North West Women’s Regional Football League: 2025/26 season sprang to life across all four divisions

The 2025–26 campaign in the North West Women’s Regional Football League sprang to life delivering an intense opening round across both the Premier Division and the three Division Ones.

There were emphatic wins and tight contests on Sunday, August 17, here’s how the opening day unfolded, and what’s coming next.

Premier Division

AFC Fylde Women stole the headlines with a devastating 7-0 victory over West Didsbury & Chorlton, racing into a 4-0 half-time lead to underline their title credentials.

Elsewhere, Darwen Women battled past Bolton Wanderers Women 2-1 at the Anchor Ground, while Tranmere Rovers Women impressed with a 2-1 away win at Bury Women.

A five-goal thriller at Tameside Stadium saw Crewe Alexandra Women edge Curzon Ashton 3-2, and Mancunian Unity Women struck late to seal a narrow 1-0 away win against Fleetwood Town Wrens Ladies.

In a close game Poulton Vics Ladies claimed a 1-0 win against FC United of Manchester Women.

Division One North

In Division One North, Preston North End Women signalled their intent with a dominant 5-0 victory over Chorley Development.

Blackpool Girls & Ladies came out on top in a 3-2 thriller against Penrith AFC Ladies, while Bolton Wanderers Girls FC began strongly with a 3-1 win over Workington Town Women with Kirsten Donald scoring Town’s goal.

Penrith AFC led early through Abbie Forster and doubled the lead when Forster was brought down in the box with Kayleigh Wharton scoring the resulting penalty.

Fleetwood Town Wrens Reserves secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Morecambe Women, and Accrington Stanley Women shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Haslingden Ladies.

Division One South

The day’s biggest scorers came in Division One South, where Nantwich Town Women crushed Altrincham Women 8-1 to storm to the top of the table.

There were fireworks elsewhere too. Chester FC Women came through a pulsating encounter against Runcorn Linnets with a 5-3 win, while newcomers Manchester Laces edged out Wirral Phoenix 2-1 in a close-fought contest.

Warrington Town Women also got off to a winning start, defeating Macclesfield FC Women 3-2, while Liverpool Feds Reserves and AFC Crewe Women could not be separated in a lively 2-2 draw.

With Nantwich already setting the pace, the division looks set for another unpredictable campaign packed with goals.

Division One Central

There was a goal-fest at the Ruskin Drive Sports Ground as Atherton Laburnum Rovers Ladies put seven past hosts Pilkington Women FC to win 7-2.

This was only enough to put them second as Rochdale AFC Women won 6-0 at Radcliffe FC Women to claim top spot.

FC St Helens Women won 4-0 at MSB Woolton FC as Mossley Hills Athletic Women beat Wigan Athletic Ladies 4-1.

Salford City FC Lionesses squeezed a 3-2 victory against Ashton Town Ladies as they look to make it back to the Premier Division.

With two big wins and two comfortable victories the division has started with a bang.

Midweek Fixtures Preview

The North West Women’s Regional league continues on Wednesday, August 20, as teams look to make their marks in the early rounds.