Episode 83 of Counties Podcast is massive, as we review the NWCFL Premier Division. Zach is host as we look at our over-achievers and under-achievers, before Rob, Martin and Gary put forward our teams for our Premier Division Squad of the Season, with Zach making the call as to who makes the final 23.

We also have a couple of interviews. We chat to Colne Manager Steve Cunningham as he reflects on his teams Championship win. We also talk to Mark Ashmore who looks back on Squires Gate’s season.

Tweet us your thoughts to @countiespodcast, particularly on whether you agree with our Premier Division Squad selection!

Episode 73 sees Rob McKay in the hotseat with Martin Fallon alongside him. Gary Langley is on the rails, but joins us for an FA Vase cameo, whilst Zach Pierce has an exam – good luck Zach!

Its our longest podcast ever this week, as we hit the business end of the season. We focus on promotion in both divisions as well as talk about the Reusch and MEN United Cups!

We even have TWO interviews this week, with St Helens Town legend Jeff Voller talking about his side’s great form and a potential new ground, whilst Colne Manager Steve Cunningham joins us to talk about reaching the clubs first ever MEN United Cup Final and the great support of our East Lancashire clubs amongst other things.

Another fun show as always so please check it out and don’t forget to drop us a message on Twitter @countiespodcast

We’ve had some time in the Podcast office this morning so we’ve taken a break from ordering the intern around and put together some projections for the promotion run in’s in both divisions.

In the Premier Division four teams hold out ambition of breaking the hundred point barrier as Runcorn Linnets lead the league following closely by Colne and Atherton Collieries with 1874 Northwich not far behind. The projections are based on current Points Per Games which of course doesn’t account for improved or loss of form but merely the average across the season to date.

In the relegation battle its either three from four or four form five dependant on whether or not Silsden can take full advantage of their games in hand over AFC Darwen but with most teams with as many as half their games remaining there is so much to play for.

In the First Division there is such a discrepancy between the team with the most games played and the team with the fewest meaning that the maximum points available to some teams is not far off the maximum points on offer!

Although Barnton lead the way, their recent dropped points hasn’t been punished by the in-ability (because of the weather not the clubs themselves) of their opponents to get their games on. Three teams in the First Division have more than half their games to play and all three, Hanley Town, Ashton Town and Holker Old Boys, are Barnton’s championship rivals based on PPG and maximum points available to them. Like Barnton, Stockport Town and Cheadle Town’s ability to get games on has seen them hold play off places and like Barnton they will be hoping that their rivals fixture pile up and the fact that so many teams have to play will still have each other to play.

Either way its set to be an exciting final three months (at least) of the season.

Episode 60 sees Martin Fallon in the studio alongside Rob McKay, whilst Gary Langley dials in from a secret location in the North West.

Its a bumper podcast. We discuss the latest games, talk changes to County Cups, ask is this the best Premier Division, look forward to the FA Vase matches, debate whether our view is our own, and even launch a petition to the Football Association!

This weeks mega interview comes from Colne Manager Steve Cunningham, who discusses his sides start to the season, how Colne have improved on and off the field, the signing of Jay Hart, plus we look at the weekend’s big game at Runcorn Linnets.

Episode 45 is another long podcast as we appear to have lost the art of keeping it short! The usual four horsemen are in the studio with Gary Langley your host for this weeks show.

We discuss all of last weekend’s action in the Premier and First Division as well as midweek action. We also have the return of Zach Discovers when he tells us all about the historic resort town of Blackpool!

Our interview this week is with Colne manager Steve Cunningham who tells us about his teams start to the season, his squad and the renaissaince in football in that part of Lancashire.

The game I will never forget…

Saturday 14^th February 2015, otherwise known as cup day to me and you. Not the FA Cup, no something much more important, the Quarter Final of the MEN United Cup. A game up in the hearty hills of Lancashire that determined who would progress to the semi-final. Said game was between Colne and Atherton Collieries.

It was no easy feat, for both sides. Colne were doing well and held their own at the top end on the NWCFL Premier Division and Steven Cunningham should have been and would have been proud of his well-drilled Colne side. Atherton Collieries, my team, on the other hand were top of the First Division, therefore, it was difficult to class this match as a ‘David vs Goliath’ – don’t get me wrong though, it was a challenge.

Weather, overcast – rain was in the air, I was in the air, well at least it felt that way at Colne’s XCLR Stadium. It was safe to say that from behind the goal I had the best view of Lancashire, in Lancashire.

As the two teams came out, nerves hit me, and I’m sure they hit both sets of supporters. This was a big game. I was stood behind the far goal (at the bottom of the slope) with club photographer Rob Clarke, supporters Gemma, Jasper, Blake and Arthur, and club secretary Emil. We didn’t know what to expect. We are always positive and go into the games knowing for certain that the lads would give their all, 100%. However, Colne were a good side, we knew that for certain. The again, so were we, and boy did the lads show up that day.

The game started with energy, both teams wanted this, you could tell. The reds and the Collieries shared possession. Colne enjoyed the opening ten minutes as they registered their first shots on goal. The Collieries had the next period of the half.

Then, it came, well, at least we thought it did. In a packed Colne area, a Collieries free kick flew into the box. Mark Battersby leapt into the air like a salmon to get his head to the ball. The ball jolted and changed direction thanks to Battersby’s guidance. The ball then bounced off the underside of the bar, drifted on the line and then was scrambled away. Did it cross the line? Was that a goal? We will never know. The important thing was the fact the ‘liner’ thought not.

Colne finished the half with an effort of their own. Danny Boyle wiggled his way into the Colls’ box but fired his shot at the reliable Taberner.

Half Time – Colne 0-0 Atherton Collieries

At the break it was evident that magic was needed to separate both sides, there was nothing between them.

Second half, we swapped ends and found ourselves stood next to the infamous Red Army. We were joined by Chris Boland, father of Atherton’s Matty and other fellow Collieries supporters. Colne were chanting. ‘Why don’t we?’ – Everyone around me considered the same thing. So we did.

As the lads came out in the second half chants of ‘Michael Clegg’s Barmy Army’ were sung whereas from the Colne end, ‘Red Army’. And throughout the half various chants both Colls and Colne themed were sung by respective supporters. The noise was loud. This wasn’t the Premier League, or the Championship. It was the NWCFL’s own cup competition, and it was better.

Spurred on by such as atmosphere both sides went for it, the phrase ‘winner takes all’ sprung to mind.

Colne’s Andy Tinker drilled a hard and low cross into the Colls’ box. However, the dangerous ball was cleared away. Nearly. Atherton’s Josh Messer curled a ball into the box for Ian Howard to head straight into the palms of the Colne Goalkeeper. Nearly. Minutes later, Matty Boland curled a corner into the packed Colne box. Mark Ayres was the most alert out of everyone to tap the ball into the back of the net, amid the bodies that scrambled to defend the Colne goal, and send the Collieries into the lead. There.

The net rippled. I threw my arms up in the air; others did the same around me. People cheered, others ran and the players celebrated.

Colne, both on and off the field, never gave in. The supporters remained strong chanting against us, as did the players on the field who fought till the very last minute.

The clock read 70. Goal scorer Ayres sent a ball into the Colne area. Ian Howard was on hand to tap the ball in the direction of the goal. Colne defender Jonathan Hodgkinson deflected into his own goal. 2-0. Celebrations, repeat.

However, that was not that, two minutes after the second goal was scored Colne found themselves with a penalty. Silence had fallen upon the XCLR Stadium. It was Boyle vs Taberner. Boyle kicks. Taberner saves! Cheers, of relief.

Both sides worked hard throughout the rest of the game. Colne tried to find a way back. Atherton defended their lead.

Full Time – Colne 0-2 Atherton Collieries

Job done. However, there was one more memorable moment still left to come.

As Colne supporters made their way to the players tunnel to clap their players (who had worked very hard) they shook our hand and congratulated us. Something you would rarely find in the Premier League or the Championship. That’s what makes Non-League what it is, and that’s why so many now support it.

What a day, what a game. One that will live long in the memory – the chants, the goals, the noise when we scored and the great hospitality from all at Colne.

Zach Pierce

Episode 34 of Counties Podcast is the final of our three end of season round ups. We start with the 14th placed team in the NWCFL Premier Division and work our way up to the Champions.

Zach Pierce jumps in to host this week with sidekicks Rob McKay and Martin Fallon alongside him. And we are delighted to be joined for the second half of the podcast by Colne manager Steve Cunningham, who helps us look at the top six in the league as well as giving us an insight into his Colne team.

Welcome to the first episode of Counties Podcast, with Rob, Martin and Zach. Colne Manager Steve Cunningham joins us to analyse the weekend fixtures and talk about Colne, plus we hear from AFC Liverpool Manager Paul Moore.