Wednesday 14th August 2024
NWCFL Premier Division
Matchday 4

Pilkington 1
Beigan 40
West Didsbury & Chorlton 1
Billingsley 5

Attendance: 102

West line-up:
1 Martin, 2 Kenny, 3 Sutton, 4 Moore (c), 5 Cole, 6 Rowney, 7 Billingsley (14 Darkwah 74), 8 Murray (15 Whiteoak 65), 9 Abadaki, 10 Holt (16 Wharton 74), 11 Matthews (12 Lescott 70). Subs not used: 17 Steve Yarwood.

West picked up a valuable point on the road in St Helens but left with a sense of two points dropped.

For the third game running West took the lead inside five minutes as Kris Holt harassed the Pilkington defence into an underhit backpass before the charging down Hilton's attempted clearance, giving Lewis BILLINGSLEY the straightforward task of passing the ball into an empty net.

West kept the foot down after scoring, maintaining possession of the ball when Pilkington were looking to hit back, without coming especially close to a second. The remainder of the first half was a game of to and fro, played at a decent intensity on a pitch that was anything but conducive to that. 

Five minutes before the break, Pilkington equalised. A slip in the West backline allowed Gilchrist to knock down for BEIGAN, who stroked the ball beyond Martin.

The second half was a story of what might have been. Ben Wharton hit the bar, Victor Abadaki lifted the ball over Hilton only for a defender to get back, and Cam Darkwah saw a low shot saved after controlling a high cross.

Pilkington can't be begrudged a point, they didn't lose concentration and defended resolutely, but West can't afford too many games where points are dropped because chances aren't taken. Overall a positive performance and a real sense that things are coming together.

Listen to Paul Marshall's post-match thoughts here:

Your Burton Road Brewing Co Supporter of the Match was Ross and his Player of the Match was Max Sutton.

This evening’s @burtonrdbrewing Supporter of the Match is Ross and he chose Max Sutton as his Player of the Match. pic.twitter.com/Ra7zx2WOxY

— West Didsbury & Chorlton (@WD_CFC) August 14, 2024

Midweek results
NWCFL Premier Division
Monday 12th August 2024
Stockport Town 2-4 Glossop North End
Tuesday 13th August 2024
Abbey Hey 1-7 Bury
AFC Liverpool 5-3 Squires Gate
Barnoldswick Town 2-2 Padiham
Burscough 1-3 Charnock Richard
Chadderton 2-0 Cheadle Town
FC St Helens 5-4 FC Isle of Man
Longridge Town 8-0 Colne
Ramsbottom United 3-2 Irlam
Wednesday 14th August 2024
Litherland REMYCA 2-4 Lower Breck
South Liverpool 0-3 Prestwich Heys

Photographers: Nathan Ashmall and Chris Michell