Macron Cup first round reshapes the North West Counties week

The opening round of the Macron Cup gave clubs across the North West Counties League a competition to hang the week on, and few ties carried more weight than FC Isle of Man's at The Bowl. A 6-0 win over Widnes Town, with Adam Adebiyi scoring a hat-trick, sent the Ravens into round two for the first time, a tie the club had already billed as historic before kick-off given it was the competition's maiden visit to the island. Ahead of kick-off, former Raven Sid Batty completed a 300-mile run in aid of Samaritans and suicide prevention. Days earlier the same club had beaten Charnock Richard 2-1 in the league, Charlie Higgins and Alex Maitland on target before Simon Grand's reply proved too little.

Charnock Richard shook off that league loss by edging Longridge Town 4-2 after twice trailing, Nathan Nickeas completing the turnaround from the penalty spot after Ethan Eccleston had restored the lead late on.

Atherton Laburnum Rovers produced the round's biggest scoreline, beating Abbey Hey 5-2 with Joe Bacon scoring a hat-trick and debutant Logan Newton marking his senior bow with a goal after being introduced from the bench. Manager David Jones praised Newton's composure, saying he "didn't look out of place" and that the club wanted "a genuine pathway" for its young players. The draw sent Atherton LR to Flixton, the reformed phoenix club making its return to the pyramid this season.

Ramsbottom United eased past Cheadle Heath Nomads 4-0, Isaac Lam and Daniel Forbes among the scorers, and were handed a tie against Chadderton, who themselves progressed with a 2-0 win at Droylsden. Manager Rob Henry called the performance "pleasing."