By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Derek Lloyd Droylsden vs AFC Blackpool

Droylsden upstage Step 5 clubs with best-attended game

First Division North side Droylsden recorded the highest attendance of any game played on the opening weekend of the North West Counties season.

The 624 in attendance against AFC Blackpool wasn’t bettered by any other club – including the 12 games played in the Premier Division. The majority went home happy after The Bloods ran out 2-0 winners.

With Bury and their large fan base now promoted out of the North West Counties, attendances will likely drop as a whole but there are still fixture attracting strong numbers – with the 569 in place for the West Didsbury & Chorlton vs Pilkington game making that the top attended game in the Premier Division.

READ MORE: Pilkington smash 5 past West in late win

No goals at The Bowl

The late kick-off between FC Isle of Man and Litherland REMYCA wasn’t far off – with 556 seeing the game end goalless as both sides nevertheless got an early point on the board.

Padiham‘s win over Wythenshawe (358) and Ramsbottom United‘s home win over Atherton LR (307) were the other games to pass the 300 mark. Maghull vs Squires Gate drew in 289 at Step 6 – with the hosts bagging an injury time equaliser.

Barnton’s game against Haughmond saw 232 through the turnstiles – higher than a number of Premier Division games – and the biggest attendance in the First Division South.

Highs and lows

At the other end of the scale, only 101 saw Burscough and Abbey Hey get under way in the Premier Division. Holker Old Boys will hope their huge 5-0 win over Nelson will see an increase on the 88 that watched their game – the lowest in the First Division North.

The weekend’s lowest overall attendance was at Wolverhampton Sporting Community. Just 35 saw Stockport Georgians beat them 4-2, but given how geographically stretched the First Division South is these days it’s perhaps no surprise that attendances are suffering as a result.

READ MORE: Runcorn Town breeze by Gingerbreads in 4-0 win

North West Counties attendances – ranked

Premier Division

First Division North

Droylsden vs AFC Blackpool	624
Maghull vs Squires Gate	289
Darwen vs Thornton Cleveleys	215
Daisy Hill vs Ashton Athletic	190
Colne vs Ashton Town	184
Steeton vs Fulwood Amateurs	112
Maine Road vs Garstang	110
Holker Old Boys vs Nelson	88

First Division South

Barnton vs Haughmond	232
Stafford Town vs Eccleshall	187
Runcorn Town vs Market Drayton Town	158
New Mills vs Alsager Town	120
Allscott Heath vs Cheadle Heath Nomads	115
Foley Meir vs Telford Town	112
Ashville vs Wolverhampton Casuals	109
Shawbury United vs Cammell Laird	101
Wolverhampton Sporting Community vs Stockport Georgians	35

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