Tuesday 22 October 2024
NWCFL Premier Division
Matchday 16
Barnoldswick Town 1
Roberts 42
West Didsbury & Chorlton 0
Attendance: 153
West line-up:
1 Martin, 2 Rowney, 3 McConnell (12 Sutton 68), 4 Moore (c), 5 Riley, 6 Hughes (15 Kenny 63), 7 Banister (17 Darkwah 68), 8 Murray, 9 Abadaki (16 Grimshaw 63), 10 Lazenbury, 11 Matthews (14 Dass 63).
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West went down to a single goal at Barnoldswick Town on Tuesday night, a first loss in 10 league games and the very first away defeat of the Paul Marshall era.
The starting line-up featured a trio of changes from Saturday's memorable FA Vase win over Stockport Town, with Jimmy Moore, Connor Hughes and Billy Matthews returning to the team in place of Jake Kenny, Zak Bailey and Reuben Dass.
Both sides were playing for the eighth successive midweek and a heavy pitch is the enemy of weary legs.
From the off, however, Barlick didn't get the memo. Their energy was a level higher and they overloaded West in wide areas at will, twice coming close to an opening goal in the early stages. Leon Creech - scorer of Barlick's goal at Brookburn Road earlier this month - could only prod the ball wide at full stretch in front of an open goal, while Oli Roberts' 25 yard drive cannoned back off the post with Ollie Martin beaten.
Tom Murray responded immediately for West - the woodwork again keeping the scoresheet blank - but Barlick were relentless in attack. Will Procter was next to threaten but Chris Rowney covered superbly behind Martin, who then produced two stunning saves from Roberts and Creech.
West were four minutes away from reaching the haven of half-time when Roberts finally broke the deadlock, firing through a crowd at the near post after his free-kick had been returned.
Teams are most vulnerable just after scoring and Jordan Lazenbury almost proved this cliche true but saw his close range effort brilliantly deflected over, so West trudged back to the dressing rooms in a losing position for the first time since the FA Cup trip to Glossop in August.
The second half saw West now kicking downhill which helped level the contest, but chances were infrequent and low rent. James Ormrod wasn't far from doubling Barlick's lead on 67 minutes but his header thumped back off Martin's crossbar.
The game simmered to a close as West deployed all five subs - for only the fourth time this season - but to no avail.
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Photo credit: Alex Brotherton
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We spoke to West manager Paul Marshall after the game:
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Your Burton Road Brewing Co Supporter of the Match was Stuart and their Player of the Match was Ollie Martin.
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Browse through our wonderful match galleries, from club photographers:
Nathan Ashmall, Chris Michell, Jack Todd and Christina Bowett.
