By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Simon Cook Stockport Town vs Cheadle Town

A reduced fixture list this week with many sides in FA Cup action – still plenty of goals flying in across the NWC Premier.

Middleton wins it for FC Isle of Man

Joe Middleton’s double strike in the last 15 minutes gave FC Isle of Man their first victory of the North West Counties Premier Division season at Abbey Hey.

The Ravens ran out 2-1 winners despite the home side taking the lead after 52 minutes through Moses Yoak.

Substitute Middleton equalised on 76 minutes – just a minute after coming on – and went on to win it with his second two minutes into added time.

READ MORE: Longridge Town upstage Step 4 Emley in FA Cup

It’s been a tough start for Paul Jones’ side, with only one point on the board before this weekend, but they will hope this win will boost their season. They join Abbey Hey among a clutch of sides on four points.

Burscough cruise past REMY

Burscough remain unbeaten and are up to second place after proving too strong for Litherland REMYCA in a 3-0 win.

Sam Turner opened the scoring on nine minutes, and they went in two to the good after Ste Rigby converted a penalty in first half added time.

Mason Duff sealed it with 20 minutes to play as his side won a third consecutive game, but REMY slip to a fourth straight loss across league and Cup.

10-man Stockport Town prevail

Hot on Burscough’s heels are third-placed Stockport Town, who were 2-1 winners over Cheadle Town despite playing most of the second half a man short.

George Kattah’s first half brace – taking him to eight goals already for the season – put his side firmly in charge at the half hour mark. Gabriel Cole’s red card five minutes could have derailed their progress, but the visitors were unable to turn the game around.

Saul Henderson pulled one back with 15 minutes to go, but The Lions held on to the win.

We’re all ready at SSV for today’s local derby against @StockportTownFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/dgjaapdAS4

— Cheadle Town FC (@CheadleTownFC) August 16, 2025

South shoot up the table

South Liverpool leapt into the top half with a 6-1 mauling of out-of-sorts Pilkington making it consecutive wins for Martin Ryman’s side.

George Murray opened the scoring for the visitors on 18 minutes, and Neil Weaver added a second just before the break – a sign of things to come.

Weaver would complete his hat-trick just after the hour before Ethan Dagnall gave Pilks the slightest hope. These were quickly extinguished when Sam McNeill and Joshua Osifo got their names on the scoresheet.

After back-to-back wins to start the season, things have gone from bad to worse for Pilkington, who have shipped 22 goals in their last four matches in league and FA Cup.

Thoughts from Jack after today’s defeat to South Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/2PbBJTNbni

— Pilkington Football Club (@Pilkingtonfc) August 16, 2025

Chingwaro powers Barlick to late win

Barnoldswick Town mounted a big comeback on the road to beat Euxton Villa 3-2 – and left the home side still awaiting their first victory as a Step 5 club.

Villa were sitting pretty with goals from Sean Ince and Alex Colquhoun giving them the advantage as the game approached the hour mark.

Barlick hadn’t read that script however, and Tyler Beck set the wheels in motion on 78 minutes with his first of the season. Substitute Kuda Chingwaro went one better, as the ex-Ramsbottom man netted twice in the closing stages – including one from the penalty spot.

Women’s football in the North West – Step 3