Midcheshire Independent Issue 186

DECEMBER 2025 24 LOCAL RUGBY ROUND-UP Winning run comes to an end Tough task: Sandbach’s winning streak came to an end in North Yorkshire (Picture credit: Andy Mitchell) IN Northern Division – Regional 2 North West, Sand- bach’s winning run came to an end with a 20-7 defeat at North Ribblesdale. Independent LOCAL SPORT THE North West Counties League and the Midland League have issued a joint statement expressing their concern over the current non-league pyramid and its impact on their clubs. The leagues say they are interested in talking to the FA about the present system and the geographical boundaries that determinewhich league a clubplays in. And they havewarned that the present system is put- ting financial strain on clubs when it comes to travelling and is having a negative impact on players, match offi- cials and supporters. The statement said: “It has become increasingly apparent over the last few seasons, that the fluid geo- graphical boundaries that define the borders between various leagues are starting to cause concerns for leagues, clubs, players and supporters alike. “For nearly a decade nowThe FA have been trying to create the perfect non-league pyramid with a structure that rationalises the expectations for clubs to enter, and then progress, through theNational League System. “This season, theNorthWest Counties League contin- ues to operate with 24 teams in its Step 5 Division, with its most Southerly members in line with the path of the RiverMersey. “We have recently seen clubs such as Northwich Victoria and Winsford United migrate over to the Midland League Premier Division. “At Step 6, The NWCFL has clubs on the Wirral Peninsula travelling to places such as Wolverhampton, Telford and Wellington. Places of which should be syn- onymous withMidlands League. “With resource management, a key part of the oper- ations of the Midland League and the NWCFL, we are seeing our clubs travelling further, we are seeing clubs, who are appealing every season against their place- ment in various leagues, struggling financially to keep up with travel requirements and disengagement with players and local fan bases. “Local derbies are being reduced and as such clubs are seeing evolution with their traditional support being affected. “We are seeing memberships evolve around big cit- ies with clusters of clubs in 10-mile radius’ and regional and provincial clubs becoming more and more in theminority.” The statement added: “We feel that the time is right for discussions with The Football Association to talk openlywith leagues about thecurrent and future issues. Discussionsthataren’tlimitedbyamarginalisedagenda and discussions that address logistical concerns.” POPULAR defender Josh Langley is back at Nant- wich Town after making a welcome return to the club from Witton Albion. Langley, 33, previously spent three years at the Dabbers from 2019 to 2022, making 87 appearances and scoring on one occasion. The son of former Everton, Manchester City, Birmingham BY JonathanWhite NANTWICH Town under- 18s stormed into the quar- ter-finals of the Cheshire County Youth Cup with a superb 6-0 win over Staly- bridge Celtic at the Swan- sway Stadium. Fresh from a 5-1 victory in the previous round – and buoyed by the previous week’s 3-1 league win over the same opponents – the Dabbers went into the tie full of confidence. Nantwich started brightly and carved out several early chances, only to be denied by a determined Staly- bridge defence. The visitors responded with pressure of their own, but the home back line stayed organised and kept them at arm’s length. Midfielder Kenzie Pickles was at the heart of everything for Nantwich and his influence told just before the half-hour mark when he collected the ball on the edge of the box and drove a low strike into the bottom-right corner to break the deadlock. The hosts doubled their lead moments before the break. A cross from the right found Billy Newman, who calmly converted to send Nantwich in 2-0 up at half-time. Any hopes of a Stalybridge comeback were quashed less than a minute into the sec- ond half when Pickles struck again, firing home his second of the afternoon to make it 3-0. Despite that setback in North Yorkshire, which saw the five- game winning streak ended, ‘Bach held on to top spot in the table. The North Yorkshire side have only lost one home league game in two seasons, so the task was always going to be a challenge for the visitors. Sandbach’s Ryan Arundale rep- resented the English Fire Service against the Welsh Fire Service at StoneX Stadium, home of Sar- acens. Ryan started at lock and helped England to a narrow 33-28 victory over their rivals. Ryan had played for Sandbach’s 1st XV on the Saturday prior to linking up with the English Fire Service. He scored a try and was named player of the match in an emphatic win over West Park (St Helens). Ryan has played eight times this season for Sandbach and has scored two tries, helping to power them to the top of the table. Sandbach’s director of rugby Andrew Bird said: “Congratula- tions to Ryan on representing the English Fire Service and help- ing secure a hard-fought victory over Wales. “Since moving to the area and joining the club, Ryan has bought into the club ethos and is a great asset on and off the pitch.” Meanwhile, Macclesfield’s strong campaign in National League Two North continues to impress. Priory Park witnessed its most thrilling contest of the season as Macclesfield edged a breathless 39–38 victory over Tynedale, a match in which the lead changed six times and nei- ther side managed to gain more than a nine-point advantage. With both teams producing six tries apiece and the scrums evenly matched throughout, it was a contest worthy of two sides who were locked on eight wins and two defeats in the top four. Macclesfield went on to record a commanding 15-34 away win at Wharfdale which saw them in third place in the table. Speaking after the game to the club’s official website, Matt Coler- idge,director of rugby, said: “We didn’t get it all our own way, espe- cially at scrum time, but overall, the pack played really well, the lineout was firing, and the lads were composed in defence despite the penalty count. Conceding only three points in the second half was excellent.” The performance also under- lined a remarkable statistic: Mac- clesfield are currently the leading points scorers across all National League divisions, having now amassed 471 points. Individually, Harry Oliver is the leading points scorer in the National Leagues, his tally now standing at 146 points, reflect- ing his consistency, accuracy and influence in the squad. It’s time we talked! Langley makes his return Welcome move for defender and Wigan Athletic midfielder Kevin Langley, he began his career at the Latics before join- ing AFC Fylde in 2014. He went on to feature for a number of clubs includ- ing Southport, Altrincham and Guiseley. During his first spell at Nantwich the centre-back became a favourite at the Swansway Stadium. He helped to keep five con- secutive clean sheets, along- side current manager Jon Moran, for the first time in more than 50 years, and his performances earned him the Player’s Player of the Year award for the 2021/22 season. Langley departed for War- rington Rylands in 2022, before joining Ashton Athletic and then subsequently Wit- ton Albion in February 2025, where he was made captain. He is the latest in a number of signings as Moran looks to strengthen his squad. Teenage midfielder Joe Collins, a product of the Crewe Alexander academy, and defender James Baillie, another former Alex player, have arrived at the Swans- way Stadium. They have been joined by midfielder Oliver Fin- ney, who continues the Crewe connection. He played five games on loan at the Dabbers from Alex in the 2016-17 season under Phil Parkinson. Another product of the Alex academy, he played more than 120 games for them before leaving in 2023. Moran told the club’s official website: “I am delighted to be able to strengthen the squad with such quality. “We are really fortunate that as a club, we have the ability to attract players with a great amount of experience who gen- uinely want to play for the club. “We are focused on build- ing a group who want to play for two reasons, the club and success. “I am delighted with the squad we have been able to assemble thus far, but with all things, we must strengthen and the lads we have been able to acquire will do just that.” Young Dabbers on the charge Attacking intent: Town’s under-18s on the attack (Photo credit: Neil Workman) Nantwich were relentless from that point. Ten minutes after the restart, Rhys Jones marked his first goal for the club with a tidy finish for 4-0, before Newman grabbed his second just two minutes later to put the Dabbers out of sight. Stalybridge continued to battle but their attacking intent left gaps at the back. Sub Archie Pearce exploited the space on the left wing, cutting inside past two defenders and delivering a dangerous low ball that was turned into the net by a Staly- bridge defender.