Pitchero Non League

.....Woodley Sports – showing they are determined to bounce back after dropping out of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League in May.

Now managed by former Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and England striker Peter Withe, Sports won 4-0 at Ashton Athletic, with Gomez Bali netting a hat-trick with goals in the 2nd, 16th and 38th minute and John Marsden sandwiching the other in the 11th.

Mixed fortunes for the two promoted sides.

Wigan Robin Park won 1-0 at home to Maine Road, courtesy of a 50th minute Ryan Small effort, but Norton United were beaten by the same scoreline at home by AFC Blackpool, for whom Marco Cobb was on target after 67 minutes.

John Lawless, who has played at Football Conference and NPL level for several clubs, bagged a brace to help AFC Liverpool win 2-1 at home to Silsden – a 17th minute own goal being the only Cobblydalers` reply.

Andrew Hurst was another two-goal man as his Winsford United side won 2-1 at Bacup Borough, for whom Kingsley Williams replied just past the hour-mark.

Sam Aspinwall was another to find the net twice on the opening day, but it wasn`t enough for Alsager Town at Squires Gate as the sides shared a 3-3 thriller.

Jon Forbes gave Gate an 11th minute lead that Aspinwall cancelled out on 23 minutes, but when Joe Shelmerdine made it 2-1 to the hosts with 20 minutes left, that looked like it – only for Aspinwall and Liam Rigby to make it 3-2 to the Bullets in the 83rd and 84th minute, only for Tom Benfield to equalise a minute later.

Craig Fitzjohn also left it late for St Helens Town when he netted the winner in the 86th minute at Colne, whose Dominic Craig had levelled Stephen Edwards` 10th minute opener for the Saints 5 minutes before the break.

Liam Blakeman after 8 minutes and John Black on 32 scored the goals that gave Bootle a good start at Congleton Town, while the remaining games all ended in draws.

Kelvin Lugsden grabbed an 89th minute equaliser for Glossop North End at home to Stone Dominoes, who came back from being a 15th minute Ashley Smallwood goal down to go 2-1 up through Dwayne Spence after 19 minutes and Angelo Errico right on half-time.

Joe Garvin gave hosts Padiham a 32nd minute lead, but fancied Runcorn Town earned a point with a James McShane effort 9 minutes into the second half.

Town`s neighbours, Runcorn Linnets, fell behind at home to Barnoldswick Town in the 5th minute, courtesy of Liam Garbutt, but Paul Bowles levelled on 20 minutes.

Tags: News | The North West Counties Football League Premier Division

• The North West Counties Football League
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  • + Bullets Still Seeking Applications
  • + NWCL Constitution Agreed
• Premier Division
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  • + Glossop Looking for New Manager
  • + Dale Appointed Bullets Number Two
  • + Bacup of Rossendale Boro Begins
  • + Saints Partner Up With Hearts & Goals
  • + Saxons Delight at Striker Signing
  • + Willcock Reveals His Management Team
  • + New Management Team at Ashton Athletic
  • + Ashton Make Small Signing
• Division One
  • + Historic First Signing
  • + Walker Steps Down - Gibson Appointed
  • + Buckley Steps Down at Chadderton
  • + One In - One Out at Ashton Town
  • + Squirrels to Groundshare With Linnets
  • + New Chaddy Bosses Target Top Half Finish
  • + Fawcett Handed Old Boys Post
  • + Management Shuffle at Irlam