By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Paul Moran AFC Liverpool vs Irlam
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Pilkington grab big win late on
Pilkington completed a smash and grab 5-2 win at West Didsbury & Chorlton on the North West Counties Premier Division’s opening day with three goals in the last 10 minutes.
The St Helens side had looked on track for victory after going 2-0 up through Kyle Robinson-Murray and Ryan Beigan as the game approached the hour – only to be pegged back by the home side’s Andy Briggs and Adam Dawson by the 75 minute mark.
The goalscoring was far from over though – with both of Pilkington’s earlier scorers doubling their tallies and Liam Bott scoring the fifth across a seven minute period to seal an impressive win.
READ MORE: NWC: Huge 4-0 win for West Didsbury & Chorlton
Padiham see off Ammies
Padiham came out on top in the battle of two sides expected to do well this year – beating relegated Wythenshawe 3-0 on their return to Step 5.
Freddie Machell’s early goal set the tone for The Storks as he broke the deadlock after three minutes. Joel Brownhill’s penalty on the stroke of half time doubled their advantage, and Jack Price sealed it midway through the second half.
Padiham made it to the playoff final last year after finishing fourth before losing to runners up Lower Breck.
A catch up with the boss following a tough opener!#Wythenshawe #UpTheAmmies ๐ตโช๏ธ pic.twitter.com/orUMF28Y41
— Wythenshawe Football Club (@WythenshaweFC) July 26, 2025
Stockport Town too good for South Liverpool
Stockport Town roared to a 3-0 win over South Liverpool at Jericho Lane with new signing George Kattah bagging two goals on his debut.
The ex-Droylsden man’s brace gave his side a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break, with Josh Fowles adding a third in added time – also on his full debut for The Lions.
Paul Turnbull’s side have now won all three of their games against the Jericho Lane outfit since both were promoted to Step 5 last season.
Mitchell double wins it for Irlam
Irlam got off to a winning start, with Jack Mitchell scoring twice in a 3-2 win at AFC Liverpool.
Caleb Jones opened the scoring for the hosts after 13 minutes, and netted his own brace after James Boyd’s equaliser and Mitchell’s first gave Irlam the lead for the first time on 50 minutes.
Mitchell’s second seven minutes later sealed the victory in a topsy-turvy game as Irlam look to build on a seventh place finish last term.
Rams off to winning start
A pair of Jacob Holland-Wilkinson goals ensured Ramsbottom United were able to see off newly-promoted Atherton LR as the ex-Chorley man made an immediate impact.
Holland-Wilkinson’s two first half goals left LR with too high a mountain to climb, despite substitute Tom Romano setting up a nervy ending to the match with his goal on 78 minutes.
It’s a narrow defeat for the away side on their return to the Premier Division for the first time since 2012.
๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ ๐จ๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ฎ-๐ญ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ง๐ข๐ก ๐๐ฅ
— Ramsbottom United (@RamsbottomUtd) July 26, 2025
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ช๐ฆ๐ณ ๐๐ช๐ท๐ช๐ด๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ
A debut double from Jacob Holland-Wilkinson helped get the Rams new season off to a winning start at the HWRS this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/IKt9KCgICX
Clean sheet Cheadle off and running
Saul Henderson’s first goal in Cheadle Town colours set the Park Road side en route to a 2-0 win over Barnoldswick Town.
A summer signing from Abbey Hey, Henderson’s header on 50 minutes was added to by Liam Delaney’s penalty 12 minutes from time.
158 were in attendance.
โIโm here to try and be successfulโฆ everyoneโs here for the same goal.โ ๐
— Cheadle Town FC (@CheadleTownFC) July 27, 2025
We had a quick chat with Saul after he made his full debut with a goal and winning the penalty for the second.
๐๏ธ@_RobMackenzie #WeAreCheadle #nwcfl pic.twitter.com/UfXh5wKGVy
Longridge Town pick up three points
A Matthew Van Wyk double gave Longridge Town the advantage over FC St Helens.
James Flight had given the visitors the lead on the half hour, but two second half goals from Van Wyk swung the game in favour of the hosts.
Lee Ashcroft’s side gain revenge for losing both league games to this opposition by an aggregate 7-0.
Hillmen battle back to draw
Glossop North End snatched a point in a 2-2 draw with City of Liverpool despite being two goals down early doors.
Andy Mandjoba’s penalty and a Robert Murphy goal within the first half hour had given the relegated side the perfect start before the home fightback began.
Oliver McKay pulled one back within five minutes of the restart, and Jack Hopkins bagged a draw for his side with ten minutes left to spare.
North West Counties Premier Division results in brief
Chadderton are off to a winning start – with Benito Lowe’s early penalty enough to see off Charnock Richard.
Euxton Villa have their first point at Step 5 after drawing 1-1 with Prestwich Heys. Jack Wyers-Roebuck gave the promoted side the lead before Josh Tinker pulled one back for the visitors.
Burscough and Abbey Hey shared the spoils at the Community Ground. Both goals came in the last ten minutes, with Matthew Hamilton and Edward Schryburt on target.
Finally, FC Isle of Man and Litherland REMYCA played out a goalless draw in the late kick-off.
As ever it’s a busy start in the Premier Division with a full fixture list in midweek.
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