Macron Cup weekend brings penalties, derbies and a milestone for Garstang

Penalty shootouts, derby wins and a major personal milestone shared top billing this week as the Macron Cup got under way alongside the regular Step 6 league programme in the North West Counties League.

At Telford Town, a 1-1 draw with AFC Bridgnorth went all the way to penalties, with goalkeeper Adam Jenkins saving the decisive spot-kick to send Town through after Charlie Swingwood's second-half equaliser had cancelled out Suar Deja's opener. The club have since strengthened further, bringing in defenders Brett Taylor and Tom Morris, along with Brett Lloyd and midfielder Tyler Bishop, as manager Mike Dunn continues to reshape his squad.

Penalties also settled the tie for Wolverhampton Casuals, who edged a 4-3 shootout win at Foley Meir after a 1-1 draw, Lewis Gill converting the winning kick after Harry Livingston's effort was saved by Amos. Elsewhere in Cheshire, Alsager Town edged neighbours Sandbach United 4-2 on penalties following a goalless 90 minutes, in a tie watched by a crowd of 181 the previous week.

Not every tie went to spot-kicks. Market Drayton Town lost 3-1 at home to Allscott Heath, who are now looking to make it five wins in a row, while Eccleshall eased past Shawbury United 4-2, Max Chimenes among the scorers as they booked a second-round trip. Bacup Borough ended Thornton Cleveleys' nine-game unbeaten run with a 3-0 win, the Reds reduced to ten men inside 15 minutes after captain Oliver Wilkinson was sent off for handling before Kyle Siddle converted the resultant penalty; Kaiden Barlow added two more for the hosts. Steeton also exited, beaten 4-1 at home by Premier Division side Nelson despite what manager Roy Mason called a "free hit" performance against higher-level opposition.

Among the weekend's other results, Ashton Athletic finally turned good performances into points, beating Maine Road 1-0 under the Brocstedes Park floodlights thanks to a 20th-minute tap-in from centre-back Joe Barlow, while Daisy Hill named Harry Allen, signed from Nelson in September, as their first Player of the Month after a string of clean sheets and key saves.

Amid the cup action, Garstang marked a notable piece of club history. Phil Nagy's appearance in last Wednesday's LFA Challenge Trophy tie against National League North side Southport was his 250th for the club since joining in 2018, a tally some 100 appearances clear of any other Garstang player since the step up to the NWCFL. Chairman Adrian Wilding presented the club captain with a framed shirt from his first season before kick-off, recognition of a run of service that has spanned multiple managerial changes at the club.

With the first round of the Macron Cup now largely concluded, the draw for round two has already begun to take shape, with Holker Old Boys handed a home tie against Nelson and MSB Woolton drawn at home to Litherland Remyca, both ties scheduled for 24 October.