By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Gary Moore Alsager Town vs Winsford United
Jump to:
Winsford United win away
North West Counties First Division South champions Winsford United completed their Step 6 season with a 3-2 win at Alsager Town.
A topsy-turvy game saw Alsager take the lead through Tom Johnson, before Oli Pope and Reece Davies turned the tide in Winsford’s favour. Johnson scored again to level the game in the closing stages, before Pope won it by completing his own brace.
Dean Jones and Dom Johnson’s title-winning side gained revenge for an opening day defeat to The Bullets, who looked like promotion contenders early in the campaign.
READ MORE: NWC: Winsford United win top of the table clash
A 17 game unbeaten run stretching back to November sealed the title for The Blues, and in the end it wasn’t a close run thing – with the Cheshire side finishing 17 points clear of second placed Abbey Hulton United.
Winsford have one more match to play – the First Division Champions Cup final. They will host First Division North counterparts Atherton LR thanks to their superior league record.
Alsager’s poor form to end the season saw them win just once in 12 matches.
Runcorn hit five stars
Runcorn Town ended the season on a high with a 5-2 win at relegated Wolverhampton Sporting Community – and ended a run of no win in four attempts.
Jamie Apperley and Shaquille Lewys were both on target twice, with Matt Vickers adding the fifth. Sam Baxter and Jordan Edwards were on target for the home side.
After losing their opening ten matches, a 12th placed finish is a good return for Runcorn following their transfer from the North division last summer.
Clean sheet and win for Lairds
Cammell Laird posted a top ten finish while taking a narrow win over Foley Meir. Joel Whalley’s second half goal was enough to take the victory, with his side winning four of their last six to climb the table.
Lairds improved their final league position by three places this season, taking 14 wins. Foley Meir finish in the bottom three.
Six goals at Barnton
Barnton and Stockport Georgians played out one for the neutrals in an entertaining 3-3 draw which saw the visitors take the lead three times before being pegged back each time.
Lucas Berry, Oliver McFadyen and Kyle Wych all gave Georgians the lead, but a dogged Barnton side would pull level through Ben Mullarkey, Salim Djabi and Jonny Jones.
A second half of the season rally sees Georgians record their best ever finish in the league, while Barnton will look to avoid a relegation battle next season after finishing six points above the bottom three this term.
The good weather helped Barnton record their highest attendance of the season (307) – beating the New Mills game by just 2 fans!
FAN’tastic attendance yesterday 🙌🏻#UTV #FinoAllaFine pic.twitter.com/Klvkz4k8M1
— Barnton AFC (@barntonfc) April 13, 2025
Cagey Sandbach and Stafford share spoils
Sandbach United and Stafford Town gave us a preview of next weekend’s play-off semi final – with little to separate the sides in a 1-1 draw.
Joe Bevan gave The Ramblers the perfect start, scoring within the opening minute to give Sandbach the lead with his 27th of the season. Jayden Hunter levelled the game for the hosts from the penalty spot on 19 minutes, and that was the scoring done.
An early injury to Sandbach goalkeeper Andrew Jones led to Ryan Goodwin deputising for over an hour – and keeping a clean sheet.
Both league meetings have ended in score draws this season so it may take something spectacular to decide who progresses. Sandbach head into their third consecutive playoff campaign.
Nomads beaten on the road
Cheadle Heath Nomads fell to a surprise 2-0 defeat to Shawbury United – a result which allowed the hosts to climb off the foot of the table at the last opportunity.
Seth Ellis and Harry Woodburn’s goals sealed the deal for United. Despite losing three of their last four games, Nomads are able to equal last season’s best place finish of sixth. A playoff push surely isn’t far away for a side that have placed in the top ten every season since their promotion from the Cheshire League.
Narrow losses for Ashville & New Mills
Ten-man Ashville ended their season with a 1-0 defeat at play-off bound Abbey Hulton United – but nevertheless will be pleased to record their best league finish in their three NWCFL seasons.
Luke Walsh’s tenth minute goal won it for the hosts, with Mark Madden dismissed in added time by referee Michael Dermody.
A seventh place league finish is Ashville’s first top ten position since joining the league three years ago.
Huge credit to the 13 players who made themselves available, and we’re gutted to not come away with something, what might have been! Sums up the season 😂
— Steven Scott (@stescott82) April 12, 2025
Learnt so much about players, the league and myself!
Thanks to everyone at @AshvilleFC for their great support. #UTV 🖤 https://t.co/Gr5JLW2hqW
New Mills ended a disappointing season with a 1-0 loss to Market Drayton Town – with The Millers losing seven of their last eight matches.
Nick Woods’ header sealed victory for The Gingerbreads on 67 minutes, shortly before Aaron Swift was dismissed for the home side.
Elsewhere in the division Allscott Heath preserved their Step 6 status with a 2-1 win over fifth-placed Eccleshall.
Leave a Reply