WEEKEND PREVIEW: VALLEY AIM TO BUILD MOMENTUM AS HAYDOCK VISIT BANKY LANE

Mersey Valley return to Banky Lane this Saturday looking to build on a sensational six-goal victory over Wythenshawe Reserves when they welcome Haydock in another important Cheshire Football League Two encounter.

After a difficult opening to the new campaign, Valley have now won two of their last three league matches, scoring an impressive 15 goals in the process. Last weekend’s emphatic 6-0 victory provided the perfect response to the disappointment of the previous week’s remarkable 6-5 defeat at Pilkington.

The challenge now is to build on that performance and begin turning individual victories into a consistent run of results.

Standing in their way are a Haydock side who have enjoyed a positive start to the season and sit amongst the early promotion contenders.

With league leaders Upton also facing one of their toughest tests of the campaign, Saturday promises to be another fascinating afternoon in Cheshire Football League Two.

Matthews Masterclass Inspires Six-Goal Victory

Last Saturday was an afternoon to remember at Banky Lane.

Following the frustration of conceding six goals at Pilkington, Valley produced an outstanding response, dismantling Wythenshawe Reserves 6-0 with a performance full of energy, quality and determination.

The headlines belonged to James Matthews, who continued his remarkable start to the season with four goals, taking his tally to nine across the last two league matches.

Matthews opened the scoring after 15 minutes before adding his second on the stroke of half-time. Two further goals shortly after the restart completed a magnificent individual display and put Valley firmly in control.

Sam Deering added a fifth in the 79th minute before Wilson Usieme completed the scoring six minutes later with his first competitive goal for the club.

While Matthews understandably took the plaudits, the result was very much a collective achievement. Valley registered their second clean sheet in three matches, providing an encouraging response to the defensive problems that had undermined some excellent attacking performances earlier in the campaign.

It was a victory that demonstrated just what this Mersey Valley side is capable of producing.

League Two: The Battle Begins To Develop

The opening weeks of the season have already produced plenty of goals, dramatic encounters and some fascinating early results.

Upton have set the pace with five victories from their opening five league matches, establishing themselves as the early team to beat.

Behind them, the chasing pack remains tightly grouped, with Haydock, Barnton Reserves and Pilkington all making encouraging starts.

Valley’s opening six league matches have produced an extraordinary 40 goals, with 20 scored and 20 conceded. It has certainly been an entertaining start for anyone following the Amber Army.

Two victories from their last three matches have provided a platform to build upon, but with the season still in its early stages, there is plenty of football ahead and plenty of opportunity for teams to move up the table.

This weekend could provide another important indication of how the division is beginning to take shape.

Another Big Weekend Across League Two

Five league fixtures are scheduled for Saturday, with several potentially significant meetings.

Perhaps the standout encounter away from Banky Lane sees leaders Upton welcome unbeaten Barnton Reserves. Upton’s perfect start will face a serious examination against a Barnton side who have also impressed in the opening weeks.

Wythenshawe will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat when they welcome Maine Road Reserves, while Warrington Rylands Development host Congleton Town Reserves.

Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves also return to league action with a home fixture against Moore United.

And at Banky Lane, two sides with ambitions of climbing the table meet as Mersey Valley take on Haydock.

Familiar Rivals Return To Banky Lane

Saturday’s visitors are certainly no strangers to Mersey Valley.

The two clubs have enjoyed some fiercely contested encounters over recent seasons, and there is every reason to expect another competitive afternoon when Haydock arrive at Banky Lane.

The visitors have collected seven points from their opening four league matches, including an impressive 4-1 victory over Maine Road Reserves earlier this month.

For Valley, Saturday represents an opportunity to build on the confidence generated by last weekend’s outstanding victory.

There have been plenty of goals, some frustrating afternoons and some excellent performances already this season. What Hudson and his players will now be looking for is consistency.

Ahead of the game, we caught up with the Mersey Valley manager.

Jon, last Saturday must have been a hugely satisfying afternoon after the disappointment at Pilkington?

Absolutely. I was delighted with the players because I think everyone knows how disappointed we were after Pilkington. To score five goals away from home and come away with nothing was incredibly frustrating, particularly because we know we are capable of much better.

But the reaction last Saturday was excellent. We asked the players to respond and they certainly did that.

We played some really good football, scored six excellent goals and, just as importantly, kept a clean sheet. It was a proper team performance and one that everyone involved should take a lot of confidence from.

James Matthews has been in extraordinary form. How impressed have you been with him?

James has been outstanding. Nine goals in two league matches is an incredible achievement at any level of football, and he deserves every bit of recognition he’s getting.

But what pleases me just as much is his attitude and his contribution to the team. He’s worked incredibly hard, he’s playing with confidence and he’s getting the rewards for that.

He’s a hugely important player for us, but I know James will be the first to recognise the contribution of his teammates in creating those opportunities.

Two wins and two clean sheets in the last three league matches. Do you feel things are starting to come together?

I think we’re moving in the right direction, definitely. We’ve had a difficult start and there have been moments where we’ve made life far too difficult for ourselves, but I’ve always believed in the quality we’ve got in this squad.

We’ve scored 15 goals in our last three league games, which is a fantastic return, and the two clean sheets are equally encouraging.

The important thing now is consistency. We can’t be brilliant one week and then give ourselves mountains to climb the next. That’s the challenge for all of us.

Haydock are next, and there have been some real battles between the clubs over the years. What are you expecting?

A really tough game. We’ve had some excellent matches against Haydock and they’re always competitive encounters.

They’ve started the season well and they’re up near the top of the table, so we know they’ll come here with plenty of confidence. But we’re at home, we’ve just produced an excellent performance and we should be looking forward to the challenge.

We respect every opponent in this division, but we’ve got to have belief in ourselves and what we’re capable of achieving.

Finally, what would you like to see from the players on Saturday?

More of the same in terms of attitude, energy and togetherness. I thought the players were excellent last weekend, but the message after the game was that one result doesn’t change everything. We have to keep working hard and keep improving.

I want us to enjoy our football, play with confidence and show that same determination every single week. We’ve got a good group of lads here and I genuinely believe we can have a very positive season. Saturday is another opportunity to show that.

This Weekend

Saturday 17 October 2026

Cheshire Football League Two

Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves v Moore United
Mersey Valley v Haydock
Upton v Barnton Reserves
Warrington Rylands Development v Congleton Town Reserves
Wythenshawe v Maine Road Reserves

Back At Banky Lane. Six goals, a clean sheet and a memorable afternoon last weekend.

Now comes another challenge against one of the division’s early front-runners. For Mersey Valley, the objective is simple. Build on the positives, maintain the momentum and make Banky Lane a difficult place for visiting teams.