Burscough (H) \\\ Matchday Info

• Saturday 3rd August 2024 
• 3:00pm kickoff - gates open at 1:30pm and we advise arriving early to avoid queuing or delays
• FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round - replay if scores level after 90 mins
• The Step Places Stadium, Brookburn Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 8FE
• Season tickets NOT in use for this match
• Pay on the gate with cash or card or buy in advance via Shocal
  • £7 adults,
  • £5 students / 60+ / 16 and under
  • £1 under 12s
• Dogs welcome
• Food and drink available throughout the ground
• Burritos from WrapScallion

Live news and text commentary on Twitter

Live radio commentary on Westlive

Preview

West’s positive start to the league season will be put to one side this Saturday as Burscough travel to Brookburn Road in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.

West are one of 442 teams across the country joining the competition at its very outset this weekend, facing the Linnets in the first of a possible six qualifying rounds taking place ahead of the First Round Proper later in the year.

Following West’s 1-1 draw at Stockport Town on Monday, manager Paul Marshall indicated that a number of players who have been absent from the first two matchday squads are due to return for this Cup match. Lewis Billingsley and Charlie Whiteoak are two players in particular that have been identified by Marshall as ones who are likely to make an appearance this weekend.

Opponents Burscough have won one and lost one of their opening two matches in the NWCFL Premier Division. They opened their campaign with a 1-0 loss at Longridge Town last Saturday before bouncing back with a 4-2 win at home to Squires Gate in midweek.

Although some controversial rule changes have been introduced regarding FA Cup replays this season, those rules only apply from the first round proper and, if Saturday’s match is level after 90 minutes, the teams will reconvene at Burscough’s Community Ground in the week. The eventual winners of this tie will receive a prize of £1,125 and will face a trip to either Litherland REMYCA and Glossop North End in the Preliminary Round in a fortnight's time.

A curiosity of this season's competition is that ten clubs will jointly create a new competition record. Five ties - including one between NWCFL Premier Division sides AFC Liverpool and Abbey Hey - will be played on Friday 2nd August, the earliest ever start date in FA Cup history and only one day later than the uniquely delayed final of the 2020 edition.

West's FA Cup adventure is now in its 11th season, with highlights including the 3-2 win at Northwich Victoria in 2022 and last season's 2-0 defeat of Vauxhall Motors.

Prior to that win over Vauxhall, West had gone almost a decade since an FA Cup win on home soil, a run that had stretched back to a 2-0 win over neighbours Abbey Hey in August 2013 - the club's first ever FA Cup game.

West's away record in the competition is more favourable, with five wins and only one defeat from eight ties. Regardless, Paul Marshall and his team won't be affected by what's gone before and, with utmost respect to our opponents, will be treating this home tie as an opportunity to progress and deliver a win in front of another big crowd on a sunny afternoon in M21.

History

The first Burscough Association Football Club was formed in 1880 although their existence was short-lived and the club folded in 1900. Five years later Burscough Rangers were established and continued to operate as the town’s football club until the start of the Second World War.

In 1946, Burscough FC were founded, and they have continued to operate across the non-league pyramid ever since. They are founding members of the NWCFL and hold the honour of being the league’s first ever champions in 1981.

Burscough’s most successful spell arguably came at the turn of the current millennium, and their greatest day came in 2003 when they beat Tamworth to lift the FA Trophy at Villa Park. Two years later they had a similarly impressive cup campaign, reaching the Second Round of the FA Cup. This run included a win against League One Gillingham before bowing out 4-1 to Burton Albion, falling 90 minutes short of a third-round tie at home to Manchester United.

Any disappointment was short-lived though when they won a treble the following season, which winning the Northern Premier League title on goal difference, to go within two divisions of the Football League. Such successes have not been sustained in the intervening 15 years and they were relegated into to the NWCFL Premier Division in 2017/18.

Burscough were coincidentally the first ever team to eliminate West from the FA Cup, winning at Brookburn Road in August 2013.

Head to Head

Overall:
P9 W6 D0 L3 F24 A20

At The Step Places Stadium:
P5 W3 D0 L2 F11 A12

Quick Info

Home colours: All green
Change colours: All purple
Travelling distance: 38 miles
Last season's position: 20th, NWCFL Premier
Last season's average attendance: 168

Directions

We encourage supporters to use public transport, cycle or walk if possible. 

By car:

There is no parking available at the ground for supporters, except for pre-booked disability access.

Please instead use Hardy Farm, M21 8DP.

Disability spaces must be accessed no later than one hour before kickoff and all vehicles will be unable to exit until 15 minutes after the final whistle to ensure the safety of all supporters leaving the stadium.

There is additional public car parking on Chorlton Ees opposite The Bowling Green pub, who are also allowing supporters to use the pub car park, but there is little other on-street parking.

Please also note that there is no parking available on Brookburn Road itself, nor the surrounding Chorltonville area, as they are privately maintained, exclusively for the use of residents.

By public transport:

The Step Places Stadium is one mile from Chorlton Metrolink station, on the East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines. Follow Google Maps directions to find your way to the ground.

If you are travelling from outside the Greater Manchester area, the Metrolink network can be accessed from any of Manchester’s central train stations. Visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website for tram times and more information.

By cycle:

The Step Places Stadium is a perfect location for those who cycle, being located next to the River Mersey, Sale Ees and only a few minutes away from the Fallowfield Cycle Loop. We have secure bicycle racks inside the ground to lock up your bike throughout the game. Please ask a volunteer if you need assistance.

Prohibited items

Bringing pyrotechnics, drums/instruments and/or alcohol into the ground is prohibited. It is a criminal offence to bring pyrotechnics into any stadium. Stewards may conduct bag searches for prohibited items upon entrance to the stadium. Bag searches are a condition of entry and your co-operation is greatly appreciated. Spectators who break these rules may be banned from the ground and any pyrotechnics and/or alcohol will be confiscated.

Weekend fixtures
Other NWCFL Premier Division sides in FA Cup action
Friday 2nd August 2024
AFC Liverpool v Abbey Hey
Saturday 3rd August 2024
Barnoldswick Town v Brighouse Town
Congleton Town v Bury
Colne v Mossley
Emley v FC St Helens
Hallam v Lower Breck
Handsworth v South Liverpool
Litherland REMYCA v Glossop North End
Longridge Town v Cheadle Town
Northwich Victoria v Squires Gate
Padiham v Golcar United
Penistone Church v Charnock Richard
Ramsbottom United v Stalybridge Celtic
Stockport Town v 1874 Northwich
Stocksbridge Park Steels v Prestwich Heys
Whitchurch Alport v Irlam
Wythenshawe v Pilkington
Wythenshawe Town v Chadderton

Pictures by Chris Michell