By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Jon Pidgeon Trafford vs Longridge Town

Trafford cruise to opening day win

Trafford ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Longridge Town in their first game since relegation to the North West Counties Premier Division.

Back in the Counties for the first time since winning the competition in the 2007-08 season, Tom Baker’s side were ahead midway through the first half via Ryan Brooke’s 21st minute opener.

Kyle Worsley doubled Trafford’s advantage on 56 minutes, before an audacious back heel from Fin Stanyer wrapped up the victory. Watch the video below, it’s worth it!

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Droylsden win behind closed doors

Newly-promoted Droylsden beat AFC Liverpool 1-0 at The Butchers Arms in a match played behind closed doors.

Dave Pace’s side won thanks to Nellson Van’s 14th minute effort, but there was nobody there to witness it thanks to the club’s three game (one suspended) crowd ban following trouble at last season’s First Division North final against Maghull.

Fans will not be able to attend the midweek match against South Liverpool either, after the club’s appeal was rejected in the week leading up to this fixture.

AFC Liverpool’s visit to Manchester today. Not the score we wanted 1-0 to Droysden, played BCD. But for a team only weeks together, performance and effort looks great. Well done Gents. Some more pics to follow. pic.twitter.com/lQ1p0llnWg

— The Northern (@SanandBilly) August 1, 2026

Nelson’s smash and grab victory

Substitute Jack Doherty was the hero for Nelson as the First Division North champions picked up a last-gasp 2-1 win at Atherton LR.

This was a slow burning match in which there was no goal until the hour mark – with Luke Hepple netting for the visitors.

Debutant Jack Foster looked to have grabbed a point for Dave Jones’ home side, but Doherty – on for Hepple – snatched the winner in added time. Nelson are in the Premier Division for the first time in nine seasons.

🎥 Arron shares his thoughts on today’s performance and 3 points away at Atherton LR 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Mq2FPUuBo1

— Nelson FC (@Nelsonfc1) August 1, 2026

Strong start for Burscough

New-look Burscough are off and running after beating Prestwich Heys 4-1 at The Community Ground.

Now led by former AFC Liverpool boss Phil Stafford, Burscough were quickly in front here through Owen Fisher-Jones within two minutes. No other goals in the first half, but Callum Laird doubled the home side’s advantage shortly after the restart.

Louis Holt gave the visitors hope with his 62nd minute goal, but a late Joel Skillen brace – both coming after 90 minutes – left the win in no doubt.

Wins for Glossop and Isle of Man

It’s been slow, but steady progress for Glossop North End since their return to the Counties, with a higher league finish each year in their three season run here. Could this continue? A 2-0 win over Euxton Villa is a good starting point.

Neither side could break the deadlock until Owen Warburton managed it just before the hour. Jordan Schofield’s converted penalty with 20 minutes made certain of it.

It’s a first win for Glossop over this opposition, having collected one point from their two meetings last term.

FC Isle of Man have been in decline over the same three year period, but have started this season positively with a 2-0 victory over FC St Helens at The Bowl.

James Lowther’s goal on 29 minutes gave The Ravens a lead they would not let go of. A late red card for visiting substitute Ethan Jones (86), combined with Will Cowin’s last minute goal, ensured it would be a subdued journey home for the visitors.

Draws aplenty on opening day

Abbey Hey grabbed a point in a 2-2 home draw with Barnoldswick Town thanks to sub Callum Pugh’s last minute penalty. Aadi Luck had earlier opened the scoring for the Gorton side (37), but a goal in each half for Ryan Bolton and Will Procter looked to have turned the game in Barlick’s favour.

Pugh wasn’t letting that be the case, and even a late red card for Theo Farquharson couldn’t deny Abbey Hey their share of the spoils.

MatchDay #1 ✅

A second half comeback that ultimately wasn't to be as the opening match of the season against @abbeyhey_fc ended 2-2

Ryan Bolton opened the score sheet with a bending free kick around the wall, and Will Proctor volleys it home

🎥 @lukepyrah_35 pic.twitter.com/uRZUdJ8cRx

— Barnoldswick Town FC (@barlickfc) August 1, 2026

Similarly, Irlam left it very late to rescue a 1-1 draw at South Liverpool. Matthew Mallon’s red card just before the break didn’t deter the hosts, who went 1-0 up thanks to Sam Mullally’s penalty.

Jack Mitchell netted the equaliser in added time and denied South an impressive victory having played half the game with ten men.

Gareth Hill marked his debut for Ramsbottom United with the opening goal (16) in a 1-1 draw at Litherland REMYCA. Dylan Westerside ensured the reprieved side took a point with his effort just before half time.

Finally, there were two early goals as Charnock Richard and Chadderton shared a 1-1 draw. Chaddy took the lead on eight minutes through Ollie Ford, but Nathan Nickeas’ volley five minutes later ensured the points were shared.

North West Counties First Division North results

• Abbey Hey 2-2 Barnoldswick Town
• Atherton LR 1-2 Nelson
• Burscough 4-1 Prestwich Heys
• Charnock Richard 1-1 Chadderton
• Droylsden 1-0 AFC Liverpool
• FC Isle of Man 2-0 FC St Helens
• Glossop North End 2-0 Euxton Villa
• Litherland REMYCA 1-1 Ramsbottom United
• South Liverpool 1-1 Irlam
• Trafford 3-0 Longridge Town

𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗬𝗖𝗔 𝟭-𝟭 𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗦𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗧𝗢𝗠 𝗨𝗧𝗗

Ramsbottom United Manager Rob Henry talks to Gareth Schofield after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Litherland in the new season opener. pic.twitter.com/ihhk33vnHH

— Ramsbottom United (@RamsbottomUtd) August 1, 2026

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