Saturday 12 October 2024
NWCFL Premier Division
Matchday 14
West Didsbury & Chorlton 2
Abadaki 17, 88
Charnock Richard 1
Carsley 13
Attendance: 1251
West line-up:
1 Martin, 2 Rowney, 3 McConnell, 4 Moore (c) (14 Bailey 39), 5 Riley, 6 Hughes (12 Holt 65), 7 Banister, 8 Murray, 9 Abadaki, 10 Lazenbury, 11 Matthews (15 Dass 70). Not used: 12 Yarwood, 17 Grimshaw.
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A third brace of the season for Victor Abadaki secured a seventh league win in eight and moved West to within two points of the playoff places.
A bumper crowd of 1,251 were in attendance at Brookburn Road for a match that started quickly with both sides creating opportunities to break the deadlock inside ten minutes. West handed a full debut to Jack Banister after his move from Stalybridge Celtic, and Banister immediatley had the better of his opposing full-back as he continued to make in-roads for West down the left-hand side. It was the visitors however who took the lead in the 13th minute Brad Carsley headed in an excellent cross from Kuda Chingwaro.
West did not take long to regain their composure and hit back. Jimmy Moore and Paul Riley both had chances to equalise with close range headers, but it was Victor Abadaki who eventually drew West level on 17 minutes to get his 11th goal of the season. It started with an excellent cross from Banister that was cushioned down by Jordan Lazenbury before getting his shot away. That effort was somehow deflected on to the crossbar but Abadaki was able to anticipate the flight of the ball and volley the rebound in from two yards out.
Abadaki then had the chance to put West in front moments later in extremely fortuitous circumstances. As Charnock were still picking themselves up from the equaliser, a misjudged backpass from full-back Marcus Haydock was played right into the path of Abadaki in the centre of the goal. Visiting goalkeeper Oliver Bellizia however was quick to make himself big and block Abadaki's shot to keep the scores level. Charnock were perhaps thankful to make it to the break on level terms, particularly after West had the ball in the net just shortly before half-time. Banister was the receiver of the ball on this occasion and smashed home a deep-lying cross from the right wing, but the assistant referee adjudged Abadaki in the centre to be offside due to his own attempt to connect with the cross. After a lengthy period of consultation between the officials, the decision not to allow the goal was upheld.
The second half was a far less open affair and neither team showed the same attacking rhythm that they had offered during the opening stages. Lazenbury almost capitalised from a scuffed goalkick just before the hour, but Bellizia in the Charnock goal recovered his composure and diverted the shot behind from a corner. Otherwise, the match gradually began to peter out and it looked as though West would have to settle for a respectable if slightly underwhelming draw. That was until West won a corner in the 89th minute. The cross in from the right led to another goalmouth scramble until the ball rolled towards Abadaki six yards out who leathered it home in front of an ecstatic Shed end. Abadaki, who is still recovering from a dislocated shoulder, celebrated his goal with a perfect backflip to cap off his match-winning performance.
West then saw out the final stages to record another win or what has been a remarkable run of form. They now sit two points below the playoff spaces and welcome 4th place Lower Breck to Brookburn on Tuesday for a real promotion 6-pointer.
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We spoke to West manager Paul Marshall after the game:
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Your Burton Road Brewing Co Supporters of the Match were Pat and Sarah and their Player of the Match was Victor Abadaki.
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Browse through our wonderful match galleries, from club photographers:
Nathan Ashmall, Chris Michell, Jack Todd and Christina Bowett.
