West Didsbury & Chorlton v Vauxhall Motors    

• Saturday August 5th 2023
• Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
• 3.00pm kickoff - gates open at 1.30pm and we advise arriving early to avoid queuing or delays
• The Step Places Stadium, Brookburn Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 8FE
• Season tickets aren't valid for Cup games - advance tickets available HERE
• £7 adults, £5 Students / 60+ / Under 16s, Free Under 12s
• Food and drink available 
• Dogs welcome
   

Preview

West start their 2023/24 FA Cup journey against a familiar opponent in Vauxhall Motors, now residing in the NPL Division 1 West.

Aspriring to become only the seventh NWCFL club to reach the 1st Round Proper, West must first overcome last season's NWCFL Premier Division champions who visit Brookburn Road with a daunting head-to-head record of five wins from five, with no goals conceded.

The FA Cup is now a mainstay of West's early-season itinerary but this itself is a measure of how far the club has come. A decade ago at time of press, the club had yet to play its first FA Cup tie, debuting later in August 2013 with a 2-0 home win over Abbey Hey.

Curiously that was West's last victory in the competition at Brookburn Road, with a draw and eight defeats since. Our most memorable FA Cup moments have undoubtedly come away from M21, with wins at AFC Liverpool, Athersley Rec, Squires Gate, Longridge Town and, perhaps most memorably of all, last season's 3-2 win at Northwich Victoria which secured passage to the First Qualifying Round for the first time.

Macclesfield ultimately brought the curtain down on West's FA Cup adventure last time out, but recent runs in the FA Vase and Lancashire Challenge Trophy have proven West to be a strong cup team capable of upsetting the odds in any one-off game.

In fact, the two clubs share the unusual distinction of having their best FA Cup performance halted by Macclesfield, the Silkmen also putting paid to Motors' heroics in the 2002/03 edition after a famous 1st Round replay win at Loftus Road against QPR, then of the third-tier.

Enjoying five years of progress under manager Mick McGraa, Motors' stay in NWCFL Division 1 South was prolonged over 3 years, missing out on promotion thanks to a decimal points-per-game deficit then the two covid curtailments.

Finally taking their place in the NWCFL Premier Division for 2021/22, Motors secured an 8th placed finish before mounting a promotion challenge last season. Sealing the title in March, Motors held firm as others fell away, finishing eight points clear of the chasing pack. 

West come into the game with a win and a defeat already on the board in the NWCFL Premier Division while the Motormen's first NPL fixture, at home to Witton Albion, isn't until Saturday 12th. 

Motors' home colours are white / navy / navy, with yellow / green / yellow their change combination.

If this match is drawn after 90 minutes, a replay will be scheduled to take place on or before Thursday 10 August 2023, kick-off 7.45pm.

If this match is postponed, it will be rescheduled and played on or before Thursday 10 August 2023.

Follow West on Twitter for match updates.

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 spaces. Please instead use Hardy Farm, M21 8DP, which is open from 1pm.

Disability spaces must be accessed before 2pm 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 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.

Other NWCFL clubs in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
AFC Liverpool v Lower Breck (6pm)
Albion Sports v Chadderton
Barnoldswick Town v Handsworth
Burscough v Pilkington
Charnock Richard v Squires Gate
Congleton Town v Wythenshawe Town
Glossop North End v Colne
Kendal Town v Consett
Padiham v Silsden
Prestwich Heys v Bootle
Stockport Town v Ramsbottom United
Uttoxeter Town v Bury (at Bury)
West Didsbury & Chorlton v Vauxhall Motors
Whitchurch Alport v Cheadle Town
Widnes v Longridge Town
Wythenshawe v Campion

NWCFL Premier Division 
Saturday 5th August 2023
FC Isle of Man v Litherland REMYCA (6pm)
FC Isle of Man did not enter the 2023/24 FA Cup and Litherland REMYCA are serving a one season FA Cup ban.

Pictures by Chris Michell & Simon Cooke