By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Phil Hill Barnoldswick Town vs Bury
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Bury regain top spot as Rammy slip up at Lower Breck
Bury are back on top of the North West Counties Premier League following a 4-1 win over Barnoldswick Town – while former leaders Ramsbottom United lost 3-0 at fellow promotion chasers Lower Breck.
Second half goals from Rustam Stepans, Lewis Byrne, Ruben Jerome and the debuting Tyler James – formerly of Padiham – ensured The Shakers bounced back from their worst result of the season, a 4-0 loss at West Didsbury & Chorlton two weeks ago.
Will Procter pulled one back in the final minute, but his 16th of the season came too late to make an impact on the result. Barlick are now without a win in six attempts.
READ MORE: NWC: Huge 4-0 win for West Didsbury & Chorlton
Dave McNabb’s side now have a two point cushion over their nearest rivals – but Ramsbottom still hold a crucial game in hand, which is now even more important following their defeat in Liverpool.
Fourth place Lower Breck are keen to ensure the title run-in doesn’t become a two horse race and cannot be discounted – and they have league wins over both the top two under their belt this season.
Tom Croughan got the ball rolling for Gary Moore’s side with his tenth of the season on 17 minutes, with Jesse Dowling doubling the lead before the break. The third came from the penalty spot – Sam Burns converting after handball in the visiting defence – with Maine Walder sent off the for the last 20 minutes.
This is just Rammy’s fourth loss of the season, and Steve Wilkes will be looking for a swift response in their midweek game at home to Charnock Richard. Breck have now won six league games on the bounce – and nine in all competitions.
Chadderton bounce back with late win
Third placed Chadderton put their poor Christmas form behind them while beating FC St Helens 3-0 on Friday night. They left it late – with all three goals coming in the final ten minutes.
Goals from the debuting Harry Lynn, Ethan Sutcliffe and Jermaine Dickinson-Grant ended their three game losing streak and they are now five points off the top. Impressively, the home side won it despite playing a man short for the majority of the game after Rob Flynn’s red card on the half hour.
Prestwich Heys double up on South
At the other end of the table, Prestwich Heys bagged a vital win while beating South Liverpool 4-1 at Adie Moran Park.
Mike Burke opened the scoring for the home side just before the break, with his effort complimented by goals from James Badrock, Lee Grimshaw and Luke Byron. Chris Happi-Frankam’s consolation goal came on 74 minutes.
Despite propping up the table, Heys have now completed the league double on the promoted side after winning the reverse fixture 3-0 back in August. Victory here pulls them within three points of second-bottom Colne.
In-form Padiham win again
Padiham‘s relentless push up the table continues with a ninth straight league win (2-1 vs FC Isle of Man) leaving them outside the playoffs on goal difference alone.
It was The Ravens who took the lead through Jacob Crook, but Padiham turned it around in the second half with goals from Josh Briggs and Bradley Knox.
Promisingly for Michael Morrison’s side, they have up to FIVE games in hand on the sides above them. FC Isle of Man remain in the top ten, but are on a poor run of one win in seven.
Lions roar past Pilks
Stockport Town proved too strong for Pilkington and left St Helens with three points from a 3-0 win.
Harrison Lomakin-Rogers netted in both halves, while Harley Monaghan moved up to five for the season with his goal on 69 minutes.
Pilkington lose for the first time in four matches, with Town well placed in tenth for their debut season at this level.
Longridge end winless run
Longridge Town won for the first time since September and heaped more misery on Squires Gate after picking up a 3-2 home win.
Leighton Hewitt’s brace and a Matthew Van Wyk penalty were enough to end their side’s winless streak at the 18th attempt, with the aptly-named Will Squires and Rowan Chambers getting on the scoresheet for the visitors.
The Blackpool side have now lost 12 in a row.
🎥 Manager Luke Evans gives his thoughts on today’s game.👇
— Squires Gate FC 𝕏 (@squiresgatefc) January 18, 2025
🔷 #WeAreGate | 📌 @GateMassive pic.twitter.com/kWNA2jHcdg
NWC results
Abbey Hey came from behind to beat Burscough 2-1, with Finley Stayer scoring the winner. Callum Laird opened the scoring on 11 minutes with his effort cancelled out by Saul Henderson’s 13th of the season.
Charnock Richard produced a late fightback to take a point in a 3-3 draw at AFC Liverpool. The visitors were two goals behind with six minutes remaining before late efforts from Luke Power and Marcus Haydock.
™️ A couple of goals, and a few flips?
— AFC Liverpool🔴⚪️⚽️ (@AFCLiverpool) January 18, 2025
Trademark Elliot Taylor.#NonLeagueReds pic.twitter.com/WozfctOSP1
Similarly, Glossop North End battled back in the closing stages to deny Colne a home win, eventually claiming a 2-2 draw. Lewis Reilly’s late brace for The Hillmen countered earlier goals from Alfie Walker and Jude Entwistle.
Finally, Cheadle Town and Irlam played out a goalless draw in front of 108.
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