While we have to wait until Sunday to see how Gareth Taylor’s side fare against Chelsea in the Barclays Women’s Super League, fans around Manchester can still get their football fix today.
The Premier League and Championship are on hold during the Euro 2024 qualifiers but all levels of the men’s pyramid below that remain active this weekend.
Away from the pitch, you can still show your colours at our annual Blue Run which is happening this morning!
In lieu of any City sides playing, why not pop down to see one of our neighbours in action to mark Non League Day?
Below are some of the Manchester clubs down to the North West Counties Premier Division that are at home on Saturday…
Altrincham v Southend – 15:00 – National League
13th play host to 10th in the fifth tier at Moss Lane on Saturday afternoon. The Robins will be looking for an upturn in form after winning just one of their last four matches.
Just a short walk out of Altrincham town centre, Moss Lane dates back more than a century and that sense of history is clear from the moment you arrive at a quintessentially English football ground.
Oldham Athletic v Solihull Moors – 15:00 – National League
Premier League founding members back in 1992, Oldham have fallen on tougher times in recent years. This year they’re 15th in the fifth tier with 45 points from 37 games while visitors Solihull sit in ninth.
Boundary Park is one of the most historic grounds in English football, standing on its current site since the turn of the 20th century.
Joe Royle, the former City manager, is revered by locals after leading the Latics through their glory years in the 1980s and 1990s and even has a stand in his name.
Curzon Ashton v Chorley – 15:00 – National League North
Curzon Ashton play in the sixth tier, the highest regionalised level of English football. 13th with 50 points from 37 games, they face a tough test against play-off chasing Chorley this weekend.
The Nash’s Tameside Stadium is not far from the Etihad and close to the centre of Ashton-under-Lyne. The star attraction at the ground is undoubtedly the statue of three players who were born locally and won the World Cup; Geoff Hurst (England), Jimmy Armfield (England) and Simone Perrotta (Italy).
Atherton Collieries v Gainsborough Trinity – 15:00 – Northern Premier League Premier
Atherton, in the borough of Wigan on the outer reaches of Greater Manchester, is the proud host of seventh tier side Atherton Collieries. This weekend they play Gainsborough Trinity, who are fifth in the table while Atherton sit down in 16th.
The Colls play at Alder House and get their name from the group of miners who founded the club back in 1916.
Stalybridge Celtic v Ashton United – 15:00 – Northern Premier League Premier
Separated by less than three miles, this match is the definition of a local derby. Stalybridge sit in 18th, the place above the relegation zone, and will be looking to drag Ashton in 15th down into the battle.
Another ground well over a century old, Bower Fold has stood on Mottram Road since 1906 with Stalybridge calling it home for almost its entire life.
Trafford v Hanley Town – 15:00 – Northern Premier League West
Gunning for the play-offs to earn the right to play at the level that Atherton Collieries, Stalybridge Celtic and Ashton United above currently play, Trafford are in seventh.
This weekend they welcome Hanley Town, teetering just above the relegation zone, to the Shawe View Stadium.
Ramsbottom United v Widnes – 15:00 – Northern Premier League West
It’s largely been a season to forget for Ramsbottom, with The Rams sitting bottom of the eighth tier. Widnes are the visitors to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on Saturday and are also in the relegation zone themselves.
In the heart of the town, this is a beautiful setting for Saturday afternoon football.
Ashton Athletic v Charnock Richard – 15:00 – North West Counties Premier Division
Already relegated to the First Division, Athletic are playing for pride against mid-table Charnock Richard.
Bury AFC v Kendal Town – 15:00 - North West Counties Premier Division
AFC are the club currently representing the town of Bury after the Shakers were expelled from the Football League in 2019.
With lots of fixtures to catch up on this season, they have moved from Radcliffe’s Stainton Park to Mossley’s Seel Park for this weekend. Victory over 14th placed Kendal would put Bury in an excellent position for back-to-back promotions.
Wythenshawe Town v Lower Breck – 15:00 - North West Counties Premier Division
Hot on the tail of leaders Avro, Wythenshawe will see this weekend’s assignment with 15th placed Lower Breck as an excellent opportunity to further their promotion ambitions.
Both Wythenshawe and Avro know that Bury, with several games in hand, are hunting them down so will need to get as far out in front as possible.
