Match Reviews for
Macron NCEL 2026/27 Match Review #1
26th July, 2026
Crowds flocked to the opening round of the 2026/27 Macron NCEL season on Saturday and were entertained with plenty of goals as the new campaign got off to a flying start.
There was an average attendance of over 220 at 21 games across both divisions as all of our teams embarked on their nine-month journey.
The two promoted sides from Division One both had winning starts to their first seasons in the Premier Division with Dearne & District beating hosts Tadcaster Albion 3-1 and Worsbrough Bridge Athletic defeating Rossington Main by a single goal.
Justin Circuit gave Dearne an early lead before Oliver Green levelled for the Brewers in first-half stoppage time but it was the visitors who prevailed in the second-half with goals from Adam Baskerville and Owen Fieldsend whilst Tadcaster ended the game with ten men following the dismissal of Cole Roberts.
Keelan Grist was the matchwinner for Worsbrough, grabbing the decider in the 63rd minute to take all three points from Kalkut's Community Stadium.
Neighbours Retford FC and Retford United returned to the NCEL but were unable to start on a winning note.
Bernard Nsiah Yaa's equaliser ensured a point for the Choughs in a 1-1 home draw with Handsworth after Rion Arbouin had given the Ambers a 49th-minute lead.
And, United conceded the first goal of the Premier Division campaign at Golcar United, Ashley Flynn getting the first of his brace in the second minute, and a Joshua Egginton own goal claimed a 3-1 win for the hosts whilst the Badgers got a late consolation through Oliver Wilson.
Keighley Town's first game following their name change from Eccleshill United ended in a 1-1 scoreline at Frickley Athletic, Zaine Newman-Richards putting them ahead in the 27th minute only for Samuel Cable's leveller early in the second half to make sure honours ended even.
Bottesford Town enjoyed the biggest opening day victory as an Owen Vincent double, added to by Jack McMenemy, saw the Poachers defeat visitors Pickering Town 3-0 whilst Horbury Town were also home victors, Joel Feirn and Jak Mallinson with their goals as they beat Parkgate 2-0.
Corey Billy's last-gasp double snatched Campion a 3-2 win at Penistone Church after his side had conceded twice in the opening 24 minutes, and late goals from Luke Stewart and Alex Ingham saw Knaresborough Town grab a 4-2 victory at Thackley.
Barton Town were also an opening weekend winner as Craig King and Danny Earl struck in the second half to secure a 3-1 victory at Albion Sports.
In Division One, Joshua Batty scored the first goal of the entire NCEL campaign as he found the net after only fourteen seconds in Brigg Town's home clash with Appleby Frodingham.
Nathan Jarman equalised midway through the opening period before Adam Drury and then Batty's second gave the Zebras a 3-1 advantage that was cut in half by Eugene Ugenio as the hosts edged a five-goal thriller.
Three of the five sides coming into Division One from elsewhere were playing their first ever games in the NCEL with Field Olympic getting off to a winning start as they beat visitors Goole AFC 3-1, Samuel Bradley's brace adding to Joseph Colley's opener whilst the Vikings had equalised through Silas Valladolid-Collins.
LIV played out a highly entertaining 3-3 draw at Club Thorne Colliery, Ryan Whincup with their injury-time leveller to make it a point apiece after Scott Hutchinson had struck twice to seemingly give the hosts a winning start.
Kinsley Boys, meanwhile, fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to Crowle Colts, a Carlo Midwinter double in the opening ten minutes giving the visitors the perfect start before Henry Cook sealed the deal and Bradley Dockerty grabbed an injury-time goal for Kinsley.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare and Immingham Town tasted defeat on their return to the NCEL, Edward Tordoff netting twice for Leeds UFCA who won 3-1 at the Wells.
Calum Ward, Derry Robson, Ryan Dickinson and Oliver Bowes were the scorers for Doncaster City as they ran out 4-1 victors at Immingham.
The day's biggest crowd was at Station View where 524 saw hosts Harrogate Railway Athletic defeat South Leeds by the same scoreline, Alex Burton, Sam Cook, Sam Clothier and Jack Mason with their goals after Nathan Cartman had given the visitors a fourth-minute lead.
And, there were single-goal victories for Armthorpe Welfare, Selby Town and Wakefield AFC with Finley Harding getting the matchwinner for Welfare at home to Route One Rovers.
Joseph Rawcliffe got the decider for Selby as they beat visitors Athersley Recreation whilst Craig Nelthorpe's penalty claimed Wakefield the win at Winterton Rangers.
Photo: Ryan Whincup slams home LIV's injury-time equaliser to secure a point in an entertaining 3-3 draw at Club Thorne Colliery on Saturday afternoon. (Picture: Thomas Crabb)
There was an average attendance of over 220 at 21 games across both divisions as all of our teams embarked on their nine-month journey.
The two promoted sides from Division One both had winning starts to their first seasons in the Premier Division with Dearne & District beating hosts Tadcaster Albion 3-1 and Worsbrough Bridge Athletic defeating Rossington Main by a single goal.
Justin Circuit gave Dearne an early lead before Oliver Green levelled for the Brewers in first-half stoppage time but it was the visitors who prevailed in the second-half with goals from Adam Baskerville and Owen Fieldsend whilst Tadcaster ended the game with ten men following the dismissal of Cole Roberts.
Keelan Grist was the matchwinner for Worsbrough, grabbing the decider in the 63rd minute to take all three points from Kalkut's Community Stadium.
Neighbours Retford FC and Retford United returned to the NCEL but were unable to start on a winning note.
Bernard Nsiah Yaa's equaliser ensured a point for the Choughs in a 1-1 home draw with Handsworth after Rion Arbouin had given the Ambers a 49th-minute lead.
And, United conceded the first goal of the Premier Division campaign at Golcar United, Ashley Flynn getting the first of his brace in the second minute, and a Joshua Egginton own goal claimed a 3-1 win for the hosts whilst the Badgers got a late consolation through Oliver Wilson.
Keighley Town's first game following their name change from Eccleshill United ended in a 1-1 scoreline at Frickley Athletic, Zaine Newman-Richards putting them ahead in the 27th minute only for Samuel Cable's leveller early in the second half to make sure honours ended even.
Bottesford Town enjoyed the biggest opening day victory as an Owen Vincent double, added to by Jack McMenemy, saw the Poachers defeat visitors Pickering Town 3-0 whilst Horbury Town were also home victors, Joel Feirn and Jak Mallinson with their goals as they beat Parkgate 2-0.
Corey Billy's last-gasp double snatched Campion a 3-2 win at Penistone Church after his side had conceded twice in the opening 24 minutes, and late goals from Luke Stewart and Alex Ingham saw Knaresborough Town grab a 4-2 victory at Thackley.
Barton Town were also an opening weekend winner as Craig King and Danny Earl struck in the second half to secure a 3-1 victory at Albion Sports.
In Division One, Joshua Batty scored the first goal of the entire NCEL campaign as he found the net after only fourteen seconds in Brigg Town's home clash with Appleby Frodingham.
Nathan Jarman equalised midway through the opening period before Adam Drury and then Batty's second gave the Zebras a 3-1 advantage that was cut in half by Eugene Ugenio as the hosts edged a five-goal thriller.
Three of the five sides coming into Division One from elsewhere were playing their first ever games in the NCEL with Field Olympic getting off to a winning start as they beat visitors Goole AFC 3-1, Samuel Bradley's brace adding to Joseph Colley's opener whilst the Vikings had equalised through Silas Valladolid-Collins.
LIV played out a highly entertaining 3-3 draw at Club Thorne Colliery, Ryan Whincup with their injury-time leveller to make it a point apiece after Scott Hutchinson had struck twice to seemingly give the hosts a winning start.
Kinsley Boys, meanwhile, fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to Crowle Colts, a Carlo Midwinter double in the opening ten minutes giving the visitors the perfect start before Henry Cook sealed the deal and Bradley Dockerty grabbed an injury-time goal for Kinsley.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare and Immingham Town tasted defeat on their return to the NCEL, Edward Tordoff netting twice for Leeds UFCA who won 3-1 at the Wells.
Calum Ward, Derry Robson, Ryan Dickinson and Oliver Bowes were the scorers for Doncaster City as they ran out 4-1 victors at Immingham.
The day's biggest crowd was at Station View where 524 saw hosts Harrogate Railway Athletic defeat South Leeds by the same scoreline, Alex Burton, Sam Cook, Sam Clothier and Jack Mason with their goals after Nathan Cartman had given the visitors a fourth-minute lead.
And, there were single-goal victories for Armthorpe Welfare, Selby Town and Wakefield AFC with Finley Harding getting the matchwinner for Welfare at home to Route One Rovers.
Joseph Rawcliffe got the decider for Selby as they beat visitors Athersley Recreation whilst Craig Nelthorpe's penalty claimed Wakefield the win at Winterton Rangers.
Photo: Ryan Whincup slams home LIV's injury-time equaliser to secure a point in an entertaining 3-3 draw at Club Thorne Colliery on Saturday afternoon. (Picture: Thomas Crabb)
Latest Stories by Section