By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Callum Pilkington Route One Rovers vs Euxton Villa
Jump to:
Nelson win key battle in title race
Nelson emerged victorious in the top of the table clash in the North West Counties First Division North – beating Atherton LR 3-1 in their own backyard to go seven points clear.
An eighth straight league win for Gerry Harrison’s side came courtesy of goals from Billy Hasler-Clegg, Max Cane and the division’s top scorer, Charlie Frost. Ryan Talbot netted a late consolation for the hosts.
Nelson boast both the most goals scored and biggest goal difference as the season reaches the closing stages. With 34 goals on the board already, and six in the last three, Frost looks a safe bet for the golden boot.
READ MORE: FA Vase 5R: Brave Atherton LR out on penalties
With The Admirals having just five games remaining, their future isn’t entirely in their own hands at this stage – with LR holding three games in hand on their promotion rivals.
Victory in all three of these games will be needed to overhaul the Little Wembley side after Dave Jones’ side fell to back-to-back defeats for the first time this season. The reverse fixture on March 29 could prove crucial to where the title ends up.
🎙️⚽️GOALS GOALS GOALS!!!⚽️⚽️⚽️
— Nelson FC (@Nelsonfc1) February 23, 2025
All the goals from yesterdays top of the table clash away at Atherton LR💥 pic.twitter.com/pvrRlE6NEB
Bloods beaten at Bacup
Third-placed Droylsden came unstuck on the road and fell to a 2-0 defeat at Bacup Borough, who retain an outside chance of making the playoffs.
Second half goals from Joey Fallon and Malachi Clarke secured a first win in three for Brent Peters’ side, who have kept clean sheets in both of their games against The Bloods this season.
Fallon’s first of the season set Borough on track on the hour before Clarke sealed it with ten minutes remaining. A first league defeat since October leaves Droylsden eight points off the summit, albeit with two games in hand on table-toppers Nelson.
Villa solidify top five spot
Euxton Villa made it back-to-back wins and cruised past Route One Rovers, eventually winning 4-1 at The Marley Stadium.
Matt Atherton’s men scored twice in both halves to counteract Zak Khan’s opener for Rovers, who broke the deadlock on 16 minutes. Raj Uppal equalised from the penalty spot and Aidan Tait’s added time effort sent his side in ahead.
Luke Gibson’s first goal since joining from Charnock Richard last month gave his side breathing space and Alex Colquhoun made sure of it with seven minutes remaining. Fifth-placed Villa now have a five point cushion to the chasing pack.
Both Ashton sides pick up three points
It was a good weekend for the WN4 clubs as Ashton Town beat AFC Blackpool 2-0 and Ashton Athletic surprised Holker Old Boys with the game’s only goal.
Chris Lomax and Connor Brown were on target for Town, who move up to ninth place after extending their unbeaten run to seven matches. Defeat for The Mechanics leaves them seven points shy of the playoff places.
Athletic picked up a first league win since October thanks to Deklan Hill’s sixth goal in their last four matches. Promotion-chasers Holker have now lost both matches to The Yellows this season, but remain fourth ahead of a tough looking run-in.
Jay Foulds’ side move up to eleventh after a sixth home win.
Lairds back on track
In the First Division South, Cammell Laird returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Sporting Community.
Jack Kelly opened the scoring after 22 minutes, and his brace was complete shortly after the restart. Jack Leyland’s last minute goal left the home support happy as their relegation-threatened opponents were dismissed.
Ashville grab last minute equaliser
Joel Kelly’s 90th minute equaliser bagged Ashville a point at Barnton to record a third draw in four matches.
George Edwards looked to have won it for the home side with his third in as many games, but Kelly’s last minute intervention snagged his side a share of the points.
Barnton may have been denied victory, but a draw edges them further away from the bottom three, who all failed to pick up any points this weekend. With games in hand on most other sides in the top ten, Ashville can not yet be ruled out of the playoff conversation.
First Division South results
Cheadle Heath Nomads and Sandbach United played out a goalless draw and both remain in the top five. Stockport Georgians were on the wrong end of a 6-2 tonking at Market Drayton Town, with Lucas Berry and Oliver McFadyen on target for the visitors.
Table-toppers Winsford United‘s game with Shawbury United was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Elsewhere, Stafford Town missed the chance to reel in the league leaders after a 2-2 draw with Foley Meir. Play-off bound Abbey Hulton United continued their strong form with a 4-0 win over Allscott Heath.
Leave a Reply