Over the coming days, we’ll be taking a look back at the 2016/17 season, running through how West did on a month by month basis. We start back in August…

West kicked off the season in the FA Cup as they welcomed AFC Liverpool to Brookburn Road in the Extra Preliminary Qualifying Round.  On the day a scratch West team had debutant Dean Williams to thank as several sharp saves from him earned West a 0-0 draw and a mid-week replay. That Wednesday West headed to the MTA Arriva Stadium where they clung onto a vital 1-0 win thanks to an early Jonny Poizer goal before several saves from Williams again ensured West’s passage into the next round.

The first league game came a week later as West travelled to the previous seasons runners up Runcorn Linnets who were undergoing a late summer rebuild under new manager Michael Ellison and his assistant Matt Cross.  The Linnets side that day featured two future West faces as goalkeeper Jack Ellison, via a brief stint at Congleton Town, and Kevin McGrath lined up; albeit Cookson’s stay would prove to be as brief as his stay at both Linnets and Congleton. West started brightly and lead through a fine Matty Kay header whose photo made the Non-League Paper before Linnets quickly equalised.  Teenager Rob Black scored his first goal for the club before Linnets again levelled from a set piece to ensure a deserved draw for both sides.

West followed the draw at Linnets, a third draw in four visits, with a narrow 1-0 home win to Nelson thanks to a 54^th minute Matty Kay goal on August 16^th.  Handed a home draw in the FA Cup West fell 2-0 down after 8 minutes to NWCFL side Squires Gate before pulling it back to 2-2 with 15 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Matty Kay and Ash Woods however they crashed out thanks a superb long range effort from Joe Noblet.

West bounced back in the league as they demolished New Mills in their first ever meeting thanks to an early brace from Ash Woods followed by goals from Mark Rogers and Matty Kay as they cantered to a 4-1 win in front a strong following of West supporters.  West made it three league wins on the spin  on August 27^th thanks to a late Ash Woods goal as West overcame Padiham at home 1-0.

West ended the month in defeat however as they fell at home to one of the league’s early pace setters Bootle losing 4-2 despite goals from Joe Shaw and Rick Gleave.