By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Laura Fenton Bury vs Litherland REMYCA

Bury batter REMY at Gigg Lane

Bury moved ten points clear at the top of the North West Counties Premier League after thrashing Litherland REMYCA 7-0 at Gigg Lane.

Title momentum swung further to The Shakers following Ramsbottom United losing 3-2 to FC St Helens on Friday night as the NWCFL Groundhop got under way.

Bury cruised to victory and had the game wrapped up by half time, with five goals already on the board. Aaron Chalmers opened the scoring, followed by Rustam Stepans’ 21st of the season. Lewis Byrne added the third before ex-Farsley Celtic man Aiden Walker opened his account for the club.

READ MORE: NWC: Bury regain P1 with away win

Cameron Fogerty completed a miserable 45 for the visitors with his goal two minutes before the break, and the squad depth available to Dave McNabb was on show for all to see with two subs scoring the other goals. Tyler James made an instant impact, scoring within a minute of coming on and Reuben Jerome completed the rout in injury time.

REMY remain in 19th, and while not mathematically safe yet, it would be very unlikely for them to lose their Step 5 status now.

FC St Helens damage Rams’ title push

An injury-time Connor Spiers goal capped a spirited St Helens comeback and delivered a hammer blow to Ramsbottom’s title hopes on Friday.

A goalless first half gave little clue of the action that would take place in the second 45. Ramsbottom quickly found themselves 2-0 up after the break, with Harvey Whyte and Tom Hoyle both on target in the first ten minutes.

The Stripes’ top scorer Joe Barker reduced the arrears on the hour mark with his 23rd of the season, and Spiers pulled his side level with a quarter hour left. His decisive second came a minute into added time.

A stellar first season for Mike Smith’s side at this level sees them in eighth place.

Lower Breck ease to victory

Bury’s main threat may now come from third-placed Lower Breck, who hold three games in hand on the table-toppers. Victory in all three of these games reduces Bury’s lead to three points.

Gary Moore’s side ran out 5-1 winners at Longridge Town this weekend in another game that saw every goal come after the half-time oranges.

Elliot Hughes opened the scoring for the visitors on 57 minutes, with Sam Burns adding a brace. Jordan Barrow and Lewis Buckley added late goals to boost Breck’s goal difference. James Kemp was on target for the hosts.

It’s now four straight wins for the Liverpool side – with Bury the last side to beat them. Longridge have one win in the same time period.

Six-y football from Irlam

John Johnston starred as Irlam crushed Chadderton 6-0 on Friday night – netting the first four goals to take his tally to 17 for the season.

Sub Isaac Modi added the fifth before Jack Mitchell completed the scoring to condemn their hosts to their biggest defeat this season.

An impressive run of one loss in 15 matches sees John Main’s side one point shy of the playoffs, although they have played more game than any of the other contenders. Chadderton’s fourth consecutive defeat means they’re now four points outside the top five.

NWC: Chadderton move within sight of summit

West victorious on road

West Disbury & Chorlton held Irlam’s advances on their top five position off for another game with a 2-0 win at Glossop North End.

A Groundhop-boosted attendance of 820 was again made to wait until the second half for the goals, with Jack Banister and Reuben Dass both on target after the hour mark.

North End will be glad to see the back of Paul Marshall’s side, who have come out on top in all three meetings this season across league and FA Cup.

Padiham too strong for AFC

Padiham scored twice in each half while beating AFC Liverpool 4-2 on their way to a third straight win.

Joel Brownhill’s third minute penalty was quickly added to by Josh Briggs’ 22nd of the campaign. Bobby Murphy pulled one back for AFC, but his side went on to lose both halves 2-1.

Jakub Hebda and Freddie Machell put the result beyond doubt before a Caleb Jones consolation for the visitors.

Colne boost survival chances

Colne picked up a vital three points and now sit four points clear of the drop zone after beating ten-man Charnock Richard 4-2.

The visitors had the advantage early on, going 2-0 up thanks to an own goal and Jordan Darr’s effort all within two minutes. A Jude Entwistle penalty reduced the arrears on three minutes – and the same player levelled the game seconds before the break.

Lewis Haydock’s red card on 59 minutes left Charnock a man light – and they were punished by Jak McKinlay’s winner two minutes from time. A first win in seven gives Colne a bit of daylight between themselves and the bottom two.

North West Counties Premier Division results

Pilkington picked up a big three points in the relegation battle with a 2-0 home win over Barnoldswick Town. Liam Bott and Freddt Garbutt were on target as Jack Edwards’ side picked up a first win in eight attempts.

South Liverpool also had a positive weekend, beating bottom side Squires Gate 1-0 thanks to Dominic Cain’s second half effort. Home goalkeeper Nathan Pennington was sent off in added time as the Blackpool side’s miserable season continued.

Burscough picked up consecutive 2-1 wins while beating FC Isle of Man. Sam Turner and James Salkeld were on target either side of Stephen Whitley’s equaliser.

In-form Cheadle Town saw off Stockport Town by a single goal at SSV with Liam Delaney’s penalty on 15 minutes. Stockport goalkeeper Josh Schofield’s red card ten minutes later led to player-manager Paul Turnbull stepping between the sticks – and keeping a clean sheet.

Prestwich Heys climbed off the bottom after they and Abbey Hey played out a goalless draw on Sunday morning. Heys finished the game with ten men thanks to a late red card for Max Bardsley-Rowe.