By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Simon McDonnell-McLean Longridge Town vs Emley
Jump to:
Longridge Town hit fifth gear
Longridge Town continued their love affair with the FA Cup after racking up the goals once again in a 5-1 preliminary round win over higher-ranked Emley.
Liam Atkinson’s second half hat-trick and Connor High’s brace – including the rocket below – ensured Carlie Barks’ last minute goal for the Yorkshire side was nothing more than a consolation.
Lee Ashcroft’s side have now racked up 15 goals in 3 FA Cup matches this season – including 8 for Atkinson alone.
READ MORE: FA Cup: Longridge Town pick up emphatic 8-1 win
Pick that one out 🤯
— Longridge Town FC (@LongridgeTownFC) August 17, 2025
Connor High that is ridiculous.@EmiratesFACup#UpTheRidge pic.twitter.com/P7UgB49VDQ
The Lancashire side made it to the third qualifying round in the 2020-’21 season before bowing out to Skelmersdale United.
West best Brighouse late on
West Didsbury & Chorlton are also celebrating victory over Step 4 opponents after a late 1-0 win over NPL East side Brighouse Town.
The North West Counties Premier side looked on track to secure a replay after holding their higher-ranked opponents to a goalless draw as the game reached its final moments – but there was to be a late twist in the tale.
Pat Davin’s late winner – two minutes from time – sent the home side through to extend his side’s good form in the Cup over recent years – reaching the first qualifying round in three of the last four seasons.
Davin opened his account for the season with Oli Martin also taking a first clean sheet.
Avro come from behind to progress
Avro produced another strong result while seeing off Bradford Park Avenue 3-1 at the Horsfall Stadium.
Grant Shenton’s side had to fight back after Charlie Winfield put the home side ahead on 23 minutes, but a Kyle Hawley brace sent the visitors into the half time break 2-1 up.
Substitute Ollie Putnam sealed the victory in the final five minutes, with Avro now matching their best run in the competition from the 2022-’23 season.
Bakkor hat-trick in Linnets win
Runcorn Linnets are through after Scott Bakkor’s hat-trick tipped the balance at Whitchurch Alport.
The striker’s three goals – one from the penalty spot – all came in the second half as the NPL West side continued a strong start to the season.
Brad Cooke’s side are yet to concede in the FA Cup after also shutting out Clitheroe in the extra preliminary round.
Stalybridge Celtic and Bury will do it all again
Both Stalybridge Celtic and Bury will be in the hat for Monday’s first qualifying round draw after a 1-1 draw at Bower Fold.
Kai Evans’ excellent volley put The Shakers ahead after 26 minutes, but a reinvigorated Celtic side came out firing on all cylinders and were level within two minutes thanks to Jack Irlam’s low driven free kick.
1,525 were in attendance for the game, with both sets of fans contributing to a pulsating atmosphere.
The Gaffer's reaction from this afternoon's cup tie 💬
— Stalybridge Celtic (@StalyCelticFC) August 16, 2025
Sponsored by PG Fabrications 🤝 pic.twitter.com/iYyD4DSo9t
Garbutt brace seals Albion win
Witton Albion avoided a potential banana skin, despite going behind after just two minutes to AFC Liverpool.
Adam Moorcroft was out of the blocks early to put the visitors ahead, but Albion went on to score twice in each half to take a comfortable win.
Billy Jones levelled the game on 26 minutes, before Joe Duckworth put them ahead for the first time on 39 minutes. Two Freddy Garbutt goals in the second half leave Ben Harrison’s side on track to equal their run to the third qualifying round last season.
Congleton through with home win
Congleton Town are through after seeing off early Step 5 pacesetters Padiham 3-0 in front of 560 at the Cleric Stadium.
Ethan Hartshorn opened the scoring before the break, and The Bears supplemented his goal with efforts from George Sankey and Dan Needham in the second half.
Congleton are into the first qualifying round for the first times in three seasons after handing Padiham their first setback of the campaign.
Atherton LR see off Stripes
Atherton LR are in the first qualifying round for the first time since 2010 after a 2-0 win at NWC Premier rivals FC St Helens.
Two quickfire goals at the end of the first half settled it, with Owen Green and Tom Romano scoring within three minutes of each other to give their side the advantage heading into the break.
Substitute Brendan O’Brien’s late red card capped an afternoon to forget for The Stripes.
Colls off and running on Friday night
Atherton Collieries also went through by the same scoreline on Friday night – avoiding an upset by seeing off Prestwich Heys 2-0.
A goal in each half from Chinedu Uche and Aaron Dwyer sent Michael Clegg’s side through.
Uche netted the team’s first goal of the new campaign after back-to-back losses in the NPL West.
Trafford progress in home win
Trafford are through to the next round after seeing off Step 5 Campion at Shawe View in a 3-0 win.
Hilal Khan’s early opener put Karl Marginson’s side in the driving seat, and further goals from Kieron Molloy and Matt Davies after the break sent the home side through.
This is the first time in five seasons Trafford have progressed past the preliminary rounds.
Bootle breeze through
Bootle are into the hat for the first qualifying for the first time since the ’21-22 season after beating Sheffield 3-0 in their own back yard.
The debuting Harry Rimmer netted twice in the first half, with Courtney Duffus adding a second half penalty to secure safe passage.
Alan Morgan’s side are yet to concede a goal in this season’s competition.
FA Cup preliminary round results in brief
Kendal Town will have home advantage in their replay after a 2-2 draw at fellow Northern League side Northallerton Town. Jamie Looker’s brace takes the sides back to Parkside Road.
Ramsbottom United rescued a replay at Silsden with Matt Dudley’s equaliser three minutes after the 90 cancelling out Kayle Price’s opener.
A single goal from Byron Harrison was enough for Nantwich Town to see off Charnock Richard, while Adam Dale’s winner ensured Chadderton won by the same scoreline at Irlam.
Wythenshawe vs Vauxhall Motors was abandoned at 2-3 with five minutes to play, following a serious injury to the home side’s Joel Ankers. Finally, City of Liverpool bow out after a 3-0 loss at Hallam.
FA Cup preliminary round prize money
Those teams winning preliminary round fixtures will collect £1,444 in prize money, while those leaving the competition will pick up £481 for reaching this stage.
FA Cup first qualifying round draw
The draw for the FA Cup first qualifying round draw takes place on Monday August 18th. Step 3 clubs enter the competition at this stage, including the likes of FC United of Manchester, Lancaster City and Workington.
Ties will be played on the weekend of August 30th.
Leave a Reply