Silsden (H) \\\ Matchday Info

• Saturday 31st August 2024 
• 3:00pm kickoff - gates open at 1:30pm and we advise arriving early to avoid queuing or delays
• FA Cup First Qualifying 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
• Card or cash, 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

Live news and text commentary on Twitter

Live radio commentary on Westlive

Preview

West’s FA Cup journey continues as Silsden travel over from West Yorkshire for a 1st Qualifying Round tie.

West's season is steadily coming together and while the team is proving hard to beat, there'll be a reaction expected after Monday's 2-2 draw with bottom side Litherland REMYCA. Otherwise we'll put that disappointment behind us in front of another bumper crowd this Saturday.

Never before have West progressed beyond this point in the FA Cup and, following dramatic wins against Burscough and Glossop North End in the preliminary rounds, this is a good opportunity to make history.

However, Silsden will be feeling the same way. A win on Saturday would also represent their best ever showing in the competition - having been defeated at this stage once before, by Holker Old Boys in 2004 - and they arrive in M21 with the confidence of a side enjoying a strong start to the season. Their passage through the FA Cup has been particularly impressive, notching 2-0 wins against step 4 sides Liversedge and Atherton Collieries.

Like West, the Cobbydalers play at step 5 of the non-League pyramid, in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division - alongside a number of West's past cup opponents; Penistone Church, Rossington Main, Parkgate, Barton Town, Albion Sports and current leaders Golcar United.

They sit 7th with eight points from five games, losing the only game they have played away from home to date. The prospect of a replay is a curious one considering Silsden have already drawn twice as many games this season as they did in the whole of the last, when they shared the points just once all season.

Silsden are one of seven NCEL sides remaining in the FA Cup, while West are among a trio of NWCFL representatives.

Located at the very Western tip of Yorkshire and little over ten miles from our NWCFL colleagues at Colne and Barnoldswick, Silsden played in the NWCFL themselves from 2004 until 2019. Both sides departed the Premier Division that season; West relegated to Division One and Silsden moving laterally east to the NCEL, where they have remained since.

So, although West fans may be pleased to draw a fellow step 5 side and avoid the higher non-League clubs who have entered at this stage, there's no doubt that this will be a difficult test.

Our Opponents At A Glance

Home colours: Red / black / red
Change colours: Yellow / black / yellow
Travelling distance: 53 miles
2023/24 position: 10th of 20, NCEL Premier
2023/24 average attendance: 205

Form Guide

West DWLDWD
Silsden WLWDWD

Past Meetings

The sides have an equal record across eight meetings, with three home wins apiece, two draws, and no away win. The last meeting came in January 2019, with West winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Stephen Hall and debutant Tom Horner.

Head to Head

Overall:
P8 W3 D2 L3 F9 A15

At The Step Places Stadium:
P4 W3 D1 L0 F7 A3

Meet Our Opponents

The first Silsden AFC was formed at a meeting at Silsden Liberal Club in September 1904. They adopted the blue and white playing kit used by the recently defunct village rugby club, and a field adjacent to the original rugby field on Keighley Road was hired - which remains the club's base to this day.

The club has a long and rich history, superbly documented on their website (click here) but one snippet we had to pick out was the unusual tale behind their expulsion from the West Riding County Amateur League in 1973 for refusing to play a cup final on the instructed date, in part due to half a dozen players travelling to Wembley to watch Leeds United in the FA Cup final against Sunderland.

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
Friday 30th August 2024
NWCFL Premier Division
Chadderton v Lower Breck
Saturday 31st August 2024
The Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Garforth Town v Bury
Lancaster City v Barnoldswick Town
NWCFL Premier Division
Abbey Hey v Litherland REMYCA
Burscough v Glossop North End
Cheadle Town v AFC Liverpool
Colne v FC Isle of Man
FC St Helens v Stockport Town
Irlam v Pilkington
Longridge Town v Ramsbottom United
South Liverpool v Padiham
Squires Gate v Prestwich Heys
Saturday 31st August 2024

Photographers: Nathan Ashmall and Chris Michell