By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Leo Michaelovitz Squires Gate vs Ramsbottom United
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Padiham extend winning run to 11
Padiham‘s red-hot form continued in the North West Counties Premier League this weekend, with the Lancashire side notching up an eleventh straight win while beating Pilkington 3-1.
Michael Morrison’s men were in control early on with Josh Briggs opening the scoring within the first two minutes, and Joel Brownhill doubled their lead with his 14th of the season.
Ryan Beigan pulled one back for Pilks shortly after the restart, but Briggs was on hand once again to end the game as tie on the hour with his second of the afternoon.
READ MORE: NWC: Ramsbottom bounce back to retake top spot
Briggs’ goalscoring exploits have been crucial to Padiham’s rise in recent months and he’s now scored seven times in the last six league matches.
It’s three defeats in a row for Pilkington, who remain in the bottom four.
Colne looking upwards
A goal in each half and results elsewhere helped Colne move out of the bottom two as they picked up a 2-1 win over FC St Helens.
Jude Entwistle opened the scoring for the home side on 24 minutes, and his side held the lead until Charlie Whiteoak’s own goal on the hour drew the visitors level.
Alfie Walker stepped up to deny the Merseyside team a share of the points on 67 minutes, with both he and Entwistle finding the net in back-to-back games.
Improving Colne now have lost only one in six, while St Helens have lost four on the bounce.
Rammy survive scare at Squires Gate
At the top, it’s as you were with both Ramsbottom United and Bury picking up 3-2 wins over Squires Gate and Lower Breck respectively.
The table-topping Rams were cruising to victory, with two Tom Hoyle goals in the opening six minutes capped by a second half goal from captain Andy Teague. However, Squires Gate mounted a comeback with goals from Jack Coop and Scott Harries making the final ten minutes nervier than it should have been for the league leaders.
Steve Wilkes’ side ultimately prevailed and they retain their one point advantage over The Shakers, who gained revenge on Lower Breck for defeat in the reverse fixture in November. Squires Gate drop into the bottom two as their losing streak continues.
Over 3,000 see Bury win
Tom Mitchell’s early goal put Breck ahead at Gigg Lane, but the home side were well in control by the half hour mark thanks to a 17-minute hat-trick from the prolific Djavan Pedro.
DJ is already up to 18 goals from the season following his initial loan move from Buxton, and his goals sealed the win despite Sam Burns’ effort in the closing stages reducing the arrears for the visitors.
3,127 were in attendance as Bury came out on top. Gary Moore’s side lose for the first time since October.
Darr double wins it for Charnock Richard
The top two suddenly find themselves with daylight to the rest, with Bury seeing off their promotion rivals and third-placed Chadderton‘s 3-2 loss at Charnock Richard.
A nip-and-tuck game at Mossie Park saw the home side twice take the lead before being pegged back by Chadderton at Mossie Park before Jordan Darr made it stick with 20 minutes on the clock.
Nathan Nickeas opened the scoring on 13 minutes with his 25th of the season, with Ryan Morton levelling the game. Darr’s first of the afternoon made it 2-1, before a Matty Crothers penalty once again restored parity before the break.
Darr settled it in his side’s favour and a first win in three sees Charnock leap back into the top ten. Chaddy’s poor form continues and it’s now one win in six for the Oldham side.
Added-time madness at FC Isle of Man
Ten-man FC Isle of Man triumphed 2-1 in a game with an extraordinary ending over AFC Liverpool in the late-kick off.
The game remained goalless until past the 90 minute mark – with The Ravens playing the last half hour with a man less following Adam Adebiyi’s dismissal for a second booking.
Despite the man disadvantage, it would be the home side thinking they’d won it with Jacob Crook’s goal four minutes into added time – only for Elliot Taylor to respond within a minute for the visitors.
More late drama would follow as Stephen Whitley won it for Paul Jones’ men to bag FC Isle of Man’s first points of the year – with AFC yet to get off the mark in 2025.
Stockport Town’s strong New Year continues
Stockport Town remain unbeaten in 2025 and picked up a 2-1 win over fellow promoted side South Liverpool. Callum Gardner’s penalty and Harley Monaghan’s third in as many games were enough to take the three points.
Declan Gallagher scored a consolation deep into added time, while both sides had substitutes sent off – Neil Weaver and Kai Johnston both red carded late in the game.
The Lions move into the top eight, while South Liverpool remain in the bottom five after back-to-back defeats.
North West Counties results and scorers
Irlam came from behind to take all three points with a 2-1 home win over Glossop North End. The visitors were ahead with Dylan McMahon’s goal just before the hour, but Mason Everton’s equaliser and John Johnston’s winner four minutes from time swung the balance in favour of the Silver Street side.
No defeat since mid-November leaves Irlam well-embedded in the top ten and nine unbeaten matches is their best run of the season.
Prestwich Heys‘ fortunes continue to look up, with the bottom side picking up a 1-0 home win over Litherland REMYCA. Alfie Belcher won it for Ryan Hutchinson’s side on 50 minutes, while the visitors finished the game a man light following Harry McVeigh’s red card on 64 minutes.
Burscough left it late to see off Barnoldswick Town 2-1 – with Che Trapasso-Tully winning it for the home side with three minutes left on the clock. Barlick had taken the lead through Luke Stowe, before Callum Laird’s second half equaliser started the fightback.
Kaleb Parkinson’s eighth of the season saw Cheadle Town make it three wins in four as they overcame Longridge Town 1-0. Another strong result for Jake Davies’ team moves them into touching distance of the top half.
Finally, West Didsbury & Chorlton were held to a 0-0 home draw by Greater Manchester rivals Abbey Hey – allowing Padiham to leapfrog West into the playoff places.
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