Third time lucky for Prestwich Heys as cup trilogy ends in league win

Three matches in eight days between the same two clubs is not something the North West Counties League sees often, but Prestwich Heys and South Liverpool have spent the past week doing exactly that. It began with a 2-2 draw in the FA Cup first qualifying round at Jericho Lane, Ellis Richardson's injury-time goal rescuing a replay after Heys had trailed twice. The replay at Adie Moran Park went the other way, South Liverpool winning 2-1 to end the Heys cup run and set up a second qualifying round trip to either Shildon or Warrington Town. Saturday brought the third instalment, this time in the league, and Richardson settled it again with a first-half goal in a 1-0 win at South Liverpool that gave Heys, as their own report put it, their reward at the third attempt. It was only their second win in seven league games, having entered the fixture with one win from their first six matches

At Atherton Laburnum Rovers, the week carried a heavier note. The club announced that captain Dave Moore, with more than 250 appearances and a member of the 2024/25 treble-winning side, is to leave. "This is a really sad day for me," Moore said, thanking supporters for chanting his name and making him a banner over two spells at the club. Manager Dave Jones called him "a fantastic servant" whose contribution went beyond appearances. Days later the club also confirmed Tom Romano, the leading scorer in each of the last two seasons with 64 goals in 111 games, would make his final appearance against Longridge Town before relocating to London for work. Jones said Romano would be "massively missed, both on and off the pitch." Amid the departures, Atherton Laburnum Rovers also brought in Jake Parker, an attacking midfielder with spells at Witton Albion, and James Aspinall, a goalkeeper previously with Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic under-23s.

Elsewhere, Ramsbottom United were beaten 1-0 at home by high-flying Droylsden, who arrived to face a side that held a 100% win record on their own turf, having taken 13 points from six games since returning to the division for the first time since 1987. F.C. St. Helens recorded a 9-0 win, with Tom Scarborough among the scorers. Charnock Richard progressed in the FA Vase on penalties away at Trafford, while Burscough came from behind to beat Chadderton 3-2. Barnoldswick Town beat Euxton Villa 4-1, Will Procter scoring a hat-trick on his first start back from injury.