By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Bob Shaw Photos Market Drayton Town vs Ashville
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Alsager Town fight back for first 3 points
Alsager Town came out on top with an 88th minute winner in a topsy-turvy game to see off Haughmond 4-3 in the North West Counties First Division South.
The Bullets trailed 3-2 at the break – with Luke Nicholls scoring both goals. Kian Garbett had opened the scoring for the visitors, and Ethan Pickford’s brace put the away side on track for their first points since promotion.
Nicholls competed his hat-trick within two minutes of the restart – and the points looked to be shared until the debuting Brayden Barlow won it in dramatic style in the final moments.
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It’s a first win for Warren Jones’ side, while the Shropshire outfit remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
The counties is a tough league to get points on the board and experience costs big money. We have a lot of talented youth and are trying to develop them to become players in the mens game. To see two 17 year olds linking up to get the winner was superb. #greatmoment https://t.co/k396OzjqHk
— Warren Jones (@WozzaJ5) August 17, 2025
Lairds off and running with first win
Cammell Laird also broke their duck with a 3-2 win over Foley Meir.
Jamie Eaton’s penalty 15 minutes from time gave Lairds their first victory – but they had to work for it having been pegged back from leading positions twice.
Eaton opened the scoring and Conor Doyle netted the second, but a quick reply from Tom Wakefield and Luke Lewis’ early second half goal left the sides level once again. Lewis was later sent off, and Lairds held on to join the visitors on four points.
Sandbach end Runcorn’s perfect start
Sandbach United‘s smash and grab 2-1 win at Runcorn Town ended the home side’s perfect start to the season – and saw them lose top spot.
Runcorn looked set for another victory with Jamie Apperley’s goal on 13 minute still separating the two sides heading into the final five minutes – despite Will Avon’s red card on 79 minutes leaving them a man short.
Pressure from the visitors ultimately paid off, with Joe Bevan and Robbie Hatton netting in quick succession to hand Runcorn a first defeat of the season.
Barnton net third win
Barnton remain unbeaten at home after picking up a 4-2 win over Wolverhampton Casuals.
The Cheshire side won both halves 2-1, with four different goalscorers – George Edwards, Tom Matthews, Callum Parker and Jordan Sherlock. Connor Parker and Kyri Kourouyianni replied for the visitors.
Barnton move into double figures after recovering from a first defeat of the season last weekend.
🎙️ And finally, a word from our Man of the Match — @GeorgeE59547745 .
— Barnton AFC (@barntonfc) August 16, 2025
Unplayable at times & his work rate for the TEAM was fantastic 💪well done George 💬🖤🤍#ForzaBarnton #FinoAllaFine #MOTM #JamButtyBoy #CheshireJuve #WinningMentality #Juve pic.twitter.com/LU1bN1fG29
Ashville win as both sides see red
Ashville emerged as 3-0 winners at Market Drayton Town as both sides ended the match with ten men.
Tom Hewlett’s goal on the quarter hour still separated the two sides heading into the final 15 minutes, when both The Gingerbreads’ Jack Finney and Ashville’s Adam Sunners were sent off.
The visitors adapted better to the reduced legs on the pitch and added two further goals from Mark Madden and Sam Mann to cement their victory.
Georgians rescue late point
Josh Winthrop’s added time equaliser snatched a point for Stockport Georgians in a 3-3 draw with Allscott Heath.
Jacob Welch opened the scoring in the opening 60 seconds for the visitors, but Winthrop levelled with his first of the afternoon before Paul Connor put Georgians ahead for the first time on 65 minutes.
The Shropshire side rallied and looked to have grabbed the win after goals in the last ten minutes from Denzel Makwara and Ryan Knott – before Winthrop’s crucial intervention helped Georgians retain their top five status.

First loss for New Mills
New Mills fell to their first defeat of the season while losing 2-1 at Wolverhampton Sporting Community.
Jelanil Blake had put The Millers ahead on 35 minutes, but Sporting turned it round to take their first points of the campaign through Devante Ramsey and Chris Bladen.
It’s a first loss for Chris Baguley’s side against this opposition.
Nomads turned over by Telford Town
Newcomers Telford Town continue to impress and replaced Runcorn at the top of the table after beating Cheadle Heath Nomads 4-1.
Alex May netted Nomads’ only goal, but Jack Howse, Alex Hughes (2) and Eshan Greer’s goals left the result in no doubt.
Town remain unbeaten and have notched up four straight wins in their first season at this level. It’s a first loss in three for Nomads.

Elsewhere, Eccleshall thumped Shawbury United 5-0 in their own back yard with Nicky Parker netting twice.
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