bounce.
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