By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Phil Hill Cheadle Town vs Bury
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Title race goes to the wire
The North West Counties Premier Division title race will go to the last day of the season – with both Bury and Lower Breck extending their long winning runs this weekend.
Table-toppers Bury overcame Cheadle Town 2-0 in a game played at FC United of Manchester, while Lower Breck reduced the goal difference – which could prove crucial – by dismantling Barnoldswick Town 6-0 at Anfield Sports.
READ MORE: NWC: Bury regain P1 with away win
James double wins it for Bury
Tyler James was on target in both halves for The Shakers, with 2,487 in place at Broadhurst Park to see them edge closer to the title. The game was moved from Cheadle’s Park Road Stadium, which has a capacity of 1,200.
Dave McNabb’s side have won 14 on the bounce – including a run of eight clean sheets in their last eight games. They last conceded a goal on Feburary 15.
Despite that epic run, Bury have been unable to shake off Lower Breck, who have won 13 on the bounce since being beaten by the Gigg Lane side in late January.
Breck batter Barlick
Gary Moore’s side cruised past a Barlick side now without a win in eight, and scored three times in each half. Michael Fitzgerald opened the scoring 23 minutes in with his first goal since August – with Daniel Lowey and Elliot Hughes also on target before the break.
Any hope for the visitors were gone within a minute of the restart, with Jesse Dowling netting goal 22 of a successful campaign. Top scorer Sam Burns reached the 25 goal mark with a late brace in the last five minutes.
The title permutations are that Bury only need one more point to win the league, regardless of Lower Breck’s result. Should Bury lose however, and Lower Breck win, there needs to be a five goal swing in the Liverpool side’s favour to take the title on goal difference as both sides will finish on 106 points.
Bury host Burscough on the final day, with Lower Breck travelling to Cheadle Town.
Squires Gate relegated
Elsewhere, Squires Gate‘s relegation to Step 6 was confirmed with a 3-1 loss at Pilkington – who are safe for another year.
Despite taking the lead through Dean Ing, Freddy Garbutt’s hat-trick sealed a tenth win of the season for Pilks, who grab the league double over the Blackpool side. Garbutt has scored five of his 13 goals this season against Squires Gate.
Relegation ends a 23-year stay in the division for Squires Gate, who unsurprisingly are the longest-tenured team currently in the Premier Division. A pair of sixth-placed finishes in the 2007-08 and 2014-15 seasons represent the club’s best positions.
Penalty hands Heys huge lifeline
Prestwich Heys bagged a vital three points in a 2-1 home win over Greater Manchester rivals Irlam. Max Bardsley-Rowe’s penalty ten minutes from time won it for the home side, who had taken the lead via Lee Grimshaw at the 50 minute mark.
Declan Daniels immediately pulled his side level, but it wasn’t to be for the visiting side, who remain sixth. Three wins in four for Heys leave them in good shape to survive, with results elsewhere also going their way.
Colne looking vulnerable
The table makes grim reading for Colne this morning, who are left needing snookers in their final game to retain their Premier Division status. A 2-0 defeat at AFC Liverpool on Friday night to a pair of Elliot Taylor goals leaves them three points adrift of safety.
Prestwich now only need to draw to survive, regardless of any result for Colne. A Heys defeat, coupled with a Colne win and a 13 goal swing in the latter’s favour will see the sides swap positions. Prestwich travel to Longridge Town, while Colne host Abbey Hey.
Chadderton on the up
Chadderton could yet finish in the top six, after seeing off play-off bound Ramsbottom United 2-1 on Friday night. Tyler Berry opened the scoring for Chaddy after 33 minutes, before Harvey Hayhurst’s sweetly-struck equaliser just before the hour.
James Purfield won it for the home side five minutes later, who win back-to-back games for the first time since December. Ramsbottom will have home advantage in the play-off semi finals.
— Ramsbottom United (@RamsbottomUtd) April 11, 2025
Late drama at Padiham
South Liverpool picked up three points in a game that came alive in the closing stages at Padiham, emerging as 2-1 winners thanks to Stephen Milne’s injury-time goal.
South had looked on track for three points after Sullivan Barker finally broke the deadlock at the 68 minute mark, but Jack Price looked to have bagged a point for the home side in the final minute.
Back-to-back defeats for Padiham mean they need a point at Stockport Town to seal fourth place.
West shut out Longridge
West Didsbury & Chorlton remain within touching distance of stealing fourth place after a narrow 1-0 win over Longridge Town.
Pat Davin netted the game’s only goal on 49 minutes, and a third straight win for Paul Marshall’s side was in the bag. A West win at FC Isle of Man, coupled with a Padiham defeat, will be enough for them to leapfrog them into fourth as they have a better goal difference.
REMY leave IOM as winners
Litherland REMYCA survived a late comeback from FC Isle of Man to record a 3-2 away win in the late kick off. Joel Ogiugo gave REMY the half-time lead, and they looked to be cruising to victory with further goals from Owen Beamon and Eric Durnell before the hour mark.
The Ravens almost made an epic comeback – with a REMY own goal getting them on the scoresheet, and Sean Doyle added a second on 86 minutes to set up a nervy last few minutes, but it would be the visitors who took the win.
Paul Jones’ side are now without a win in ten matches and will finish the season in 14th place at best. REMY end their own winless run, picking up a first three points in eight attempts.
Our second goal of the game
— Litherland REMYCA FC (@RemycaUtd) April 13, 2025
Correction to what was announced
J.HAMMILL AGAIN PROVIDER (well ish 👀)🔥
BEAMON WITH THE FINISH 💪🏻⚽️ pic.twitter.com/fp5AYhR1v9
North West Counties results – in brief
Burscough‘s quiet rise up the table continued with a 2-1 result at Glossop North End – with David Dempsey’s side now up to tenth place with a fourth straight win.
Abdul Djalo put The Hillmen ahead after ten minutes, but goals either side of the break from Matthew Hamilton and Harry Cannon-Noren secured an away win.
Stockport Town and Charnock Richard shared the spoils at SSV in a 1-1 draw. Darren Ehimamiegho put the home side ahead after just five minutes with his second for the club, but Shay Stansfield was on target for the visitors to secure a point
Finally, Abbey Hey and FC St Helens played out a goalless draw.
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