By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Bloods Pics Ashton Town vs Droylsden
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Three points for Garstang
Garstang picked up a vital first win in ten attempts in their bid to avoid a bottom three finish in the North West Counties First Division North.
Guy Heffernan’s side were 3-0 winners over Steeton this weekend at The Riverside with all three goals coming after the break. Weslie Bajraliu broke the deadlock on 47 minutes with his fifth of the season, and Liam Clegg netted a brace before being sent off shortly after his second goal.
A first win since October – and clean sheet since September – leaves Garstang still with plenty of work to do as they remain second bottom, but it’s something to build on in the coming weeks.
READ MORE: NWC: Maghull win 3-1 in sole surviving game
Promotion chasers Atherton LR prevail
At the other end, Atherton LR‘s promotion push continued with a 2-1 win at Thornton Cleveleys, with Dave Jones’ side now just one point off the top.
Lewis Adams opened the scoring on 29 minutes, and an own goal from the hosts doubled the advantage for the visitors before the break. An own goal 20 minutes from time threatened to bring the hosts back into the game, but it would not be enough.
It’s four straight league wins for the Crilly Park side, who hold three games in hand on leaders Nelson, who were not in action this weekend.
Late win for Mechanics
A late winner kept AFC Blackpool‘s play-off push on track at Bacup Borough as John Salanki’s side won 2-1 to seal the league double.
Kyle Siddle had put Bacup ahead after 10 minutes, but Bobby Carter had The Mechanics level before the half hour mark. The game remained level until the final five minutes – with Luke Hepple wrapping up all three points with his 23rd goal of the campaign.
Three league wins on the bounce leave them one point and one position outside the playoffs. Bacup now have just one win in eight matches and are eight points adrift of the playoffs in ninth.
@BacupBoro 1-2 @AFCBlackpool. Β£6 football. You canβt beat it. The away side took the points after the hosts were denied a goal for a strange offside decision halfway through the second half. pic.twitter.com/ZARNW194EQ
— Stephen Corbishley (@scorbishley92) February 8, 2025
Early flurry wins it for Daisy Hill
Daisy Hill picked up their first points of 2025 with a 3-2 win at Route One Rovers – and were in a rush to get it done with all three goals coming in the opening 17 minutes.
Even with this in mind, it would be the Yorkshire side who opened the scoring – with Umar Ali Zahoor scoring after just SEVEN seconds. The Cutters turned the game around quickly however, with Liam Sheppard’s brace either side of Scott Johnston’s effort – with both players opening their accounts with these goals.
Zak Khan pulled one back before the break but that was to be the final goal and Daisy Hill went on to record a tenth win of the season.
Ashton Town and Droylsden share the spoils
Four second half goals and a red card couldn’t separate Ashton Town and Droylsden, who shared a 2-2 draw in front of 275 – the NWCFL’s highest attendance at Step 6 this weekend.
The home side took the lead through Will Hamilton after a goalless first half, and visiting goalkeeper Phillip Pole was sent off shortly after, but the third-placed Bloods defied the man disadvantage to level the game through Caelan Kilheeney from the penalty spot with 20 to play.
George Lomax re-established his side’s lead with 15 minutes remaining, but Kyle Foley was on target from the bench to snag a point for this side, who are now unbeaten in ten league matches. Town edge close to the top half.
North West Counties First Division North results
Maghull‘s eleventh win of the season came courtesy of a goal in each half as they saw off Maine Road 2-1.
Darren Brannigan opened the scoring with his 18th of the season, and Jacob Till doubled his side’s advantage on 52 minutes. Reuben Denton pulled one back, but it’s now four defeats on the bounce for the Manchester side.
Finally, play-off contenders Holker Old Boys and Darwen shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Rakesmoor Lane. Luke Davey opened the scoring for the Cumbrian side, but Bruno Severino secured a point for Darwen nine minutes from time.
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