FA Vase draw gives North West Counties League sides a first-round cluster

Thornton Cleveleys supplied the week's clearest story at Step 6. On 12 September, Jackson Bateman's goal on 58 minutes won the FA Vase tie at Step 5 side Newcastle Benfield 1-0 and sent the Reds into the First Round Proper for the first time. Oli Lombard kept a clean sheet, and manager Paul Gregory said that while Benfield were "a step above us", his side had the clearer chances in the first half.

Three days later the Reds were at it again, drawing 4-4 with Ramsbottom United in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy first round and winning 5-4 on penalties. The club described Ramsbottom as a Premier Division side. Joe Robinson, Dan Stoney, Jordan Beavers and Jacob Aspinall scored in normal time, and Gregory spoke of a long injury list, saying only 13 of 20 players were fit. He said the club's summer structure was designed to give younger players such as Dom Birch their chances, and that the unbeaten run had reached seven games.

They were not alone in the Vase. Ashville, Colne, Maghull, MSB Woolton, Holker Old Boys, Foley Meir, Eccleshall and Wolverhampton Casuals all advanced, and the First Round Proper draw produced some local pairings. Ashville are away at MSB Woolton, and Maghull host Colne on 10 October. That date has a knock-on effect: Maghull's league fixture at Steeton will be rearranged, as both clubs confirmed.

Eccleshall beat Coventry Sphinx 2-1 with penalties from Max Chimenes and Danny Glover, while MSB Woolton called their 1-0 win over Litherland Remyca an historic moment for the club. Not everyone had a happy Saturday. Telford Town went out 2-0 at home to Bewdley Town, Elliot Lees scoring a penalty on the stroke of half-time and Mike Briges adding a second four minutes after the restart. Barnton lost 7-6 on penalties to Parkgate after a 2-2 draw.

In the league, Bilston Town beat Widnes Town 7-0, and Widnes Town later confirmed a fixture reversal with Foley Meir because Marine had an FA Cup tie at home. AFC Knowsley recorded their first home win at Step 6, 4-2 against Ashton Town, in front of 109. At Brocstedes Park, Ashton Athletic lost 3-1 to Flixton despite hitting the crossbar through Joe Pennington and having two penalty appeals turned down, according to the club.

Midweek, Garstang beat Steeton 2-1 at The Riverside. Steeton had earned a point at Maine Road on the Saturday, Josh Coe scoring a late penalty in a 2-2 draw. Market Drayton Town won 2-1 at New Mills for a third straight victory, with Tyler Cooper scoring on his debut.