Match Reviews for
Macron NCEL 2025/26 Match Review #4
7th August, 2025
Three more Macron NCEL sides have made it through to the next round of this season's Emirates FA Cup after winning replays in midweek whilst there was also plenty of action in the Premier Division and Division One.
Sheffield and Wombwell Town both defeated league rivals to progress and are joined in the Preliminary Round by Barton Town but Knaresborough Town bowed out as they tasted defeat.
A double by Alexander Hardwick gave Sheffield a 2-1 advantage in their Extra Preliminary Round replay at Albion Sports with Nathan Cartman netting an equaliser for the hosting Lions.
James Aspinall put into his own net to extend the visitors' lead at the start of the second period with Cartman's second, this time from the penalty spot, reducing his side's arrears once more in the 50th minute.
But, Sheffield held on for a 3-2 win whilst Wombwell had a more comfortable night as they dispatched away side Horbury Town 4-0.
Jordan Kershaw and Daniel Youel struck in a lightning start for the hosts with Nicholas Guest and Jamal Stewart making sure of the victory after the interval.
Barton came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Loughborough Students, Fraser Papprill with an equaliser towards half time and Grant Tait securing their progression with their second with nine minutes remaining.
Knaresborough took the lead at Bridlington Town through a Jack Lazenby strike at the start of the second period but the hosts forced extra-time and then went through 2-1 with an early goal in the further thirty minutes.
In the Premier Division, Tadcaster Albion, Penistone Church and Thackley were all victorious to make it two wins out of two to begin their league campaigns.
Tadcaster won 2-1 at Eccleshill United, Charlie Owen's opener for the Brewers cancelled out by the hosts before Oliver Green struck what proved to be the winner in the 69th minute.
Penistone trailed 2-1 at Beverley Town with seven minutes remaining but Nathan Keightley's leveller and an injury-time winner from Leon Hurles-Brook saw them snatch the points with a 3-2 victory.
And, Thackley were also successful on their travels, Nathan Hunt's first half injury time strike being the only goal of their game at Rossington Main.
Elsewhere, Pickering Town won 3-2 at home to Golcar United, Souleymane Coulibaly adding to a Harvey Coates own goal and their second from George Brown whilst Will Morrisey and Ryan Wadsworth found the net for the visitors.
Meanwhile, Handsworth, through late goals from Oliver Currie and Mitchell Dunne, prevailed 2-1 at home to Liversedge, the away side halving the deficit in stoppage time through Antony Brown.
Harrogate Railway Athletic are the early leaders of Division One after Alex Burton, Harry Lynn and Harris Eggleston got on the scoresheet in a 3-0 home win over Leeds UFCA.
The Rail are ahead on goal difference of South Leeds who won 3-2 at home to Selby Town with a William Law penalty added to by Taylor Starkey and Mitchell Hamilton whilst Harry Clapham scored from the spot and Charlie Petch grabbed a late consolation for the Robins.
The top six is completed by Goole AFC, Route One Rovers, Dearne & District and Club Thorne Colliery after they all picked up victories.
James Eyles' 89th minute decider grabbed Goole a 2-1 win at Athersley Recreation whilst Zak Khan's third hat-trick of the season helped Rovers to a 4-1 home victory over Maltby Main.
Owen Fieldsend, Adam Baskerville, Cian Guest and Jamie Austin were the scorers as Dearne defeated visitors Wakefield AFC 4-0 and late goals from Harry Brown and Marc Newsham earned Thorne a 3-1 win at Brigg Town.
The game at Brigg, their first on their new pitch, drew a crowd of 457, the second biggest of midweek, ten behind the attendance at Wombwell's FA Cup tie.
A double from Bayley Lowe helped Armthorpe Welfare to a 3-2 victory at Winterton Rangers and there were 2-1 away wins for Worsbrough Bridge Athletic and Ilkley Town.
Lewis O'Connor struck in the 88th minute for the Briggers at Louth Town and Eliel Anku and Kevin Gonzalez made sure of the points for Ilkley at Doncaster City.
And, the points were shared by Glasshoughton Welfare and their visitors Appleby Frodingham with William Mendonca grabbing both of the home side's goals in a 2-2 draw.
Photo: Henry Parr on the ball for Brigg Town as their first game on their new pitch ended in a 3-1 home defeat to Club Thorne Colliery in Macron NCEL Division One on Wednesday night. (Picture: Anna Bäckström)
Sheffield and Wombwell Town both defeated league rivals to progress and are joined in the Preliminary Round by Barton Town but Knaresborough Town bowed out as they tasted defeat.
A double by Alexander Hardwick gave Sheffield a 2-1 advantage in their Extra Preliminary Round replay at Albion Sports with Nathan Cartman netting an equaliser for the hosting Lions.
James Aspinall put into his own net to extend the visitors' lead at the start of the second period with Cartman's second, this time from the penalty spot, reducing his side's arrears once more in the 50th minute.
But, Sheffield held on for a 3-2 win whilst Wombwell had a more comfortable night as they dispatched away side Horbury Town 4-0.
Jordan Kershaw and Daniel Youel struck in a lightning start for the hosts with Nicholas Guest and Jamal Stewart making sure of the victory after the interval.
Barton came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Loughborough Students, Fraser Papprill with an equaliser towards half time and Grant Tait securing their progression with their second with nine minutes remaining.
Knaresborough took the lead at Bridlington Town through a Jack Lazenby strike at the start of the second period but the hosts forced extra-time and then went through 2-1 with an early goal in the further thirty minutes.
In the Premier Division, Tadcaster Albion, Penistone Church and Thackley were all victorious to make it two wins out of two to begin their league campaigns.
Tadcaster won 2-1 at Eccleshill United, Charlie Owen's opener for the Brewers cancelled out by the hosts before Oliver Green struck what proved to be the winner in the 69th minute.
Penistone trailed 2-1 at Beverley Town with seven minutes remaining but Nathan Keightley's leveller and an injury-time winner from Leon Hurles-Brook saw them snatch the points with a 3-2 victory.
And, Thackley were also successful on their travels, Nathan Hunt's first half injury time strike being the only goal of their game at Rossington Main.
Elsewhere, Pickering Town won 3-2 at home to Golcar United, Souleymane Coulibaly adding to a Harvey Coates own goal and their second from George Brown whilst Will Morrisey and Ryan Wadsworth found the net for the visitors.
Meanwhile, Handsworth, through late goals from Oliver Currie and Mitchell Dunne, prevailed 2-1 at home to Liversedge, the away side halving the deficit in stoppage time through Antony Brown.
Harrogate Railway Athletic are the early leaders of Division One after Alex Burton, Harry Lynn and Harris Eggleston got on the scoresheet in a 3-0 home win over Leeds UFCA.
The Rail are ahead on goal difference of South Leeds who won 3-2 at home to Selby Town with a William Law penalty added to by Taylor Starkey and Mitchell Hamilton whilst Harry Clapham scored from the spot and Charlie Petch grabbed a late consolation for the Robins.
The top six is completed by Goole AFC, Route One Rovers, Dearne & District and Club Thorne Colliery after they all picked up victories.
James Eyles' 89th minute decider grabbed Goole a 2-1 win at Athersley Recreation whilst Zak Khan's third hat-trick of the season helped Rovers to a 4-1 home victory over Maltby Main.
Owen Fieldsend, Adam Baskerville, Cian Guest and Jamie Austin were the scorers as Dearne defeated visitors Wakefield AFC 4-0 and late goals from Harry Brown and Marc Newsham earned Thorne a 3-1 win at Brigg Town.
The game at Brigg, their first on their new pitch, drew a crowd of 457, the second biggest of midweek, ten behind the attendance at Wombwell's FA Cup tie.
A double from Bayley Lowe helped Armthorpe Welfare to a 3-2 victory at Winterton Rangers and there were 2-1 away wins for Worsbrough Bridge Athletic and Ilkley Town.
Lewis O'Connor struck in the 88th minute for the Briggers at Louth Town and Eliel Anku and Kevin Gonzalez made sure of the points for Ilkley at Doncaster City.
And, the points were shared by Glasshoughton Welfare and their visitors Appleby Frodingham with William Mendonca grabbing both of the home side's goals in a 2-2 draw.
Photo: Henry Parr on the ball for Brigg Town as their first game on their new pitch ended in a 3-1 home defeat to Club Thorne Colliery in Macron NCEL Division One on Wednesday night. (Picture: Anna Bäckström)
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